When the flight attendant taps me on the shoulder and wakes me to tell me we’re getting ready to land I nod and look down on my lap. She’s sleeping, completely out, just like she has been the entire flight.

“Hey sleepyhead, we’re here,” I whisper.

The gates to emerald city flutter open, she looks at me and gives me a grin. “Spain. Mads would love it here. The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plains,” she recites the line from My Fair Lady, a favorite Audrey Hepburn movie of my sister Madison’s.

“You fucked up, Tales?”

She pushes herself up and shakes her head no, “Overtired, or too much sleep.”

I unbuckle, then reach over and unbuckle her. I stick my hand out, “Come on, Tallia Annabelle Priest, a new adventure awaits.”

A car is waiting for us when we walk down the stairs.

“It’s dark,” she whispers and grips my hand tighter.

“Yeah, but not for long,” I laugh and tuck her under my arm holding her nice and close.

“What time is it?”

“Almost five in the morning,” I say kissing her head.

She laughs, “We missed Friday completely.”

“I don’t know, I seem to remember this morning real well,” I squeeze POW!

She looks up and smiles, “It was a good morning, right?”

“Tales, you were the superstar this morning. I wanna make sure you feel like that the entire time we’re here.”

I’ve said enough, I open the door to the black Mercedes and nod, “Let’s roll.”

Her eyes light up when we pull into the gates of the Santa Marina Resort. The car doesn’t stop at guest services, it follows the dimly lit pavement through palm trees and lush tropical greenery.

Tallia, my fiancée, has her nose nearly pressed to the window taking it all in. She’s wide awake, and I am exhausted.

She looks back at me, “Wow. Whoever this big shot reporter, from Rolling Stone, that Forever Four is trying to impress, certainly better be worth the amount this fancy schmancy place is gonna cost.”

“They had a coupon,” I say and tug on the hem of her shirt.

“Are you,” she stops and shakes her head. “You’re picking on me.”

“Never. I love that you think it’s necessary to clip coupons.”

“Habit. And besides, when I can retire at 45 and you’re on stage with a walker-.”

She squeals when I pull her into my arms, “A walker?”

“I’m joking,” she smiles.

“Well, I can assure you, whatever this place cost, it was a wise investment.”

“Wise investment,” she jokes and then cocks her head to the side. “Oh no!”

“What?” I gasp jokingly and kiss her neck.

“I don’t think I packed a dress. Memphis, I have no idea what I packed, I may have just packed-.”

“Don’t stress baby, there are stores on the Island.”

“Island? Spain isn’t an Island,” she laughs.

“My bad,” I laugh. “The ocean threw me off.”

Her hand cups my chin, “Did you sleep at all?”

“A little bit,” I admit.

“Then when we get to our room, you’re sleeping. I’m sure I can amuse myself with Spanish Television and-”

“I’m not sleeping without you,” I say nipping that in the bud right quick.

The car comes to a stop and she immediately jumps up and looks out the window.

“Wow,” she whispers.

I open my door and hop out, beating the driver around the car and open the door for her. “Should we go inside?”

“I’m not sure,” she says taking in the view.

She stands in front of me and stretches out her hands, “Look at this view. The sea is everywhere you look. And the sun, look right there, it’s rising. We got here just in time didn’t we? I mean how often do you get to see the sunrise in Spain?” She laughs. “I can’t wait to see it when the sun comes up and illuminates everything around us.”

“She’s taking in all the beauty around us and I can’t take my eyes off of her,” I say quietly.

She looks back at me and blushes, “Take it in with me.”

“I will, but let’s get inside. I heard there’s a spectacular view from the patio.”

We walk in and everything is as promised. The place is beautiful.

“It’s huge,” she laughs as she looks around the villa that is mostly white with turquoise accents.

I grab some cash out of my pocket and hand it to the driver, who drops our luggage by the door, “Thanks man.”

He nods and leaves us alone.

I grab her hand and walk through the living room area, and into the master suite. There’s a canopy bed draped in white, which looks soft as pillows and so inviting. But my girl wants to see the sunrise, she’s gonna see the sunrise.

With my free hand I grab the throw blanket off the foot of the bed. I then open up the French doors to the balcony and lead her out to the double chaise lounge that sits in front of the infinity pool that looks like it’s spilling into the sea below.

I sit down and pull her on my lap. Once situated I throw the blanket over us and sit back. “You ready to watch the sunrise, Tales.”

“Yeah,” she says in awe.

After a few minutes she looks back at me, “What body of water is that?”

“I think it’s called the Aegean Sea,” I say pushing her hair to one side to get a better look at her neck.

“I think I am in love with this place,” she says as she leans back against me.

“You should marry it,” I smirk.

She giggles, “Memphis, just look at this place. It’s like a treasure. How did Madison find it?”

I chuckle and don’t answer.

She looks back, “What?”

“Well, she didn’t find it, I did.”

“What?”

“We aren’t in Spain, Tales.” I can’t help but laugh. “What’s that movie that emerald city is in?”

“Wizard of Oz,” she says.

“Right, we’re not in Kansas anymore,” I smirk.

“What do you mean we’re not in Spain?”

“We’re in Greece, Tales.”

“Why?” she is stunned.

“This morning, in the shower, was a million times better than any Vegas boys’ weekend could ever be.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I mean this morning was the greatest bachelor party a guy could ask for. I mean we’re in Greece because our mothers are here and as much as Madison assured me she was okay with what I was doing, our mothers may not have been. I mean that in about three hours two women are going to go drag you away from me, take you to some froo froo spa back at the bottom of the hill at the hotel part of the resort and you’re gonna get the works.”

“You are my superstar, Tales. Our life is insane and when the world’s spinning you are the calm to the chaos that is all around us. You are standing there waiting for me. God I hope I’m enough for you. I hope you never feel like I am stealing all the spotlight, because you, Tallia, are center stage to me. So what this means,” I wipe her tears. “Is tonight when the sun, the sun we are watching rise, sets it will be officially all about you, me, and forever, as man and wife.”

“I don’t know what to say,” she cries.

“No need to say anything baby. Just say yes, tonight, under the moonlight on the little peninsula.”

“Do you know how perfect this is?” she says hugging me tight.

“Do you know how perfect you are?” I hug her back.

She sits back and looks at me. “Just you, me, and our mothers? Won’t Madison be upset? God, I would kill her.”

I laugh, “She knows babe. She thinks it’s perfect for us.” I wipe the tears away. “She did make mention of a big reception in the future so she could wear a killer dress and catch the bouquet.”

“Of course she did,” Tales smiles.

“We good?” I ask hoping to squash any self-doubt I may have had.

“Nothing, I mean nothing, could make me happier than I am right now. I love you so much for this. This is-.”

“This is just you, me, and forever. No spotlight, no hurry,” I say to her and she smiles a smile telling me, she knows I listen to her.

Her lips push against mine a little more forceful than usual. Confident. I like it.

She turns around and sits back against me. I wrap my arms around her and she holds on to my wrists.

“Look. Wow, just look at that,” she says as the sun ascends. “The beach is so white, it looks almost like silk from up here. The water is nearly translucent. So blue, almost turquoise.”

“Did you hear that baby?” I ask.

“Hear what?”

“The sun, it just said, rise and shine beautiful world, today is the day Memphis and Tallia become one.” I kiss her cheek and she pushes against me.