Chapter 106
*this is the second attempt on this chapter. The first one disappeared from my laptop, so I'm really really hoping this won't be a let down.*
Alex sat on the bed with Phoebe, trying to keep her from crawling too far to the edge of the bed. It feels like yesterday when she gave birth to her baby girl and now she is growing up so fast. Her two teeth emerged fully and it was the cutest thing to see whenever she smiled or laughed and it showed. With a head full of unbrushed curls and big sparkly blue eyes. Ryan was in the shower and smiled to himself as he got out and heard the laughter between his wife and daughter. Phoebe's attention soon shifted when she noticed the TV remote on the bed, crawling towards it and stuffing it in her mouth. Her mother reached over to her bedside table to substitute the TV remote with a minion teddy bear. Before her life has changed as much as it had, her bedside table was filled with magazines and coffee cups, but now it's stuffed with Phoebe's medicine, toys, bottles and parenting guides. But she wouldn't have it any other way, she loves how all of it has turned out.
When she saw her father the minion was soon forgotten and she stretched her hands out towards him and Ryan picked her up. "So, are we still going out tonight?" Ryan asked looking at Alex.
Her head snapped up when he said those words because he never mentioned anything like this to her previously.
"Ryan, we can't just go out whenever we feel like it. That tiny human you're holding will have to go with then because who will she stay with?" Alex asked looking at her husband who played peek a boo with Phoebe.
"It's taken care of. Nadia's coming over for two days and she can look after Phoebe. I she said it's fine." Ryan shrugged and Alex was still in a state of shock when she had no idea how he arranged all of this.
Turns out that Nadia wants to go to some festival in town, and asked if she can spend the next two nights at Ryan and Alex's. Alex didn't have a problem with it, and she was willing to look after Phoebe for the time they were out until they returned, before she went off to her night out with some friends. It was school break and the teen refused to stay in Hawthorn for the rest of her holiday.
It took some convincing but in the end Alex agreed to it. A night out with her husband wouldn't be too bad. Alex went downstairs for some coffee while Ryan offered to get Phoebe ready for the day. Like a love sick teenager she couldn't wait to tell the girls about her date night with her husband, and she texted them the moment she got downstairs. As expected they all asked her what she's wearing and Natalie asked if there will be an after date night surprise.
"Why are you blushing?" Ryan questioned when he walked down the stairs half an hour later with Phoebe on his arm. She turned the phone face down on the counter, there is no way she's showing him these messages that is being sent in the group chat, not with the kind of friends she has.
"It's nothing." She smiled shaking her head but she knew he didn't believe that.
"Okay…if you say so. Phoebe and I have some errands to run we'll see you in a little while." Ryan said leaning down to kiss her.
"Where are you guys going? Can I come with?"
"No, it's a father – daughter thing." Ryan laughed and Phoebe squealed in delight as he tickled her stomach and the two of them left Alex in the kitchen. Since she didn't have anything better to do, she went back upstairs and got into a bubble bath, enjoying the time she has to herself until the Ryan and Phoebe returned.
Ryan and Phoebe walked into the shopping center, having a conversation only the two of them understood. Phoebe replied in a language of her own to the questions her father asked her. They walked the familiar route to the jewelry store. He had to pull a few strings to get the ring done in such a short amount of time and obviously had to pay an extra fee, but it was all worth it in the end.. Now he's just hoping his wife would like the personal touch he added to it.
"You think mommy would like this Pheebs?" Ryan asked when the jeweler boxed the ring after showing it to him. The smile he received from his daughter made him think that they were on the right track.
Shelby laid in bed feeding CJ, deliberating prolonging the process because she didn't want to face her husband right now. She knew he was downstairs because she smelled bacon and coffee. Once CJ was burped and bathed she waked downstairs with the baby in her arms, avoiding eye contact with Caleb, laying CJ down on the couch, and putting some pillows in front so he wouldn't roll off although he was far from the rolling stage she was still cautious.
In the kitchen Caleb was making bacon and eggs and some toast There were two plates on the counter and she couldn't help but wonder if he would offer her some and how she would react if he did. She has to admit she was really hungry but her pride was also a factor in all of this, but if it comes to him offering she'll take it.
Walking circles around each other without saying a word, Shelby made her some coffee and retreated back to the couch switching on the TV. Catching glimpses of Caleb he took out two plates and dishes breakfast for the two of them. He walked over to her and handed her a plate, she wanted to say no so badly but she was starving. They ate in silence while watching the History channel neither of them speaking. She was almost certain CJ could even feel the tension that was going on between his parents.
When Ryan returned Alex was out of the bath and sat on the bed, wrapped in a towel watching TV with a tub of ice cream.
