Give Me Your Heart

“Are you sure that you don’t want to call my madre to come and look after him?” Gerard posed as he watched Riley pad around the nursery, getting Alexander ready to head out for the day. It hadn’t been long, after Cassidy had announced her engagement, it had quickly become evident that she and Ryan weren’t going to wait around and with her preferred date only a few weeks away, she had enlisted Riley’s help in planning it, something which pleased the defender slightly.

He knew that it wasn’t a guarantee, since he and Riley had met, they’d been to more than one wedding, but he was a little hopeful that being involved in Cassidy’s wedding would spark a change in Riley, even if it was just a small one. He was a little hopeful that it would make her a little more receptive to the notion of them taking another step forwards.

Riley, who was packing Alexander’s changing bag, shook her head. “It’s fine” she mused softly “Cassidy already has a pretty good idea of what it is she wants and she merely wants me to smile and nod. We should be back here before you are” she added with a small smile.

Gerard offered her a slightly dubious look before he nodded. “If you’re sure” he quipped with a nonchalant shrug.

Riley offered him a look before she stepped towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck gently. “It really shouldn’t take too long” she quipped softly “And, if you can get out of training on time, we should be able to meet up lunch” she suggested softly.

“Lunch?” Gerard posed, his eyebrow lifted slightly.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been out together” Riley quipped “And as much as I love cooking, I’d like to take a day off. I’ll text you the address of the boutique Cassidy wants to head to and then we can meet up” she suggested with a small smile.

Gerard, who’d moved to wrap his arms around her waist, smiled back at her for a second before he pressed a kiss against her forehead. “I’d love that, Ry” he murmured softly.

Riley cuddled into him for a second, enjoying the embrace briefly before the sound of her phone echoed, causing her to sigh a little. “I’ll see you later?” she quipped as she moved to collect Alexander’s car seat.

Gerard nodded. “Of course” he quipped with a small smile.

Riley returned his smile briefly before she stepped out of the room, something which made Gerard shake his head, a small smile on his face. He knew that it was a long shot, the chances of Riley suddenly changing her mind about wanting to move forwards with him were slim to none, but a small part of him was optimistic, even if it was unlikely. Part of him wanted to get his hopes up a little.

~#~
“I still can’t quite wrap my head around the idea that you’re getting married in less than a month, Cassidy” Riley quipped as she settled down into a seat beside the changing room, her eyes glancing towards the closed door which stood ahead of her. It had been a quiet morning, with Cassidy already having an idea of what it was she wanted, they’d been able to take their time and enjoy themselves, and Riley had to admit that she had had fun, even if the topic of her own wedding was a sore one, part of her was enjoying planning Cassidy’s.

“It is a little fast” Cassidy quipped from inside the changing room “But me and Ryan don’t see the need to wait around. We both come from small families who still live in the area and we’re only inviting a few close friends. It’s going to be something small and simple” she enthused as she pulled the door open.

Riley, who’d been cooing softly to Alexander, lifted her head at the sound of the door opening, her eyes widening a little at the sight of her friend. “Cass” she breathed softly.

“It’s something, isn’t it?” Cassidy grinned as she twirled a little, showing off the dress she wore.

Riley blinked a couple of times before she pushed herself to her feet, a soft smile appearing on her face. “You look amazing, Cassidy” she breathed softly.

“It’s pretty close to what I want” Cassidy enthused softly “It’ll need a little alteration but once it is done, I think it will be perfect, no?” she fussed happily.

Riley, who’d been admiring her friend, smiled a little. “It will be wonderful, Cass” she enthused softly.

Cassidy flashed her another wide grin before she padded back into the changing room, allowing Riley the chance to sit down beside Alexander once more. She knew that it was still a little way off, the idea of her and Gerard taking another step forwards still made her a little nervous, but seeing Cassidy planning her wedding had gotten her thinking a little. She knew what it was she wanted, for a while, she had been sure that, eventually, she wanted to take the next step forward with Gerard, but she still wanted to hold off, even if it was a little silly. She merely wanted to be a little surer that things between the two of them were going to work out.

“Are you nearly ready to get out of here, Ry?”

Riley, who’d drifted off a little, startled at the sound of Cassidy’s voice before she looked up, nodding her head slightly. “Of course” she quipped “Are you sure that the dress you found is the right one?” she posed.

“I’m certain” Cassidy mused with a grin on her face “It’s the one, Ry, I know it” she enthused.

Riley offered her a small smile before she moved to pick up Alexander, following her friend towards the cash register. “You don’t mind keeping an eye on this for a little while do you?” Cassidy posed as she handed her credit card over towards the cashier.

“Of course not” Riley mused “It’s sort of my job as maid of honor, isn’t it?” she teased.

“It is” Cassidy confirmed “And when I will return the favour should you ever need a maid of honor” she added with a teasing grin.

Riley rolled her eyes a little before she shook her head, a small smile on her face. It was still a little way off, the idea of her and Gerard getting married, but it was moving closer, something which pleased Riley, even if she was still a little wary. A part of her was excited by the prospect of moving forwards.