A/N: Turns out all I needed to finish this chapter was four hours on a train from Leeds to Glasgow. Hahaha. But I got to meet up with Cat (CMCrazies) today, so that was really cool!

Hope you enjoy!

It was still dark when Will cracked open his eyes. At first he wasn't quite sure where he was, or what time it was. But then the sound of the ocean rushing underneath them brought him back to reality.

He was in paradise.

Taking a deep breath as he allowed himself a moment to soak it in, he relished in the smell of the salt in the air. He didn't think he'd ever felt so calm before… so relaxed. They were miles away from the hustle and bustle of real life, wrapped up in this tiny little slice of paradise in the Indian Ocean.

He sleepily turned onto his side, intending to snuggle up behind JJ and cuddle with her for a couple more hours before the sun truly rose up, but instead, he found the bed empty. Confused, he lifted his head, looking around the dark bungalow in search of his wife. He didn't have to look far, for just moments later, he spotted her silhouette curled up on the daybed outside.

Untangling himself from the sheets, he pulled himself out of the bed, stretching and letting out a yawn as he walked quietly across the wooden floors towards the open doors that led to the deck. Stepping outside, he was greeted by a gentle sea breeze, little ocean waves lapping at the foundation pillars beneath them. In the distance, the sky was lightening from pitch black to a deep purplish grey, indicating that the sun was going to be rising soon enough.

"Mornin'," he said in a husky voice as he approached the edge of the day bed, making JJ look up with a smile. She tipped her head back, allowing him to press a quick kiss to her lips before he came to sit beside her. "What are you doin' up so early?"

"Jet lag?" JJ said with a soft chuckle. "I woke up about half an hour ago and that was it… my body was wide awake. Thought I'd sit out here and watch the sun rise"

Will said nothing, simply settling in beside JJ and gently tugging her around until her legs were resting across his lap. She gave him a tired smile, leaning over and resting her head on his shoulder as his strong hands massaged her legs.

"Did you sleep ok?" he asked. "Apart from, you know, bein' awake at the ass crack of dawn"

JJ laughed. "I did. I only woke up once or twice. I feel like I slept pretty well considering how many time zones we crossed"

"You should be used to it by now," Will teased. "All those gymnastics meets. Japan. China. England. Australia"

JJ giggled. "Yeah, I will admit, getting over jet lag has gotten a bit easier over the years, but it still takes me a day or two to catch up"

They sat back in a comfortable silence, watching as the sky gradually began to give way to lighter shades, the sun still resolutely below the horizon. A gentle breeze rippled across the surface of the water, creating tiny waves on the surface of their private infinity pool, blowing at the backs of the slightly larger waves that were rolling through beneath them.

"You know, I know we talked about it briefly the other day, but I really do wanna do something for my mom as a thank you," JJ said after a little while. "And I thought… she hasn't had a holiday in a really long time. I mean, she's travelled as much as I have, but travelling to watch me compete isn't really a holiday because apparently I stress her out every time I get on a beam-"

Will laughed.

"-so maybe we could send her on a vacation. Now would be the perfect time too since she's not working"

"How much longer is she plannin' to stay off work?" Will asked. "It's been a while now, hasn't it?"

JJ nodded. "Over a year. I think she's going to take this year off as well and go back to teaching next fall. It's been… I don't know. She's had a really hard time, and since she's had this time off, even if it was triggered by me having a complete meltdown, she's looked a lot happier… a lot more relaxed. I think it's been good for her"

"Yeah, well I agree that she definitely deserves a vacation. What are you thinkin'?"

"I actually thought about sending her and Paul on a cruise in the Bahamas or something like that," JJ replied, tipping her head up to look at Will. "I think she would really like that"

"Well, I'm on board with whatever you want to do," he replied, locking eyes with JJ moments before she broke into a smirk. "No pun intended"

JJ giggled, leaning back against the cushions of the day bed as the first streaks of light began to break across the sky.

"On that note, JJ, there is somethin' I wanted to talk to you about," Will said.

JJ turned to look at him, her expression showing she was waiting for him to continue speaking.

"I know this is a bit of an odd place and time to talk about this, but… now that we're married, we do need to talk about money"

"In what sense?" JJ said, her brow furrowing.

