Chapter 46
As the summer ended life in the Ridge was about the same as it always was. Ray was a constant threat and the guys walked around town with a heightened sense of danger. The police had charged Matt Lauch and his friends with assault charges without Eddie's signature. Nick and Eddie hired criminal attorney at Janet's insistence and they had met with him regarding the situation with Ray. They wanted to protect Best Friend Windows and their friends. They all promised not to approach or instigate and to walk away AND under no circumstance were they to throw the first punch.
Things with Hannah and Ray seemed on the surface to be working out. Ray was far more attentive then ever with Hannah and pretty much knew her whereabouts at all times. It didn't seem to bother Hannah but it did bother Janet. The girls still went on their walks but the free flowing discussions stopped. Hannah was so wrapped up in her own drama she didn't notice Janet's engagement ring for almost a week and even then she only thought it was a gift from her Grand. She never presumed Janet would be engaged. Janet decided to leave it be until she noticed or until someone else told her. Hannah made her choice with Ray and Janet didn't agree with it. Making a stink about either Ray or Eddie would just make the wall between them taller.
Janet decided she wanted to keep her GG's ring as her engagement ring. To her it represented the love Eddie had for her when they went to Rhode Island but also the love they had for each other after perhaps the worst time of their lives. Looking at it she saw the love they would share forever. Eddie was not disappointed that he didn't buy her ring but did insist on buying another charm with the date he proposed on it. He also promised himself that one day he would get her something she wouldn't expect at a time she wouldn't expect it.
Aubrey and Ronnie were cautiously dating and Nick didn't care. He was trying to spend as much time with Sam as he could. He would swing by for a pick up when Ray wasn't around or would meet Hannah somewhere whenever he wanted to see Sam. Hannah was really great about letting them have time together. There were times that she would tell Nick they had plans with Ray but always made a point to set Nick up with some other time.
Medically speaking the Commander was holding his own. His treatments were horrible but knowing Sam was his Grandson gave him strength he didn't know he had. A few more vials of blood were being tested to see if Sam was a better match then Ronnie or Nick. The Dean geared up for new semester at the university. She had enjoyed her summer schedule but was really looking forward to business of new classes.
Janet also got her surgery out of the way. She was glad it was a same day surgery and she was in her house that night. Putting their engagement to the test Eddie sat with her for the surgery and the first few days afterward. He fed her ice chips and held her hair while she threw up from the anesthesia. That first night when she had to sleep sitting upright he sat with her and helped her get up every time she needed to go to the bathroom. He sat in the bathroom while she showered in case she go dizzy or needed help. He even went to a Deli in the Flats for the best chicken soup ever made. Within a week she was moving quite well but in those first few days she fell in love with Eddie Latekka all over again!
Labor Day weekend approached everyone seemed to settle into their routines. The Rowan's had another Barbeque. This time Owen demanded Ikey be there. It was difficult but he really felt it was the best way to get past the hurt. Nick came and brought Carter Bump and Karen with him. Ronnie spent the day helping Aubrey move into her new off campus apartment and didn't come by. The commander and the dean stayed home and enjoyed the peace and quiet until about 4pm, then they went over for some noise and dinner. They picked up Sam on the way. Hannah and Ray had a small party for some of the guys from Ray's crews. Matt Lauch was no where to be seen and Ray was making it a point to stay away from him for Hannah's sake. Phil and Pizza Girl watched the MDA telethon against her protests but Phil insisted. Janet worked the early shift and was able to leave at 3. Eddie came by at 2:30 to pick her up. They joked that never again would he forget to pick her up for an Owen Rowan barbeque. Or for any reason.