Hello out there, I am sorry for the long delay, but as you can well imagine life plus writer's block got in my way. I am back though and hope you will all continue to support me. I own nothing.

Chapter 7

Oswald's POV…

As we drove away from the casino the knowledge that the robbery was a complete success set my mind at ease. I was going to live, Maroni knew who I really was, and I could move forward now in proving my worth to him. Just knowing that brought something else or someone to be more precise to my mind, my Mary.

"I will see you again, my love," I thought leaning my head back against the seat in relief the image of her beautiful face filling my mind. After we returned to the restaurant where the money was counted, as the count went up the smile on Maroni's face grew.

The night was late when I was finally allowed to make my way home the don's affection for me as clear as ever. I was worn out and tired, but despite that the thought of my apartment made me ache more. The idea of returning to that rat hole to sleep alone was not a happy idea. It was not what I wanted, but as I made my way home I was reminded that I couldn't have what I wanted, at least not yet. For I wanted my Mary. I wanted to see her every day when I went home at the end of the day, I wanted to kiss her in front of the whole world without a care, and make love to her every night I chose to. I wanted each morning and every night to begin and end with the vision of her face, but in that moment I couldn't have that. But I vowed someday I would, someday I would steal her away then she would be really truly mine. Part of me even had half a mind to find a way to get her to be with me on that night since I knew Maroni would be gone. I knew he was taking the money somewhere unknown for safe keeping. It was some place on the woods outside of Gotham, probably that mysterious cabin Mary had told me of, but I didn't know for sure. But in that moment I didn't care I just wanted my girl to be with me. I had no hope of seeing her though as I climbed the stairs to my apartment door, but then I walked in the door and got the most pleasant surprise.

"Mary," I breathed the second my eyes found her laying on the bed fast asleep. She looked beautiful standing there and at first I had thought her a figment of my imagination. The closer I got to where she lay though the more I realized that she was there, she was really there, and suddenly you couldn't have wiped the smile from my face. Sitting by her on the bed, I was careful not to wake her, I wanted to watch her for a minute; for a second there I had truly believed I would never see her again. I gazed down at her examining everything about her. Her eyes were puffy red hinting to me that she had cried herself to sleep worrying about me, but despite that to me she was still beautiful. She was always beautiful even when she was sleeping.

When the time came to wake her I did it with the simplest of touches. I slid my fingers over the silken softness of her skin cupping her cheek in my hand. She slowly began to stir then her eyes opening peering up at me unsure at first not fully registering anything. But nonetheless I smiled at her, my Mary, my love, my beauty. She blinked up at me a few times as if not seeing me, but then suddenly her eyes opened wide.

"Oh thank god," whispered Mary sitting up as quickly as she could to take me into her arms. Her arms encircled my neck as her lips claimed mine and all was lost as she held me tight refusing to let me go. I knew in that moment that she had feared the same thing I had; she too had feared we would never see each other again. When our lips parted she didn't let me go. Instead she moved her lips to cover my face her tears covering her now as she whispered my name over and over. But I didn't care if she never let me go; I didn't want to let her go either.

"Oh Oswald…thank god you're alright. I thought you might be dead; I thought I'd lost you," cried Mary tears running over her face as she continued to attack my face with kisses until I stopped her.

Bringing my forehead to hers I just stared at her in that moment. Looking at her would never get old especially after the day I had had. I looked into her eyes and I saw love in them. I hoped she saw my love for her in mine when she looked into them. After a moment though I needed more than just to peer into her eyes, I had to kiss her in fact if I didn't kiss her I was positive that I would die. The kiss that followed had more passion then existed in the whole city, it was hot, deep, and so overwhelming when we finally parted neither of us could breath. You would have thought it was the last kiss I would ever give her.

"Oswald," gasped Mary her lips against mine the sound of my name on her lips making me growl as I deepened the kiss.

"I'm never leaving you ever again. You won't be losing me any time soon, I promise, "I whispered over foreheads still touching.

