Well, hello there everyone. Long time no see, unfortunately. I know I haven't updated this story in a while and that was not at all my intention, but I'm so sorry it happened.

Just to be blunt, things in my life have been a lot to deal with lately. And I haven't really had much time for anything other than work, which I hate because I miss being able to write and get chapters out to you all.

But because things are so crazy for me right now, I've decided to change my updating schedule a little bit. I mentioned this in I Won't Let You Go, but for those who don't read that story I'll say it here, too. But I've decided that going forward, I'll be updating my stories biweekly. So for Whatever Comes Next, after today there won't be an update for two weeks. And I'll be doing the same for I Won't Let You Go, just alternating the weeks I post.

So for example, since I've updated Whatever Comes Next this week, while there won't be a new chapter of this story next week, there will be for I Won't Let You Go. Then the week after, I'll update this story and so on. I hope that makes sense, and I'm not confusing anyone too badly. And hopefully once I actually get into a rhythm you all will understand what I mean, if it's not clear now.

Going forward, I really hope this helps me stay on track with my updates and getting these stories completed. I wish I had more time to write, or do anything really, but right now I just don't, and this is the best solution I've been able to come up with in order to still post and update both stories for you all. So I hope you understand.

Other than that, that's pretty much all I've got. I hope you guys like this chapter, it's pretty much just Dawsey, and them enjoying their anniversary together. With a few M-Rated scenes thrown in there, which I know you all always seem to enjoy as well.

Thanks so much for reading, and for still being here. It means the world to me. Happy reading, and I'll see you next time.

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN

A soft chill moved through the air as Gabby's mind slowly came into consciousness, her eyebrows furrowing while she felt the shift in temperature against her skin before a sudden warmth practically covered her, the feeling making her smile as movement continued behind her.

She couldn't be sure what time it was, but what she did know is that her husband was evidently much more alert than her as his hand slid around her waist, pulling her body closer to his until she felt his warmth behind her, his chest pressed into her back while his lips moved down to brush over her shoulder.

"Good morning." His deep morning voice broke through, Gabby smiling in her half-asleep state as he began peppering gentle kisses up and down the side of her arm.

"Morning." She spoke after a moment, exhaustion evident in her voice while she leaned further back into him, his hold as welcoming as it was comforting.

"And happy anniversary, baby." He all but whispered a few seconds later once he knew she was truly awake, the excitement in his soft voice making her shudder as an overwhelming amount of love for him rushed through her system.

"Happy anniversary." She repeated just as eagerly, feeling him smile against her skin before he kissed her a few more times, before she eventually began to shift herself to face him.

Her movements were somewhat slow, Matt lifting the sheets up enough to help her turn over until she was facing him, the bright grin on his face never falling as they settled into this new position. Neither one of them said anything at first, Gabby's mind only now just completely clearing from her slumber as her gaze moved over him, the bright and happy look in his eyes hard to miss as her own smile couldn't help but widen.

"God, I love you." He breathed out, almost more to himself than anything while he watched her, Gabby letting out a soft laugh before he captured her lips in a kiss.

Though the action caught her off guard, he was nothing but sweet and gentle, Matt using the hand now on her back to help keep her close while their legs intertwined underneath the sheets. Every second between them was slow, like they were holding onto this moment for as long as they could until air inevitably became an issue, the not refusing to separate until they needed to breathe. But even then they never went too far, Matt placing a few lingering kisses across her cheeks up to her forehead while Gabby caught her breath, her eyes closed in contentment as she focused on the feeling of her husband's lips gliding over her skin.

"Part of me still can't believe it's been a year already." He murmured, Gabby's smile widening when he continued to place kisses over her face. "A year since I saw you walking down the aisle in that gorgeous dress, a year since you said yes to marrying me, and made me the happiest I've ever been." He added on, pulling a quiet laugh from her while she blindly reached out to rest her hand over his chest. "I've been married for a year to the most beautiful, loving, supportive, and smart person that I've ever known… And it still doesn't feel real sometimes."

