David cut off the engine of his Mercedes and listened to the silence. He could only stare at the snow-blanketed home with its high sloping roof and deep covered front porch. The brown shingle siding was illuminated by the exterior lights, giving way to a neatly manicured flower bed and front yard.

His fingers played with the bow next to him, sitting atop a beautifully wrapped present in Lego paper. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the car with the gift, up the paved walkway and stone steps. His shoes crunched the fresh fall of snow and he made a mental note to clear the driveway for Natalie.

David's warm breath chilled as it hit the cold air. He hesitated before ringing the doorbell, knowing he could be hauled off to jail if she chose to call the cops. He could hear the faintest sound of music and tapped his foot in rhythm.

The door opened and his voice caught in his throat. Natalie's raven hair swung into view and she gave him a small smile. "You made it before I got him to bed," she said, stepping back and opening the door further.

He entered the warm home, stomping the snow from his shoes and shaking it from his hair. "I hope you don't mind," he whispered, gesturing to the gift. "It's a kids basketball and t-ball set."

"Not at all," she replied, helping him out of his jacket and hanging it on a wall hook. "I'm sure he'll love it. Make yourself at home. I'll get you a drink. Beer or whiskey?"

She still knew his preferred choices. "Whiskey. This place is beautiful. Very cozy," he complimented. David kicked off his shoes and placed Raiden's gift under the modest Christmas tree in the corner.

The living room was intimate with a large L-shaped white sectional, dotted with red Christmas pillows and a red throw blanket. A handsome stone fireplace was the prized centerpiece of the room, decorated with silver garland, two stockings and surmounted by a large TV.

Photos and paintings lined the walls, most of Raiden at various stages of development or smiling with his mom. One picture caught David's attention; his son sitting at a small black piano and grinning ear to ear.

"I thought you'd never get to see that one," Natalie's voice came from behind, pulling David from his thoughts.

"He looks really happy," he said, taking the glass of whiskey gratefully.

"He is. I have copies of all these pictures too," she admitted, "Guess part of me always wished..."

David took a step towards Natalie, his fingers gently cupped her chin. "You don't have to wish anymore, babygirl. I'm here and no one's gonna stop me."

"Too bad that wasn't your attitude four years ago," Natalie murmured, pulling from David's grasp and sitting back into the plush sofa. "You know Lexi won't like you being over here."

David sat next to her, nursing his drink and his mind racing. He had to sound sincere no matter what. Remorseful. Compassionate. "When she found out about us, I'll admit I was afraid of losing my marriage. I lost it. As shitty as that sounds, another divorce would have killed me. It's no excuse for how I treated you."

"Daddy!" Raiden screeched as he ran full speed at David, a piece of paper clutched in his small fist. David embraced the child, lifting him into the air and kissing his cheek as the little boy giggled. "I made this!" He held out the paper to David as he settled on his knee, showing him a drawing with three figures.

"Who's this?" David pointed to one stick figure with thick black crayon strokes around the head.

"Momma," Raiden replied and Natalie smiled at her son. David then pointed at the tiniest figure. "Me!"

"And this one?" He asked though he didn't really need confirmation. His heart swelled as the boy leaned back into him and grinned, their matching blue eyes connecting.

"You." Raiden poked David's nose and giggled as his Dad hugged him tightly. "I stay."

"Just for a little while," she answered their pleading looks, "He's finally picked up a decent sleep schedule."

Raiden's small fingers played with David's necklace as the older man laid his head on his son's. "If I had known about...him...I never would have let things end like that."

"David, you're a...were...a sick man. You needed help," Natalie whispered.

"I am sick, medicated but still sick. It doesn't excuse how I treated you and I don't expect you to forgive me for it," David admitted then added on, "I told her, ya know. After the supermarket and lunch...I told her about Raiden and that I want to be involved in his life."

Eh, a lie or two never killed anyone, David thought to himself. Well...never killed me at least.

"And?" Natalie asked, her eyes darted to the little boy snuggled into David's arms. He unfortunately had to drag his wife through the mud, telling her an altercation that followed and Lexi packing a bag to leave. His Mistress would forgive him.

"I told her there's nothing that could stop me from being the man you and Raiden need me to be," David cooed, stroking Raiden's hair soothingly.

She shook her head and closed her eyes. "Fuck...David...It's been four years and I don't want his life to be turned upside down because of this. Fuck...you know how Lexi is..."

David reached out and took her hand in his, forcing his eyes to soften. "I know but this is something I have to do...not just for you or me. But for him. He deserves to grow up with a Dad," he said quietly, kissing Raiden's forehead.

They heard a small snore and found the child had fallen asleep, grasping David's hair and burying his face into his Dad's broad chest.

"I should get him to bed," Natalie started but David stopped her.

