After his father's death, Jay starts forgetting which way is up.
Riley wants to be there for him, but is overwhelmed with her fears and the uncertainty of their future together.
Will their relationship be strong enough to overcome all the obstacles...
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A YEAR EARLIER
Riley knocked relentlessly on the door in front of her, completely drenched after only walking from her car to the building. The girl was breathing heavily, trying not to let herself cry as she knew she had no right to - not after everything she'd done. The door slowly opened and she didn't waste a single second before speaking up.
"I'm sorry, Jay. I know you didn't deserve what I just did to you. You deserve someone who's stable and won't be rushing over to your apartment on a Friday night to apologize after dumping you." She couldn't help but let a few tears roll down her cheeks, clearing her throat so she could choke back a sob. "You were right, I was scared and I didn't tell you right away, I just let it eat at me and only acted on it when it was too late. That's not right and it's not fair either. But I want to be with you, Jay. I really, really do and I want to be your wife, too - if you'll still have me." Her last words were in a much softer tone, her eyes looking up at him through her lashes.
His eyes softened as the corner of his lips curved up, "We're going to have to talk about whatever it is that scared you off, though. All the way." He told her, trying to be stern and serious but was unable to as his lips completely curved into a smile. She nodded her head, looking at him with watery eyes and a soft smile on her lips. "Come on."
He was hurt by what she did. But he was more than ready to push it aside and forgive her if she was willing to work it all out with him. That's what love is, isn't it?
Riley didn't waste another second before rushing into his arms, holding him as tightly as she could. "I'm so sorry." She whispered, breathing him in and swearing to remember the way he felt against her and how perfectly her arms were around him.
"Hey, I told you - all I care about is having you with me, okay? The rest," He made a gesture with his hand, "-we can figure out." She bit her lip, holding back another apology as she knew it wasn't what he needed to hear. "Do you want to get changed?" Jay asked, grabbing her hand as he guided her to his room. She nodded, knowing that he would've just given her new clothes either way. He handed her a large t-shirt and just rested on his bed - already changed out into sweats. She changed, putting her wet clothes into the washing machine before joining him on his bed.
Jay wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss on top of her head before clearing his throat. "What's on your mind?"
She sighed, getting ready to finally be completely honest with him so they could get a fresh start - the one he deserved. "After we spoke about having children, it just got me thinking that I probably wouldn't have a job to come back to after maternity leave. And then it got me thinking that if we moved in, got married, had kids... If anything were to happen I'd be the one kicked out of the unit. I'd lose everything and as understandable as it is, it scared me. You know more than anyone how I love my job. So when it got down to make a choice - you or the job, I-"
