* Love is a beautiful thing. *
****
    Mira had just started to sleep, when her face was peppered with kisses. She knew it was morning and time to get up, but she didn't want to. at least not right now, she wants to sleep more.
 “ Wake up, sleepy wifey. ”  He continued peppering her face with kisses till she opened her eyes. 
“ Good morning, Babe. ” He grinned at her. 
  “ Good morning. ” she answered, rolling her eyes at him. 
“ Are you annoyed? ” he plopped himself beside her and turned to face her. When she tried to turn away, he held her captive with his legs.   “ Um… ” Her face was flushed like a child's.
“ I'm sorry. ” He left a peck on her lips. In return, Mira bit his lips playfully.  
Staring wide eyed at her, he pulled her closer and kissed her. He kept kissing her till she surrendered. 
“ You are such a big bully. ” she punched him with her fist hardly, though as always, it felt like a paper ball hitting him. 
“ I've always told you to stop hurting yourself. ” He sighed helplessly, watching her rub her fist in pain.
He held it and laid a peck on it.
“ Miranda. ” He called out to her,  “ Um. ” She stared up at him in surprise. 
“ It's been a week since we've tied the knots. ” His words made her pause, it's been a week already? When does it seem like mere 24 hours?  “ How do you feel? ” He made her face him.
“ I don't really know. I just feel different. ” She said, looking down.
“ Different in what way? ” He lifted her chin. 
“ You know, I've always been used to keeping to myself and being so conservative. But now, I not only have to share my heart, but my soul and body.  ” She said the last part rather, shyly earning a chuckle from him. 
    He thought of what happened on their wedding night and at first wanted to tease her about it, but decided against it. 
   “ How would you react if you woke up one day and realized that you are pregnant? ” He adjusted their position and made her rest on his chest. 
   Mira took a while to answer as she slowly envisioned little Joseph running around the house.  “ I honestly don't know. ” 
    The room fell into silence as only the sound of the clock ticking was heard.  “ But it shouldn't be so unexpected since we've not been using protection, should it? ”  Joseph's felt pained hearing her.
“ Mira… ” he detached her from his embrace and made her look up straight at him.  “ Children are a gift from God. ” 
“ I know… ”  The rest of her words died in her throat, when she saw the look in his eyes.
 He understood her, even without her saying it.  “ I wouldn't love you any less whether we have children or not. ” 
“ But having kids is important. ” Mira recalled the article she read about a tribe where children were the main reasons why people got married and when there's no issue after one to two years, the couple go their separate ways and simply move on to the next partner, as if nothing has ever happened.
“ Yeah. But it's not the main thing in a marriage. ” 
“ I really do want to have kids. ” He held her in his arms.  “ I know. ” 
“ Jose, will we always be like this? ” her words caused him to pause and think for a second.  “ Yeah, as long as we keep holding on to each other and God. ”
“ Hm… ” 
“ It's time for our morning bath, Babe. ” He grinned at the change in her expression. 
“ Whatever. ” Her reply earned a hearty chuckle from him. 
 
…
“ Where are we going? ” Mira inquired when he picked out a dress for her and dropped it on the bed. 
“ Shopping and on a date. ” He sent a wink at her.
“ But we've got enough clothes. Besides, our honeymoon phase isn't over yet. Or is it? ” 
“ Mira... ” He walked towards her, holding her chin, he stared straight into her eyes. “ We've got a lifetime to spend together. ” She blinked.  “ Besides, aren't you tired of me hovering over you all day? ” Her face turned red, at his mischievous wink. 
     “ So let's head out, Kay? To get some fresh air. ”
“ But... ” 
“ We need it. ” His words made her nod. She soon figured out how right he was... Though, she wasn't too comfortable with the idea of stepping out, yet... But she knew she needed to. Even though she didn't want to.
Minutes later, they were both dressed up and about to step out of the house when Mira noticed something.
“ You bought a couple outfits? ” She looked down at their clothes only to notice the,  “ JM ” design on it. 
“ Sure. ” He gave her a knowing look, which never ceased to make her melt. 
“ Thank you. ” Her eyes were filled with so much more gratitude than she could comprehend.
“ You are welcome. ” He led her to the brown sports car and opened the passenger seat for her.  “ At least now, I don't have to act possessive as everyone knows. ” He winked.
Mira simply shook her head. 
 Joseph got in and helped her with the seat belt before settling down on the driver's seat after locking the door.
“ Let's pray. ” Mira nodded and the prayers which ended three minutes later began.
“ Here's to our first date as a married couple. ” The word,  “ married. ” rang in Mira's mind for a while before it vanished. 
“ Yeah. ” Mira rested her back as Joseph started the car.
….
A/N : What do you think of the chapter, guys?