"I know." She breathed out, letting herself bask in this moment for one last second before she opened her eyes just as Matt pulled back, allowing them both the space to see one another. "I know exactly what you mean, it is crazy to think about… With all we've been through this past year, everything that's happened. It's all gone by so fast. But then other times, it feels like it's been forever. That we've been married forever… Because being married to you just feels right." She told him, that blissfully happy gleam in his eyes causing her heart to pound in her chest. "It feels like we ended up exactly where we were supposed to, with each other. And after everything we've gone through, the things we've survived together. And now making it to our first anniversary… I don't know, it just feels like there's nothing we can't overcome. And it makes me love you more than I ever thought possible."

She was almost rambling towards the end, as her thoughts were coming out quicker than she could put them together, but Matt heard every word she was saying, the man smiling back at her before he leaned forward to press another slow and loving kiss to her lips.

Gabby relaxed into him, letting him take the lead while her hand gripped onto him, desperate to be as close to him as she possibly could. And if Matt's movements were any indication, he was feeling the exact same way.

"You're so.. adorable." He spoke between kisses, Gabby letting out a quiet laugh before they pulled apart, Matt letting his palm linger along her back while her bottom lip fell between her teeth.

"Only adorable?" She joked back after a beat of silence, Matt letting out a deep chuckle while pretending to mull over her words.

"Well, you are adorable. But you're also beautiful, and sexy. And hot as hell." He continued to compliment, pulling more laughs from her as he scratched his fingers along her side. "And you're also right… Because we can get through anything." Matt added, his voice becoming a bit more serious as he went back to her earlier statement, the smile on Gabby's face morphing into a knowing look. "You and I, we've been through a lot.. Together and apart. But if this past year has shown me anything, it's that there's nothing we can't get through. Our first year of marriage has been incredible, and now we're gonna have dozens more years just like this.. It'll be us, and our kids." He told her, not missing the way her features began to light up. "And one day our grandkids, and maybe even a dog at some point. I don't know for sure, but what I do know is that you and I are gonna be together for the rest of our lives."

Her heart swelled in her chest as she listened to him, his strong words pulling a varying amount of emotions from her before she slowly began to nod.

"And I'll be the happiest man in the world because of it. But right now, I just want to focus on how goddamn lucky I am to be able to love the most amazing woman I've ever met, and to know she loves me back." He breathed out, Gabby nodding quickly while her hand brushed over his chest.

"I do, I love you so much." She replied, though her words didn't need to be said. But he'd never get tired of hearing them, Matt grinning widely before he pressed his lips to hers yet again.

But this time he had no intentions of stopping, Matt eager to start off their anniversary properly by spending more quality time together in this bed. And she had no objections to that as he shifted to start hovering over her, Gabby rolling onto her back while Matt placed his hands on either side of her head, keeping just enough of his weight off of her to where he wouldn't crush her, while staying close enough to let her feel all of the effect she was having on him.

A deep groan came from his throat while her hands came up to grip onto his back, the intensity picking up between them with every moment that passed as they both began to explore one another. There was a strong desire and need filling the air, one neither of them could ignore as he pushed his weight down into her.

They were both more than ready to continue on with what had been started, but when Matt felt an unexpected piece of fabric underneath his wife's body, he couldn't help but stop himself, the man lifting just far enough while also pulling up what he soon found to be a blindfold that had been underneath her.

The same blindfold they had put to great use the night before.

A heavy chuckle escaped his lips as the material dangeled above her, Gabby biting down on the inside of her cheek to hold back her own laughter while heat began to spread up her neck.

"Well, I guess we never got this off the bed last night." He spoke with a raised brow, Gabby's smile widening as she looked between her husband and the piece of fabric that had spent a large majority of the previous evening covering her eyes.

"I guess we didn't." She responded after taking in a deep breath, the twinge of excitement in her eyes noticeable as Matt could only assume her mind was going back to the fun that had been had between them only hours before, with this blindfold playing a key role.

