Chapter 25

"Oh, really." She took a bite of potatoes. "Can I ask what the news was about?"

He bit his lip and looked at her. "Are you sure you wanna know?"

"Please."

"He's uh, pleading insanity. But, Josh, myself and the DA are pretty positive his argument won't stand." He was hoping that would comfort her.

"As long as he is locked up, I don't care where."

"He deserves prison. He's gonna get it. We're having a doctor come in and evaluate him."

She played with her food and took another bite. "Don't let it stress you out. I have faith, that he will get what he deserves." He grinned and grabbed her hand.

"I love how optimistic you are."

"Well, I feel refreshed. I actually bible studied today. I'm letting go of things that are out of my control."

"Really? That's great babe." He leaned over and kissed her. "So, what are you wanting to do this weekend?"

"I was thinking maybe we could go to Josh's and steal his hot tub. This time you won't have to feel bad for checking me out." She giggled and he kissed her again.

"That sounds great sweetheart. I'll call him in a bit."

"Also, I figured we could nail down a cruise date and location."

"A whole week, no work and you awake? I am so there."

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"Are you done eating?"

"Yes, but i'll take it sweetheart. You've done enough for today." She smirked and grabbed his plate. "You're asking to get in trouble. Do you know that?"

"I'd like to see what you can do to me." She grabbed the hose from the sink and rinsed off the plates. He walked up behind her, wrapped his hands around her waist and whispered in her ear.

"Don't test me baby." The brunette started to smile. Her arms got goosebumps. "Do I make you nervous?" Riley thought she'd play along and flipped around facing towards him.

"Do I make you nervous?" she whispered seductively while pulling him closer.

"Very. You make me very nervous." He rubbed his hands on her curves.

"You can kiss me." He did just that. Lucas picked her up and set her on the kitchen counter continuing to kiss her. Riley didn't realize how something so simple could be so sexy.

"What are you doin' to me?" They stopped kissing and touched foreheads.

"Yeah, I know. I'm mean." She giggled.

"I'm gonna go take a shower. Why don't you get comfy and i'll give you a massage once i'm out."

"Okay." She smiled as he set her back down on the tile. "Have fun." She turned around and winked at him as he walked into the bathroom. Lucas shook his head and laughed. He didn't know how hard it was going to be, to not do anything sexual with her until they get married. The green eyed boy took a quick 5 minute cold shower and got out shivering.

"It helped." he joked and put on some fleece pajama pants. "Babe, you ready for your-" He opened her door and she was passed out on her bed. He started laughing and walked to his girlfriend's side. "Good night pretty lady. I love you." He kissed her cheek and turned off the lights. "8 o'clock, that's a record."

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Riley's eyes flew open and she promptly searched her room. She didn't understand why she was all of a sudden getting nightmares again. Luckily, this wasn't the worst one, she put up a good fight. The brunette crawled out of her bed and tip toed into Lucas' room. "Baby?"

"Come here sweetheart." She grinned and shuffled towards his bed. For whatever reason she felt the need to whisper.

"Hi."

"Hey beautiful. You okay?" He flipped over revealing his abs.

"Yeah. Just running away from dreams. I'm sorry I woke you, I know you've had a long week."

"Don't apologize. I love it when you come in here." The brown eyed girl got comfortable and covered up with his comforter. Lucas draped his arm over her stomach. That one gesture let Riley know she was safe.

"I'm not staying in here. You know that right?"

"I'm not going to stop you from falling asleep if that's what you're hinting at." She started giggling and he pecked her arm. "I love you."

"I love you." About an hour later, Lucas had fallen asleep. But, everytime she'd try to sneak out he'd tighten his grasp around her stomach. "Baby, i'm gonna go to sleep."

"In my bed." he mumbled.

"No, in my bed." She giggled.

"Fine. Don't miss me too much."

"Can't promise that."

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The next morning, Riley had slept in till eleven. Even after waking her up to take her pain medicine. Lucas was in the kitchen and had made blueberry muffins, the aroma of the muffins baking roused his girlfriend.

"Boy, that's attractive." She was leaning up against the entryway frame, grinning and looking at him.

"What's that?" He meandered over to her and locked his fingers behind her back.

"You; shirtless, in pajama pants, making muffins." She leaned in for a kiss. "You in general are just attractive. Everything you do."

He chuckled. "Someone's feeling sweet this morning, aren't you babe?"

"I just, when I woke up I didn't immediately get out of bed. I don't think i've really ever thanked you for everything. Saving my life; staying with me in the hospital, talking to me and singing, waking me up, letting me move in. The list could really just go on and on." She caressed his strong face. "I'm very lucky. I really am and I wouldn't be here with out you." After a makeout session, they finally seperated.

"I can't live without you sweetheart."

"It's funny, because for awhile I thought you just wanted me to move in because you felt responsible for what happened." The timer went off and he pulled the muffins out of the oven. "Even after you said you loved me, I had dreams that it was all pretend so I wouldn't leave because me being here and you helping me made you feel less guilty."

"I don't really know what to say to that except deny it. You know how I feel about you."

"Awake Riley does, dream Riley however is out of my control. For the most part." She giggled. "Did you call Josh? Are we going to go over there today?"

"Yes and yes. Maya is particularly excited."

"Yeah, I haven't seen her in a few days." She took a drink of water.

"Well, that and to pick out a cruise. According to Josh she's been biting at the bit to get this done."

"Well, i'd like for my hair to grow out before we go. At least where i can cut it in like a bob or swing." His jaw dropped.

"You're cutting your beautiful hair?" He twirled it in his fingers.

"Eventually, so one side isn't at my tummy and the other at my ear."

