Happiness. This was a feeling Hayze felt every time he was anywhere near River-rose. He was beyond excited to be spending the morning with her. Even if they were only spending their time shopping.

"This mug is really nice. You should get it," River said as she picked it up from the front. It was black with gold fancy writing. He nodded and then looked more closely at it.

"What?" He stepped back as she smiled sheepishly at him. The words 'Hayze's Morning Coffee' were scrawled across it in neat gold calligraphy. "How did you do that? W-why?"

"I called in to have it done this morning. And I got it because you're so nice to me."

How precious

He couldn't seem to help himself when he leaned down, grabbed her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead. His lips lingered there until he began to smile against her skin.

She gasped and pulled back, in awe with the little smile on his face. "Are you smiling?" She asked with her own bright smile as she poked his strong jaw. He shook his head at how adorable she was. "You are! Ohmygosh, wait." She quickly pulled out a little lavender polaroid camera out of her little backpack that he had bought for her earlier that morning and she snapped a quick picture of him.

Usually, he hated having his picture taken, but now; he didn't even mind. Not even a bit. In fact, he was over the moon that River was comfortable enough around him to smile, joke and take pictures of him.

"You like it?" she asked as she held up the mug.

He nodded. "Si. Rosa carina."

She obviously didn't exactly know what he had said but she still smiled and blushed.

He took her soft, small hand and pressed two kisses to the back of it. She responded with melodic laughter and a brighter blush.

"Cozi presioso," he whispered.

She tilted her head cutely and he knew this would be something he would never get tired of seeing.

"What else do you want to get, River?" He asked as he began walking and she had to practically jog to catch up to him and walk by his side. He slowed down and placed a hand at the small of her back to which she blushed but didn't pull away.

She shook her head. "No, no more. You've already gotten me the camera and the bean bags for my room."

He tugged her into his side and dipped his head to press a kiss to the top of her head. "You're my wife and I want to spoil you today. Is that okay?"

Hesitantly she nodded. "But, I don't really feel like I should be picking out any more things."

"Alright then. I'll pick things out for you."

She giggled and smiled up at him. "Okay."

"Can I get you some things that I want to see you wear, pretty girl?"

She blushed. "Sure. Like what?"

"You'll see."

°•○●○•°

He held the clothes in one hand and led her towards the changing room with the other.

She looked down at the clothes in his hand and immediately shook her head. "Hayze," she squeaked. "Those will show so much skin."

He dropped the clothes in the changing room before gently pulling her in and shutting the door. "That's okay. You'll just wear the ones that show a lot of skin around the house. You're my wife so I can see you like this. Sì?"

"Well... yes."

"Good. No one else. Sì?"

"No. No one else." She looked like she couldn't believe what she was saying.

"Good girl," he whispered. "I want you to try on these knee socks and those skirts. And then after you will try on the big sweaters for me. And then you can look for your sport clothes and overalls right after. Fair?"

"Yes." She shyly pushed him out the door and he patiently waited beside the door as she changed.

"You can come in now," he heard her soft voice say.

He quickly scrambled to open the door just a crack before slipping in and then he looked down at her cute little body. His eyes widened and he cursed under his breath.

"You look lovely," he said softly as his eyes drank in every feature of her.

She had on a little black bralette with roses scattered over it and a little velvety red skirt along with black knee socks. Her stomach was quite flat and there was a line running down it so it was obvious the running around outside with Blue every morning was keeping her slim.

"Spin around."

She spun around slowly and his eyes fell to where the skirt fell just below her plump butt. His hand fell to her waist and she froze before slowly looking up to meet his eyes which were watching her face through the mirror. He moved forward and pressed his toned chest to her back and placed his chin on her shoulder. She was so small compared to him.

"I'm not making you feel uncomfortable, am I?"

Shakily, she shook her head no.

"So, if I kissed your neck right here," he brought his hand to her dark, soft waves and slowly pulled the curtain of hair away from her neck before abruptly stopping. "River," he growled.

"Yes?" She squirmed at his sudden anger.

He took a deep, calming breath. "Are you... sexually active with that boy still?"

Her eyes widened and her cheeks flamed in humiliation. "Nico?"

He grabbed her shoulders and spun her around, causing her to yelp. "Yes Nico. Are you still sexually active with him?"

"No! We've never done... that before!"

His brows furrowed. "Are you... into," he cleared his throat. He didn't think he'd have to deal with this. "Do you like getting choked?"

Her eyes widened and she literally choked on her spit for at least a minute straight. "Choked? No! Why would you think that? Who enjoys getting choked? I like living."

He was a little confused. "Then why do you have f~cking hand marks around your neck, like you were getting strangled!"

Suddenly, her lip was trembling and her eyes were watering.

"Merda. No, don't cry pretty girl. I didn't mean to sound so angry," he said quietly as he swept his thumbs under her big doe eyes.

She shook her head and pointed to the marks on her neck. "I got this because I wasn't being a good girlfriend."

His eyes darkened and his jaw clenched. "Nico hurt you?"

Hesitantly, she nodded.

"Why?" He asked roughly.

"Because I haven't been coming over as much and he's getting suspicious. He got really mad when he saw the text from you," she cried.

"That bastardo," he growled before pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm not letting you see him anymore."

She looked up at him, her body still crushed into his tight hug. "B-but he loves me. I've dated him since high school."

He rolled his eyes and glared down at her. "What else has he done to you? And don't lie to me," he growled.

"He shouts at me sometimes and sometimes he hits me when I'm bad but that's it." Her voice was trembling.

Well by the marks on your neck, it doesn't seem that way

He placed his large hand on the curve of her back and goose bumps formed on the bare skin. "My rose, that is not love. He's abusive. If he loved you, he wouldn't dare lay a hand on your beautiful body." River's eyes grew wide and her eyes rimmed with sparkly tears. "From now on, I'll be spoiling you and spending more time with you. You'll be my wife and I'll be your husband. I'm going to show you what love is baby girl. I'll be the only one to show you how good love is. When you're ready, I'll make love to you and show you love isn't supposed to be painful. Would you like that?" He asked huskily.

Mindlessly, she nodded into his strong, muscled chest. "Yes. Please."

"Good." He tilted her head up slowly and gazed down into her honey eyes with his icy blue ones before slowly leaning down and pressing a head spinning kiss to her plump lips. One that left her breathless. Nico had never made her heart flutter this hard.

He groaned because her lips tasted so sweet and they were so soft. He knew he would never get enough of this.

As he kissed her, he realized it was better than he anticipated.

When Hayze pulled back, he was grinning down at her. "This is what its supposed to feel like."