**Richie and Roxy**

Richie held Roxy's hand as she stared out of the small window all through take-off. "Are you okay, darlin'?" he asked, kissing her fingers as the expanse of landmass passed beneath them.

Roxy sighed and shifted to face her fiance. "I'm fine, baby. It's gonna be weird not running into Sadie at work. It's gonna be weird not working full stop! But I'm excited to be with you and to meet Ava, finally. Do you think she'll like me?"

"Rox...she's gonna love you," Richie replied. "She's got her papa's good taste!"

"You do, don't you?" she smiled, snuggling into his side, curling her legs up beneath her.

"As for work," Richie continued, "I'm sure there are job vacancies in your field."

"I'll have to look into whether my qualifications match the State requirements," she explained, "but it should be relatively easy after that. It's just a matter of deciding to go into a private practice situation or the hospital system."

"Wouldn't you be able to set your own terms and conditions going into a private practice?"

"Possibly. There are fewer places to hide so to speak if you have personality clashes within a private practice."

"Good point," he nodded. They fell into an easy silence for a moment before he continued, "You know...you don't have to work at all if you don't want to." He held up their entwined hands, turning her hand to show the ring that adorned her third finger. "That, right there, kinda tells you that you don't have to work anymore."

"I guess," Roxy sighed, "but I'd like to put out some feelers anyway. Maybe I can go through a temp agency...that way it's not working all the time but I'd still keep my skills up." She had noticed the slight tremor in Richie's hand but decided to let it slide for the moment. But it was starting to get harder and harder for her to bite her tongue.

"That sounds like a good idea," he nodded. "I gotta go take a piss. I'll be right back. I'll take a whiskey neat when Tracey comes."

Richie kissed her fingers again and stood up, shaking his pant legs down into position before he reached for his carry-all in one of the spare seats and rummaged around in it for a moment. Roxy pretended not to notice, choosing to look out of the window but heard the unmistakable sound of a pill bottle.

It was time to have that hard talk and what better place than when they were stuck in a confined place for hours on end.

A few minutes later, Richie sat back down beside Roxy. Her nursing instincts kicked in and she mentally took a few clinical notes as she watched her fiance order a drink from Tracey, the flight attendant. His demeanour had changed in the short time that he'd been in the bathroom.

The tiredness had gone from his eyes and the shaking had gone from his hands. Roxy sighed to herself and waited until Tracey had gone back to the galley to prepare their meals.

Roxy turned to Richie and, curling up against his warmth, said, "Remember the night Sadie and I came back?"

"How could I forget, darlin'," Richie smiled and leaned over to kiss her, the taste of whiskey was strong since he'd only just taken a sip. "You breathed new life into me. I felt alive again."

"Rich...," Roxy sighed. She studied her nails for a moment as she tried to choose the right words when in truth, there were none. "Was it me or the pills, though, baby?"

"What are you taking and how much do you take?"

He placed the glass down, too carefully, into the holder in the table. Roxy could feel the vibrations rolling off him.

"Baby," she continued, "I told you that night I could see the signs and I've let it go probably way too long for my liking. Can we talk about it, at least?"

"What do you think you can do? Send me off to rehab, just like Jonny did?" he bristled.

"No! I don't want to do that," Roxy exclaimed, taking his hand in hers. "Just talk to me. Please, baby...I want to help."

The silence dropped over them again but it wasn't as comfortable as before. Roxy could feel Richie's internal battle. She took his left hand with hers, holding them out in front of them both, almost forcing Richie to look at them; the ring that he'd placed there only a few short weeks ago. "Opioid addiction can kill you and I don't want to lose you, baby," Roxy said softly. "Not when we've only just found each other again."

Richie sniffed quietly, squeezing Roxy's fingers a little. "I- I don't know...I don't know how to stop," he whispered hoarsely.

Roxy reached up to Richie's face and gently turned his head so that she could see his eyes. She could see the internal struggle he was having and the emotional toll it was taking on him as well. "Tell me what happened?"

"It was stupid," he said. "I was drunk one night and slipped in the shower. Busted my shoulder pretty badly but luckily it was while we were on a break between legs of a tour. I worked my ass off to get back into playing shape...which is where the pills came in. They dulled the pain significantly."

"I bet," Roxy murmured. "Go on." She made a mental note to check out his prescriptions later. She didn't want to rush things and put him on the defensive. There would be plenty of times that he'd want to hate her through his detox if she had anything to do about it.

