I've got ya'll a new chapter! I've been on a writing streak lately(: But that is of course a good thing(: It may not be super long, but I like how this chapter ends(:

"Oh, Talia," Ryan sighed, "I'm so sorry he did that to you."

"Everything Nick said to me confused me, yet he always knew how to make me feel like I deserved every beating her gave me," Natalia said solemnly, finishing up the last few bites of soup. "Thank you Ryan, that was delicious. But you know you don't have to cook something fancy every time you cook, you've done way too much for me already."

"You're welcome, and I want to because it makes you happy, and I really don't mind to cook," he replied.

Natalia got out of the bed, looked down, and gave an exasperated sigh, "ugh, I am still wearing the same clothes from yesterday. I am so getting a shower," she said and collected fresh clothes from the closet.

"Even so, you're still beautiful," he said sweetly.

"Thank you Ryan," she smiled. "I'll be out in a bit," she said and quickly gave Ryan a kiss on the lips before heading into the bathroom and shutting the door.

Natalia got a large towel and two washcloths out of the cabinet and set the large towel by the shower and the washcloths in it. As she undressed she noticed that most all of the bruises had faded away and she was no longer sore. She frowned at the cuts and the two larger ones that still contained stitches. Natalia knew she would have scars and that she would always have a reminder of what happened, but she would do everything to not let it get the best of her. She figured that some of the smaller cuts would turn into scars that would fade. Natalia looked down at her still flat stomach and placed her hand over the womb that was carrying her baby. She loved Ryan so much and wished that the baby did belong to Ryan; that he or she would be born with his soft dark hair and beautiful green eyes; but that wasn't the case.

Natalia turned the shower on, adjusting the faucet to a comfortable temperature. She stepped in, immediately feeling the warm water wash over her body; almost as if it were washing away all of her troubles. Even though she knew it wouldn't keep them forever, but it could at least keep them at bay for a few moments.

While Natalia was in the shower, Ryan had taken the empty bowl and plate to the kitchen and he washed all of the dishes that were in the sink and in the dishwasher. He preferred to wash them by hand so he could make sure that everything was entirely clean and spotless. It was one of his OCD habits, but he didn't figure anyone wanted to eat from half-washed dishes.

Ryan thought about how much he loved Natalia. He wanted to tell her so badly, but fear continuously held him back. The fact that he knew he loved Natalia, and she didn't was eating away at him. Ryan had made up his mind; he decided that he would tell her. He would tell her just as soon as she walked down that set of stairs.

When Ryan saw Natalia walking down the steps, his stomach clenched nervously. He took in a deep breath and walked towards her.

"Talia," he said, "there's, uh, something I-I would like to tell you."

Natalia looked at him curiously, "ok."

"I- I love you Talia," he said sweetly, yet boldly. "I love you so much."

Ryan waited nervously for a reply.

Natalia's face lit up like a firework, a large smile upon her face.

"Oh, Ryan," she said happily. "I love you too."

They were both so happy that there lips immediately crushed together into a passionate kiss. No kiss had ever before been that electrifying. It was full of love and lust. Neither one of them ever wanted it to end; only taking breaths when they were sure they would pass out from oxygen deprivation.

Ryan's hands slid under the hem of Natalia's shirt. Natalia thought she would be frightened to take it to the next step. After Nick, she believed that she would never make it past a simple kiss ever again. But this was Ryan, and she felt safe with Ryan. She trusted him. And when Ryan scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the bedroom, she had never felt happier before in her life.

THEY DID IT! THEY DID IT! Literally, THEY DID IT! THEY DID IT! Oh, goodness. Aren't we all happy for them?(: Please review(: