A New Dawn

The morning light spilled through the thin curtains, soft and golden, painting the room in warmth. Renee stirred first, her eyes blinking open to find Jake lying beside her, his hand resting over hers on the sheets. He was already awake, watching her with a quiet smile that made her heart ache in the best way. “Good morning, wife,” he murmured, his voice still gravelly from sleep. She smiled back, feeling the words settle into her chest like a secret she had waited her whole life to hear. “Good morning, husband.”

For a while, neither of them moved. The stillness felt sacred, the kind of peace that came after storms both real and unseen. Outside, the world was waking up. Birds called from somewhere beyond the trees, and the faint sound of the barn door creaking told Renee that her mom was already tending to the animals. Jake reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his thumb lingering against her cheek. “We made it,” he said softly, almost as if he needed to remind himself.

Renee shifted closer until her forehead rested against his. “We more than made it. We fought for this.” They lay there for a few more breaths before the sound of voices drifted faintly from downstairs. The boys were awake. Nate’s laughter carried up the stairs, followed by LJ’s teasing reply. Renee felt a smile tug at her lips, realizing how different the house felt now, full of life but also steady in a way it had not been in years. Jake stretched and sat up slowly, glancing toward the window. “Looks like the rain is gone,” he said, squinting at the sunlight. “Good omen for day one of forever.”

She laughed, sitting up beside him. “Is that how you are measuring time now?”
“From this moment on? Yes.” They moved slowly through the morning, savoring the newness of it all. Renee was still barefoot when they made it downstairs, her hair loosely tied back, Jake trailing behind with two mugs of coffee. The kitchen smelled faintly of toast and something sweet, and when they rounded the corner, both Nate and LJ were sitting at the table looking far too innocent. Her mom stood by the counter with a grin that gave them away immediately.

“What did you three do?” Renee asked, narrowing her eyes. Nate leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “We just wanted to start your first day as a married couple right.” LJ grinned and slid a small white envelope across the table toward Jake. “Open it.” Jake picked it up, exchanged a curious glance with Renee, and tore it open. Inside were two sleek boarding passes, their names printed clearly alongside the destination. Renee gasped. “Is this…?”

“A remote island,” her mom finished, her eyes sparkling. “Seven days. No work. No phones unless you want them. Just the two of you.” Jake blinked, a slow smile spreading across his face. “You are kidding.”
“Nope,” LJ said proudly. “We all pitched in. You guys never had a real honeymoon before. Now you do.” Renee pressed her fingers to her lips, a rush of warmth filling her chest. “You didn’t have to…”
“We wanted to,” Nate said firmly. “You both deserve this. And before you ask who is feeding the animals or checking on the barn, we’ve got it handled. Mom, you are not allowed to say no.” Her mom folded her arms, clearly pleased with herself. “Your bags are already packed. You leave tomorrow morning.”

Jake laughed and pulled Renee into his arms right there in the kitchen. “Looks like our forever starts on an island.” She rested her head against his chest, smiling into his shirt. “With you, anywhere would be perfect. But I think I can live with this.” The rest of the day was spent in easy celebration. The rain had faded to a fine mist, the kind that made the air smell fresh and alive. Renee and Jake wandered in and out of conversations, hugged family members who lingered, and laughed at Nate and LJ’s ridiculous retelling of the dance floor chaos from the night before. Her mom kept sneaking glances at her, the kind of look only a mother gives when her heart is full.

By late afternoon, the barn was quiet again, the string lights still glowing overhead. Renee and Jake strolled through the damp grass toward the house, their hands intertwined. Every step felt unhurried, the world around them fading into something soft and peaceful.

Inside, the boys were curled up in the living room watching a movie, the dogs sprawled at their feet. Her mom was knitting on the couch, glancing up every so often with a small, knowing smile. There was no rush, no need for words. Just the comfort of being surrounded by people they loved.

That night, after goodnight hugs and whispered reminders about their early flight, Renee and Jake slipped upstairs. The quiet of their room wrapped around them like a blanket. They moved with an unspoken rhythm, drawn to each other in the way only they could be. Every touch was slow, deliberate, full of the tenderness that came from years of finding their way back to each other. When they finally settled beneath the covers, tangled together, the steady beat of his heart under her ear lulled her into sleep.

Morning came with pale sunlight streaming through the curtains. Renee woke first, the warmth of Jake’s arm still draped over her. For a long moment she simply lay there, listening to his even breathing, letting the reality of the day sink in. Today they would leave for their island. Today they would begin their first adventure as husband and wife.

Jake stirred, blinking at her with a sleepy smile. “Ready to run away with me?” She kissed him softly. “Always.” The rest of the day slipped by in a haze of warmth and laughter. They ate until they were stuffed, listened to the kids’ endless stories, and soaked in every second with their family. Jake’s hand never left hers, and Renee found herself memorizing the curve of his smile, the way the sunlight caught in his hair, the steady strength in his presence.

Later, when the house had gone quiet, they curled together in bed. Jake kissed her slow and deep, a promise in every touch. The world outside could wait; for now, it was just them. Their breaths evened out against each other, and sleep pulled them under in the comfort of shared dreams.

The alarm came too soon. By sunrise, they were dressed, packed, and slipping out into the cool morning air. The drive to the airport was filled with sleepy grins and playful whispers about what they’d do first on the island.

“First thing?” Jake teased as they rolled their suitcases toward the terminal. “I was thinking-”

“Beach. Then food,” Renee cut in, laughing. “Beach and food,” he corrected, tugging her close. They were almost to the gate when her steps faltered. A figure stepped out from the crowd, hands in his pockets, eyes locked on her. Mike. The air around her seemed to thin. Jake stiffened beside her. Mike’s mouth curved, not in a smile, but something darker. “Going somewhere?” he asked.