"Then it was the shit-storm of Heather and the divorce," he said with a sigh. "Anyway...things just got on top of me and the pills and the booze allowed me to hold things off for a while. But then I found I couldn't function without them."

"And you weren't there either," he continued. "But that was my fault, not yours. I told Tico not to tell me anything over the years because I wanted you to live your life without the worries of an old man."

"Old man, my ass," Roxy scoffed. "Who's been keeping me in bed for so long every day?! I'm surprised either of us isn't shrivelled up husks!"

"Baby...I want to help. I can help. But you gotta want my help," Roxy said. "I want to grow old with you. And I'm sure you want to watch Ava grow and marry, don't you?"

"No male is going near my baby," he growled.

Roxy smiled, leaning forward to kiss away the frown he'd suddenly developed. "Spoken like a true dad of a young teenage girl."

"Do you blame me? She looks like her mom. Wait until you see her...you'll know what I mean then."

"Does she know? Does Heather know?"

"About?"

"Me? The pills?"

"They both know about you, darlin'," Richie said. "Ava's excited to meet you, as I've said."

"And Heather? I mean...after my last encounter with her-," Roxy started to say.

"Heather will be fine once she gets to know you with your clothes on," he chuckled.

Roxy threw her head back and laughed, "You mean without my face in her pussy?! That was a good night!"

"It was...you took my breath away when I saw you that night," he said. "I was so torn about Heather showing up that day."

"It's okay. You don't have to explain. She was your wife at the time. You were supposed to be with her," she replied. "But you're avoiding my question again. Does she know about your dependency?"

Richie inhaled deeply before replying, "She knew the first time I went into rehab. I had to because of Ava. I- I thought this time, I'd been more careful. I guess not."

"Those closest to you know," Roxy said, kindly. "I know because I know what to look for as a medical professional. Jon knows," she felt Richie stiffen in surprise, "because he loves you. Just as I do. As for the others...that I don't know. Sadie's been too busy lately to notice anything other than David and the inside of her eyelids. There's something going on there too...I just haven't been able to pin her down long enough to figure it out yet."

"I wouldn't worry too much," Richie placated. "Life on the road gets crazy most of the time. It'll be vacation time after this next leg. Thank god it's just a short one too."

"We've got two weeks now, yeah?! Just enough time to get you clean, baby," Roxy said. "Are you willing to do that for me? For your family?"

"They're the only reasons I'll do it for...you and Ava," he said.

"I'm happy to hear that. Stay there," she said, shifting firstly into his lap around the fixed table in front of them, then into the aisle to stand up.

"Well, that was awkward," he chuckled.

"No, that was fun," she replied with a quick grin. "Show me whatcha got, big boy. And I'm talking about your pills at this point in time. If I wasn't hungry, I'd haul you off into that bedroom I know is lurking back there."

"I think I'm marrying a nympho," he muttered good-naturedly.

"Aww, baby," Roxy cooed, "shall I swap those nasty ol' pain pills for some pretty little blue ones?" She winked and pulled him to his feet, sighing happily as he pulled her into his arms.

"My dick hadn't seen this much action since the early days," Richie grinned. "He's a very happy, albeit tired, boy at the moment, darlin'."

"Well...you can have a rest for the moment. I'll give him some oxygen later, shall I?" Roxy pulled from his arms and stood next to the seat with his beat-up leather carry-all on it. She crossed her arms and gave Richie a pointed look. "Time to hand them over, babe. You've just had one now so from here on in I'll be looking after them and start weaning you off them."

"I don't want to be a complete fucking mess when we see Ava though," he said. He hadn't made a move toward his bag as yet.

"I wouldn't do that to you, to her," Roxy replied, softening her stance a little. "I'm not that heartless. But I'll keep you safe...that much I can promise you."

"Okay," Richie conceded finally, delving his hand into the bag.

Roxy stood back, watching, hoping that he wasn't going to hide any other bottles.

"Do you want me to empty my bag out like they did at rehab?" he asked, gripping the small bottle in his hand.

"No...I trust you," Roxy said, holding eye contact as he handed the bottle over. She looked down at the label. Codeine. She mentally breathed a sigh of relief. Still nasty but the lesser of all evils.

"Are you going to share your grand plan, darlin'? It was messy the last time...that much I do remember."

"If you're worried about the diarrhoea and vomiting," Roxy smirked, "I can tell you right now, it's probably only the quantity of it that differs between adults and children. I've served my time cleaning up bodily fluids and wiping asses. I think I can handle my future husband's."