"I love you," smiled Mary moving in to kiss me again, but when she pulled away her smile dropped as her eyes ran over me.

"Oswald…what did they do to you?" whispered Mary touching my face her eyes continuing over me. Leaning into her touch, I let her examine me, I knew she was searching for wounds, and I willingly let her. I enjoyed the little kisses she would give me every time she found a bruise or tender spot that caused me pain. Just having her there made all the pain go away.

"He had Frankie and a few of the boys ruff me up, but I'm alright. Everything went as planned, Maroni now sees me as an asset. Now I just have to continue to prove to him that I am one," I said excitedly wanting her to smile with me, but she didn't. She only continued to look me over a frown covering her whole face. It only got worse when she found a particular sore spot near my ribs. I knew how worried she was for me in that moment and as much as if made me love her more I didn't want that. I wanted her to be happy at the progress we had made, we were even closer to our goal; the closer we got to that goal the sooner we could be together. But it wasn't just that. I wanted her to be proud of me for the things I had done.

"Come on, Oswald, I am going to take care of you. You are all broken and bruised," whispered Mary leaving the bed with a kiss to my cheek. She fussed over me then her brow creased then as she tried to make me rise too. But catching her hands I brought her back to me.

"I was hoping you would be happy everything went as planned," I breathed peering into her eyes. She looked at me then a tiny smile forming on those lips I loved to kiss so much before she caressed my cheek. Leaning in so our noses touched she kissed me with a sweetness that I knew came from her very soul before drawing away again. She gave me all her attention then as she held me in her arms once more.

"Of course I'm happy, my love. I am so proud of you as I always am. You're hurt though, I need to take care of you, but please don't ever think I'm not proud of you because I am. I'm proud of you for your accomplishments and I am especially proud to be your girl," whispered Mary kissing me again before drawing back.

"I'll draw you a bath then fix you dinner," whispered Mary rising once more. I watched her enter the bathroom with a shine in my eye. What she had said meant the world to me, what everyone else thought didn't matter, but what she thought did. I especially loved that she had called herself mine, just hearing her say it made it true.

My Mary was the only woman I had ever wanted. While we had been apart I had yearned for her as she had for me. I would always consider the day I left her the worst day of my life not to mention my worst mistake. For I loved her, with all my heart I loved her; she was more than I had ever dreamed I deserved. Mary was beautiful, smart, and best of all she loved me too. Mary came back into the room after a few minutes and I found I couldn't take my eyes off her. Rising from the bed, I watched her catching her eye, and as she approached me again I grabbed her by the waist pulling her close until we were chest to chest. As her arms moved around me and she smiled she looked at me with such love in her eyes I couldn't help, but think that I was lucky, so lucky.

"You're bath is ready. Do you need anything else before I start your dinner?" whispered Mary.

My arms wrapped around her then my fingers running up her spine as an idea entered my mind. I knew exactly what I wanted.

"You could always join me in the bath, I could use someone to keep me company just in case I get lonely," I growled kissing along her jaw feeling as she smiled in response.

"Oswald, you're hurt, you don't need any heavy activity right now. You need to take it easy. We can do that another time," whispered Mary drawing away as her hands moved to rest against my chest. I knew she was right, but I didn't want her to be. So smiling at her I decided I would try to persuade her.

"I'm not that hurt. It would be just you and me besides I wouldn't mind a little strenuous activity. You have no idea how badly I need you," I whispered kissing her with a tenderness that slowly progressed into a heated tongue moving kiss that I never wanted to end. She kissed me back with no small amount of fervor, but when she drew away I had the feeling from the shake of her head alone that there would be no swaying her.

"No, Oswald, not now. Maybe when you have soaked the soreness from your bones we'll discuss this more, but for now I am not going to risk hurting you more. Besides I have to fix your dinner while you're in there like a good wife should," smiled Mary giving me a final kiss before walking away.

