Give A Little More

Chapter 23

After 3 weeks of not speaking, Riker and I could barely stay away from one another for a minute or two. A few looooong days after we got back together (and might I add that Christmas happened in this time period) He wanted to take me out to talk and be together to celebrate the end of the Christmas season, and all the craziness that came along with it. I promised him we could go over to my Dad's for a little bit on Christmas day, and as much as he wanted to be with his family, Riker said he really wanted me to see my family, and I couldn't persuade him, although I tried my hardest. Finally after the Christmas of insanity, Riker and I were okay. Everything was out in the open, we were finally being honest with each other, and now everything was better than ever.

My father attempted to get us an extravagant wedding gift: a new house, to which we refused, and settled on him redoing a room in our house right now, and we chose the kitchen. Stormie was so excited to see us in the afternoon that she took me around and introduced me to every family member as Riker's fiancee. His family was really sweet and welcoming, a lot different than the family I had grown up in.

Christmas day in itself was a big one, Ellington popped the question to Rydel after a year of dating, because yes, they had kept it a secret for that long before any of us realized what was happening.
Our lovely boss Creighton called us in a haste, telling us that they thought they were closing in on Angela somewhere in Colorado and they were sure we'd be able to return to Baltimore after the new year, so we figured that meant we'd be back home by 4th of July.

Ross and Rocky started a petition to switch up housing arrangements because they were tired of rooming with couples. They felt like they should have our two bedroom while Rydel, Ellington, Riker, and I all took the three bedroom. Creighton denied his request because putting three agents in the same household was too 'easy', but he did let us switch around, Rocky would spend some nights at our house, and Ross at Rydel's house. Rydel and I would switch around too to spend some quality girl time together.

Now it was two days until the new year and I sat down across from my love at dinner and I couldn't help but just look at him and his tired eyes. I knew he hadn't been sleeping well, but I couldn't figure out why. "Are you okay?" I asked him, trailing my fingers up his hand. He shook his head quickly and cleared his throat, "Um, yeah, yeah I'm fine." He shrugged, "Just tired, and stuff." "Stuff?" I asked him. "Harper I don't wanna sound needy." He told me. "Babe, you won't sound needy, what is it?" I asked, batting my eyelashes at him.

I took a sip of my wine just as he spoke, "We haven't had sex in a really long time." He said quickly. I nearly choked on my wine and started coughing and laughing. "Don't laugh!" He smiled at me and shook his head, "It's an issue!" He explained. I thought for a while and realized it had been a long time. Riker left after Thanksgiving, we were apart for a week, and then we hadn't been together since we got back together. Now it was past Christmas, and we had been spending so much time with family that neither of us had even realized how much time apart we had had. Well, one of us didn't realize. "We can change that," I smirked slyly at him and smiled.

"Are you sure that's all that's bothering you?" I asked him, my foot going up and down his calf. "Harper, stop, please," He whispered at the table. "Okay," I smiled at him and got up. "Do you wanna order dinner? Or just dessert?" I raised my eyebrows and he eyed me, sipping his water. "Is dessert fine with you? I'd like to get home and do some, uh, work..." He emphasized. "Dessert is fine." I smiled at him, "I'll be right back." I bit my lip slightly and walked into the bathroom.

I was washing my hands when a woman who looked a bit older than me walked in. She looked in the mirror next to me as I reapplied my lipstick. "You," She said to me. "You work for Charlotte Herrera." She pointed at me. "Um, yeah, I do, do I know you?" I asked her, smiling and primping my hair. "No, but I read your blog posts and I've seen your pictures, your style is adorable, and now to see you in person." She smiled, "Gorgeous!" "Aw, thank you," I said to her, "Pardon me," I laughed, starting to adjust my dress in the mirror. "Trying to get my boyfriend's attention." I winked at her.  "Oh, girl, I getcha!" She laughed, "You guys have a good night." She smiled, putting her hand on my shoulder kindly.

"Thank you!" I said, exiting the bathroom. I smiled to myself and looked towards Riker, sitting patiently. "Hey babe," I said to him, my hand trailing off of his shoulder. He smiled at me with closed lips and nodded, "Yeah, just dessert, we gotta get home." He giggled. I laughed and took a sip of my wine, "I love you." I said, giving him a wink. "I love you too." He replied.

We split a piece of cheesecake and asked for the check quickly. I grabbed Riker's hand and waved to the woman that I met in the bathroom, who was at dinner with a man, who I couldn't see except the back of his bald head. I told Riker about meeting her and he listened to my story intently, even though I know he didn't care nearly as much as he seemed. When we got back home it was dark and Riker walked us up to the house quickly and stepped to unlock the door. "I love you." He said to me before he opened the door. "I love you too, babe, is everything okay?" I asked him, seeming like he was a little on edge.

He opened the door to candles lit in the entryway and into the living room. A dozen roses were on the coffee table and it looked like the entire area glowed. "Surprised?" Riker asked me. I was speechless at how beautiful it was. I walked further into the living room, looking out to see the hot tub lit up with candles around it in a heart shape, "Riker this is," I turned around to face him, only to find him on one knee.

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A/N

AHHH.

xx.