Richie sighed and sat on the arm of the chair that his bag was on. "I guess. I'm just not looking forward to it."

"It's not going to be pretty," she replied, moving to stand between his legs and loop her hands around his neck, "but I'll be there every step of the way."

"If I haven't said it yet today," Richie said, tilting his head up. "I love you, Rox. You and I were meant to be, I think."

"Divine intervention?"

"Possibly," he chuckled. "But more likely the Torres factor. He just has this knack seeing things and how they should be...then setting them right."

"Remind me to thank him again then next time we see him," Roxy said, dropping a kiss to Richie's lips.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, folks," Tracey said, wheeling in the small service cart with their meals.

The couple took their seats again and Tracey served their light lunch. Roxy explained her detox plan to Richie as they ate. Asking him questions about his time in rehab, she wanted to know what he felt worked for him last time and what didn't, making a mental note of those for future reference.

Roxy hadn't realised she'd fallen asleep until Richie was shaking her gently awake. The last thing she knew was that Richie had started jotting down possible lyrics in a tatty notebook and she had made a valiant effort in reading her book until her eyes drooped closed.

"Hey, sleepyhead," he said. "We're coming in to land soon. Do you need anything?"

"Oh shit," Roxy cursed, sleepily. "How long was I out for?" She stretched and yawned as Richie started gathering their belongings together.

"A good couple of hours," he replied.

"Do I have time to freshen up?" Richie nodded and Roxy grabbed her small makeup kit from her handbag and, with a kiss to Richie's cheek, headed toward the small bathroom at the back.

She looked at herself in the mirror and grimaced at the sight of her pinched features. Pulling out the hair tie that was holding her ponytail up, she finger-combed her hair into a presentable waterfall of loose waves before refreshing her makeup and using the facilities.

If she was going to be a rockstar's wife, then she'd better start looking the part even if she didn't have time to change her crumpled clothes. With one final look in the mirror, shrugging and pulling a face, she left the bathroom to return to her seat for landing.

"Hey, pretty lady," Richie smiled as Roxy sat down again. "Feel better?"

"Hmm, kinda," Roxy nodded. "I'll be better once I've had a shower."

"I think I can accommodate you when we get home," he said. "The car is waiting for us too, by the way, so we won't have to worry about paps. There might be one or two but just stick close. I've done it once or twice."

"Oh, Heather and Ava will be at the house too," he said, matter of factly.

"Oh...okay," Roxy said. She was a little taken aback at the unexpected change of plans in her head. She'd imagined she and Richie would spend their evening together as she explored his house. Maybe meeting Ava the next day and giving herself enough time to deal with Heather. Oh well, she thought, nothing like ripping off a bandage in one tug.

"I was thinking, while you were sleeping," he said, "that if Ava stays with us for a couple of days first up, then that will satisfy her before the detox ugliness sets in. Does that work for you?"

"Umm...sure. I mean it's your daughter, your ex-wife," Roxy replied. "You don't need to run it by me."

"Well, in case you'd forgotten, darlin'," he grinned as the flight crew announced their descent. "You're going to be my wife one day so, yeah, I do need to let you know. You've got as much say in this relationship as I do. I'm not gonna make the same mistakes as I have done before."

Within the hour, the jet was pulling up to the small VIP terminal at the private airfield. Roxy could see a sleek black car waiting beyond the perimeter fence and a few people lurking to one side.

"Ready, babe?" Richie asked, once Tracey had opened the door and the steps were lowered. "Just take my hand and-."

"I swear to God, Sambora," Roxy grinned, "if you start singing to me, I'll withdraw my favours for the night."

"I wasn't gonna say anything other than 'I'll show you the way out', I promise," he chuckled.

Thanking Tracey on their way out, Richie, as promised, led the way through to the private waiting room while their luggage was offloaded.

"Mr Sambora, welcome home," an older gentleman, dressed smartly in a liveried uniform, greeted Richie with an outstretched hand.

"Dennis, good to see you, man," he replied, shaking hands. "May I introduce you to my beautiful fiance, Roxanne?"

"Ah, the pleasure is all mine, Miss," Dennis said with a slight nod of his head as he turned his attention to Roxy and extended his hand. "Welcome to California."

"Thank you, Dennis," she replied, warming to the man instantly. "Please...call me Roxy."