"Let me. You relax down here," he said, standing with Raiden. "First or second floor?"

"Second, first door on the right." David and Natalie smiled at each other, the woman draining her glass of wine and refilling it. Upstairs, Raiden's room was bathed in a soft glow from his night light. David kneeled and tucked his son into bed, gently running his thumb over the soft cheeks.

He sighed contently as his eyes were drawn to a framed photo on Raiden's nightstand. It was one of him and Natalie, smiling and holding each other on the beach with the rolling ocean waves behind them.

"You have an incredible mom, kiddo," he whispered and turned out the light, firmly reattaching the tall toddler gate on the landing.

Natalie was fixing an ornament on the tree when he reappeared in the living room and a roaring fire in the grate. "No fuss?" She asked.

"Easiest child I've ever put to bed," David chuckled. "I...um...I saw the photo you have of us in his room."

"I wanted him to know who he looks like and that he was conceived between two people who adored each other...at one time anyways." She looked up at him with those emerald orbs and bit her lip. "Whether that adoration was lust or...whatever else."

Oh god that lip biting, he thought. "We did, didn't we? I still do."

Natalie slid back into the couch and swirled her wine glass. "Why? Because you know he exists?" She let out a shaky breath when David sat next to her, his fingers caressing her bare arm.

"Because I never stopped," David replied. "Even during that dark time."

Natalie shook her head slowly and pulled her arm away. "But you did. Do you know how much you broke me, Dave? You had the power to shatter everything I was and you chose to use that power because you weren't man enough to stand up to your wife. You used your strength and power to break him. That's not the actions of a man who loves. It's the actions of a coward."

"But I am man enough to admit that I was wrong," David quietly pleaded. "Yes...fuck...mentally I broke. I don't want to call it an obsession for revenge. The fucking shrink called it Psychosis or a mental breakdown from reality. I remember the racing thoughts and--"

Natalie's eyes darkened and her top lip curled into a snarl. "You were out for revenge though! You broke into Richie's house and took photos and video for your own sick twisted mind games!" She backed up on the sofa and straightened her body in defense. "You sent them to Jon, Tico and...Richie."

His name still tingled on her tongue but for all the wrong reasons. While her time in California had started off great, things took a nasty turn a few months after Raiden was born. It had been the night she'd walked into Richie's studio to find him under a tall slim blonde with long legs straddling and riding him.

By the time Richie realized Natalie was there, both exploded with a hard climax and he'd filled the blonde up. Natalie had thrown her ring at him and demanded to move back to Jersey. She was gone within two days even though she and Richie started to talk after two years of silence.

"It wasn't--"

"Bullshit, David Bryan!" she growled. "You left your ring under my pillow and jerked off into my panties while I slept! You told the guys you'd slit my throat and 'gut the little whore'! You fucking raped me then threw me out of your home! That's not love, David!"

David dropped his head into his hands and his body shook as emotion poured out of him. "You know I wouldn't--"

"I barricaded my bedroom every night," Natalie said, her voice on the edge of breaking. "Even though I was in California, you had me fearing for my life! I couldn't even go to the store without looking over my shoulder! I had nightmares for two years and couldn't even take anything to sleep when I was pregnant or breastfeeding!"

"You were out in California?" He feigned ignorance.

"Yes. Richie took me home with him after the court hearing," Nat said, "He was my rock when the shit hit the fan."

David looked up and reached out for Natalie's hand. "I should have been there for you. Instead, I was the monster you were running from..."

"Monster doesn't even cut it," she spat back at him, "You'd crossed that line and never looked back. Richie took me in, he held me when I was having nightmares, he took me to doctors appointments. He did the things you should have been around to do!"

"I did have to look back though...every damn day I was forced to relive it all in excruciating detail--"

"Did you have to relive the terror of never knowing what was going to happen next? All the while knowing that the life you were growing inside you was part of that terror?"

David shook his head and replied, "No. I can apologize a hundred times over and it won't change anything. I'll never know how you felt and what you went through."

"Why the hell did you have to show up at the supermarket?" she asked almost to herself as she angrily swiped at the tears that had fallen unbidden, "Why now? Raiden and I were doing fine. We didn't need you."

"If you had said so, I would have left you alone. You've had several chances since that meeting to call the cops but you haven't," David pointed out then added, "Maybe there's a small part of you that doesn't hate me?"

"If there is a part that doesn't hate you, it's because of Raiden," Nat said softly, "I've kept that piece locked away and I only release it when he starts asking questions. He should never be burdened with hateful feelings of what happened."

"You shouldn't have that burden either and if I could take away that pain, I would. Fuck...you have no idea how much I'd shoulder that burden for you to be happy."

