Give Me Your Heart

“So, this is a two bedroom apartment” the real estate agent mused as she stepped through the door, leading Gerard and Riley into the apartment. They had been at it for a while, after Gerard had picked Riley up from her home, they’d visited 3 separate apartments, and still they’d yet to find something that they agreed on, something which was starting to irk Riley a little. She knew that he had a point, with a baby due in only a couple of months, she did need to find somewhere with a little more space for the two of them, but after hours of looking, she was tired and wanted nothing more than to sit down with a mug of tea and a book.

Gerard, who followed along behind the estate agent, nodded, his blue eyes surveying the room interestedly. “It looks pretty nice in here” he enthused brightly “It wouldn’t take a lot to fix it up” he added.

“The two bedrooms are down the hall” the estate agent enthused “This place also has a bathroom, a small kitchen and a spare room which was previously used as a study, but could easily be converted into a 3rd bedroom” she added.

Gerard nodded his head. “If you don’t mind, we’d like to take a look around” he noted, offering a glance towards Riley who was quietly stood a little away from him, vaguely surveying the room around them.

The estate agent off him a small smile before she excused herself, affording Gerard the chance to step towards Riley, his arms gently wrapping around her waist. “You could at least look like you’re interested, Ry” he mumbled, pressing a soft kiss against her shoulder. He hadn’t missed it, after hours of viewings, Riley’s previous enthusiasm towards the idea of finding a new apartment had faded a little, but Gerard wanted to encourage her to keep going. He wanted to ensure that she had found somewhere and was settled by the time their baby put in his first appearance.

Riley, who was vaguely staring around the room, leant back, her head resting on his shoulder. “I was interested” she mumbled softly “But after nearly 3 hours of walking around, all I really want to do now is go home and sit down. My feet are killing me and bump won’t stop kicking” she added, a small frown on her face.

Gerard admired her expression for a moment before he shifted his hand, resting it against her bump for a moment before the baby kicked, a sensation that bought a soft grin to his face. “He’s clearly my son” he teased softly, earning a small glare from Riley as she pushed away from him.

“This is the last one, Ry” Gerard noted as he watched her pad around the room.

“I know” Riley noted “But this isn’t the last viewing we’re going to have to schedule” she added. It had been a long day, between the two of them, they’d managed to find flaws with each of the properties that they’d visited, and Riley had little doubt that they’d need to keep looking.

Gerard, who’d moved to inspect the kitchen, shook his head. “I just want to make sure that you have somewhere, Riley” he noted softly “I want to make sure that you and bump have somewhere that is comfortable enough to house you and a growing baby” he insisted, a soft expression on his face.

Riley studied the look on his face for a moment before she stepped towards him, her arms gently wrapping around his waist. “I know you do” she mumbled softly “And I know I’ve not always been receptive, but I do appreciate it. You’ve been pretty great in the last few months” she mused softly.

Gerard offered her a soft smile before he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “We should finish looking around in here” he mumbled softly “The sooner we tell them that we’re not interested, the sooner we can get you somewhere a lot more comfortable” he enthused, moving to take her hand.

Riley shook her head a little before she followed him towards the hall, a soft smile on her face. It had been good, since they’d gotten back together, there had barely been a hiccup between the two of them, and whilst Riley was pleased, she wanted to remain a little cautious. They had been good before, for months, she and Gerard had been happy before their breakup, and she knew better than to get ahead of herself. After the first time, she merely wanted to take a little time before they took another step.

~#~
“You know, if you want to sleep, I am pretty sure that you’d be more comfortable upstairs” Gerard teased as he stepped into the living room, his eyes glancing towards Riley who laid on his couch, her eyes barely open.

Riley, who’d been snoozing, startled a little at the sound of his voice, something which made him shake his head. “You can just go and sleep upstairs, Riley” he enthused as he sat down beside her “I really wouldn’t mind” he added.

“I’ve just gotten comfortable” Riley mumbled, sparing a yawn into her hand “And besides, I have to get going soon. I’ve got work early tomorrow and I’ve got nothing here to wear” she added.

Gerard nodded before he lifted her legs, settling them in his lap. “You could always leave a few more of your things here” he noted gently.

Riley blinked. “You want me to leave some stuff here?” she posed as she sat up a little.

Gerard shrugged. “It couldn’t hurt” he noted “More often than not, you spend the day here and it would make sense to leave a few things here just so that you don’t have to rush off at night. As silly as it is, I kind of hate dropping you off at your apartment” he added, his expression softening a little. He knew that he had worried her, as soon as the words had fallen out of his mouth, her expression had grown a little concerned, but he wanted to reassure her. The last thing he wanted to do was pressure her into something she wasn’t ready for.

Riley, who was chewing on her lip, offered him a slightly uncertain look, something which made him sigh. “I am not asking you to move in, Ry, I know that you’re not ready for that and I get it” he insisted softly “After last time, I don’t blame you for being a little hesitant, but a few changes of clothes aren’t going to spell the end of us. This is a good thing, Ry, me and you, and whilst I don’t want to push you, I do want to make steps forwards at some point, something I need to know if you want too” he added, his tone a little firm.

Riley spared a glance down at her lap before she spared a small sigh. “At some point” she murmured softly “But right now, I just…I don’t want to run into this again. We moved so quickly last time and it got ruined and I don’t want to make the same mistake. I want to get this right, Geri” she murmured softly.

Gerard offered her a small look before he spared a small sigh, his hand gently squeezing hers in an attempt to offer her a little reassurance. He knew that she was concerned, whenever he suggested taking a step forwards, Riley tended close down slightly, but he wanted to reassure her. He was confident in them, even if they had messed up before, and he wanted her to share her confidence.