After learning a bit about engagement rings chapter 8 is finally up! I'm really sorry for the slow updates :( i've been having a bit of writer's block lately! As always i hope you enjoy this chapter! :)
Kelly woke in the strong arms of Alex Riley and sighed happily before snuggling closer to him, a huge smile graced her lips when she caught sight of the engagement ring on her finger. She couldn't believe this was really happening and suddenly wondered how to tell her parents. She bit her lip thinking about her father's reaction and thought about how her mother, who always seemed to approve of Alex, would take this. Deciding this could be dealt with later Kelly placed a gentle kiss on Alex's chest to wake him up.
"Hey there beautiful." Alex said sleepily, causing the blonde to giggle.
"Hey you," she said, placing a kiss on his cheek. "Sleep well?" she asked and he nodded.
"You bet." He said as he sat up. "I would've had dreams but they came true." He said and Kelly rolled her eyes playfully at him as she joined him in sitting up. "Too cheesy?" he asked and she nodded.
"It was cute," she said and he smiled. "But way too cheesy."
"Oh c'mon give me a break; I haven't been in a relationship for six years." He said and she smiled, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I don't mind, you used to say cheesy things all the time back in high school." She said with a small shrug and Alex smiled.
"So what happens now?" Alex asked and Kelly smiled up at him.
"You're going back home, getting your stuff and moving in with me." She said proudly and he smiled.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I mean we've already lost six years." Alex nodded and wrapped an arm around her before gently kissing her temple. "Oh and what about this?" she asked holding up her hand. "Were you serious about that?" she asked looking up at him.
"Of course." He said, leaning down and kissing her lightly. "But if we're gonna make it official you deserve a better ring." He said, taking her hand and kissing it.
"This ones fine." She said with a smile and Alex shook his head.
"You deserve a better ring and a proper proposal and you'll get them both, trust me." Kelly shook her head at him, her smile still present.
"I'm happy with this ring and the implied proposal." She said and he shook his head.
"Well I'm not, you only deserve the best." He said softly and she kissed him.
"I've missed this." She said, snuggling up to him and he smiled, running a hand up and down her back.
"Yeah, me too." He said softly, resting his head on top of hers. A phone ringing startled the pair and they sprang apart to check their phones, Kelly sighed and held hers up.
"It's my Mom." She practically groaned and Alex frowned.
"I thought Carol was the parent that liked me?" he asked sounding confused and Kelly smiled.
"She does, but I have a feeling this is my Dad calling but on my Mom's phone." Alex made an oh sound and nodded his head. "Should I answer it?" she asked, staring nervously at her phone and Alex shrugged.
"You never know, it could actually be your Mom." He said and Kelly sighed.
"Fine." She said before answering the phone. "Hi," she said and closed her eyes expecting her father's voice to scream back at her but it never came.
"Hi sweetie." Her mother's soft voice replied and Kelly let the breath of air she'd been holding and gave Alex a thumbs up.
"Hi Mom, what's up?" Kelly asked and she heard her mother sigh.
"Kelly, Justin came over last night," her mother said and Kelly's jaw dropped, Alex gave her a worried look and scooted closer to her. "Is it true?" she asked and Kelly swallowed loudly.
"Is um, what true?" she asked, biting her lip and glancing at Alex, who wrapped an arm around her and kissed her temple comfortingly.
"He told us that you were engaged to," her mother paused almost for effect. "To Alex Riley." She said and Kelly sensed it was a question more than a statement. Kelly sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
"Yes Mom, it's true."
"I see."
"Look Mom I know it's unexpected and crazy," she gave a nervous laugh. "But he makes me happy and I love him." She said, earning a huge smile from Alex.
"I understand that but don't you think you're moving a little too fast?"
"We're not getting married tomorrow Mom! I think for now," she glanced at Alex. "We're going to stick with living together." Alex nodded and placed a small peck on her cheek.
"Oh," her mother said. "So when are you leaving?" Kelly frowned and swore she heard her father scream the word leaving in the background.
"I'm not leaving Mom, Alex is moving in with me."
"Well that's… Are you sure about this Kelly, I don't want him hurting you again." She said, her voice full of concern, Kelly just smiled and leaned into Alex, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Trust me Mom, I'm sure and I know he won't up and leave me again." She said. "No matter what lies Dad feeds him." She said bitterly before hanging up the phone and tossing it aside.
