Chapter 50
Riker has been home for a few weeks now and everything was pretty much back to normal. The only thing that was missing was his sex life with Laura. She wanted to wait until the doctors gave the okay which Riker didn't give two cares about. He missed being with Laura in an intimate way and he was pretty sure he could die from blue balls. But Laura just smirked and told him to help himself then.
Yeah Riker didn't like that suggestion so much. So he was bugging the doctors to give the okay. Riker thinks this is their way of getting back at him for being such a crabby patient.
Riker sighed. But it was good to be home. He was still able to hold Laura while they slept which was something he loved to do. It just felt great to be home. And it seemed that everything was working out for everybody else. The whole Rydel seems to be better, Ross and she have seemed to make up of sorts, it still wasn't the same close bond they once shared and it may not be again but they are talking and Riker is glad for that.
And Rocky seems to have stopped going out so much and just being here at home. But he seems happy though. Riker really wished that Rocky would find someone that would make him as happy as Laura made him. Riker was currently in his room just lying on the bed. He was completely bored out of his mind. Laura was making sure he was being careful and taking it easy. He loved her for it he really did but he was getting sick of being treated like a weak little thing.
Riker sighed.
He got up and changed, he was going to the beach. He needed something that would take his mind off things. He changed into a pair of his favorite shorts and a white tank top and went out to the living room to see if anyone else wanted to go.
" Hey I am going to the beach, doses anyone want to come with me?" Riker asked.
' Sure I do, It's been a while since we went so I say we all go." Ratliff said as he got up. Ross just shrugged and followed Ratliff. Rocky rolled his eyes.
" I guess I should go so I can keep you morons out of trouble." He teased.
Riker just rolled his eyes.
" Let's go." Riker said as the guys all went to the beach to enjoy the day.
Laura knew that she was driving Riker insane, but she couldn't help it. She had nearly lost him and she was still scared. She knew she was being silly, she knew that Riker could take care of himself but she still was being paranoid.
Laura sighed. Maybe she should just learn how to chill and relax. But after all the drama and the hell that they have been through Laura was afraid to see when the other shoe would drop. It was crazy how much their relationship has had to endure. Laura thought it was outrageous how much they had too. But Laura took it as a sign that despite everything that they have had to endure they are still together and going strong. They were engaged and were going to get married. Even though they really haven't talked much about it since Riker came home.
Maybe it was time to get started on those plans. Because she wasn't sure if she could wait before becoming his wife.
That was it then. She had an idea. She only hoped that Riker would agree. Laura was currently out shopping and she grabbed her bags as she made her way back to her car. It was time to go home and talk with Riker about their plans. She had only hope that he would go along with it.
Laura put her bags in and she then got in herself. She couldn't keep the smile off her face. She really hoped that Riker would go for it.
There was only one way to find out.
Seeing Riker up and laughing was an amazing thing to see. To think that they all almost lost him sent a shiver of fear down his spine. Ratliff just smiled at Riker and Rocky goofing off and Ross was even joining in.
Ratliff just laughed.
" What are you laughing at?" Rydel asked as she walked up.
' Oh just your brothers being their normal dumbass self's."
Rydel laughed.
' When are they NOT that?" Rydel asked.
She and Ratliff laughed.
" So how are things going here?" Rydel asked.
" Good they are going good. Laura is being extremely protective of Riker that I think he is starting to feel smothered but he knows that she is only scared still that she almost lost him."
" Well I can't blame her, Riker came very close to dying." Rydel said. She still had a hard time saying that. She didn't want to think that she came very close to losing her big brother.
" Yeah I know." Ratliff agreed.
' So how are things going with you and Ross?" Rydel asked.
Ratliff was silent for a second. " Do you really want to know?"
" Yeah I do. Look Ratliff I still am having trouble dealing with what I did to you guys and I want you guys to be happy. I mean honestly I still have feelings for you. And I think I will always have them. But I know you are in love with Ross and he makes you happy. And I can see how happy you make him. And that is all that I want. I am done playing the jealous shrew. It didn't look good on me you know?" Rydel said.
Ratliff nodded and smiled. " No it didn't. And thanks for apologizing Ry. I just want us all to be close like we were. Ry you are my family and I am so sorry I was blinded to how you felt about me. If I led you on in any way then I am so very sorry." Ratliff said sincerely.
Rydel smiled.
" Thanks Ratliff, But you have nothing to be sorry for. You didn't do anything wrong." Rydel said.
' Well still I wanted to say it." Ratliff smiled.
Ross came over to them as he had enough of getting his butt kicked by his brothers. He noticed Rydel and waved.
" Hey Ry, what are you doing here?" Ross asked as he plopped himself down right next to Ratliff.