"Of course, Miss Roxy," he said with a wink. He then continued, addressing them both, "Allow me to get your luggage into the car before you venture out. There are a couple of troublemakers out there."

"Thanks, Dennis. I can count on you to pick 'em out," Richie replied.

After the luggage was loaded and Dennis had given the okay, he ushered them both out of the terminal and into the car. Roxy was becoming used to the flashes going off around her whenever she was with Richie but she kept her hand in Richie's and followed his lead.

A statement had been issued by Richie's management team in regards to their engagement once the kerfuffle in Paris had happened, so now, wherever they went, the photographers were all calling her name too.

Richie handed her into the car, taking the time to talk to them a little before getting in himself. "Well, that wasn't so bad."

"Do you ever get used to it?" she asked. "Do they ever leave you alone?"

"Play nice with 'em and they'll usually leave you be," he said. "Start causing a fuss," he looked at her pointedly, "and they'll hound until the end of time."

"Hey, Paris was not our fault," she reminded him.

"I know," he said, as Dennis pulled the car out into the traffic, "but it showed you what it could be like."

Roxy fell silent, watching the scenery pass by behind the glass. So different to Florida. She couldn't wait to see it in full daylight hours.

"You're quiet, Rox," Richie said, softly. "Everything okay?"

"Hmm? Oh...yeah," she replied, turning toward him. "I was just thinking how different Florida is to here. And, yeah, before you say anything...I'm a little nervous about seeing Heather again."

"You'll be fine," he said, pulling her to his side. "We'll be home within the hour."

Dennis navigated the streets with ease and had them pulling into the driveway of a beautiful Mediteranean-style large house. Roxy let out a soft whistle of appreciation as the car came to a complete stop. Roxy also noted that there was already a car parked in the driveway.

"Heather?" she asked and Richie nodded, flashing a quick smile before opening the door.

The front door opened a mini version of Heather peeked out and took off down the driveway, her arms outstretched. "Daddy!!" She shrieked and launched herself into Richie's arms.

"Hey, Princess," he chuckled, swinging her round in a circle. "How's my girl?"

Roxy slowly exited from the car after Dennis rushed to open the door for her. She thanked him softly, watching Richie and his daughter.

"We've been waiting ages!" She exasperated, throwing her arms wide. "Mom and I made you a welcome home cake and cookies!"

"Did you now! Well, let's go inside...I'm starving!"

"Ahem," Roxy cleared her throat.

Ava peered over her Dad's shoulder and giggled. "Is that her, Daddy?" The little girl's eyes took in Roxy's appearance, studying every inch of her and twisting her lips in thought. "She's cute!"

"She is, isn't she?" Richie returned, smiling at Roxy. "Ava...this is Roxy. You wanna go say hi properly?"

The young girl nodded and Richie set her down. Slowly she approached Roxy, her eyes alight with wonder and fascination. She put out her hand and smiled with a quiet, "Hi! I'm Ava!"

"Hi Ava...I'm Roxy. I'm very pleased to meet you finally. Your dad has told me a lot about you," Roxy returned, shaking the little girl's hand. "You look like your Mom too. I've met your Mom a long time ago, did you know that?"

"Wow really?! How'd you meet my Dad?"

"Well...," Roxy looked to Richie for help.

He chuckled and said, "Enough questions for now...I need to see this cake of yours, Princess." He swatted his daughter gently on her butt and she went racing off ahead.

"I'll bring your luggage up, Sir," Dennis said. "It was lovely to meet you Miss Roxy. I'm sure we'll meet again."

"Thank you, Dennis." Richie took her hand and guided her into his house.

"Welcome home, baby," he said, dropping a kiss to her lips and stood back to allow her gaze to roam around.

From what Roxy could see the house was tastefully decorated in muted golds, rich reds, patterned carpets and shiny black tiles. The ceilings were inlaid with mirrors to reflect the artfully placed lighting. There seemed to be music equipment in every conceivable space also. For when inspiration struck, Roxy assumed.

"Come on, Roxy! The cake is in the kitchen. I hope you're hungry!" Ava exclaimed, taking Roxy's hand and nearly dragging her away from Richie.

"See, babe?! Told you, you didn't have anything to worry about," Richie chuckled, placing his hand on the small of her back and following them through to the kitchen.

Heather smiled at them over her coffee cup. "Welcome home...both of you..."

Richie moved to his ex-wife's side and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, darlin'. You're looking well. You remember Roxy, of course?"