"You'll look great either way. And, it will grow back right?"

"Nope, it'll stay that way forever." She grabbed a muffin and took a bite.

"There's the witty repartee I love." He kissed her hand. "Go get ready to go and we will head over there."

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"RILEY!"

"MAYA!" The guys covered their ears while they screamed and hugged each other.

"Hey Josh."

"Hey man, how are you?"

"Man, i'm just glad it's the weekend." The partners shook hands while Riley and Maya strolled into the living area that was lit up with sunlight.

"Riley, do you want to pick out cruises now? Or later? Or now?" The blonde had her laptop in her soft hands.

"I'm going to go with now, before you lose your mind." She snatched the computer out of the blue eyed girls grasp and searched for carnival cruises. The guys conversed while the girls stared at the laptop.

"Ooo.. this one looks nice." The guys took a seat on the bar stools. "7 days, leaves from Galveston, on one of their newer ships the Magic."

"WHERE?" Maya was sitting at the edge of her seat and couldn't contain her excitement. "WHEN?"

"It goes to Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands, and Cozumel on March 20, 2016."

"Sounds great, i'm in." The blonde was on her knees jumping up and down on the couch.

"I guess that means i'm in." Josh laughed.

"Lucas?"

"I go where she goes." He winked at Riley and it made her blush. "How much is it goin' to be per person?"

"Well, it depends on the room. They have interior rooms, ocean view, balcony and suites. Interior is cheapest so i'm good with that." Maya rolled her eyes.

"Cheapskate."

"How much is a balcony?" Lucas asked.

Riley's face started to cringe. "I don't wanna say."

"Oh for goodness sakes Riles." The blonde snatched her computer away. "A balcony is $809 per person. That is unlimited food and lots of fun. It pays for itself."

"Done." The brown eyed girl turned her head to her boyfriend and smiled.

"Really?"

"Absolutely. Is that what you want?"

"I don't have to have that." She replied instantly.

"I didn't ask if you had to have it. I asked you, my lovely girlfriend, if you want a balcony." Lucas' eyes were bearing into her soul and a smile crept to her face.

"Yeah, maybe." The brunette tried to hide her excitement by covering her mouth.

"Then you'll get it." He could tell she was about to burst at the seams from her elation. "Josh cover your ears. Riley, let it out." Maya and Riley both screamed at the top of their lungs. Their boyfriends just laughed. The brunette stood up and sauntered to her boyfriend.

"Thank you. But, please know you don't have to do this." He kissed her, while caressing her cheek.

They touched forheads and he whispered. "Anything for you babe." He cleared his throat to make an announcement. "Josh and I will take care of it on Monday, hopefully we can get rooms if not next to then close to each other."

The brunette wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "You're amazing."

"Why don't you and Maya hop into the jacuzzi and Josh and I will be out in a second. We're gonna grill some burgers."

"Yummy." The brunette walked away, but felt Lucas grab her butt. After a small grin she grabbed her best friend and went outside.

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It was a beautiful day, right at 68 degrees and the sun was bright. The brunette took a deep breath and smiled, she knew today was going to be great. She took off her clothes, revealing her camo bikini but, left on her turban to prevent her stitches from getting wet.

"How was the appointment yesterday? Everything good?" Riley slid into the hot tub and loved how warm it felt.

"Great, he said everything is healing nicely. He knocked down my steroid and in a week he'll knock me down to something weaker than hydrocodone."

"That soon? I feel like you just came home from the hospital."

"Yeah, but I was also asleep for 4 days after my surgery. It's almost been 2 weeks." The blonde smiled, and moved to sit by her best friend.

"I'm so happy you didn't leave us. I can't live with out my Riley." The brunette smiled.

"Did you expect me to go down without a fight."

"Never, but I didn't expect for you to heal so quickly and remember everything."

"Sometimes it takes a minute to remember things, but I didn't expect it either peaches." The back door opened and the guys started the grill.

"Hey Josh, those are some pretty girls over there." Riley's boyfriend took a swig of his beer.

"Lucas, you're so right. They are beautiful. HEY LADIES! WHAT ARE YOU DOIN' IN MY HOT TUB?"

"Well, we heard there were some good lookin' guys around here. Clearly, we must have the wrong house." Maya laughed at her own joke. Josh looked at her with a grin.

"Oh yeah? Wanna take that back?" The blonde thought about it for a second.

"No, I don't." Josh set down his beer and plate of raw burgers and ran towards the hot tub. His girlfriend started screaming and tried to get out of the jacuzzi. She did, just in time for Josh to chase her around the back yard. The brunette continued to look at Lucas as he sauntered towards her.

"You single?"

"And, if I was?" She got on her knees so she could be at eye level.

"I'd make you mine." The butterflies in her stomach found their way back and seem to have reproduced. As he kissed her she felt the love exuding from their lips. Everything they did, everything they said was love.

"You already have." Lucas' heart jumped and the officer kissed her again.

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The day was amazing. A nice change of pace from the week of constant TV and walking. "After you beautiful." The brunette climbed into his truck while he held the door open.

"Did you have a good time today?"

"You have no idea. Thank you for letting me get out." She held his hand and squeezed a little tighter.

"No problem babe. I'm glad you had fun. I can't wait for the cruise, it's going to be a blast."

"You have no idea." She was falling asleep in the truck.

"You sleepy?"

"No. Not at all." She grinned and opened her eyes.

"Well, we're home. So you can go to sleep if you want. And beat your record time of 8 o'clock." He unlocked the door and ushered her inside. The lights were on and Coal wasn't roaming free like they had left him.

"Hey Lucas, good to see you again." The officer closed his eyes and exhaled.

"What are you doing here Missy?"

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