"Well," Will sighed, running a hand through his hair, "we've never really discussed it properly, if at all. I mean, yeah, we share a lot of stuff for the house, and that's fine, but… I'm just gonna be blunt. You make a shit ton more money than I do, and that's not an issue at all, I'm not sayin' it is, but… I've never asked you how much you make, and now-"

"-now seems like a good time to know," JJ finished, cutting off his rambling with a smile. "It's fine babe. I know we've never discussed it, because we've never really had a reason to. I mean, it definitely came up when we bought the house, but even then I don't think I gave you exact numbers"

"I think I more want to know what our plan is goin' forward," Will said gently. "What if I lose my job? What if we ever split up? Not that I'm plannin' on that, don't you worry, but… these sorts of things have to be thought of"

"I know," JJ said with a chuckle. "And honestly, this is probably a conversation we need to have properly when we get home, but as for the first question… to be perfectly honest, right now? Money is not something we need to worry about"

"You make a lot more than I'm thinkin', don't you?" Will said, grinning at his wife.

JJ bit her lip, giving him a sheepish grin. "Yeah"

"I gathered from this," Will chuckled, gesturing around before them as JJ laughed.

"I know this is a lot, but I normally don't spend like this. So believe me when I say that… we're set. For a while," JJ said with a smile, squeezing his hand. "You could even quit your job and be a trophy husband if you wanted to"

Will laughed, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "I'll keep that in mind"

As the sun began to creep into the sky, slowly flooding it with streaks of pink and lilac, they remained nestled together on the day bed, allowing the gentle sea breeze to wash over them in time with the rolling waves beneath them. JJ had her head tucked against his shoulder, one of his arms wrapped around her petite frame, his other hand resting on her legs where they were draped across his lap.

The thought had crossed her mind probably a thousand times, even more so since everything that had happened the previous year, but she was still in awe of just how lucky she was. When she had first met Will, as a quiet yet stubborn little eight year, she never would have imagined that one day they would be here; married, so deeply in love that it felt like their souls were forever entwined. To have found something so special, she knew she was incredibly fortunate. Will was one in a million; sweet, sensitive, gentle, funny, loving, kind… she could go on and on.

And he was hers. She was his. For the rest of their lives.

A little while after the sun had come up, they changed into their bathing suits, slipping into the pool to enjoy a bit of sunshine in the privacy of their bungalow. The resort staff had come through about half an hour later, delicately floating a large wooden box tray into the pool, their breakfast arranged neatly within.

"Will, don't move so fast, you'll capsize it," JJ laughed a few minutes later. Will had turned quickly to grab his phone from the side of the pool, the motion sending ripples across the top of the pool as the tray wavered dangerously on the surface.

"What, like this?" he replied playfully, jumping once in place to send another wave across the pool.

"Yes, don't do that!" JJ exclaimed, laughing as she grabbed the tray to steady it. "You're such a kid"

Chuckling, Will grabbed one of the champagne glasses that had miraculously managed to stay upright during his antics. Handing the other one to JJ, he held it out to her, their glasses clinking gently against each other. There were no words, and none were needed, because all could be said from the way they were looking at each other. Nothing but pure happiness and joy, clear as day on their faces.

The day had been filled with all the kinds of activities the resort had to offer. First, a leisurely swim in the ocean below their bungalow (mostly filled with Will trying to sneak up on JJ from underwater), followed by snorkeling in the main lagoon, where they had seen a multitude of exotic and colorful marine life.

After a filling lunch consisting of fresh seafood, they wandered back down the wooden walkways towards their room, their skin warm from the sun, JJ's hair falling in dry, salty waves down her back.

They let themselves into the bungalow, taking a moment to relish the feeling of the air conditioning on their sun kissed skin, before JJ walked over to the glass paneled doors that led out onto the deck, slowly opening them up to allow the sunlight and sea air to flood the room.

"God you're so pretty," Will said softly from behind her, making her smile as she threw a quick glance back at him over her shoulder. "I hope our children end up lookin' like you"

Almost immediately, JJ felt a rock drop into her stomach. Her face fell, and she forced herself to focus on latching up the doors in their folded position.

"We're gonna make beautiful babies one day, that's for sure"

"Would you stop?!" JJ exclaimed, whirling around with her face set in stone. "How many times have I asked you not to bring this up?"

Will frowned. "Uh… never, Jayje. You've never asked me that"

"Well, I'm asking you now," JJ spat. "I don't want to hear about it!"

Gobsmacked, Will watched in disbelief as she stormed outside onto the deck. A few seconds later, he shook his head, his brow furrowing as his confusion deepened. Forcing himself to move, he made his way outside after her, stopping a few feet from where she had taken up residence on one of the sun lounges.

"Jayje… what the hell?"

"Don't," JJ said darkly.

"Don't what, JJ?" Will said in exasperation. "I barely said anythin'!"