He and Gabby had always had their fair share of adventure in the bedroom, and they certainly didn't shy away from things that may be outside their usual comfort zone. And this definitely hadn't been the first time they'd incorporated using a blindfold while spending time together, not by far. But something about last night had felt so much more intense, even for Matt.

In the best way possible. And he knew Gabby felt the exact same way.

Cutting off her sight had only increased the sensations between them, bond of them surely remembering fondly how Matt had taken his time with her. Toying with her almost because he knew she wouldn't be able to predict his next move, and she had no idea what to expect from him. He had brought her to that edge over and over again, teasing her relentlessly, before abruptly flipping her onto her stomach and finishing what they had started. In more ways than one, while all Gabby knew was the feeling of him while surrounded by darkness.

And it was one of the most exhilarating times they had been together. Something Matt certainly wouldn't mind repeating, over and over again.

"But we were, uh… a little distracted." Gabby continued on, clearing her throat midsentence as she regained his attention.

"I know I was." He spoke teasingly, feeling her abdomen tense underneath him as he let out a quiet laugh. "In fact, I think the mental images I have of last night will keep me distracted for a while."

Her entire body continued to get hot, Gabby hiding behind a shy smile before she let out another laugh. "Yeah, I don't really have any of those." She replied, nodding towards the blindfold still in his grasp as Matt grinned shamelessly.

"Don't worry, I have enough for the both of us." He responded, tightening his hold on the blindfold before moving his hand back down towards her body, Gabby shivering involuntarily when the fabric brushed along her bare side. "And I can always explain them to you… rather thoroughly." He added suggestively, seeing her head tilt to the side while she fought off a grin, Matt well aware as to how she wasn't totally against the idea. Not at all.

"Yeah, maybe you could… But right now, I think I'd rather just get back to what we doing before." She told him, Matt smiling widely before he nodded.

"I like that idea." He spoke just before she pushed herself up to kiss him, Matt leaning down into her while she used what strength she could to keep him close. But before they got too deep into their movements, Casey pulled back once more to hover over her, finding a questioning look already resting over her face before he could even open his eyes. Without a word, he simply held the blindfold back up with raised brows, the sly grin on his face telling her exactly what he was thinking as a light laugh came from her throat, before she shook her head. "No?" He asked just as lightheartedly.

"No… No blindfold this morning." She replied, Matt immediately nodding in agreement. "I want to see you."

Those last few words made his grin widen, Matt carelessly throwing the fabric to the floor while leaning back down towards her, loud laughs coming from her until his mouth covered hers, the two falling back into their rhythm perfectly as they became more and more entranced in one another with each passing second, Matt and Gabby both ready to continue their anniversary celebration exactly like this.

With each other.

Gabby stretched out her limbs as she laid in the large bed, her fingers tapping lightly over her stomach while she listened to the sound of her husband moving around in the bathroom, likely finishing up getting ready for the evening. And she was content to sit here and wait for him, a slight yawn escaping her lips as her mind couldn't help but think back over the day her and Matt had.

And while she'd never experienced a first wedding anniversary before, she'd say the two of them had had about as perfect a day as anyone could.

After their long, and enjoyable morning in bed together, which included getting a bit more rest after they'd thoroughly exhausted one another, Matt gained the energy to go out and make them a late breakfast- while insisting Gabby stay put and relax. And after some back and forth, that's exactly what she did as she knew her husband was intent on 'spoiling her' today, as he so lovingly put it. Though to her, it wasn't at all necessary after everything he'd done to get them here. But she knew it was important to him so she conceded, and getting breakfast in bed from her half-naked husband was something she'd never complain about.

Then once they'd finished their meal, and cleaned up a bit, Matt and Gabby decided to spend the rest of their day doing nothing but enjoying each other's company. And it had been the most perfect way to spend their first anniversary.

