”Wake up sleepy head!”

“Not yet, I just need to sleep for ten more minutes...” Rayanne thought it, but the words didn’t quite make it past her lips and come to life.

Nick watched her eyes squint closed even more tightly than they already were in silence, devising a way to make her want to get up. “We can’t go to the Keys if you don’t get up.”

He smiled to himself as she slowly sat up, rubbing away the sleep which still had a grip on her. “Did you check the boat?”

“Yeah, it’s alright. We can take it down if you still want to go.”

“Still want to? Nick I’m sure I’m the sole person who lives in Florida and has never actually been to the Keys. Of course I want to go.”

“I’m sure you can be exception, since your residency here totals all of a week at the most.” he laughed.

“Still ... I want to go.”

“Then get out of bed.”

“You’re not out of bed.” she said raising her eyebrow slightly.

“I have been trying to wake your lazy ass up.”

Rayanne realized she had no idea what time it was and snuck a peek at the clock on Nick’s side of the bed. “It’s 8:48. I hardly think anyone still asleep at this hour is lazy.”

“Do you want to argue about lazy or do you want to take a shower and take the boat out?”

She pretended to think for a minute, furrowing her brow in concentration. “Can’t we do both?”

“Oh you wanna, huh?” he leaned toward her. She avoided his attempted attack, sliding off the bed, running to the bathroom.

Quick on his feet Nick made it to the bathroom door before she could shut it. He slid inside, pinning her against the wall. “So, you want to argue about lazy?”

“Sure. A good disagreement in the morning always wakes me up.”

“I bet I can change your mind.”

“About if I’m lazy?”

“About wanting to argue about what lazy even is.”

“How do you think you’re going to do that?” she questioned, even though she had a pretty good idea.

Instead of the kiss Rayanne was expecting, Nick leaned past her lips to her ear. “Will you marry me?” he whispered.

Rayanne froze, her words caught in her throat, not one percent sure she had heard him correctly. Neither of them moved or spoke for what seemed to Rayanne like an eternity, but probably equaled about ten seconds in the reality she felt so far from.

“Nick?”

He pulled back away from her, leaning his forehead against hers. “That wasn’t exactly the answer I was looking for.” he said with a smile.

“Did you ... you were ser-”

“Rayanne, I love you.”

“I love you too Nick. You know that.”

“And I want you to be the mother of my children.”

“I’m working on that.” she giggled.

“And I don’t think I’d mind being around you forever.”

“You don’t think?” she asked, trying to stop the fit of laughter that was threatening to overtake her.

“Nah, you’re pretty cute. I could wake up next to you everyday.”

“You’re not too bad yourself.”

“And you’re pretty fun to be around, you keep me entertained.”

“Well, I do my best.”

“My family likes you.”

“Do they really? Cause I was kinda thinking that your mom is kinda annoying...kidding!” She tried a quick getaway, but Nick wrapped his arms around her before she could manage.

“Annoying?” He tried to sound serious as he pulled her over to the toilet, tickling her. “You think my mom is annoying?” He sat down on the dark green cushioned seat, pulling her down on his lap. He gave her a reprieve from the tickle attack, but kept his arms wrapped as tightly around her as he dared, careful not to hurt her.

“Nope, your mom isn’t annoying. You on the other hand...”

“You’ve got an awful mouth on you this morning!”

“I have a mouth every morning. Actually I have a mouth all the time. You should know that, I know you love what I do with it.” She wiggled around enough to loosen his grip and turned herself around so she was facing him.

“You have a point there.” he smiled.

“Now what about this question you asked me?”

“Is my mother annoying?”

“Nope, before that.”

“Do you still want to go to the Keys?”

“Nope, after that.”

“Will you marry me?”

“Yes.” she said quietly.

“That’s the answer I was looking for.” he said before leaning forward, kissing her lips softly. With her eyes closed, Rayanne wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

“So you’re my fiancée now?”

“That’s what I am!” He flashed her a cheesy grin. “I just don’t know when we’re gonna have time to start planning and stuff.”

“That’s alright. We’re busy, and we probably shouldn’t even start anything until after the baby’s born. I’m in no rush, I love what I have with you right now.”

“Good, because I love what I have with you too. And now you’re mine.” he said with an evil grin.

“I was yours anyway, dork.”

“But now you can be legally mine.”

Rayanne’s eyes opened wide. “Just because we’ll be married, does not mean I belong to you or that you own me.”

“Joke Ray. You know I would never think that.”

She flashed him a quick grin. “I know. Now let’s take a shower so we can get to the Keys!”

“Yes ma’am!” he laughed, peeling off his boxers. He started the shower and watched her as she got undressed, a sense of security passing through him, knowing he would be with her forever.