When Hearts collide (An Arthur Morgan Rdr2 fanfiction)

Chapter 22: Marry me

Joy, pure joy, coursed like a river of warmth, through my body. I was finally going to be a father again, after all these years. Unlike back then, I didn't run away. Instead, I took the medicine that the doctor gave her, to keep the babies and herself healthy, throughout the pregnancy. I knew, from the moment I heard those tiny heartbeats, that I would be making her, my top priority. So, instead of heading back to camp, I got us a hotel room at one of the more luxurious hotels, in Saint Denis. I didn't want anyone knowing about her pregnancy, but myself, right now. Besides, I wanted to celebrate this moment with her, without prying eyes and ears, that I knew were in the camp.

Paying for the room, I sign us in under false last names. Not wanting any trouble. Much like I had done in Strawberry, I had signed us under the last name of Callahan. Peyton hadn't protested. She understood the need to hide our identities.
"So, how long you two been together?" The hotel clerk asks, gazing at the two of us.
"We jus' got married, day before last. We're on our honeymoon," I say.
"Ah, well, we got just the room, for you two," he says, handing me the room key and directing me, to the stairs.
"Thank you. Any chance I can add on a bath?" I ask.
"No trouble. Take the stairs all the way up, then head down the corridor to your left," the clerk says, leaving us to go attend the desk once more.

Grabbing Peyton's hand, I lead her up the stairs, and down the corridor.
"Wanna take a bath with me, Sweetheart?" I ask.
"I think that sounds lovely," she says, as I open the door, picking her up bridal style, and carrying her inside.
"Well, ain't this luxurious," I say, as I shut the door and set her back down.
"It's beautiful. Romantic, actually," she says.
"Need some help, love?" I ask, placing my hands on her shoulders.
"I think, I can manage," she says.
"Let me rephrase that. Let me get you outta them clothes, baby," I say, before I work to remove her clothes.
Butt naked in front of me, I take in her beauty. It wasn't noticeable, yet. But, the hint of a small baby bump, was showing.

Gently, I gather her into my arms, once more. I carry her over to the tub, and gently set her down, into the warm water.
"That feels nice," she says, as the warm water, cascades around her.
"I'll join you. Jus' give me a moment," I say, as I work to remove my own clothes.
As I unbutton my shirt, the fabric slipping from my shoulders, she watches me, intently. Her gaze flicks to my shoulder, above my heart, where Colm had shot me, not so long ago.
Feeling self conscious, I stand there, frozen in movement.
"What's wrong?" She asks.
"Peyton, how are you able to see past all the ugliness, I been dealt in my life? How are you able to love a man, so scarred by his past?" I ask.
"Oh, Arthur. You don't see what I see," she says, shifting in the water.
"What is it, you see?" I ask.
"Arthur, each scar you have, is beautiful. Each one tells a story. A story of what you were dealt, and how you came out of it even stronger than you were before," she says.

I smile at that, having not seen it that way before.
"You're beautiful, strong, smart, and that makes you, you," she says.
I finish undressing, no longer afraid. I join her in the tub, sitting in front of her. I take her hand in mine, and caress the back of it, with my thumb.
"Goddamn, I love you," I say.
"And I love you," she says, leaning forward, and pressing her lips to mine.
"Peyton...," I whisper, taking her face in my hands.
"Arthur...," she responds, before our lips find each other again.
"We should finish our bath. We can continue this, in the room," I say.

We take turns washing each other up. Once we were through, we wrap towels around our bodies, grab our clothes, and exit the washroom, heading down the opposite corridor, to our room. Once we were inside, I shut the door and locked it, before heading to the window and drawing the curtains closed. Once I had done both, I let the towel drop to the floor. She does the same. I make my way over to her, and place my hands on the sides of her face, before gently dragging her to me, smashing my lips, to hers. I allow one of my hands to slide down her neck, her shoulder, her arm. Taking hold of her wrist, I move her hand down my hip, to the start of my V line. I press my groin closer to her and place her hand gently, around my throbbing cock, wrapping her fingers around it, and holding her there.

"Goddamn, Arthur," she breathes against my lips, as she gently squeezes her fingers along my member.
"I love you. I love you, Peyton. I love you," I say, with each breathless kiss.
"I love you, Arthur," she says, as I pick her up, and carry her over to the bed.
On instinct, her legs fall open, giving me access to the sweet, wet spot, that was her opening. I line myself up with her, and very gently slam into her. I move my hips, in a slow rhythmic motion, taking it slow at first, before moving at a faster pace. With each thrust, I drove her wild with ecstacy. Each moan, driving me closer to the edge of my release. And when it finally came almost an hour later, I pulled out of her just in time, to spill my seed over her legs.
"Damn, I wanted you to finish inside me," she says.
"I know. But, you're pregnant. I'm being cautious," I say.
"A true gentleman," she says, caressing my shoulder, as I move to lay beside her.

We lay there in silence, enjoying each others company. We gaze into each others eyes, the love reflecting in both our gazes. Propping myself up on my elbow, I take her left hand between mine.
"I wanna put a ring, on you. I want you to be forever mine," I say.
"What're you saying, Arthur?" She asks.
"I'm sayin', I wanna marry you, Peyton," I say.
"Are you proposing?" She asks, a wide smile on her lips.
"I am. I ain't got a ring, yet. So, I can't do it proper, like I want. But, I love you. I want you by my side, the rest of my life. So, will you marry me?" I ask.
"Yes. A thousand times, yes!" She says, throwing her arms around me.
"You make me happy, Peyton. You have since the moment we first met," I say.
"I could say the same of you," she says.

Placing my hand on her small baby bump, I gaze deeply into her eyes.
"I promise, Peyton. I'm not goin' to screw this up. Not like when I was a teenager. No, this time, I'm gonna make this work. I'm gonna be there, for you and our children. I'm gonna make you top priority. And, I'll be damned, if anyone or anything, gets in the way of that. And if somehow, I end up separated from you, know that I will find my way back to you, no matter how long it takes," I say.
"The same goes from me, to you," she says.
"You're my life, now. Nothin' is gonna change that," I say, as I pull the covers over both of us, and cuddle her close.
"You're mine, well, ours too," she says, snuggling her head into my shoulder.
"Get some rest," I say.
"Okay. But, I gotta ask you something," she says.
"Fire away," I say.
"How're we gonna keep this from Dutch and the others?" She asks.
"I got an idea. Just trust me, okay?" I say.
"Okay, I trust you," she says, before we both fall asleep, to the wonderful sounds of Saint Denis.