Maybe it's All for The Best
Chapter25: End
I woke sometime later, warm and nestled against soft skin that smelled so delicious all I could do was inhale for a few minutes. I opened my eyes and peered at the face of the one boy I had always loved... and always would. His hair fell messily over his eyes and I wanted to reach up and brush it off.
So I did.
He turned his face into my hand and kissed my palm.
"This is how I should have woken up the other morning" He murmured sleepily.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered. He kissed my head and closed his eyes again.
I waited till he was asleep before I slid my body out of my bed and pulled on some clothes. There was one thing I needed to do before I could be completely happy.
"Good afternoon then" Katie called in an amused voice from the couch.
"If Harry comes out, tell him I haven't run away, I just had to go do something" I told her. She nodded and waved her hand.
"Hope you're making the right decision" She called out.
I smiled.
"I am" I replied as I shut the door.
I jogged the 12 blocks between my apartment and Nates. He would be home from the set by now, it was 5pm.
"Miss Vanderbilt. How are you?" The door man greeted me.
"I'm good Bill. Nate in?" I asked, scuffing my joggers on the mat.
"He certainly is Miss. Have a good evening" He nodded to me and let me into the building.
I took the elevator, trying to control my breathing.
I knocked twice on the door when I got there, feeling better than I had in a week.
"Riley?" He sounded confused when he opened the door.
"Nate... We need to talk" I smiled at him. He raised an eyebrow and opened the door wider. I walked in and leant against the kitchen bench top. "So it's been a week and I haven't heard from you..."
"I've had stuff on" He shrugged. "Haven't had a chance"
"That's ok... because it's given me a chance to really think about my life" I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. "I don't think I want this anymore" I shrugged my shoulders in that awkward way people sometimes have when trying to say something really hard.
This was really hard.
"Uhm... what?" Nate asked, his voice low.
"Before I went home, I was content with this life we have... but now... I can't do it anymore" I sighed.
"Do what, exactly?" He folded his arms and stood in front of me. He looked like he was concentrating hard on what I was saying... More like he was thinking about how this would effect his publicity.
"Be with you when I'm in love with someone else" I said as bluntly as I could. "Don't get me wrong, I love you... but I'm not in love with you"
"Is this about that Harry fuck?" He growled, his eyes narrowing to slits.
"Yes. He's... the one I've loved since I was 14 years old and he saved my face from a bludger" I smiled, remembering that day.
"A what?"
"A ball" I explained. "We're in two different worlds now Nate. Going home made me realise how much I missed who I used to be, what I used to be" I added with a smile.
"And what would that be?"
"A witch" I told him. "So I'm going back to London to be with my family"
"You're throwing your career and life away... for some magic and a boy?" He laughed, hollow and sarcastic. "You're an idiot you know that. I could give you everything but you choose love" He rolled his eyes. "Love doesn't exist Riley... You know the only reason why I'm with you is to boost my career? An engagement right before a big movie deal looks amazing... and gets the crowds" He shook his head, an amused smile on his face.
I smiled, feeling nothing but pity for him. "I don't believe that for a second Nathanial"
"And why is that?" He snarled.
"Because you gave me this engagement ring, took me home to meet your aunt and uncle and let me in... I'm sorry that I have to destroy that but... I'm just not happy anymore" I sighed, guilt suddenly creeping up my throat.
"That's bullshit. I don't love you and I never have" He growled, folding his arms across his chest.
I told myself it was a lie, tried to make myself angry at him so wiping his memory would be easier. I still felt guilty, but it was the right thing to do. I pulled my wand out.
"What the hell are you gonna do with that? Pull a rabbit out of the toaster?" He rolled his eyes.
"I'm wiping your memory. You're a muggle. You're not allowed to know anything about me" I shrugged my shoulders lightly. "If you never loved me, then it will be easy for you to let me go"
His face paled considerably. "Wipe how much of my memory?" He gulped.
"Enough to forget I'm a witch... You're not supposed to know about me" I stepped forward and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry Nate. I really am"
He opened his mouth to say something but I waved my wand before he could. His face went blank for a second, his eyes unfocused and jaw slack.
"Riley... Riley, what are you doing here?" He blinked a few times and looked at me, slightly confused.
"I'm so sorry Nate... I just... don't feel that way about you... you were good for my career but I can't marry you... I'm only 20 for gods sake" I started talking quickly, trying to make this as short as possible.
He glanced around his apartment. "But Riley... I love you" He blinked "Why... why are you..."
"You don't love me... you love your job" I shook my head. I pulled the rind off my finger and placed it on the bench top. I kissed his cheek again. "If you're ever in London, look me up"
"Riley..."
I shut the door.