"I wasn't expecting the two of you to be home yet." She explained looking at the ice cream she was eating.
"Yeah, clearly." He laughed, setting Phoebe down on the floor so she can walk around the room holding onto the furniture to steady her, looking for something to put in her mouth. She got bored of her toys but electronics and shoes were her favorite things to play with.
Ryan laid across the bed taking a spoonful of ice cream Alex had been eating.
"You looking forward to tonight?" He asked looking up at her but the look she gave him, made him worry.
"No no no no." She said getting up from the bed walking to the closet where she stacked the linen and towels.
"What? So you don't want to go out anymore?" Ryan asked hurt evident in his voice since he really wanted to make tonight special.
"What? No, that's not what I mean." Alex explained without looking at him still searching the closet when she pulled out two clean towels. "Nadia's coming and I need to prepare one of the bedrooms for her." She said turning around when she found what she was looking for.
"Of course I'm looking forward to tonight." She hit his chest with the towel lightly, seeing him smile, after her was so worried a few moments ago.
After breakfast Shelby walked up to the bedroom to take a shower while CJ and Caleb were downstairs. Standing under the water she was looking for ways to start this conversation theta they are bound to have sometime, although she doesn't feel like she should be the first one to make the move. Besides, Caleb was the one who decided to sleep in the guest bedroom so if anything he should be the first one to extend an olive branch.
Alex just finished preparing the guest bedroom for her youngest sister in law when there was a knock on the door. Nadia stood on the other side of the door and hugged her brother when she saw him.
"Where's Phoebe?" She asked as he eyes scanned the room in search of her nice.
"I'm doing well thanks for asking Nadia." Ryan said closing the door behind taking her bags. She said she was only coming for two nights but she packed four bags. Something Ryan would never understand because his wife was the same. She found Phoebe sitting on the floor forcing her foot in her mouth and walked over to her picking her up, kissing her continuously.
"I missed you little nugget!" Nadia chimed examining how big she got since she last saw her.
"Hey stranger, nice to see you." Alex smiled as she emerged from the room walking over to give her sister in law a hug.
"Look who's talking, nice to see you to Lex." Nadia smiled when the two of them parted.
"Okay, so when are you two leaving? Phoebe and I have a house party to plan."
Alex looked at Ryan. "See why I told you a night in would be perfect." She laughed.
Alex was really grateful that Nadia came over and even more so that she was willing to look after Phoebe. She had her doubts about leaving the two of them alone all through she trusted her sister in law. If she was honest with herself it was just the fact that she didn't want to leave her daughter alone and would've enjoyed it if she could come with her. But it's called date night for a reason and the babies are not allowed to go with the grown ups.
Alex headed up stairs to the bedroom and got ready. She decided on a black skinny jump suit and black heels. She stood in the mirror doing minimal make up when Ryan came in and made eye contact with her in the mirror.
"You do know we can stay here and not go out anymore." He said walking up to her kissing her neck.
"No, no , no, no I didn't dress up for nothing we are still going." She laughed as his beard tickled her neck. Ryan disappeared into the bathroom and got himself ready. Wearing a dark blue pants and a tucked in white shirt when he re-appeared the two of them headed downstairs ready to go out.
"You sure you're going to be okay?" Ryan asked his sister and she nodded.
"We'll be fine, tell them nugget. We'll call when you guys are needed." Nadia said trying to keep the two adults at ease, they got this.
"Okay then. Behave yourself sweet girl." Alex kissed Phoebe and then Ryan did the same and they walked towards the car driving off in the direction of the restaurant,
They pulled up in front of the restaurant and walked inside, as the waiter directed them to their table. They ordered a bottle of wine and a starter, and talked for a while until Ryan felt like now would be the right time to hand over his early anniversary gift to his wife. He pulled out the black velvet box and slid it across the table towards her, seeing the question on her face. "I know you said I shouldn't do it, but I really wanted to, and I hope you'll like it." He laid down the apology first as she slowly opened the box.
A small smile appeared on Alex's face and she opened the box slowly, her mouth fell open when she saw the ring that they looked at on the shop. She lifted the ring out of the box and her eyes fell on the inscription on the inside of the ring: I LOVE YOU, SWEETHEART.
"Ryaann." Alex smiled with sparkly eyes as she twisted the ring around and kept reading the inscription. She handed the ring back to him and extended her left hand towards him so he can put the ring on her finger. The other people in the restaurant eyed the two of them and probably found it weird that he didn't get down on one knee but they don't need to know the full story. Once the ring was on her finger, he leaned over the table and kissed her softly, as the rest of the people clapped, smiling while looking at the two of them. "I love you too." Alex beamed and caught herself starring at her new wedding band all throughout dinner. Until it was time for the two of them to head back home after two hours.