"You ok?" Alex asked and she nodded.
"I'll be fine." She said, running a hand across his chest.
"So what do you wanna do today?" he asked trying to lighten the mood and she smiled.
"Anything with you is fine." She said before reaching up and kissing him.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Matt asked Maria and she sighed, remembering her conversation with Alex and knowing it was now or never to make a decision.
"Look, I really like you," she started and Matt smiled, taking her hands in his.
"I like you too." He said softly and she smiled.
"My point is I'm leaving in a few days," he nodded, giving her hands a small squeeze. "And I'm not very good when it comes to long distance relationships."
"So you're breaking up with me?" he asked slowly with a grin on his face and she frowned at him.
"Well I hardly call one date a relationship but," she noticed his grin and she stared at him. "Whats so funny?" she asked and he shook his head.
"Nothing." The red head raised an eyebrow and he smiled. "Ok its just you're so damn cute, I mean we've only been on one date and you're already thinking about long distance relationships and break ups." Maria blushed. "I mean we've got a few days left right?" he asked and Maria nodded. "Then why don't we make the most of them and then have this conversation." Again Maria just nodded.
"That sounds like fun." She said with a small smile and he nodded.
"And it will be, now come on, let's get out of here!"
"So a little birdie told me," Layla El said through the phone as she made her way down the street. "That you're engaged!" she squealed down the phone, gaining her weird looks from passers by and causing the blonde on the other end of the line to laugh.
"You sound more excited about it than I do." Kelly said as she selected an outfit to wear.
"Well duh! One of my best girls is going to get married, of course I'm excited." The British woman replied. "Although it is to Alex Riley," the brunette's tone of voice showed her disapproval. "But whatever if he makes you happy-"
"Which he does." Kelly butted in and Layla smiled.
"Then that makes me happy!" Layla finished and Kelly smiled.
"Listen Lay, I've gotta go but we'll talk later yeah?"
"Definitely! We need to meet up soon; I want to see the sparkler!" Kelly laughed and assured Layla they would meet up soon before hanging up the phone. The blonde continued to get ready while the brunette slipped into a café where her boyfriend was waiting.
"See anything you like?" Alex asked, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and the blonde smiled before turning to him.
"You bet." She said and he chuckled.
"You know what I meant." He said and she turned away to look at the rings in the glass cabinet in front of her.
"I don't know, they're all so beautiful." She said and he pressed his lips to her cheek.
"Go with your gut instinct." He said and she sent him a smile before starting to inspect each ring thoroughly. Eventually she settled on a ring with a 0.5 carat diamond with smaller diamonds running a quarter of the way down the ring.
With huge smiles plastered on both of their faces the pair left the store, the bag placed firmly in Alex's hand.
"I still can't believe you paid for that." Kelly said and he smiled.
"Well it was totally worth it." He said and the blonde couldn't help but smile.
"You're amazing." She said and Alex chuckled.
"I had soo much fun today." Maria said as she stood outside of the hotel with Matt.
"Yeah me too," he said softly and she smiled as he handed her the stuffed bear he'd one for her after they took a trip to a fair that was in the area. "What time shall I fetch you tomorrow?" he asked and she shrugged.
"Surprise me." She said and he grinned.
"But what if you're not awake when I call?" he asked and she smiled.
"Well then you'll have to wait for me to get up and ready."
"And how long does that take?" he asked softly, brushing the back of his hand against her cheek and she blushed.
"Depends on how sleepy I am." She teased and he smiled.
"Well then I hope you have a good nights sleep and get your beauty rest." He practically whispered and Maria's cheeks went scarlet. Matt leaned in and planted a kiss on one of her bright red cheeks, when he pulled away his face was still very close to hers and he sent her a grin before capturing her lips with his. Maria smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, savouring their first kiss.
"Look today was amazing but I have to go," Alex said and Kelly pouted. "I'll see you tomorrow though." He promised, sending her a smile as he went through his plan again.
"Ok," she said and she pressed her lips to his. "I can't wait till tomorrow." She whispered and he nodded.
"Me neither." He said with a smile and gave her one last kiss before watching her slip into her apartment, shutting the door behind her. With a grin on his face Alex headed back to his car and headed to the florists.
