The Third Order

Maggie rolled over and looked at Ben, who was still sleeping. She smiled to herself. 

I feel so content. My life is perfect. 

She quietly slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake him, and went over to the window. She opened both the inside and outside shutters and looked out. The sun cast a very golden morning glow over the countryside. They were in a hotel on the edge of Milan, and between the very distant hills and the edge of town were a couple of fallow sunflower fields. Maggie thought it must have been a remarkable sight when the sunflowers were in bloom. Nevertheless, it was a glorious September morning. She looked down and twirled her wedding ring just a bit. Wearing it was still a novelty to her.

They had been in Italy for ten days already, first arriving in Venice and then traveling to Rome and Florence before landing in Milan, where Ben had interviews and appointments with staff at the Politechnicodi Milano. Maggie was so in love: in love with Ben, in love with Italy…in love with marriage and this honeymoon. She twirled her ring once more, smiling to herself. She had never felt happier.