"Did she just call herself my wife?" I thought immediately moving behind her quickly turning her seeing her surprised look as I pushed her up against the wall.

"You said you were my wife," I whispered letting our foreheads touch. I kissed her then with a ferocity that wouldn't stop feeling as her fingers tangled in my hair before we finally drew away. Afterward I looked into her eyes and she looked into mine and it was like it was true. It was like what she said was true despite the reality of it all in my mind she was my wife.

"I am your wife, Oswald. I'm more yours then I ever was his. I love you not him, I've always loved you, and I always will. I wish I were your wife," smiled Mary leaning into my touch when I stroked her cheek. What she said was truly the truth we both knew that in that moment.

" I love you…I like that you think of yourself as my wife," I whispered pulling her close as I attacked her lips with a heat I knew I would never feel for anyone that wasn't her.

"I love you too…I wish you were my husband," gasped Mary her hands firm against my back making me wince as our lips parted.

"Someday you will be my wife and I your husband, I promise you that," I smiled kissing her again letting my hands wonder now giving her ass a squeeze. I could tell by the moans that left her lips that she liked it. Part of me hoped she liked it so much she would change her mind and join me, but when she pulled away I only held onto an ounce of my hope. Taking my hands from her body in that moment she smiled at me as she kissed my hands before pushing me towards the bathroom. But still I lingered for just a minute because I didn't want to take my eyes off of her just yet.

"Go, we can pick this up later if you appear to be not too hurt," smiled Mary not taking her eyes off me until I was in the bathroom. Removing my clothes I examined myself before getting into the tub. I knew I would be covered in bruises the next morning, but still I didn't want that to stop me from doing what I wanted. And all I wanted was to make love to my Mary, the love of my life.

When I sunk into the tub I couldn't help, but breathe a sigh. The warmth of the water felt good against my sore limbs and closing my eyes I smiled as I listened to Mary move around in the next room. I would never get tired of her being my girl and I knew for sure I would never walk away from her ever again. But then I opened my eyes my smile wide as I remembered that Maroni was gone, so Mary could stay with me tonight.

"Mary," I exclaimed the smile still on my face. I could picture it all in my mind in that moment. If she stayed with me for the night I could make love to her and afterward she could fall asleep in my arms. And in the morning when I woke up she would still be there. She appeared suddenly then looking as beautiful as ever. Her smile was radiant as her eyes fell on me.

" Come over here, let me see you," I said beckoning to her with my hand hoping she would come closer so I could pull her into the water and ravish her.

"Why so you can pull me in with you and ravish me senseless?" said Mary giving her a sexy smile. I couldn't believe her in that moment it was like she could read my mind, it was even sexier than her smile, and it warmed my heart to know she knew me so well.

"I promise that was the last thing on my mind. I just want you to come here I want to tell you something," I whispered never taking my eyes off her as I spoke.

"Do you promise?" whispered Mary taking a step towards me.

"Yes, I promise," I whispered never taking my eyes off her.

"Alright, but you better stay true to your word," whispered Mary moving towards me until suddenly there she was by my side. The second I saw her there I couldn't help, but stare. My Mary was truly breathtaking and the best part was I got to call her mine. To me she would always be beautiful in my eyes, but as I looked at her in that moment my eyes traveling over her body I just couldn't help, but stare. She was just worth staring at. The brown hair I loved to run my fingers through was down around her shoulders the way I had always liked it, the dress she wore was form fitting clinging to every curve, and she was even wearing the stiletto's I loved to see her in. She was beautiful, sexy, and incredible in every way. And I loved her so much.

"Oswald?" smiled Mary bringing me back out of my head. Looking at her then I wanted to pull her in with me once more, but sighing I kept my promise merely taking her hand bringing it to my lips for a kiss.

"I just got lost, my love. Your beauty astounds my sometimes," I whispered making her smile. Leaning down then she was quick to kiss me. But it was a quick kiss that ended before it could truly begin for before I could truly kiss her the way I wanted she was standing above me again.