" I figure I come out and check up on Riker. Is that okay?" Rydel said, with no snark at all. She was just still wary about Ross's reaction to her presence.
" That's cool. You should stay I think we are having a cookout and I think it would be nice if you stayed." Ross said.
Rydel smiled. " That sounds like fun."
Ross smiled " Good." Ratliff just smiled knowing that Ross and Rydel have made up. He placed a kiss on Ross's lips to let him know that he was proud of him.
Laura pulled up to the apartment and she got out carrying her bags. She opened the door and noticed that everyone was out. Laura sighed. She went to put her bags away. Now all she needed to do was talk to Riker when she sees him.
She really was getting nervous, she didn't know why. They wanted to get married; all she wanted was to get married sooner rather than later. She was putting her things away when she heard the door open and laughter filled the apartment.
" That was awesome." Riker cried out. It has been a while since she heard him have fun. Yeah she was definitely smothering him.
" We are so going back for a rematch dude." Rocky said.
Riker rolled his eyes.
" Don't be such a cry baby dude I won fair and square and that is because how awesome I am." Riker said.
Rocky rolled his eyes this time.
Laura chuckled. She walked out.
' Hey babe when did you get back?" Riker said as he made his way over to her and kissed her.
' Just now I was just finishing putting away what I bought. So did you have a good time?" Laura asked.
" Yeah I did, it was fun. You not mad?" Riker asked.
Laura rolled her eyes " I am not some overbearing bitch you know that right?" She said. " Or is that how I am?" she snarked.
Riker was taken back he didn't mean to piss her off. " Hey I am sorry I didn't mean anything by it, it's just that I have been cooped up and it was nice that I was able to go to the beach."
" Yeah because big bad evil Laura kept you prisoner in your own home. I see how it is." Laura said as she stormed back into the room slamming the door.
Riker sighed.
" Way to go bro, you are by far the biggest douche I have ever seen." Rocky joked.
Riker glared. "How about you guys go to the store and get everything we need for the cookout." The others just nodded as they went back outside. Riker slowly made his way to the room. He wasn't really sure what to do. He didn't mean anything by his comment and yet he managed to set her off like nothing else. He knocked on the door.
" Laura?"
No answer.
" Laura?" he called again.
Still no answer.
" Laura?" he called out again.
And again there was no answer.
Okay this is bullshit. He did nothing wrong why is he being punished? He opened the door slamming the door behind him. The noise of the slam brought Laura's head up.
" What the hell was that for?" she asked annoyed.
' I don't know maybe for the fact that I was calling you and you ignored me three times. Now what the hell is wrong with you?"
Laura rolled her eyes. This seemed to piss Riker off more.
" Damnit Laura will you tell me what the fuck I did wrong besides daring to go out and have some fun at the beach? Is that why you are so pissed off? If it is I am so very sorry I decided to get out of this house for a few hours." Riker sneered.
" You are a real asshole you know that right?" Laura asked.
" Well right now you are being a bitch and I don't get what I did? I didn't mean anything by that comment earlier and you jumped all over my ass for it. I just want to know what is wrong." Riker asked as his anger fell away. He HATED fighting with Laura, and he didn't mean to start one. He just wanted to know what was wrong.
" I know I have been smothering you but that is because I care about you! I almost lost you so excuse me for worry about you. I guess I should stop that right?" Laura asked.
Riker rolled his eyes. " No you shouldn't I know you are scared but I am fine. I didn't do anything but play fight with Rocky and Ross in the water. That was it." He whispered as he made his way to her. Laura turned her head away as she could feel the tears come. How did this even happen, she wanted to talk to him about possibly getting married sooner and she turned this into a fight? What was this about?
" I am sorry Riker I didn't mean any of it. I think my nerves are just shot because of all that has happened. I didn't mean to make you feel that you were trapped inside your own home. I will back off." Laura said.
" I don't want you to think that I don't appreciate or love your concern, because I do. I really do. But I need to be able to have my life back, I am feeling fine. I am taking it slow okay but I need to get back to my life. And that includes being with you Laura. I miss you, I miss being with you." Riker whispered.
Laura nodded.
" I do too." Laura said.
Riker smiled. " Does that mean you forgive me?"
" There is nothing to be forgiven except for me. I truly am sorry baby." Laura whispered. Riker leaned in and kissed her. Laura moaned. And if he was honest he did too. Laura broke the kiss.
" How long will everybody be gone?" Laura asked.
' A while they are going to shop for tonight, and it takes a lot of food to feed this lot. Why?" Riker asked. Laura didn't say anything but walked to the door and locked it. She turned around and looked at Riker.
" I figured we could make up for some lost time?" Laura asked.
Riker smiled as he made his way to Laura.
" That is a very good idea."
