Give Me Your Heart

21: We Can Do It Any Way You Want

“You’ll call us soon, won’t you, Riley?” Audrey quipped as she moved to place her arms into the sleeves of the jacket her husband held out for. It had been a long evening, what was originally meant to be a quick dinner had lasted well over 2 hours, and Riley, who had become a little quiet and distant after her moment with Gerard, was glad that it was over with.

She knew that they’d have to talk about it, from the looks that Gerard had been sending her all evening, she doubted that she would get away without talking about it for long, but for a little while longer, she wanted to avoid the elephant in the room. It was obvious, even if she didn’t admit it, there was no denying that there was still something between them, and for a little longer, she wanted to put off another conversation about them and their relationship.

“I will do, mama” Riley mused, offering her a small smile “You and Montserrat have made it clear that you both want to take me baby shopping and I think it is something we ought to sort out. I’ll arrange it” she enthused, moving to offer her mother a hug.

It had gone better than she had thought it would, despite a few lapses in conversation, the two sets of parents had been remarkably polite towards one another, and it pleased Riley who had been more than a little concerned that her mother and father would cause trouble.

“I’ll look forwards to it” Audrey smiled “Buenos noches, Riley” she enthused, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s cheek.

“Buenos noches, mama, papa” Riley grinned before she ushered them towards the door, pushing it closed with an audible thump.

“They gone?”

Riley, who’d been resting her forehead against the door, startled a little at the sound of Gerard’s voice before she whipped around, offering him a stout nod. “They are” she confirmed gently “And I should think about calling a taxi” she added, moving to take a step towards her bag which stood on the side.

Gerard, however, was quicker, allowing him to step ahead of her with ease. “You could stay” he offered softly “Even if it is only for a little while. You don’t have to rush off” he insisted gently.

“I think I ought to” Riley mused, moving to collect her phone from her bag “I’ve taken up most of your day” she added.

“I don’t mind” Gerard countered softly “If anything, I kind of like having you around” he added, quirking a soft smile.

Riley tried her hardest not to blush, but it was in vain, something which made Gerard sigh as he stepped a little closer to her. “You know that we can’t avoid it forever, don’t you?” he mumbled softly.

“I do” Riley confirmed “But I also know that right now, we can” she noted softly.

Gerard offered her a look before he moved his hand, gently resting it against her hip to prevent her from stepping away from him. “You wanted me to kiss you, Riley” he noted.

“It was in the moment” Riley quipped feebly.

Gerard snorted out a laugh before he shook his head, stepping a little closer to her. “You know that I love you, Riley” he murmured softly “And I know, even if you won’t say it, that you still feel the same way for me too, so why can’t you just smile and let it happen?” he posed softly, the pad of his thumb rubbing a small circle into her hip.

Riley watched the movement of his thumb for a moment before she let out a little sigh. “What if we mess it up again, Gerard?” she mumbled gently “What if, in 6 months’ time, we’re where we were?” she posed, shifting her feet slightly. She knew that he had a point, whether she had said it or not, there was still something between them, but still she was worried. The last thing she wanted was for the two of them to mess up again.

“Then we will fix it” Gerard mused “Riley, the break up…it was a mistake and we know it now. I made a lot of mistakes in the last few months, but right now, I know what I want and that is the two of you” he enthused, his hand gently brushing over her bump.

Riley shook her head. “But…”

“Riley, if we run into a problem, we will fix it, OK?” he insisted softly “I know that you’re worried, as you pointed out, all the decisions that we make right now are not only about the two of us, but about him too, but this could be something really good” he enthused, offering her another soft grin. He wasn’t surprised, Riley had always been cautious and stubborn when she wanted to be, but he wanted to reassure her. They were onto something good and he didn’t want to let the chance to fix things slip past them.

Riley chewed on her lip for a moment before she peeked up at him, not missing the warmth in his expression. “You’re sure that this is what you want?” she posed softly.

“I’ve been sure for a little while” Gerard teased impishly.

Riley offered him a pointed look, something which made Gerard smile a little. “I’m sure, Ry, really sure” he insisted softly.

Riley offered him another uncertain look. “I don’t want to rush it like last time” she mumbled.

“We can take it as quickly or as slowly as you want” Gerard offered softly “Riley, we can do this any way you want to, I just want to do it” he added, his hand gently resting against her cheek.

Riley chewed on her lip thoughtfully for a second before she opened her mouth to speak, only for a small squeak to fall out of it instead.

“Ry?” Gerard posed, his forehead furrowing a little.

Riley blinked a couple of times before another muffled noise fell out of her mouth.

“Riley, what is wrong?” Gerard pressed “Do I need to call someone?” he added, concern on his face.

Riley shook her head. “You don’t need to call anyone” she insisted before she reached out, taking his hand.

“What’s the matter?” Gerard pushed.

“Just wait a second will you?” Riley quipped as she set his hand against her bump.

Gerard offered her a curious look before he felt the movement against his hand, something which caused his eyes to widen. “Is that…?” he babbled softly.

Riley nodded, a warm smile on her face.

Gerard offered her an awed look before he flicked his attention back to the bump, grinning widely as he felt a few more little movements against his hand.

“Gerard?” Riley teased softly.

Gerard smiled gently before he ducked down, pressing a kiss to her bump. “Even bump thinks you should give me a shot” he quipped as he stood up.

Riley rolled her eyes. “Even before he’s born he’s on your side?” she teased, smiling up at him.

Gerard nodded. “Us boys are going to stick together” he noted proudly.

Riley shook her head a little before she pushed herself up onto her toes, wrapping her arms gently around his neck. “You’re sure that you don’t mind moving slowly?” she posed.

“Not at all” Gerard mused “Does that mean it’s a yes?” he added.

Riley feigned thought for a second before she leant up, pressing a kiss against his lips which more than answered his question.
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