At home Nadia and Phoebe were still playing, in between Nadia texting her friends letting them know she'll meet them in a bit and that she's waiting for her brother to get home. The door opened and both she and Phoebe's attention shifted to the adults who walked inside. "You still awake?" Ryan asked because he assumed she'd be sleeping right now.
"Thank you so much Nadia." Alex said when she sat down on the couch and picked her daughter up.
"It's a joy looking after her. Ryaann, the best brother in the whole world." Nadia started and Ryan shook his head, knowing that if she starts this way she wants something.
"Nadia, I don't have anything to give you, what do you want?" He asked raising an eyebrow at her.
"Can you please drive me to Chloe's house? We're all meeting up there before we go to the festival. Please Ryan please." Nadia pleased.
"I'm not in the mood to drive, Nadiaaaa. You have license why don't you take the car and drive over there?"
Nadia's face lit up at the mention of that and she nodded her head frantically. "But. I need you to be careful. I trust that you won't be drinking, since you're underage and that you'll be responsible. I mean it Nadia, it anything happens to you mom will turn to me and ask where I was since you're here." The older brother reprimanded his sister. Alex had to bite her tongue and not intervene, but she just wanted him not to be so hard on her, but decided otherwise.
Nadia accepted the terms and conditions that were laid down for her and took Ryan's car keys and drove off. "Do you think she'll be fine?" Ryan asked when he Nadia left and Alex looked up at him. "After that lecture you just gave her I'm sure she will be." Alex reassured him.
"What do you think about Phoebe sleeping in the nursery from tonight on?" Ryan asked and Alex had no idea where this all came from out of the blue.
"I mean we spent quite a lot of money on it and it's not being used. And, she's been sleeping through the night and only wakes up around 5. Plus, we have baby monitors so we'll know when she's awake." Ryan said trying to reassure his wife that sooner rather than later they would have to get used to it.
"I know we should, but Ryan she's still my baby. She's only ten months old." Alex whined.
"Yes, which means she's almost one. You're just having some separation anxiety man, babe. It's going to be fine." Ryan tried. And it took some convincing until she finally decided to see how it goes. Both she and Ryan walked into the nursery after Phoebe's last feed and laid her down in the crib, sitting there until she fell asleep. Phoebe's eyes scanned her new surroundings for some time, but sleep soon got the better of her and her eyelids became heavy until she finally fell asleep. The parents walked out of her room, lingering in the doorway for some time before going up the stairs into their own bedroom.
"Am I getting some hot sex after the night we had?" Ryan asked as Alex changed into pajamas. Or more like one of Ryan's t-shirts that he doesn't wear anymore. "
"Uuuhhhmmm no, last time I checked tomorrow is our anniversary not today. So you need to keep your hormones I check for the next 24 hours." She said turning around as she pulled her hair up in a bun, leaning in and kissing him. Ryan's hands snaked around her waist as he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. Alex was lost in the moment and kissed him feverishly as they fell on the bed and continued their kissing.
"No no no, I told you to wait until tomorrow, I am not about to give in that easily." Alex said when she caught her breath, and got under the covers.
"Alex please, don't do that to me. You have me really hyped up right now."
"Goodnight Ryan. I love you too." Alex smiled knowing how much this is torture to him right now.
"Can I at least cuddle with you?" He asked and she agreed to that, as he buried his face in the crook of her neck and they fell asleep soon after that. Alex waking up looking over to the crib but then noticing that her daughter is sleeping downstairs, Catching a glimpse of the video monitor seeing her baby sleeping soundly she fell back to sleep.
In the early hours of the morning a knock on the door startled them. Alex wasn't sure of Ryan heard and she wasn't about to open the door. She shook him awake and he noticed the knocking, walking downstairs he opened the door and was greeted by Liam O'Connor and Nadia.
"O'Connor, what's going on?" Ryan asked confused not knowing what this is all about.
"House party. The cops were called out to shut it down. She got in the car and drove in her highly intoxicated state. I managed to twist the officer's arm to not arrest her." Liam explained as Nadia leaned against the wall for support since her whole world was spinning.
"Thanks Liam. I appreciate it." Ryan said as the older man walked away. Nadia didn't make any eye contact with her brother, she stumbled into the guest bedroom. Knowing she'll pay the consequences of what happened in the morning with a heavy hangover and by having to deal with her brother.
Hey guys I really tried to keep this chapter as good as the first one was that I lost. I don't know what the legal age of driving and using alcohol is but in ZA it's 18, that's when you're considered to be an adult, so I'm not sure how it works in other states. I really hope you enjoyed this I'm still beating myself up about losing the other one, I hope this satisfies you all. You're welcome to let me know if it didn't. Thanks for reading.
Lovies-S