"Nice to see you again, Heather," Roxy said, smiling genuinely at the blonde woman, hoping not to create a scene this early.

"How could I forget her," Heather said, returning Roxy's smile and giving her a hug. "You still look fantastic, sweetie!"

"Thanks but I'm sure I look like a wreck after all the flying time," she returned.

"I gotta be the luckiest man on earth right now," Richie said, pulling some water from the fridge. "The three most beautiful women on the planet are all in my kitchen."

Ava reached onto the table and pulled off the plastic cake cover, showing off her creation proudly. As she hadn't iced around the edges, all three layers were exposed. Two round chocolate cakes with jam and cream in the middle. On top was chocolate icing with white chocolate chips and marshmallows as decoration, a handwritten note stuck in with toothpicks.

"What do you think, Daddy?!"

Richie grinned and picked up the plate. "I think that I should eat the whole thing, it looks so good! You three can fight amongst the crumbs. You did a great job, Princess."

Ava clapped her hands and jumped excitedly, rushing for the plates and forks. "Mom, can you get the knife?" She looked over at Roxy. "I'm still not allowed to use one that big."

"And that's a good thing, too," Roxy said. She was enjoying the family dynamics immensely. "I've seen way too many little people come into the hospital with nasty cuts from using big knives."

"Yeah, Richie had mentioned you having finished up med school. I can't remember...are you the doctor or the nurse?" Heather asked, grabbing a knife and handing it to Richie.

"A pediatric nurse," Roxy replied. "I was still in school the last time we met. Sadie is the doctor. She breezed through her studies and found her calling there."

Heather raised her eyebrows. "Why didn't you continue on?"

"I enjoyed the interaction with the patients...especially the little ones," Roxy explained. "When the parents can't get up to the hospital, we're the next best thing."

Richie cut the cake and with Ava's help, transferred the pieces to the plates. "We'll have our own nurse on hand when this one gets herself into trouble," he said, handing Roxy a plate.

"I'm sure if you applied yourself, you could be on Sadie's level," Heather murmured.

"Oh, I took the courses," Roxy said. "Or as close enough to them. I helped Sadie with some of her course-work. It was interesting enough but...I don't know, I just knew it wasn't for me, I guess."

Heather nodded and smirked. "I'm sure dancing at the club was much more satisfying and on par with your...skills."

"Heather...," Richie warned.

"It's okay, Rich," Roxy murmured. "I'm not gonna apologise for what I was when we met last. It got me to my goal of finishing medical school and working in a profession that I love and that I'm good at. I'm sure even you can appreciate that...in regards to your career?"

"Sweetie...you didn't push yourself all the way like I did," Heather simpered, taking a small bite of cake. "I mean...what kind of role model would you be for my daughter?"

"Ladies...," Richie growled this time, "this is not the time or place. Heather...I think it's time for you to say goodbye to our daughter, don't you?"

Heather smiled over at Richie. "But you all just got here. There's so much to catch up on. Say where is your Doctor friend anyways?"

"She's probably wherever David is right now," Roxy smiled. "Considering they're engaged too."

"So she decided to give the widowed husband a chance huh? Didn't he ignore her phone calls after she was--"

"Enough, Heather!" Richie snapped, causing Ava to back away from the table. "Say goodnight and go home. I'll bring Ava home to you in a couple of days. Ava, honey, say goodnight to Mama and go get into your pjs."

Roxy sat motionless, her eyes averted from the broken family. She heard Heather huff and push back from where she was sitting.

"Come here, baby," Heather said to Ava. "Be a good girl and listen to everything Daddy says, okay?! I love you and I'll see you in a couple of days. Call me if you don't feel safe though, you understand?"

"Yes, Mama," the young girl replied and hugged her mother. "Love you!" she said and skipped off to the stairs and up to her room to change.

"I'm sorry," Roxy started to say, directing her words to Richie, "I didn't mean to cause any trouble tonight."

Richie wiped his mouth on the napkin before kissing her fingers. "Not your place to apologise, darlin'. Heather was baiting you," he turned to his ex-wife, "weren't you?!"

"Who? Me?!" Heather arched her eyebrow at her ex-husband as she collected her handbag. "Why would I do anything like that?" She stalked from the room and out the front door, letting it slam behind her.

"Fuck!" Richie swore, pushing his plate away in disgust. "I thought tonight she would have been on her best behaviour...guess I was wrong. I'm sorry, babe."

"Roxy?!" Ava called from the top of the stairs. "Can you please read me a story?"