After the crazy year they'd had, and with where they were at in their lives, simple, quiet, and alone seemed like the best way to commemorate the occasion. Where they'd just spent the day inside, watching some movies and cuddling up together, before going out and taking a rather long walk around the lake, taking in the scenery and basking in the calm. It had been absolutely wonderful, exactly what they both needed, before coming back to the house and getting ready to prepare dinner together.

Which had led to yet another wonderful part of their day, as the meal they prepared had not only been amazing, but the process had given them that quality time together that they'd been craving, Matt and Gabby then finishing up their night with some time in the hottub before coming back in to shower together and get ready to sleep.

And this is where Gabby had been ever since, the woman putting on one of Matt's t-shirts after her shower and climbing into bed, now just waiting for her husband to come and join her.

"Man, that shower really is amazing." Matt's voice filtered into the room, pulling Gabby from her thoughts as she looked over just as he stepped through the doorway, wearing nothing but a thin pair of boxers. "We should look into replacing our showerhead at home to something like that."

She smiled softly, shaking her head a bit as he flipped off the bathroom light before coming closer to her. "I don't know, I love our shower." She replied, Matt then cocking his head to the side while standing in front of the mattress, his eyes shamelessly trailing over her barely-covered form.

"Well, with that detachable showerhead I'm sure you do." He teased her, Gabby shooting him a look before he let out a soft laugh. "But no, we can keep our shower just how it is."

"Thank you." She replied, ignoring his original comment while she reached her hand out over the mattress beside her, silently prompting him to come lay down with her. Which was a request he'd never deny, Matt's smile only growing as he nodded while getting down beside her, his body barely hitting the mattress before Gabby had turned into him, nestling into his side while his arm wrapped around her back. They quickly made themselves comfortable, the position familiar to them as she rested her head over his chest. "...And thank you for today." She added on a few moments later, feeling his neck move like he was trying to look down at her. "For all of this, everything. It's been absolutely perfect." She continued on, Matt's smile growing as he listened to her genuine words. "I love you."

"I love you too." He replied without any hesitation, pressing a loving kiss to her head. "But I meant what I said, you really don't need to thank me for anything… I'm just glad we got to do this. That we're here, celebrating our anniversary. This has been the best day, but as far as I'm concerned that's all been because of you." He continued on, Gabby nuzzling closer to him and placing a soft kiss to his chest before lifting her head up to look at him.

"That's why I love you so much." She told him, her words somewhat vague. But he knew exactly what she meant, Matt only smiling before she suddenly pressed her lips to his.

He was surprised at first, not necessarily expecting the movement from her. And he became even more caught off guard when she suddenly picked up their pace, Gabby guiding them both down until her back was resting against the bed, their lips moving together heatedly while her hands moved over his skin.

The sudden shift in demeanor still had him in a daze, but not enough to where he couldn't respond, Matt kissing her back with just as much enthusiasm as he grabbed ahold of the shirt covering her body, slowly sliding it up until it was bunched up underneath her breasts.

"You… want me again, huh?" He asked jokingly between kisses, Gabby smirking against him while her nails raked over his back.

"I always want you." She responded quickly, her heavy voice sending the blood in his body south while he bit back a groan, before placing another bruising kiss to her lips.

"Well, what kind of husband would I be to deny my wife what she wants?" He asked back, Gabby smiling as he quickly moved to get on top of her, his lips returning to hers while his hands focused on his t-shirt, Matt making quick work of it as they separated long enough only for him to throw the material aside, leaving her completely bare to him before he went back to kissing her.

His hands started roaming her skin, Gabby doing what she could to rid him of his boxers as she didn't want anything between them, Matt soon understanding her desire as he kept his lips on her skin while he shed himself of the last of his clothes.

Over her lips and jaw, down her neck across her chest, he kissed any part of her he could while he carefully settled himself between her legs, Matt already able to feel her desire for him as she dug her hand into his side, desperate to keep him close.

