Sam's trained body, not recognizing leave, awoke as usual at 0500. Through the window the sun could be seen peeking over the horizon. Next to him on the bed was Antoinette, her dark brown hair tangled and frizzed from the pillow. She lay curled up with her back to him and the blanket they shared had slid down so that Sam could see her shoulder blades. With a gentle tug, Sam pulled the blanket back up over her shoulders. Then he lifted his side of the blanket and rolled out of bed, careful not to disturb his wife.
Wife.
Connecting the word to Antoinette was the happiest thought Sam had ever enjoyed. Just yesterday they had sworn themselves to each other. Their honeymoon flight to Madrid would depart this afternoon, so they had spent their wedding night together at their now-shared home. After arriving in Madrid, they would spend three weeks touring Europe. Sam had been saving up leave for two years for this time with Antoinette and was determined to enjoy it to the fullest.
Sam first headed to the spare room for some morning calisthenics. He wasn't sure if he would be able to make time to keep up with his physical fitness in Europe, so he doubled his usual set. The extra exertion left him sweatier than usual by 0615, so he took a thorough shower. He dressed quickly and quietly before going to the kitchen.
Several of their dates had been spent cooking together, so Sam had a clear idea of what Antoinette liked. At 0640 he set to work preparing a savory breakfast. The smell must have woken Antoinette up, as she came out to the kitchen in a bathrobe and bedhead, rubbing her eyes and yawning. "I always thought the day after I got married, I'd wake up and my cute hubby would be next to me in bed. Instead, he's already dressed and making breakfast."
Sam slid her omelet onto a plate, turning around to offer it to her. "I was going to bring it to you in bed, but I guess I took a bit too long." Antoinette accepted the food, giving Sam a quick peck on the lips in return. "Well," she admitted, "I guess this isn't bad either."
As Sam prepared his own meal, he noticed that his wife wasn't eating. Instead, she was just sitting in front of it at the table. "Is something wrong with your omelet?" he asked over his shoulder.
"I'm waiting for you, so we can eat together," Antoinette answered.
"Well don't blame me if it's not hot."
"You're hot enough to make up the difference," she flirted.
"Does that mean you want me in your mouth?" Sam flirted back.
"Maybe," she laughed.
He finished making his breakfast and turned off the stove. The married couple ate together, enjoying their food with hardly a word spoken. When they had both finished, Sam took Antoinette's plate and brought the dishes to the sink to rinse them in preparation for the dishwasher. Meanwhile, Antoinette headed back to the more private areas of their apartment.
As Sam was placing the last items into the dishwasher,
something
quickly appeared, covering his eyes.
"Ant?"
"Yes, honey?" she answered with a giggle.
"What are you doing?"
"I've got a special surprise for you."
"Can it wait thirty seconds for me to get the dishwasher running?"