"You make me feel so beautiful, thank you Oswald. You know I find you just as handsome I hope you know that," smiled Mary her eyes leaving mine to move to the water that covered my body a smile forming on her lips as she admired me. Before I knew it she was on her knees beside the tub her hand in mine. Her other hand soon found my hair moving through the strands a smile on her face as she moved to kiss me chastely. Every kiss she gave me made me want to pull her in to join me even more.

"You could still join me," I whispered moving to kiss her neck watching as she smiled wide in response.

"Oh Oswald, I wish I could, I really do, but your dinner is cooking. We don't need a fire up here. If we still have time after you eat though we can make love I promise, I see now that you're not as hurt as I thought. You can handle a little…activity," smiled Mary drawing me into a kiss before moving to leave again before I grabbed her shoulders pushing her back down.

"We have plenty of time because you are staying with me tonight," I whispered.

"Oswald…I don't know," whispered Mary before I stopped her placing my finger over her lips.

"Maroni is going to be upstate all night. You could stay here and he would never know…that is if you want to stay with me," I said suddenly finding it hard to look at her. I suddenly had a feeling that maybe she didn't want to stay with me and the thought of it hurt me a little bit. I wanted to be with her all of the time and I wanted her to feel the same.

"Oswald…I want to…I would love that," exclaimed Mary making me look at her again. She was smiling at me again and the look in her eye was filled with excitement, it all set my mind at ease. She wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with her.

"Good," I whispered claiming her lips once more.

I was going to pull her in, my promise be damned when, as if reading my mind again, she pulled away standing again.

"I have to check your dinner," said Mary beginning to walk away. But then she stopped in the doorway turning to look at me again. She blew me a kiss with a smile before leaving the room. In that moment I couldn't remember ever being happier.

Mary's POV…

After leaving Oswald to enjoy his bath I smiled as I finished fixing the last of his dinner. What he had told me made me happier then I had been in a long time, tonight I would really truly be his. Tonight we could be together and love each other. Tonight it could really truly be like we were free to be together; it could be like we were really husband and wife. I was staying with him tonight, no Maroni, instead I could sleep in the arms of the man I loved as I had long dreamed of, and the next morning I could wakeup in them too. I had already sent Charlie away to prepare me a bag and bring it back.

"I can really be his tonight," I breathed the idea bringing a smile that wouldn't leave to my face. It was in that moment I felt him behind me and smiling I turned my head to look at my Oswald.

"Hi," I smiled feeling as his hands slid around my waist.

"Hello, my beautiful love," growled Oswald kissing me chastely before moving onto my throat making my eyes close on instinct.

"Oswald," I gasped enjoying the feel of him against me for a moment more before drawing away.

"Sit down and I'll get your dinner," I whispered watching him do so before turning away to get his dinner. Oswald didn't have much for me to fix, so I did what I could with the end result being a tuna sandwich and chicken soup. But still in that moment I felt proud because it really was like I was his wife. Because I was taking care of him, I was fixing him dinner, and setting his dinner in front of him I could help the smile on my face. Leaning down I kissed his lips before turning to do the dishes that pride still strong in my heart as well as my love for him.

"I did what I could. I hope you like it," I whispered feeling his eyes on me still.

"You did wonderful," smiled Oswald beginning to eat. We were silent then, but so many things were going through my mind. This was how it was meant to be of that I was sure. If things had been different this was how I knew it would have been, he would be my husband, I would be his wife, and smiling I hoped it would really be that way someday. And I knew it would, someday we would be together.

"Someday I will be your wife, "I whispered making him look at me instantly with a smile.

"Yes you will," smiled Oswald telling me with his eyes when they met mine to come closer. Throwing away the paper plate and bowl he had eaten on, I returned to him standing behind him my arms quick to wrap around him.

"I love you, Oswald," I said my head right next to his. I felt him smile then and it triggered my own smile.