"Matt, please." She whimpered, the need in her voice evident as he was beginning to understand that tonight wasn't the time for slow and gentle. That she didn't want him to work up to anything, she just wanted him.

And he was more than willing to give her that.

He sat himself up just long enough to position himself against her, Matt looking up at her one last time before slowly sinking into her. Soft whines and moans immediately left her lips, Gabby reaching out for him to come closer as she adjusted to him, the movement pulling him in deeper as she whimpered once more.

"You're okay." He whispered soothingly, placing soft kisses all along her jaw as she nodded, before slowly pushing her hips up towards him, signaling him to move.

Which is exactly what he did.

He started slow as he didn't want to risk hurting her, but he knew her body well enough to recognize the signals she gave, and within minutes he knew she was ready for more. Ready for what she was wanting from him, Matt latching his mouth onto her neck before he started thrusting into her quickly.

Working himself up to an almost blinding pace, Gabby moaned and cried out at the pleasure already coursing through her system, every one of his long and hard strokes hitting exactly where she needed as she could already feel herself losing control. Her muscles were beginning to shake, her body on high alert as Matt kissed any part of her he could.

But when she felt his lips linger on her chest, on top of the G and M pendant still sitting there delicately, that was when she lost it, Gabby completely at his mercy as he had her falling over that edge in near minutes.

She came with a sharp cry, Matt never slowing down as he continued on through her finish, intent on making that feeling last as long as possible. To the point where Gabby could hardly think, her entire body on fire while he moved in and out of her.

"Fuck, Gabby." He groaned out as she gripped onto him tightly, his teeth moving over her skin before he held onto her body and abruptly flipped them over.

The movement was completely unexpected, Gabby letting out a gasp that was half surprise half pleasure as she was now sitting on top of him, Matt resting back into the mattress before he continued plowing into her. Her hands were covering his chest, his thrusts quick and haphazard as he was nearing that release for himself. Especially because he could feel her close to letting go again, as well. Though if he had to guess, he'd say she never really came down the first time.

"Matt…" She whimpered out, clutching her nails into his skin while his palms gripped her hips, pushing her down to him with every movement upwards.

"Come again for me, baby." He encouraged, those words sending heat through her core as she couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips. "I want you to come for me."

Between his deep thrusts, and his deeper words, Gabby felt herself let go just seconds later, her entire body shaking as she could hardly handle the pleasure now moving through her. It all felt like too much, her body exhausted and her senses heightened to a level that she wasn't sure she could handle.

But she didn't want him to stop.

And because of that, he wasn't going to.

He thrust up into her almost recklessly, Matt close to finishing as she could sense how much more frantic he was becoming, Gabby's legs clenching around his hips instinctively at the overwhelming pleasure he was giving her. But Matt was having none of it.

"Open them, Gabby." He spoke, his words soft yet demanding as more of her pants filled the room. But still, she couldn't help but listen to him.

And the second she did, Matt wasted no time as within seconds he had his thumb resting over her sensitive bundle of nerves, rubbing in time with his thrusts before a loud shriek came from her throat.

"Matt!" She cried, her entire body tensing as he continued his impressive efforts, Matt intent on pulling her over that edge with him one last time while he gave her exactly what she needed. And then some, Gabby reaching her hand down to grab ahold of his while he continued rubbing over her. "Matt, I'm-"

Her eyes rolled back into her head before she could finish her thought, Gabby losing all control as she came apart for a third time, her body collapsing down on top of him just as he found his release. He deeply thrust into her, Matt making sure to give her all that he had while his own body trembled beneath her, the two of them moving slowly as pleasure consumed all parts of them.

Every moment felt like they were fighting to breathe until they came to a complete stop, Gabby's muscles tense and trembling while he wrapped his arms around her, wanting her close after the rollercoaster of emotions they'd just experienced.

"I've got you, I've got you." He whispered into her hair as she tried to steady herself, Gabby grasping any part of him she could while digging her head into his neck, the two of them soaking in this moment together as the world around them melted away.

"...I've always got you."