"I want to believe that, I do, but..." Nat hesitantly looked over at him, "I don't know that I want to sacrifice my heart like that again. I...I don't know if I could trust my feelings for you again. I don't know if I can trust you again. " She let her tears fall unchecked as she finally felt that she was facing her demons from the past years.

David took Natalie's hand in his and closed both of his around it. "I betrayed you, Natalie. I'm not asking you to sacrifice anything and I'm not even asking for you to fully trust me. But...," He hesitated for effect. "I want the chance to try and earn it; to show you the progress I've made. I'm not saying it'll be easy...hell, you might throw me out for suggesting it."

She sighed and dropped her head to the back of the couch and stared at the ceiling as she willed her emotions back under control and her thoughts to stop whirring around in her head. She felt him move ever so slightly closer to her as he brought her hand up to kiss the back of it tenderly before placing it over his heart.

Natalie drew in a shuddery breath and swallowed heavily, her eyes went to her hand on his chest before raising them slowly up to look at his face and their eyes connected. "You're asking a lot, David. Hell, you're still married..."

"She's nothing to me if she won't accept Raiden. I miss you, babygirl," he confessed, moving closer once more and laid himself back into the sofa, angling his body towards her.

She was close. So close that he inhaled the scent of wine and her perfume. Her lower lip quivered and he wrapped both of his around that lip. He slowly suckled it, testing her response. She inhaled sharply when they broke, both unable to open their eyes for several moments.

"I forgot how nice you smell," she breathed.

"Feeling's mutual."

"Mutual." Natalie's eyelashes fluttered as she finally gazed up into his soft blue eyes, noticing the faint freckles along his nose. "One chance."

David smiled and pulled her into a heated kiss, his hands cradling her head and she melted into him. He draped one leg over hers and moved enough for her to feel his weight. His fingers slid into her lush locks, the soft waves flowing over his skin like a warm waterfall.

"I'm sorry, are you sure you-" David apologized as he broke the kiss. In answer, Natalie grasped his shirt and pulled him back in, capturing his lips with a tiny whimper.

Natalie's arm slid around and massaged the base of David's neck. "It's been a long time," she whispered against his lips.

"Too long, baby," David replied, "You still taste heavenly. Just as I remember." He gave her another smile, his eyes shining with light and love like the man she had first fallen for. "I won't deny it...I want you but this time no contracts and no kink. I just want you as you are," he muttered and he mentally kicked himself.

His chest tightened as Natalie leaned up to kiss him, lips parting with permission for him to continue. He missed this. Her warmth...her taste...her adoration pouring out for him. It was the passion he'd craved for, a familiar touch, and he wasn't about to let her out of his sights again.

Her hands found the buttons of his shirt, nimbly slipping each through their respective holes. When the last button was un-done she trailed her fingers up his chest, taking his shirt and slipping it over his shoulders.

She always loved touching him and her fingers danced through the hair on his stomach and chest, a wide devious smile claiming her lips. "I have missed this," she admitted, wanting to set the nightmares aside and feel him as she had remembered.

"Does that mean we can try? I don't want to leave now that I'm here with you again," David breathed and closed his eyes as Natalie touched him, her hands casting heavenly touches on his hot skin.

"Yes, Dave, we can try but I won't promise anything," she replied. "One step out of line and it's over. This is the only chance I'm giving you."

"I understand, darlin'," David agreed with a small groan as he kissed her neck. "I never thought I would find myself back here with you in my arms."

Natalie tilted her head slightly and looked over at him. "Just don't make me regret it."

David slid an arm around Natalie's waist, rolling their hips together and making her moan. He inhaled deeply, savoring her scent and growled into her neck. He pressed his lips to the sensitive flesh, moving her hair aside for easier access. "We have so much to catch up on."

He played at the hem of her camisole, caressing her stomach. His hands traced her outline, his fingers memorizing each curve, each valley. He slowly lifted the soft fabric, revealing inch after inch of sweet flesh.

"Mmm," Natalie moaned and David nuzzled his nose into her cheek. She gently leaned her forehead against his and whispered to him, as if many people were around and she wanted no one to hear them. "Remind me again what it feels like to be loved by you."

David allowed his hands to cup her beautiful breasts and swirled his tongue around one taut light brown nipple, blowing on it and caused her back to arch. His jeans were getting painfully tight as she whimpered and spread her legs instinctively.

"Anything for you," he cooed and kissed each perfect mound, his hand trailing down her belly. David captured her lips, the two sharing a heated kiss, and gently massaged down to her knee and up to the apex of her thighs. Soft caresses of this familiar touch made Natalie's eyes flutter closed.

"You're so beautiful, Natalie," David mumble against her lips, slipping his wandering fingers under her thin shorts and lace panties, finding the moisture dewing up between her soft pink folds and gave her clit a merciful stroke.

