In the two weeks following Ryan's operation, he was very popular with the hospital staff, happily walking around the hospital building to get the required exercise. Listening to what they told him. Haiku visited him each evening, as did Rusty and Rocky. Sometimes they would bring their families so the kids would be reassured their Pop-Pop was okay. Well, to be fair that part was mostly for Willy, as Silas wasn't even old enough to understand.
Ryan enjoyed getting to hold Silas in his arms while he sat there in his hospital bed, and even allowed Willy to climb up and give him a hug now and again. Sometimes, one of his visitors would sneak him in a chocolate milkshake. He really would have liked a cheeseburger, but with his digestive system being a bit delicate, that was a major no-no.
One night, a security guard was doing nighttime inspections, making sure that everything was alright. When he stopped by Ryan's room, he saw the light was still on. It was after hours; all patients were supposed to be asleep by now. He went in only to find Ryan was asleep. Sitting in a chair next to him was Haiku, also asleep with an open book on her lap. He saw the two of them holding hands. The guard smiled; he figured Haiku had been reading to him and they simply dozed off. He got an extra blanket from the bedroom closet, placed it over Haiku and turned the light off before leaving the room, still smiling.
When Ryan was finally able to return home, he saw his family waiting for him with a large banner that read: "WELCOME HOME POP-POP!" Haiku, who had driven him from the hospital, helped him out and they walked up to the many waiting arms of both Spokes families.
It was not too long after Ryan's operation that he and Haiku found themselves babysitting Willy when Rusty had to bring Jordan to the hospital because she was getting ready to bring a new life into the world. The whole family was relieved that the couple made it to the hospital safely and their new baby boy was named Drew.
It was Ryan and Haiku who ended up taking Willy to the hospital shortly afterwards where they met up with Lucy's family and saw little Drew sleeping ever so peacefully in the nursery surrounded by the other newborns.
"Look Silas, can you see your cousin? His name's Drew, you two are going to be good friends!" Rocky asked his little boy who just smiled in joy as he held his bat plushy.
"It's an amazing thing, isn't it?" inquired Haiku who simply put her hand around Lucy who returned the gesture. Ryan held Willy up on his shoulder and pointed directly at Drew which allowed his grandson to smile. They were all later joined by Rusty who ran over to greet them. Hugs were exchanged many times over.
"Well, looks like a new chapter has begun for you and Jordan, hasn't it?" asked Haiku.
"Well, life is always full of the starting of new chapters. But yeah, we're incredibly happy. Hey Will my man, looks like you're a big brother now!" exclaimed Rusty. His son just beamed down from Ryan's shoulder. Ryan was very happy that he was there on this day, and that he was able to share it with the people he loved so much.
"How's Jordan doing?" asked Rocky.
"Oh, she's doing fine, she's currently dealing with the fact that she doesn't have another life form moving about inside of her anymore, it's amazing, after giving birth, the skin that surrounds her stomach now stretches like silly putty!" Everyone, even Lucy who had experience with that, laughed.
Sometime after the event, Ryan surprised Haiku on her own birthday with a pet lizard who she happily named Giselle after one of her favorite characters in vampire literature. They happily shared the happy occasion with the rest of their respective families, Haiku's parents saying thank you to Ryan for being there for their daughter, they had accepted fairly recently that even though he was closer to their age, he and Haiku loved each other and who were they to judge in today's world?
"If you two aren't careful you might be my son! Although I always thought my son might be significantly younger than me!" Haiku's father joked. Everyone had a good laugh about that. But Ryan, he secretly felt something in his heart that maybe what the man said could be true.
Sometime after her birthday, Haiku and Ryan were babysitting Silas so Lucy and Rocky could have some time to themselves. Ryan watched happily as Haiku seemed so natural with his grandson. Just like she was there to comfort Willy, she held little Silas carefully and made sure he was gently and safely tucked in when it was time for him to go to sleep. After Lucy and Rocky came home, they wished each other good night and Haiku and Ryan found themselves taking the bus. They stopped first at Ryan's apartment building where before parting ways, they sat down on a bench together.
"Haiku, the last few months I've been with you, well, they've been among the happiest of my life. I haven't been this happy since I was actually with, well, I hate saying this in front of you, but my now ex-wife I suppose," said Ryan nervously.
"Hey, it's alright Ryan, I've been happy with you as well. I haven't really had anyone I could count on like you outside Lucy and my family, but I guess it just feels different. I mean, I could go into how the Greeks defined different types of love, but I don't want to bore you with details," answered Haiku.
"Haiku, you stayed with me when I had my appendix removed, helping me and my family through that panic. You have been good with my grandchildren, every time I'm around you, I feel safe in some way. I know we haven't been dating long, but I'm a bit older now than when I first entered the dating game, I'm better experienced in that, and goodness knows our age difference is major, but gosh darn it, I love you!" exclaimed Ryan who gave Haiku a major kiss on the lips which she returned gladly.
"I love you too Ryan, is everything alright?" she asked, hoping and praying that he wasn't going to tell her that he might not have much longer for this world. But he got down on one knee, pulled out a small box, he opened it to her, and inside was a ring with a dragon design and inside the dragon's mouth was a bloodstone.
"Haiku, will you marry me?" he asked. Haiku put her hands up to her mouth and nearly wept.
"Yes, I will marry you!" she exclaimed with pure joy and kissed her fiancé right on the lips again as he put the ring on her finger. They made love to each other that very night in Ryan's apartment.
I know this chapter is short, and some people might say I'm rushing but honestly, I don't know how much more I can build up to their engagement. The story's not over yet!
