"Divine." He whispered in her ear making her blush a deep red, if it wasn't for the veil she would've been exposed.

The couple exchanged rings before he got rid of her veil and kissed her forehead, making her feel grateful for not embarrassing her in front of her feline.

"As you know, my wife and I have been married for a couple of months but we decided to share our happiness with you and host a ceremony to announce our reunion, I hope you have fun." Announced a confident Ryker.

Willow was overwhelmed by the number of people who congratulated them and wished them a happy married life.

She finally was able to leave and change into a less heavy dress then get back to the ceremony where she once again was bombarded with the number of questions she was asked before her eyes fell on the envious Tana and her aunt Jennifer, they didn't even try to fake a smile.

It was past midnight when the couple retreated to their penthouse.

"I'm exhausted." She sighed while taking fast steps towards their walk-in closet to get rid of the dress, as for the high heels she got rid of them the second she stepped foot in the hotel.

The large hands engulfing her waist from behind made her jump, "Shush, it's just me." He whispered in her ear while his hands held her capture.

"R-Ryker."

"Let me help you with the dress." He spoke in a deep low voice that made a chilling shiver travel down her spine.

Willow felt nothing but pure fear as she didn't expect him to approach her, especially since he promised not to touch her unless she begged for it.

"R-Ryker," She stuttered tears gathering in her eyes for unknown reasons, she trusted him but his hands around her, especially at such a time, were overwhelming, and she sobbed.

"Oh God," He made her turn to face him, " Why are you crying, darling?" He wiped her tears with his thumb.

"You are scaring me." Tears ran down her perfectly flushed face.

"Oh no, no, no. I won't lay a finger on you. I just wanted to help you with the dress, just allow me to at least do this as your husband." He kissed her forehead, "I didn't mean to scare you, gorgeous." He looked into her eyes with the most merciful look she has ever seen in his beautiful eyes.

"Can I, sweetheart?"

Willow slowly nodded turning away from him so he has access to the zipper. Ryker's breath hitched as he lowered the zipper, he knew he had to control himself but he also knew he wanted to keep this memory engraved in his memory. He lowered the dress leaving her in her luxurious white undergarment before he hurriedly passed her the white sleeping dress that once laid on their bed.

"I missed you." He kissed the tip of her nose before locking eyes with her.

"Shall we go to sleep? I'm tired." 

"Let's freshen up first." He smiled trying his best to make her feel safe, he was confused as to why she was behaving differently even though everything was alright the last time he saw her early this week.

After freshening up they both lay in bed before Willow left and came back with a bag in her hand.

"What's that?" He asked supporting himself on his elbow.

"It's your gift, you told me to buy you something too, I raised some money when I worked part-time at the library and I wanted to buy you something with my money." She smiled.

Ryker was surprised, he loved how thoughtful she was and felt special how she thought about getting him something with her money even though he made her resign from the same part-time job she was talking about.

"I got you this necklace with our initials together, I'm sorry it's not that expensive but that's what I could afford." She laughed in disappointment.

"And this is a perfume, I loved how it smelt when you used to use it before changing to your current one." She shrugged.

Ryker immediately put the silver necklace on, "I love this." He pecked her on the lips, "Thank you so much for the gifts." He smiled before hugging her to his chest.

"I'm glad you like them." She hugged him back.

Ryker put the boxes aside on the nightstand and pulled her to him before they both had the most peaceful sleep in a long time.

In the morning, they both had a late brunch together before they decided on watching a movie.

Willow sat next to Ryker before he remembered to share some news with her, "I forgot to inform you that the honeymoon was rescheduled for the summer, I have a lot of work to deal with so we won't be able to travel for now, and you should go back to attending your classes since the holidays are over."

"That's not a problem." She shrugged.

"Also, from now on a driver will drive you to school." He informed.

"And why?" She frowned now a little restless.

"I'm the dean now, this will help with the gossip and curious eyes."

"Whatever!" She commented a hint of annoyance lacing her voice.

"I know that it's annoying, at least it is for me. But it's for the best." He explained before kissing her hand.

"I no longer want to watch a movie, would it be okay if I go out with my friends this evening? Your grandmother didn't even allow me to send them invitations."

"No going out is allowed today. Didn't you miss me? I haven't seen you for a week!" He exclaimed.

"You are setting one hundred new boundaries and I'm not comfortable, I want some time alone." She vocalized.

Ryker took the hint and left to his home office while Willow went to their room, changed into a loungewear beige set and threw herself face-first on their bed. She sighed while drowning herself in her thoughts trying to accept the new changes.

It was almost evening when she heard a knock on their room's door, "Can I come in?" 

"Of course." Willow sat on the bed her back supported by the headboard.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked while his right hand cupped her cheek.

Willow shrugged before locking eyes with him, "Tell me what you're feeling," He asked.

"I feel like you're taking steps back and it's making me feel unsafe." She declared trying to be as honest as possible.

Ryker sighed in disbelief before pulling her to straddle him, "Me not driving you is just so students don't find something to gossip about doesn't mean that I'm taking steps back, if it was up to me you won't leave my side for a second, and the no going out for today is just so the magazines don't have tea to start rumours, newlyweds should be tangled in their bedsheets, not around the streets."  He pecked her pouting lips.

"I think I'm just being emotional." She shrugged.

Ryker hugged her to himself while his right hand went up and down her back for comfort, "Your emotions matter." He commented.

"I came to inform you that I invited your friends over for dinner, so get ready." He added.

"No, you didn't." She gasped with a shocked smile plastered on her lips.

"I wouldn't want for my bride to feel down without doing anything to fix it." He winked before his lips pecked her welcoming ones.

"You are the best." She commented before leaving to wash her face, do some skincare, and change into a warm long winter dress.

Ryker himself changed into a pair of black sweatpants and a hoodie and sprayed from the perfume his wife got him as a wedding gift.

The maids were previously informed about the guests; therefore, everything was almost ready; while the couple sat down on one of the couches waiting for the arrival of her friends.

It was the little things Ryker was doing that were having a huge impact on their relationship.💕