"Ahh fuck," she cried out involuntarily and bucked into his touch, rocking as he slid his middle finger into her warmth. "Mmm, do you remember the first time you touched me? I...mmm...I know this isn't what you--"

"I do, babygirl," he replied, "and this..." He traced up her lower belly where their son had once rested, taking in the light stretch marks and tummy of motherhood. He took his time running his lips and fingers over each mark. "this makes you even more incredible. Tell me...is this still your sweet spot?" David bent his fingers in a come-hither motion and Natalie pushed down towards him.

"Oh god..."

David slithered from her embrace and knelt between Natalie's legs. "Take that as a yes." He smiled up at her and bent his head, burying his face into her and wrapping his lips around her clit. He hooked his arms under Natalie's thighs, holding her close as his tongue danced in long strokes, languid licks top to bottom.

Natalie watched this man as he played her body expertly. He always knew the right chords to hit, long talented fingers tuning and perfecting her melody. David's eyes met hers and he gave the most delicious view of his tongue possessing her.

The warm fire crackled in the hearth as the predicted blizzard raged outside as their own storm was building between them, each one wanting to re-discover the other. Her moans mingled with crackling, growing breathy and higher.

"No no...stop stop stop," Natalie panted as she came down from her second hard and wet orgasm. She whimpered when David withdrew his fingers and slowly stood in front of him, letting his eyes wash hungrily over her body. She gestured for him to stand with her and he obeyed.

She carefully unzipped his jeans and pushed them down his ass to the floor, taking in his glorious twitching shaft and gave a lingering kiss under the head.

"Jesus Christ," David whispered under his breath, unwilling to break the mood, and shivered when her tongue flicked at the bead of nectar he offered. Natalie pushed him back onto the sofa and climbed onto his lap, his cock nestled between her wet folds. David let out a groan of pleasure.

"I need this," she said simply and slid along his length, feeling the large vein pulsating against her clit. The feelings and emotions began to bubble up and butterflies filled her stomach just as it did at the start of their affair, that night long ago in his office.

"Take as much of me as you want. Take it all," David panted. "Let me show you just how much I've missed you."

Just the simple kisses David placed on her neck meant so much more than anyone could understand and Natalie missed it terribly. Her lips slowly reached for his, placing several kisses on them and letting her arms snake around his neck.

Natalie gasped as David straining shaft plunged into her hotness. "Mmm oooh yes, D...fuck yes," she moaned and laid her head back as she began rocking on him, her hands moving to support herself on his knees.

David growled deeply and his eyes fighting not to close. He wanted to keep his sights on her, remember this night like a snapshot in his memory. "Fuck, Babygirl. I can feel your heartbeat," he groaned. "Do you feel mine? That's what you do to me."

His hips pushed off the sofa, watching his cock slide from her body then penetrate her once more. "Yes, baby...oh god yes!" Her juices coated him deliciously and he moaned her name under his breath.

His hands closed around Natalie's breasts, pinching at her nipples and watching them grow into hard nubs under his touch. He lifted himself up and flicked his tongue across each one, loving her with tenderness yet excitement.

She grabbed his shoulders when he leaned up to tease her nipples with his tongue, the crackling of the fire harmonizing with their moans. Her hips rolled desperately along David's cock, the thick blunt head massaging her g-spot.

"I've missed you, babygirl," David panted, reaching around and cupping her ass in his hands. "And this...oh fuck...I've needed you..."

Natalie braced her hands into his shoulders and sped up, riding him like the grim reaper was chasing her. She was at the height of her sexual desire, visible by the glisten of sweat and flushing of her skin.

"Harder, baby...I'm so close," she whimpered, "Make me come for you...fill me up...fuck please!" She became incoherent with each thrust and hit her climax, her face contorting with pleasure and euphoria. Her muscles contracted and sweet juice spilled down his shaft, making him moan aloud.

She squeezed and milked David, his balls tightened and spasmed as he fell away in a blinding, pulsing moment of release. She leaned in to wrap her arms around his neck, their lips locked in a passionate kiss and bodies still joined at the hip.

"Hi," David whispered when they parted, eyes connected and unblinking.

"Hi, yourself. I had forgotten how wonderful this was," she said with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. Natalie felt at home here in his arms, just being held by him in post-coital bliss. "Are you...in any rush to get home?"

David looked up at her and grinned, "Not at all. I brought my medication...just in case you didn't toss me out into the snow. Why don't we take this to the bedroom and continue the discussion?"

Natalie nodded slowly and they both gathered up their clothes, extinguishing the fire and turning off the Christmas tree. The trek upstairs was tense as they made sure Raiden was still fast asleep before streaking into the dark bedroom, both giggling and kissing like teenagers for the first time in years.