"You said enough!" JJ exclaimed, leaping to her feet and startling Will.

"What, about us havin' kids?"

"Yes!"

Will stared at her for a moment in disbelief. "JJ… I fuckin'… it was a passin' comment! I'm not… we've had this discussion! We literally had it the other day! Why are you so pissy about it when I know exactly where we stand on it?"

"Because I'm allowed to be!" JJ shot back, looking as if she were a petulant child.

"You're impossible," Will said, grinning in disbelief as he stared at his wife with wide eyes. "You know that?"

"Fuck off Will"

Raising his eyebrows, Will took a step back, running a hand through his hair and forcing himself to take a deep breath. "Ok, so clearly I've touched a nerve somehow. Would you mind tellin' me what it is so I can apologise?"

"Figure it out for yourself," JJ said with a scowl, shoving her way past him and walking back inside. He scoffed, turning to follow her.

"You know somethin' JJ, I'm real fuckin' tired of gettin' into arguments with you all because you won't fuckin' talk to me. Remember where that got us last time?"

"Well you were the one who chose to marry me after all that," JJ spat, frustration building in her chest as she whirled back around to face him. "So don't be a fucking dickhead and throw it back in my face just because I'm not agreeing with you on something"

"I'M NOT-" Will started to yell, before he cut himself off and forced himself to take a breath. "Fuck JJ, you know you're a real pain in the ass! This happens all the time! I try to bring up somethin' that is clearly a pain point for you, and god forbid I don't know that it's painful for you, because you just go on the fuckin' defensive and start bein' a bitch! Just because I chose to marry you, which, by the way, I did because I love you, does not mean you get a free ticket to be a fuckin' asshole every time somethin' remotely difficult comes up!"

"Well I'm sorry that I'm not Little Miss Perfect for you," JJ said sarcastically, rolling her eyes as she folded her arms across her chest.

"Ok, you know what? I'm not standin' here to be a punchin' bag for you. Either you use your fuckin' words and tell me why you're so pissed off all of a sudden, or I'm gonna go for a walk and you can stay here and get this two year old temper tantrum out of your system on your own, because right now? It's like tryin' to reason with a brick wall," Will said angrily.

"Do whatever you want, I don't care"

"Fine," Will replied with a scowl, grabbing his phone and his room key off the end table. Without so much as a second glance, he stormed out, leaving JJ alone in the quiet of the room, her mind running a million miles a minute over whatever had just happened.

It only took about a minute before she crumpled, the tension suddenly leaving her body as she began to cry, tears streaking down her face as she lowered herself to sit on the edge of the bed.

She didn't understand why what Will had said had upset her so much. Of course, she knew… but she didn't understand her own reaction. Just as he had said, it was just a passing comment; he hadn't meant anything by it.

She hated how much of a hold everything that had happened in her life had on her. And as much as she tried, as much as she had improved and learnt to deal with things when they came up, she couldn't help the occasional outburst that would happen when it all got too much.

But Will didn't deserve the bear the brunt of it. And rightfully so, he had walked out.

Even though it was their honeymoon.

A sob rolled through her, the tears intensifying as she flopped back to Iay on the bed, her eyes cast up towards the ceiling. He'd walked out on her, on the second day of their honeymoon. Maybe this would be the moment he decided she was too much hard work. If she was willing to pick a fight with him on what was supposed to be the happiest, most loved up trip of their life… what was he going to think about whatever was to come?

She knew she had to make this right when he came back. She was just going to have to try and put what she was feeling into words and spit it out. Otherwise, Will really was going to grow tired of her.

She laid there for a while, the tears slowing as she ran through their words in her head, trying to force herself to calm down. Surely Will would be back relatively soon, and when he was back, she wanted to have this out of her system. She wanted to sit down with him and be able to talk to him without anger or frustration taking over.

After about half an hour, in which she had somewhat regained her composure, she sat up on the edge of the bed when she heard the click of Will scanning his key at the door. It swung open, revealing him on the other side, his face unreadable as he made his way into the room, dropping the key and his phone back on the table he'd collected them from earlier. He stopped where he stood, looking expectantly across at JJ as he waited for her to speak.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you," she said softly, her eyes pricking with tears again as she watched the way his jaw was set, his face completely void of any outstanding emotion.

Except maybe anger.

"That's well and good JJ, but I want to know why," he said firmly. "Because I don't understand it. And if I don't understand it, god forbid I say anythin' again that pisses you off like that"

"It's… complicated-"

"I don't care how fuckin' complicated it is, JJ. We're married. I need you to talk to me," Will cut in.

