Butterfly

43. Patience.

Chapter Forty-Three: Patience.

♡ Jessica Washington ♡

"River, it's nearly time to go. You're going to have to get up eventually, or we're going to be late," I tell a tired River, who groans, turning over onto his back and running his fingers through his hair to push it out of his face. 

"Maybe if you come over here you could help me get up?" River suggests, his voice deeper than usual due to how he has only just woken up. I roll my eyes, walking over to the side of the bed and sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"And how would I be able to do that?" I ask, and River smirks, leaning up towards me, so I lean down and press my lips softly against his. 

"Last night..." River mumbles against my lips, and I sigh, moving back and standing up again.

"I genuinely was tired, I was overthinking something but I'm sorted it out in my head, don't worry," I reply, half lying. I've decided that I'm rushing into things, so I'm going to slow things down. I'm going to make sure that I spend more time with Olivia without completely cutting River out of my life so I'm not planning our wedding by the end of the week. 

"Are you sure?" River asks, as I hear him get out of bed.

"Yes, I'm sure," I reply, brushing my hair. River groans again in complaint, before walking into the bathroom to have a shower. I finish brushing my hair, before going downstairs to where everyone else is ready to go.

"Did you manage to get him up?" Tyler asks, raising an eyebrow. 

"He's having a shower," I reply, sitting down on one of the chairs, knowing that he'll be a while. Everyone else is soon to join me in sitting down.

"So tonight, I thought we could all go out for dinner tonight, find somewhere nice. Then tomorrow I thought we could just go off and do our own thing, if that's okay with everyone?" Tom says, another idea that everyone can unanimously agree on. 

Soon later, River arrives and we start walking down through the brilliant streets and avenues of New York as we make our way to Central Park. River walks next to me, and takes my hand. 

"So, I was going to ask you if you would like to spend the day with me tomorrow, like a really long date. It's my turn to ask you and I'm sorry I waited so long but I wanted us to something special, and why not New York?" River asks me, and I smile brightly, as this solves my worries of last night. 

"I thought you'd never ask," I reply, smiling, leaning up and pressing my lips against his cheek. River smiles, looking relieved. I'm not surprised at this relief, as I'm sure last night and this morning were not exactly too convincing in regard to acting like everything was okay.

"Patience is a virtue," River quotes, and I roll my eyes, but smile in amusement nonetheless.

"I'm sure," I mutter sarcastically, before we finally arrive at the entrance to Central Park. It's beautiful, as the leaves are all starting to grow back after the cold winter months have passed, preparing for the lively season of spring. 

We walk around Central Park first, passing the fountain, the lake and the bridge that crosses it, which we walk along. We then go round the carousel like the children we are, laughing at ourselves as we do so. Then we get off of the carousel and find somewhere to sit down to have an early lunch, eventually finding nice place to sit in the sun near the lake. 

Tom and Marcus set out the blanket while Tyler and Olivia start sorting out the food.

"Jess, could you sort out the drinks for me?" Tyler asks, to which I nod, taking the cans of drinks out of the basket and handing everyone a can each. Tyler and Olivia arrange the food on the blanket on the small, white plates that Tom packed. And then it's time to eat.