"At least someone likes me," Roxy said, softly. She rose from the table and made her way back to the staircase. Looking up, she saw Ava peering over the bannister. "I'm glad you waited for me. I was worried I'd get lost," she said, climbing the stairs.

"It's not that big!" Ava giggled.

"My whole apartment would have fit in the kitchen," Roxy replied with a grin, following the miniature Heather to her room. "So if you hear me calling out Marco Polo...come find me, okay?"

"Okay!" she grinned, opening the door to her bedroom. "But if you think the kitchen is big, wait until you see the bathroom."

It was painted in the palest of pinks, whites and the carpet was done in soft greys. Framed prints of famous ballerinas fought for space against the latest boy band pinups. There was a double bed with a padded headboard in the soft grey and scatter cushions in many hues of pink and throws of all kinds of textures. A bookcase filled a corner of the room, filled to overflowing with books and arts and craft items. It was beautiful but it still looked as though it was lived in and not just for display.

"This is so pretty, Ava," Roxy exclaimed as she twirled in the centre of the room, looking around. "The bathroom? The main one?"

"No, silly," the little girl giggled as she flopped down on her bed after choosing a book. "Daddy's bathroom. It's huge! He usually does his songwriting in there." Ava held out the book to Roxy, "This is my favourite."

Roxy was feeling a little overwhelmed with the sheer size of her new home but she put on a brave face and soldiered on. She took the few steps to Ava's bed and took the book from her hand.

"Oh my! This was one of my favourites when I was your age, too." Roxy sat on the side of the bed and opened the book up. "Mrs Wash-A-Lot always made me laugh with her grumpiness."

"I wish there really was a Faraway Tree," Ava said.

"Sometimes these days, I feel as though I'm in one of the lands in the clouds," Roxy murmured and started reading the Enid Blyton classic.

Ava had snuggled up close to Roxy so that she could see the pictures and it reminded Roxy of her own childhood when her mother used to read to her at bedtime. She lost all trace of time as she revisited old friends and was startled when Richie appeared beside her.

"I think she's asleep," he said softly as he gently slid the book from Roxy's hand. "Were you reading for Ava or for yourself, darlin'?"

"A little of both, I think," Roxy replied, slowly extricating herself from the bed. "How could you tell?"

"I've been listening for a while and you didn't notice at all. You were lost in those clouds as surely as those characters were," Richie said. He finished tucking Ava in before drawing Roxy into his arms. "You made an impression tonight, darlin'. She rarely gets anyone except me, to read the Faraway Tree."

Roxy dropped her head to Richie's shoulder and hummed. "It was what my Mom used to read to me, too. I loved them."

"C'mon," Richie said, kissing the side of her head, "let me show you around the rest of this floor. Everything else can wait until tomorrow." He dimmed the lamp and led Roxy from the room.

"I've heard about your bathroom," Roxy chuckled. "How can a bathroom be bigger than a kitchen?!"

"Priorities, darlin'," he grinned. "I've brought all your luggage up to my...sorry, our room too. Tomorrow I'll clear out some space for you." Walking Roxy to the other side of the house, Richie opened the double doors to his bedroom and said, "Welcome home, future Mrs Sambora."

Roxy gasped at the opulence of the room before her. "Oh...baby, it's beautiful!"

Whereas the main floor downstairs was done in golds, silvers and reds, the bedroom was done in a dark bronze colour with accents of jade green. The ceiling was inlaid with the same metallic cross-hatched paint that was behind the bed which the sconces and lamps around the place highlighted beautifully.

The most enormous bed she'd ever seen was made up with cream coloured linens and a comforter in similar colours to the room. Roxy kicked off her shoes and walked over the plush carpeting to the bed and ran her hands over the silken jacquard comforter.

"Oh...I just wanna throw myself on it."

"What's stopping you, darlin'?" Richie grinned. "I have plans for messing it up well and truly tonight anyway." Roxy let out a squeal as Richie scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed before crawling up from the edge and bracing himself above her. "I've dreamed of you in this bed every night since you came back to me, Roxy. Thank you for making my dreams a reality."

Roxy sighed happily as she gazed into his dark eyes and snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her. "Then how about we make a whole lot of reality tonight, baby," she murmured.

The couple spent the night making love in the huge bed before falling asleep wrapped in each other's arms. Roxy didn't hear Ava sneak into the room in the morning, nor did she feel Richie leave the bed to tend to his daughter.