Taking a deep breath, JJ looked down at her hands, wringing her fingers together as she tried to find a way to vocalise it as simple as possible.

"Every time I think about us having kids… it's another reminder of what my dad is missing out on. Another reminder that he's not here" she said sadly after a short silence. "And I don't know if you realise how fucking hard it was to get through our wedding without him. That was only three days ago. I just… I can't think about it right now. I just can't. I know you're super excited to have kids, and I know we've both agreed to wait until after I'm finished with gymnastics, but every time you bring it up, whether you're joking or not, it just feels like a push that I'm not ready for"

There was a palpable silence, before Will let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair as he dropped down onto the nearby chaise lounge and leant forward towards her. "JJ, I really wish you wouldn't do this"

JJ turned to look at him, her eyes wide and bright. "Do what?"

"Make me feel like an asshole for gettin' upset with you"

"I'm not trying to guilt trip you Will-"

"No, I know you're not," Will snapped. "But that doesn't change the fact that when we have these arguments over somethin' that you don't like to talk about, I'm always the one who ends up feeling like an asshole for snappin' at you, when this would all be avoided in the first place if you would just fuckin' talk to me. JJ, we've been together for nearly six years, and best friends for even longer than that. I just… sometimes I feel like you don't trust me. We've been through this same cycle so many fuckin' times, and you still don't have it in you to tell me when you're havin' a hard time with somethin', I just, I don't get it JJ!"

"I don't get it either," JJ admitted softly, swallowing back tears. "I do trust you, and I want to tell you when things are hard, but sometimes it's just… I can't force the words out of my mouth. I can't explain it. Or I'm scared I'm going to bust out in tears the second I start talking about it-"

"So what?" Will interrupted. "If you cry, you cry, JJ, that's how life is. You can't walk around bein' scared of your own emotions all the time, or we're gonna keep livin' in this cycle, and I can't, JJ, I can't live in that cycle"

"I don't want you to leave me," she said, her voice suddenly incredibly small.

"I'm not goin' to," Will said, his voice gentle but still somewhat tense. "That's… I just need to know that you trust me enough to speak up when shit gets hard. And fuck JJ, I don't care if you get upset, or if you have a meltdown or whatever you need to do to feel whatever you need to feel, I just need you to stop fuckin' hidin' it from me when there is somethin' goin' on, because I don't like this game of tryin' to work out what I've said or done that's upset you. What you feel about us havin' kids, that's perfectly valid, ok? But, all I did was make a couple o' passin' comments about when we have kids in the future. I know we're not in the right place for them now, and we're still young… it's not like I asked you if you wanted to get pregnant tonight. All you had to do was tell me that you didn't really want to talk about it because it might upset you after everythin' you've been through with your dad. That's all you had to say. I didn't need any of the attitude or the bitchiness that I got, because I'm not your punchin' bag, ok?"

Stung by the harsh truth of his words, JJ got up from where she was sitting, managing nothing more than a weak nod in her husband's direction as she began to make her way towards the deck. As she passed Will, she was stopped by him reaching out to grab her hand, tugging her back towards him as he rose to his feet. A split second later, his strong hands were cupping her jaw, pulling her in for a crushing kiss, a kiss that was equal parts passion and tension. His grip on her was like a vice, but she let him continue, her own hands snaking up his chest to trace out the lines of his muscles.

"You're just… fuck, you're hard work, but that doesn't mean I don't love you," Will murmured, pulling away from the kiss and making his way down the side of her neck, leaving a bruising trail in his wake. "You're intoxicatin'"

There were so many emotions mixing in her chest as she tipped her head to allow him better access to her neck. She knew he was still upset, probably even a little angry still, and it wouldn't have been the first time they'd used sex to blow off steam after an argument. Right now, she was prepared to give him free reign over her body, and just like it had in the past, it would help them build yet another bridge towards better connection and communication.

It was all a blur for the most part, a frustration fuelled frenzy of tugging at clothes, heated kisses, and bruised lips. His hands gripped her tightly wherever they landed, holding her firmly enough to assert a level of control over her without hurting her. And then they were in the middle of the bed, Will flipping her over onto her stomach and pulling her up onto her knees. He nudged them further apart, before settling between her legs and gripping her hips. His hands were tight against her skin as he pulled her back towards him, his fingers gripping her so tight she was sure he would leave marks. She bit her lip as he made sure she was ready for him, before he pushed into her, filling her completely and making her gasp. She barely had a second to get comfortable before he was pulling back and thrusting in, setting up a rhythm and pace that was rougher, more vigorous than she could remember him being. His hands were still tight on her hips, holding her up securely as his hips snapped against hers repeatedly.

