There was still a sweet smell next to Hans Dietrich when he awoke. Though a part of him was overcome with happiness, he was still mindful of Esther, his newlywed wife's bad experiences with previous partners. He couldn't approach her from behind, and he had learned that there were going to be mornings where he would wake up and Esther would be asleep on the couch. It was disappointing sometimes, but he couldn't fault her for being afraid. Even after they were married, Esther's old habits stuck around. Dietrich never questioned her, but did his best to show that he was different.

That morning, he awoke to find Esther was still in bed with him, but her back was turned. It was tempting to roll over and cuddle her. He didn't want to wake her, but he did want to let her know it was only him in bed with her, and nothing bad was going to happen to her with him around. He wasn't sure how to show that, but he eventually decided to try something. He began gently stroking Esther's arm. When she didn't react, he stopped, unsure if he should continue.

Maybe I went too far, Dietrich thought.

Much to his surprise, Esther rolled over and snuggled into his chest, letting out a contented sigh. "Good morning, Hans," she whispered.

"Good morning, Esther." Dietrich kissed the top of her head. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept well," Esther replied. "And I did not move to the couch this time."

"I noticed. You are making progress, but I do not want you to go faster than what you are comfortable with."

"Yes, but I really should know by now that I am safe. After all, I did just marry you."

"It took me many years to adjust to having former enemies as friends. If it takes you years, that is alright by me. I will be here to help you."

"You were in a much worse position, Hans. It makes sense why it took you so long."

"That does not make your adjustment any less significant. Take your time, as much as you need."

Esther looked like she was about to argue, but instead smiled and put her arms around Dietrich. "I love you so much, Hans. I… feel like I am not expressing that as often as I should."

"To be fair, I do not say it very often, either."

"Maybe we should change that."

"I do not think 'I love you' is something that should just be tossed around like it means nothing."

"But it does mean something, to me. No one in my previous relationships ever said 'I love you.'"

"If… that is what you want, then—" Dietrich nuzzled Esther's hair, "I love you, too."

They lay there, gazing at each other as the sun continued to rise and the birdsong outside gradually grew louder. A gentle breeze came through the open window. Dietrich took Esther's hand, interlocking his fingers with hers. He grinned a little at her, but then it quickly faded as a thought came to mind. "Forgive me, if this sounds selfish, but I would not mind if every morning were like this."

"I do not think it is selfish," Esther replied. "I want to be able to do this every morning as well."

"I believe you will get there. Take your time." Dietrich's smile returned. "Would you like me to make breakfast?"

"You made breakfast yesterday."

"So? I enjoy doing it for you."

"Hans, you are not supposed to be waiting on me hand and foot."

"Oh, let me spoil you today. You just married me."

"And you just married me. You deserve to be spoiled as well."

Dietrich sighed, struggling to come up with a good compromise. Then a savory smell wafted through the window. "Is that… bacon?" Dietrich sat up, and then came to a realization. "Oh, no."

"What is it, Hans?"

"The wedding was yesterday, which means they are still here, which means—" Dietrich got out of bed, cursing as he went out into the hallway. Throwing open a window, he looked down into his backyard to see, of course, Sam Troy standing over the grill, cooking bacon. "Damn it, Troy! You could not knock on the door like a normal person?!"

"I thought you and your new missus were still asleep!" Troy called back.

"That does not give you the right to climb over my fence and use my grill!"

"Well, I can't exactly leave this now."

"No, you cannot." Dietrich groaned and rubbed his face.

Esther had come up next to him and was looking out the window as well. "I suppose that settles who is making breakfast."

"Indeed it does." Dietrich closed the window. "I want to strangle him sometimes."

"He is technically trespassing, and yet since it is Troy, I cannot be angry." Esther paused. "If he is making breakfast, perhaps he can do everything for us today."

"No offense, my dear, but have you just met Troy?"

"Do you doubt he would do all the chores for us?"

"No, but it is the fact that everyone else is not far behind that makes me concerned that everything is going to go terribly wrong before you can blink."

As Dietrich finished that sentence, he heard Tully Pettigrew's voice outside shouting, "Hey, Troy, I brought the chicken and the deep-fryer's in the back of the truck! Hitch is bringing the stuff for waffles!"

"Do you see what I mean?" Dietrich muttered through grit teeth.

"At least they are willing to do all of this for you," Esther said.

Then Jack Moffitt's voice was heard. "Biscuits are meant to be dunked in tea, not covered in gravy!"

Followed by Mark Hitchcock, saying, "Those're cookies, Moffitt. Biscuits are meant to be smothered in honey or butter or gravy."

Dietrich gave a heavy sigh, and put his arm around his wife's shoulders, saying, "I love my family, but we should have just taken a honeymoon somewhere tropical."