Chapter Seven Years Later

I pushed the door to mine and Riley’s bedroom open quietly. It had been a long day and I wasn’t surprised to find Riley asleep already. I had gotten a call just as my shift was ending. Domestic abuse and the women screaming and attacking her ex had been a handful to get back to the station.

After sliding out of my uniform and into a pair of basketball shorts I went to slide into bed. Riley whimpered, pulling away as her breathing quickened. As always my heart broke at the fear her subconscious exuded.

“It’s just me, Ry.” I whispered, wrapping my arm around her waist and laying my hand on her slightly swollen abdomen.

Riley sighed contentedly scooting closer to me. After four years of living together, I had learned how best to handle her fear, and she had learned how best to handle my anger. We balanced eachother out. I couldn’t help but be satisfied with the life we had started together.

Now at twenty five years old I had a job that I loved, a wife I couldn’t live without, a nice apartment, and in a few months a child that was all Riley and me. We were ecstatic. I couldn’t imagine anything better.

I looked over at the book on the nightstand and smiled. Pride bubbled in my chest as it always did when I read the cover. “Finding Peace in the Pain” written by Riley Miller. I remembered the excitement on her face when a legitimate publisher had gotten back to her.

I kissed the top of her head pulling her closer to my chest. “I love you, Riley.”

“I love you.” She mumbled, barely coherent in her sleep.