She dropped her head, her shoulders coming to rest on the bed as one of her hands made its way between her legs. But before she could get her fingers where she really needed them, Will's hand closed around her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. Then he reached over and grabbed her other hand, pulling them both until they were behind her back, one of his hands closed around her wrists to keep them together. Not a word was said as his free hand came to her upper back, pressing her into the bed as he resumed his frenetic pace.

She'd never seen him like this. But even though his manner was different to how he usually was when they had sex, she still found herself having complete trust in him. He was frustrated; they both were. But he loved her. He had never given her a reason not to feel completely safe with him.

His motions stuttered, a loud groan leaving his mouth as he reached his climax, rocking himself through the release as his grip on her hands suddenly weakened. She was aching beneath him, her body in search of a release that she now realised wasn't going to come.

In a post coital fog, Will pulled himself from her, finally releasing the vice like grip he had had on her body. As he let go of her hands, he heard her sob. At first it was quiet, an attempt to stifle the tears, but it was futile. The emotions were too overwhelming, and before he knew it, she was crying softly into the rumpled duvet.

"Hey," he said gently, leaning over her and bringing a hand to rest on her back. "Did I hurt you?"

Looking up at him through tear filled eyes, JJ shook her head. "No, I… I'm just sorry"

Will let out a sad sigh, coming to lay beside her. "I know. I'm sorry too. I think… I think I was a little rough with you there, and I… I didn't mean to be"

"I know," JJ replied, lifting her hand and lacing her fingers with his. "It's ok"

There was a gentle silence between the two, before Will lifted a hand to brush her hair out of her eyes. "You should've stopped me Jayje"

"You were frustrated. So was I. It's ok," JJ repeated, sniffing back the last few tears as she managed to regain her composure. "Besides, I… I'm gonna be better… I'll try to speak up when something is painful. I don't want you feeling like the bad guy because I can't control how I feel sometimes. It's not fair on you"

Will gave her a soft smile, lifting his head and leaning forward to press a kiss to her forehead. "I appreciate that. And I hope you know that I'll never get upset with you for strugglin' with somethin', ok? I love you, and I'm here to support you. You just have to let me know when you need it"

Sniffing, JJ nodded as she wiped away her tears.

"Wait here for a moment," Will said gently, pushing himself up off the bed. JJ turned her head, watching as he walked into the bathroom and leaned over the tub to turn on the water.

"What are you doing?" she called out in a quiet voice. Will didn't reply immediately, instead waiting until he was happy with the temperature of the water, leaving it running as he walked back into the bedroom.

"It's our honeymoon. There shouldn't be any arguments or tears," he said with a smile, placing his hands on the edge of the bed and leaning over her. "So I'm gonna take my beautiful bride, and we're gonna have a nice relaxin' bath, and there's gonna be no more sadness"

Then without warning, he was rolling her onto her back, scooping her up bridal style as she let out a squeal and looped her arms around his neck. Tears forgotten, there was only laughter as he carried her into the bathroom, letting her down on her feet at the edge of the tub. Together, they climbed in, JJ sitting between Will's legs with her back to his chest. His strong arms were wrapped around her, making her feel safe and secure in his embrace - something he never failed to do. Almost as if it had melted away with the water, the frustration and tension had ebbed off them, leaving behind nothing but soft love. She allowed herself to relax back against him, their eyes cast out through the floor to ceiling glass windows towards the horizon that lay ahead, twinkling blue in the sunlight. His hands were roaming softly over her skin beneath the water, seemingly wanting to soothe and reverse all the controlling touches he had used on her before.

"Did you cum?" Will asked softly. JJ shook her head, tipping back until she could see his face. He smiled, pulling her up against him, his left hand coming to cup her cheek. "Then let me help you with that," he murmured, seconds before he pulled her into a slow, burning kiss. At the same time, his right hand slipped down between her legs, his fingers dancing between her folds. Her breath hitched in her throat, a soft groan escaping her lips as he began to tease her back to the heights that he was so good at bringing her to. It wasn't long before she was falling, her body singing with nothing more than a quiet groan as his talented fingers fluttered against her sensitive nub, coaxing her through the release he knew she more than deserved.

"You look so beautiful when you're fallin' apart in my arms," Will whispered in her ear, sending a fresh wave of arousal racing through her still pulsing body. She managed a soft giggle, turning her face to nuzzle against the curve of his neck.

"I love you. I'm sorry I was such an asshole earlier"

"I know," Will replied with a smile, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "I love you too babe"