On one hand I was sad... Nate had been part of my life for over a year and I did love him... but going back home made me realise how much I missed my family... not just Harry but everyone.
Teddy was a bonus. I couldn't wait to see that little guy again.
I jogged back to my apartment and went inside.
"That was quick" Katie called out.
"It needed to be" I replied. I pushed open the door to my room and smiled.
"I thought you'd run again" Harry chuckled, sitting up and running his hand through his hair.
"From you? Never" I smiled. I walked to my bathroom and Harry cleared his throat. I turned and saw him patting the bed beside him. "I need a shower... I've done a lot of running today" I shook my head.
"Can I join?" He grinned cheekily.
I smirked, shook my head and shut my bathroom door behind me, locking it for good measure.
For the first time in a long time I was happy with life. I let the hot jets of water wash over me and my bare left hand. The ring was gone. Beautiful as it was, it was so not my tastes.
My tastes were small, petite, beautiful in its own way... not over compensating for something.
"Did you really think a muggle lock would keep me out?" I heard before lips attached to my neck.
I smiled.
Yeah. Life was fantastic now.
I breathed in and sighed happily. "I'm home"
Harry chuckled and dropped my bag on the floor. Then he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed the back on my neck.
"You sure are" He murmured into my skin. I turned around and pressed my lips against his.
"How mad is my family?" I bit my lip and pushed some hair off his face.
"Not too mad... more upset than mad" He lifted the corner of his mouth slightly. "They'll be happy tonight when you come to the Weasley's... your mother hasn't stopped bugging me to go bring you home... and your dad...I think he hates me"
I groaned and rested my head against his. "I should probably take my stuff home"
"What? To the bedroom?" He quirked an eyebrow.
"No... to my home..." I said slowly.
"Baby... you are home. You're living here with me and Teddy now" His face broke into a grin and he kissed me.
"Are you..."
"If the next word out of your mouth is 'sure', then the answer is 'yes'. I don't want you anywhere else but with me" He pressed a finger to my lips. Silently he pulled away from me and picked up my bags again. He walked away without another word and I laughed.
Somehow, I didn't think my parents would mind all that much.
I sighed and walked into the living room... my living room and sat down. "Hey Riles?" Harry said as he walked back into the room. "I need to go and pick up Teddy from Bill's... do you mind staying here for a bit?"
"Why can't I come?" I frowned, standing up again.
"Because I want you to be a surprise tonight" He grinned cheekily. He kissed me quickly before disparating on the spot. I laughed and sat down again, picking up a magazine from the coffee table.
"Ugh" I muttered when I saw my face a few pages in. Modelling was the last thing I wanted to think about right now.
I froze when I heard a key turn in the lock of the front door.
"Harry! Are you home!" An obnoxious voice called through the apartment.
I gritted my teeth. "No, he's not..." I answered.
"Riley?" Sarah walked into the room with a surprised look on her face. "What are you doing here?" She narrowed her eyes and looked around for Harry.
"Harry came and got me" I shrugged my shoulder slightly. "I guess he wasn't as mad as you first thought"
Her eyes widened and then she scowled. "I don't believe you" She glanced around. "You probably apparated in and you're waiting for him to come home because you think he'll take you back..." She started to sound slightly hysterical. "But you're wrong... you're wrong. He'll never take you –"
"That's just what you want to think Sarah... but really... your plan backfired" I smiled at her.
Her eyes turned the colour of ice as she glared at me. "Isn't enough that you had the perfect life in New York with your gorgeous, rich boyfriend and your perfect career? Why did you have to ruin my life?"
"Sarah, you and Harry were never going to happen. For one thing, he didn't like you that way... and for another, my family doesn't like you. They would have convinced him away from you eventually" I rolled my eyes and flicked my hair over my shoulder.
"You... little..." She started taking steps toward me, her hands balled into fists.
"Really is that a good idea?" I said quickly. "Because I'm sure Harry'll love you even more if you hit his girlfriend" I let the word roll off the tongue, liking the way it sounded again.
"Girlfriend?" She choked out. "You're engaged!"
I held my left hand up and wiggled my fingers. It felt so light and free that I just wanted to laugh. "No... you took care of that... remember?" I smirked. "I think you need to leave though"
"I'll be back... I'm still Teddy's babysitter" she growled.
"Actually... You're fired" I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "I need your keys"
She looked at the keys in her hand and closed her fingers over them. "I'm fired when Harry says" she dropped them in her pocket as a show of defiance.
A loud crack in the entrance hall made us both jump. "I guess he can tell you now" I smiled.
"Riley?" Harry called out as if afraid I was gone.
"In here babe" I called back.
"EYELEY!" Teddy shrieked and hurtled himself into the room.
