The Next Chapter - Chapter 3

Riley practically ran into the bedroom and shut the door behind her, a little too loudly, but she didn't care. She picked up Jamie and sat in the rocking chair, trying to bring her heart rate down, but the rocking motion did little for her. She had almost forgotten how good it felt, being so, close to Danny. She would've jumped right back into it with him, if the baby hadn't woken up, and she silently thanked him that he did. As good as it felt, Riley wasn't sure if she was ready to have Danny see her naked again. I mean, sure, her body had almost completely returned to how it was, pre pregnancy. But she had a little extra in some places, that she was hoping to burn off at the gym before Danny saw them. I guess she didn't figure motherhood would be a full time gig.

She knew Danny wouldn't mind, he'd be attracted to her even if she became 'Rigantor' again. But she wanted everything to be perfect, like always. Soon Jamie fell back asleep. After Riley put him back in his crib, she contemplated going back out to Danny, instead she sat back down in the rocking chair. It was kind of funny to her, this whole situation. It was similar to that of her and Danny's wedding night. She shook her head and sighed at the memory. You think she would've learned her lesson the first time.

(Flashback)

Riley and Danny walked up the stairs hand in hand, back to her apartment. Although, now it might be considered their apartment. She listened to the clack of her heels on the tile floor, and the swoosh of her chiffon dress hitting the walls. As they made it to the 4th floor, Riley felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. She wondered where that came from. Her hand shook as she unlocked the door.

"You okay?" Danny asked.

"Yeah, fine why?" Riley didn't know what had gotten into her.

"You want a drink? Water, tea, water. Did I say water twice? I don't know why I said water twice. I think I need some water."

"You're nervous." Danny observed.

So what if she was, I mean its not everyday you have sex with your best friend. Not that she was expecting sex, although she kind of was. I mean the wedding night is almost always associated with sex, not that she was thinking that.

"What? Me nervous, why would I be nervous?"

"Because of …well you know?" Danny said suggestively. Maybe she wasn't the only one that was nervous.

"Are you tired?" he then asked.

"No, not at all." she answered a little too quickly. They both chuckled.

"Well, should we take this in the bedroom?" she asked wearily.

"Okay, yeah." he replied.

Once they were in the bedroom, Riley headed straight for the window. She heard the door slam and immediately spun around.

"Sorry, I guess I don't know my own strength."

"That's okay. That door sticks sometimes, you need to give it a little pull."

"Yeah, I can fix that in the morning."

It was at that moment that Riley looked at Danny, and started to laugh. He soon joined her, and you would've though that they were anything other than a newlywed couple. Riley walked over to Danny, as he pulled her in for a hug.

"This is ridiculous," she said looking up at him.

"Why is this so hard, I mean neither of us are exactly virgins, so what's our deal."

"I know what you mean, I've been waiting for this moment my whole life, and now here I am and I'm completely choking."

" I know, I've been freaking out for the last 10 minutes, thinking, is he gonna like what he sees, is it gonna be good, I mean all these questions just driving me insane."

"Well you don't have to worry about me liking what I'm seeing, I already do." Danny said sweetly.

"And I definitely liked what I saw when I saw you in the showers in the locker room."

"I knew you were looking, you perv." he joked.

There they were again, laughing together.

"Well, I feel a whole lot better now, I mean I love you, and I think saying that is a lot harder than this." Riley exclaimed.

"Actually I think that's the first time you've said it to me." Danny said.

"Really? I thought I've said it before."

"Nope, just now."

"I love you Danny."

"I love you too Riley."

Riley felt like flying, apparently there was a difference between saying 'I'm in love with you' and 'I love you', and she was living it right now.

She leaned up and kissed Danny, and he kissed her right back. Their kisses started off gentle, but started to deepen as they went on. She threaded her hands through his hair, as he placed his on her hips. They stopped kissing and looked at each other, her hand stroked his face, as his grabbed it and gave it a kiss. She brought her hand down and started untying his bowtie, and loosening his shirt buttons. Danny's hands found their way to the zipper on the side of her dress, sliding it down painfully slow. She took his jacket off and finally got his shirt open, and started running her hands up and down his amazing chest and abs, as if trying to remember how everything felt. He shrugged out of the rest of his shirt and was standing there just in his pants. Riley felt her dress slipping, so she backed away from Danny, stepped out of her shoes, and slid the dress slowly down and off her body, so she stood in front of Danny clad only in her bra and underwear. She looked away from his gaze, ashamed that she didn't have something sexier on, just a plain strapless bra and some everyday panties, but he walked over to her, lifted her chin with his finger, and gave her a look that needed no words. They kissed again, but she was surprised when he stopped them and made his way to the opposite side of the bed. She watched as he took off his pants, as slowly as she took off her dress, and watched as his boxers showed a clear sign of arousal. Never taking his eyes off hers, he reached for his socks, and then the waistband of his underwear. She unhooked her bra, and took it off, flinging it behind her. They both took off their underwear at the same time. This was it, she thought as she finally looked up at Danny. He stood there looking like a Greek God bathed in moonlight, but his eyes, they were looking her up and down, like she was the most exquisite beauty he had ever seen. It felt just like that scene in 'The Notebook".

She watched as he climbed onto the bed, on his knees, and she did the same. They met in the middle of her queen sized mattress and started kissing again, and this time she didn't think they would be stopping. While she still had the ability to, she thought about how in tune they were with each other, as though they'd been lovers all their lives. He knew exactly where to kiss and nibble, and she knew which spots drove him crazy when she touched them.

Finally having enough foreplay, they both positioned themselves.

"Are you ready?" he asked sweetly.

She simply nodded and a while later, they finally finished. As they lay there, each in a sheen coat of sweat.

"Well, I think it's safe to say we don't have anything to worry about anymore in that department." Danny said, breathless.

"Definitely not, that was,"

"Incredible." Danny finished.

"Yes, incredible." Riley agreed as she gave his chest a kiss.

As they laid there in each others arms, only one thought came to both of their minds?

"Ready to go again?" Danny asked.

Riley just nodded, and started giggling when Danny rolled on top of her and started kissing her neck.

(Flashback End)

Riley sat there for what seemed like an eternity, thinking about that night. They went on to have sex five times. A personal best for both. Of course they would later break that record again on their honeymoon. She laughed at remembering how nervous she had been, and how silly it all seemed now. She had a man who loved her, and loved pleasing her, and she was taking him for granted. At least in the bedroom. Right then and there she decided that she was going to make it up to him, on their anniversary. She jumped up and started doing some jumping jacks, at least she could try to burn off those extra pounds before Friday.