Picking Up The Pieces

I thought I'd try and post this chapter on Ellington's birthday. That is what this chapter is revolved around. Things have just been really stressful right now, but here it is! (: Woooo…

Rydel's P.O.V

I got back home from dance practice and set my bag down on the floor.

"Rydel?" Ratliff called walking into foyer.

"Hey," I said, hugging him affectionately.

"How was dance?" He asked me, taking my hand and we walked into the kitchen, where Ross and Laura were sitting talking, eating.

"It was good, it was sweaty." I laughed and grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge. "Have you talked to Kelly at all?"

"Yes!" He told me. "She wants to go out to dinner the night of my birthday with us, she wants to introduce her…boyfriend,"

I looked at him sympathetically and rubbed his back. "I know it's hard, you don't have to go if you don't want to,"

"I'm fine. Besides, I have a beautiful girlfriend right now, and I don't need Kelly." He told me smiling at me.

I blushed. "So what do you want to do on the day of your birthday?" I asked.

Ratliff's birthday was tomorrow, and I had gotten him a set of green drumsticks that had "Here Comes Forever" engraved on one and the other had my name on it. I'm pretty proud of them, if I don't say so myself.

"I don't know, I mean it's my 22nd birthday, not much you can do, just spending time with you all will be enough for me,"

"Shhhh!" I said, shushing my family as Ratliff walked down the stairs still half asleep.

"Guys?" He called out to the dark room.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" We yelled as Ross flipped the light switch on, revealing the family room, covered in green streamers.

Ratliff flinched back surprised; I ran over to him and hugged him. "Thank you guys!" He said happily.

"It was all Rydel's idea," Rocky told him.

"Thank you Del," He told me, looking down at me.

We were sitting at dinner with Kelly and her boyfriend, Aaron. "So you two are a couple now?" Kelly asked me and Ellington.

"Yes," Ellington answered for us, putting his arm around me.

"Oh," She said, looking down at her food.

" Is there something wrong with that?" He asked her.

"Oh no, I just didn't expect you to move on so fast," She admitted.

"Oh wow, you're one to talk, you were the one who cheated on him and wanted to introduce your boyfriend!" I accused.

"You have no right to talk, you shouldn't even be here, you're not even involved in this!" Kelly countered.

"I love Ellington,and I have for years," I told her. "You may be able to say you loved him, but obviously not enough because you went and cheated on him!"

Kelly flinched.

Ellington sat there, an angry look on my face. "See? Even Ellington doesn't want to be with someone so disgraceful and rude?" Kelly sneered.

"Just shut up Kelly!" Ellington snapped. "When you insult Rydel, you insult me. Rydel's my family. And I…I Love her!"

I looked at him wide eyed. Although I had told him many times that I loved him, he hadn't said the 3 words back.

"Y-you do?" Kelly asked, taken back.

"Yes." Ellington told her, smiling down at me.

"Well, I think we're going to go," Kelly said quietly. "I need to tell you something though,"

Ellington looked up at her expectantly.

"I'm pregnant." She said and left the restaurant.