"Teddy!" Sarah exclaimed, and dropped to her knees. The little boy, however, ran past her and straight into my arms.
"Hey little man" I hugged him tightly. I stood up and shifted him to my hip. "Harry, I don't think we need a baby sitter anymore" I glanced at him and then tilted my head toward Sarah.
"Harry... you can't do this..." Sarah turned and blinked at him. I rolled my eyes. Turning on the water works is so 15 year old school girl.
"I'm sorry Sarah, but Riley's right... We don't need a babysitter anymore" Harry rubbed the back of his head.
"You ASSHOLE!" Sarah shrieked, making all of us jump."You lead me on for months and now, as soon as the whore comes home you just drop me!"
"Sarah, I didn't mean to lead you on... I'm sorry..."
"I'm not a WHORE!" I exclaimed, shooting Harry a dirty look that that wasn't the first thing he defended. "You need to leave"
"Harry... how can you let her do this?" She exclaimed, walking over and taking his hand. I readjusted Teddy on my hip and watched him.
Slowly he pulled his hand out of hers and looked at the floor. "I'm sorry Sarah... But I don't love you" He said quietly.
A resounding smack when around the room as her hand connected with his face.
That's when I lost control.
I placed Teddy on the couch and in three strides strode over to the girl. I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her from the room. "You listen here you evil bitch. This is karma kicking you in the ass for being an awful human being" I hissed as I dragged her ass to the door. "I never want to see you around me or my family again, you hear me?"
"Whatchya gonna do Riley? Walk toward me and then turn around?" she rolled her eyes as she poked obvious fun at my modelling career.
"No... but I have connections with people who work with dragons... people who work with curses and hidden vaults" I smiled meanly. "I could have you cursed, eaten and then hidden in the depths of the Egyptian desert and have it look like an accident" I said sweetly.
Her eyes widened and her cheeks paled considerably.
I reached my hand into the pocket of her coat and plucked the house keys from it. "Get out and stay out, bitch" I hissed in her ear, before pushing her out of the door and slamming it shut behind her.
I rested my head against the door and sighed. I'd been wanting to call her that since the first time I met her.
"Riley?"
"Yeah it's ok" I smiled and walked back into the living room. Teddy sucked on his thumb and watched me with wide eyes. "How are you Teddy?" I smiled at the boy.
He smiled back and removed the thumb from his mouth. "Good! I played with Vicky today!" He said happily. I sat on the couch beside him and pulled him onto my lap. Harry sat next to us and put an arm around my shoulder.
"Are you ok?" He asked, kissing my temple. I turned and looked at him.
"Yes... but are you?" I traced my finger over the perfect handprint on his face.
"I'll be fine" He muttered. He glanced up and caught my eyes in his sparkly green ones. "I'm so sorry about her Riles... She's..."
"Gone" I said simply. "She's gone"
He kissed my lips lightly and smiled. "I love you"
"I love you too"
"Are you going to be my mummy now?" Teddy piped up from my lap.
I glanced at Harry and then back at Teddy. "If you want me as your mummy..." I said softly.
"YES! You're the coolest!" He exclaimed, bouncing on my knees. I laughed and glanced at Harry.
"As long as it's ok with your Dad, of course" I bit my lip. Harry chuckled and squeezed me into him.
"Of course. I love you Riley. Always have..."
"Always will" I answered.
Plea's (Final) Note:
Woah... just woah... This is the last chapter (not including the epilogue) of Riley's Story. Which means it's the last chapter (Not including the epilogue) of The Vanderbilt Tales. This has been fun, magical, tough, inspiring, amazing and simply the best thing I've written thus far. Thank you to all who reviewed, read, wrote to me, laughed with me, loved my characters, hated my characters, wanted to shoot my characters in the head or throw them in the black lake... simply though, thank you for caring. Without all of you I wouldn't be an author. Because let's face it... what's an author without readers?
I don't think I'll post the entire list of reviewers for this one... but special thanks go to:
Bluebookbutterfly: Without your long-ass essay reviews, I wouldn't have discussed my characters and probably wouldn't of thought of half the things that happened. THANK YOU AND KEEP IN TOUCH
Shyrazie: EVERY chapter she rhymed with something. I'm talking EVERY CHAPTER... It was quite amusing and made me laugh.
HarryPotterRocks09: Always asking questions! I love it!
GASPludwig and Miriflowers: Been there since Avery I think. Thanks (especially for thinking I'm totally awesome too!)
Really there's just too many to name and I would love to talk to all of you... I have AIM, TWITTER, MSN and a BLOG... I'm posting all the information on MY HOMEPAGE so go there to get the info!
Hope to talk to you soon. I love you ALL
Xo Plea.