"I love you too. I'm just glad I'm with you again. You were on my mind all day today," whispered Oswald taking one of my hands. Kissing his cheek I let him bring me to sit in his lap. I felt him tenderly place kisses along my jaw then before moving to my throat. Leaning closer to his body I couldn't hold back my moan as I felt his hand slowly traveling between my legs coming to grip my thigh. I was still worried about hurting him, but in that moment he seemed to be fine. But then we both stopped when someone knocked on the door.

Slowly our eyes met then as we both seemed to stop breathing. I don't think either one of us knew what to do; nothing like this had expected this to happen.

"Who's there?" said Oswald still not letting me go. I wanted to run and hide, but with the hold he had on me that was impossible. But then again I didn't know where I would have hid anyway.

"Charlie," said Charlie from the other side making us both breathe a sigh of relief. Leaving his lap, I hurried to open the door letting Charlie hand me my bag. I closed the door as quick as I could afterward not wanting anyone in the hall to see me and turning back to him I smiled. I couldn't believe this was really happening.

Oswald had stood up now and in that moment I wanted nothing more than to pounce on him, but I restrained myself. But moving towards him I let my eyes admire him. Oswald was so sexy, so handsome, and god if he didn't turn me on. And looking at him still I couldn't help, but think that I loved him. I loved him so much. He stood before me his hair still damp bare chested in nothing, but his boxers. It all made him want to devour him.

"I had Charlie go get me some things while you were in the bath," I said not getting to say anything more before he pulled me tight against his chest to kiss me.

"Good because tonight I don't plan on letting you go even for a second," growled Oswald the kiss continuing hungry and making me hot all over.

"You get in bed while I go change into something more comfy," I whispered drawing away from him into the bathroom. I moved quickly once I was inside. I ruffled through my bag looking for my intended garment and when I found it the devil was in my smile. I knew he would love me when he saw me in this. I would wear my black lace negligee for him, it was something I had bought only days before just for him, and I hoped beyond hope that he would like it. It clung to my every curve, it showed off my cleavage; it was beautiful. I knew Oswald would want to ravish me the second he saw me. After slipping into it, I took the time to brush my hair out letting it hang over my shoulders the way he liked. Then I looked at myself in the mirror with a smile. I found Oswald laying on the bed, the second I left the bathroom his eyes were on me, and I could tell he liked what he saw.

"You look stunning," whispered Oswald his eyes never leaving me as I moved to stand at the end of the bed. Getting on my hands and knees on the bed I crawled towards him until I was by his side.

"See something you like?" I purred running my hands over his sides. Oswald didn't say anything only nodding his head.

"You are the most beautiful woman on this earth; I love you, my Mary. I especially like this…I'll try extra hard not to rip it off…I would like to see it again in the future," whispered Oswald his hands beginning to explore my body at their leisure.

Holding me by the back of the neck then he let our heads move closer together until our lips collided into a fiery kiss. The second his tongue ran over my bottom lip, I let him inside my heart pounding as his hands continued to move over me. The feeling of kissing him, of his hands on my body, it was the best thing in the world to me in that moment. And then he pulled me flush against him making me moan as he began to devour me.

"Oswald…god, I love you," I gasped feeling a shiver go up my spine as he cupped my breasts. My words made him growl and as his lips left mine moving to my throat I held him to me never wanting to let him go.

"Someday I will be your husband and you my wife," whispered Oswald making me nod my head in response before he bit playfully into my throat leaving a mark I would enjoy covering. Letting my fingers run through his hair in that moment I drew his lips back to mine using his shoulders to push him back onto the bed.

Straddling him I attacked his lips feeling his hardness against my sex from between my legs.

"I love you, Oswald, more than anything," I whispered moving my lips down his neck continuing down his body feeling his fingers in my hair.

"I love you too, my Mary," breathed Oswald as I began to remove his boxers giving him a smile before continuing.