Peace by Piece-Rucas

Piece by Piece.

Chapter 9

"Oh my God Riley!" The couple laid beside each other, glistening from the sweat and candle light. He finally understood the difference between sex and making love. "You were incredible, you are incredible. Holy shit." After a smack to his arm he pulled her into chest, "wow." His lips met with anything he could find while they spooned. Her head, neck, ear or shoulder, "I love you."

Riley remembered telling him that she loved him while they were making love, several times actually. She originally thought it was in the heat of the moment but right now she knew, the way he held her, how gentle he was with her when it had been 2 years since she'd had sex, he constantly made sure she was okay the entire time. Though she was better than okay. Even how much thought and effort he put into every little detail today, she knew. "I love you too Lucas."

"Oh thank God. I thought you were saying that in the heat of the moment." His green eyes brightened, "that's why I kept saying it."

The brunette rolled over to face him, "so you kept saying 'God I love you' because you wanted to hear me say it back?"

"Is that creepy?" He squinted his eyes shut preparing for the worst.

"If I didn't love you then yes." They touched lips again before he kissed her forehead. "Today was amazing." She bit her lip and thought so carefully before her next words, was he ready? Were they ready? Emily. Her brown orbs connected with his bright emerald ones. He was already staring at her, trying to take in every single thing about this moment. "I want you to meet Emily." Lucas pressed his lips against hers and rolled on top of her. She only drew away whenever one lone tear touched her cheek, "are you okay?"

"I'm just really happy, I'm a romantic sure but I promise I don't cry often." They both lightly laughed and a surge of energy rang through his body feeling her caress his cheek. "You have no idea how happy you make me and how excited I am to meet Emily."

"That's what I want from a father figure, you do realize you'll be a father figure to her right?" Mommy mode engage! She sat up and covered herself with the white cotton sheets. "Once I introduce you to her, please don't leave. I know that's a lot to ask but she," her chin dropped to her chest and she inhaled deeply in hopes to keep the tears at bay. Surprisingly Lucas' lips on her cheek drew them back quickly, "I know it's a lot to ask but she gets attached so easily. I can't see her," Riley's chin began to tremble, "I can't stand to see her disappointment knowing another father figure left. And that awful feeling that I feel every day."

"Shh." Her face buried into his chest, "Riley please listen to me so carefully. I love you and I love Emily. I haven't even met her yet but I love her and I have no idea how that happens. I'm not going anywhere unless you force me out, I hope to God she gets attached to me because my biggest fear right now is that she won't like me." Lucas leaned down and kissed her head, "talk to me sweetheart."

"What?" She leaned out of his chest and wiped her eyes dry, "about what?"

"Tell me how you're feeling sweetheart. I want to know, I want to understand. This is something you struggle with a lot and I want to be there to help you."

"I don't, I don't-"

Lucas interrupted her seeing that she was about to back out, "I want to know what you feel every day and I can't do that unless you tell me."

"Are you sure?"

The vet leaned in and kissed her lips softly, "100 percent."

She gulped and opened the file folder in her mind that she tried to keep under lock and key. Her chest was already tightening, "hold me please." A few tears fell as his strong arms wrapped around her and the pain subsided, for now.