The honeymoon ended yesterday for Rachel and Jason Rivers, but the storybook tale continues.

The couple was married Saturday, and spent the next four nights at a time-share unit in Ko Olina.

Jason, the University of Hawai'i's starting left wideout, had to awaken at 4:45 a.m. three times this week to make the start of the Warriors' two-hour practices in preparation for the Sugar Bowl.

But he made it back to Ko Olina by late morning to enjoy the rest of a peaceful retreat.

"They had a little Polynesian show (Tuesday night), and we were slow-dancing in the moonlight," Jason said. "It was kind of beautiful."

Rachel said: "That was nice. It was unexpected. We did a bunch of things — sailing, snorkeling, dancing under the stars. It was fun to get away."

Jason added: "Life's wonderful."

Indeed, Jason is finally enjoying the good life. His last UH game is the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl. He is expected to be selected in the National Football League draft in April. And Rachel is four months pregnant.

UH coach June Jones said Rivers, who did not play in 2005 because of an ankle injury and academic situation, has "grown up the last two years."

Jones added: "He had a tough go (in 2005). We had to sit on him with his classes. He just became more accountable after he was away from football. He realized life is too short to be missing out."

Linebacker Timo Paepule and Rivers have been teammates and close friends since their freshman year at Saint Louis School.

"I love that guy," Paepule said. "He's really grown and matured. One thing about Jason is he's had a rough life. A lot of people don't know that. That's something personal for him. To see how he grew up and how he changed his life, that's something. He's really spiritual now."

Rachel and Jason used to frequent clubs, although Rachel tried to "keep the church in there. I was raised in the church. He knew that was important to me."

When they first started dating, Rachel recalled, "he tried to impress me. He came with me to church a couple of times."

Soon, Jason became more involved. He took Bible studies, and eventually became baptized.

"Now he's completely different," Rachel said. "He doesn't care to go out anymore. His goals now are to focus on football and his family."

Jason proposed to Rachel after they had dated for six months.

"We're very compatible," he said. "She brought me to church and introduced me to God again. That was one of the biggest things she could have done for me. She's given me more peace. Everything is good. I have somebody to go home to every night."

Paepule said Rivers has tried to quit his biggest vice.

"He doesn't swear too much," Paepule said, laughing. "That's the hardest part. He's doing a lot better. He gave up a lot of stuff. Now he's on his way to bigger and better things. I can't wait to see him in the pros. He'll always be a brother to me. I'm proud of the guy."

Rachel and Jason were supposed to find out the sex of their child during a Dec. 28 appointment. The thing is, the team departs on Christmas Day.

They moved up the appointment to Christmas Eve.

"We both cannot wait," Rachel said.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.