Sunlight streamed in through a crack in the curtains, heating his face and chest, and immediately
rousing him from his peaceful slumber. Not that he minded much. After all, today was the first
time in weeks he was actually glad to wake up. In fact, he was more than ready to face a new
day.
And he knew the reason for it too, he thought slowly opening his eyes and shifting his head to
the right so his eyes could roam over the face of the woman lying next to him. The rays from the
sun danced across her face, making her flawless skin almost glow. She shifted position then,
unconsciously burrowing closer against his side, and he couldn't contain the smile of happiness
that broke out across his face. She was alive. She was alive and she was in his arms…right
where she belonged.
He listened as she drew in a deep breath then drew in one of her own when her lips parted and a
soft sigh escaped her lips. "Did I ever tell you how much I love waking up next to you?"
Luis chuckled softly then shifted onto his side and lifted a hand to move a lock of hair that had
fallen across her now open blue eyes. "I wouldn't mind hearing it again." He tossed her a quick
wink then lowered his hand and gently rested it along the swell of her hips before leaning in to
place a light kiss against her lips. "Goodmorning, beautiful. How did you sleep?"
"Better than I have in weeks." She whispered softly. "Every time I woke up, I felt as if something
was missing. It was more than just my memory too. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I
do now. It was you. You were what was missing."
He nodded. "It was hell for me too, Sher. Every time I closed my eyes you were there. Smiling.
Laughing. Always there. The hardest part was waking up to find out that I'd only dreamed you
were there with me the night before. That was pure hell.
I swear I had to force my eyes to open
and when they did, it was almost as if they were still shut. I was going through the motions of the
day, but my mind was always on you and the dreams I'd had of you. It's what made me feel as if
you were right there beside me, which you were. Always."
She smiled and blinked back the sudden wetness in her eyes. "I love you so much, Luis."
"I love you too, Sher." He shifted his body closer then used the hand resting against her hip to
pull hers in to meet his. "More than words could ever say."
She closed her eyes, almost as if the emotion was too much, and when she opened them again,
the wetness in her eyes spilled across her cheeks. "How could I have forgotten you? Even for a
second? I can't -"
Luis halted her speech by placing his index finger against her lips. "You didn't forget me,
Sheridan. You said so yourself. You might not have remembered my name, but you knew I was
out there. Somewhere.
Waiting for you. If you'd forgotten me, you wouldn't have remembered
that. You wouldn't have remembered all the things you did. The rose garden? The gazebo? You
didn't forget. The memories just got displaced."
"What did I ever do to deserve you?" She asked, her voice slightly trembling, her hands slightly
shaking as they moved against his skin.
Moving his hand to her cheek and lightly brushing away her tears, Luis locked his eyes onto
hers. "You loved me, Sheridan, you just loved me."
She drew in another breath then tightened her hand around his neck as she pulled his head closer
to hers. "I'll always love you, Luis. Always and forever."
Her lips brushed across his, but before the kiss got out of hand, he pulled back. His eyes ran over
her face, taking in her beauty he saw and as well as the emotions reflected within her eyes, then
nodded and shifted their position so she was on her back and he was above her. He smiled at the
heated passion he saw light her eyes, but he didn't respond to it. He simply turned his head and
reached out a hand to pick up the ring resting on the nightstand beside the bed.
He heard the slight gasp she gave and felt her eyes on his hand even before he turned to look at
her again. "Even through the explosion and the hurricane and almost drowning, this ring stayed
in my pocket. I didn't realize it at the time, I think it was a sign. I think it was meant to let me
know that you were alive and that I would find you again. We're meant to be, Sheridan. I'm more
certain of that now than I ever was before. I only hope you still want to marry me."
She shook her head at the question, but before he could question the meaning of it, she lifted her
hands and framed his face, her blue eyes locked onto his brown. "How could you even doubt it
for a second? Of course, I still want to marry you! I love you, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, and if you
think I'm going to let you get out of spending forever with me, you are sorely mistaken!"
"I wouldn't dream of spending forever without you, Sheridan." Luis said softly as reached up and
caught her left hand with his. "Besides, you hand is looking awfully bare. It really needs a ring
on it."
"Oh is that right?" She asked, the sauciness of her tone overshadowed by the tears in her eyes.
"Then I guess you better put it back on my finger."
"I guess I'd better." He winked, swallowing the sudden lump in his lump in his throat as he gently
slid the ring back onto her finger. "Perfect."
"I couldn't agree more." Sheridan whispered, moving her hands to link around his neck. "In fact,
the only thing that could make this moment more perfect is a kiss from my fiancé. Think he'd
agree with me?"
Luis smiled, pure happiness filling his heart and shooting through his veins. "I think he would
more than agree with you. In fact, I think he'd tell you there wasn't anything he wanted
more…except perhaps to hear you pronounced man and wife."
"A moment that definitely can't come soon enough for me." Sheridan said, sliding her fingers
into his hair and pulling his head down toward hers. "Personally, I think we should find a Justice
of the Peace and have him marry us ASAP."
Luis paused a harebreath away from her lips and stared at her intently. "Do you mean that? Do
you really want to get married here on the island? Today?"
Sheridan nodded. "We've waited long enough, don't you think? I want to be your wife, Luis. The
sooner the better."
"Then after I kiss you senseless, I suggest we call Liz and ask her to find us a number for the
nearest Justice of the Peace."
"Well, what are you waiting for then?" She asked, her face filled with love and happiness. "Kiss
me already."
He laughed at the sudden spark of fire that lit her eyes then did just as she ordered - he kissed
her. Long and slow and deep. Telling her with his lips everything that was in his heart. He
poured emotions he didn't even know he had into that kiss and when they finally pulled apart, he
knew exactly what the writer of the new love song he heard last week was talking about. It was
definitely going to be a 'goodmorning beautiful' day.
Good morning beautiful
How was your night
Mine was wonderful
With you by my side
And when I open my eyes
And see your sweet face
It's a good morning beautiful day
I didn't see the light
I didn't know day from night
I had no reason to care
But since you came along
I can face the dawn
Cause I know you'll be there
Good morning beautiful
How was your night
Mine was wonderful
With you by my side
And when I open my eyes
And see your sweet face
It's a good morning beautiful day
I'll never worry
If it's raining outside
Cause in here with you girl
The sun always shines
Good morning beautiful
How was your night
Mine was wonderful
With you by my side
And when I open my eyes
And see your sweet face
It's a good morning beautiful day, yeah
A good morning beautiful...day
Good morning beautiful
A beautiful day
Good morning beautiful
Good morning beautiful
A beautiful day
Good morning beautiful day
A beautiful day
Good morning beautiful
THE END
Song credits: Singer: Steve Holy; Writers: Zack Lyle and Todd Cerney