Hi Everyone...I hope you are all having a wonderful summer...or fall...or winter...where ever you may be. (Oh, and spring too...I didn't mean to leave out spring, I love spring.) I hope you like this chapter.

Thanks to my gmail ladies, my own personal golden girls...you know who you are. I treasure each and every one of you so much.

And I would like to recommend every single story by fallinrain...and there are a lot of them, so you will all be very busy. (I have a feeling all of you already know about my dear friend Kim's work, but it is so good you should give it a re-read.)

Also, thank you so much for all of your lovely notes and support regarding my family. There is a new addition to my family, a beautiful flower girl, who appreciates your thoughts so much.

Kelsi was having the most fabulous dream, it was actually pretty beyond fabulous, she was lying in the warm cocoon of Ryan's arms....

Kelsi's eyes burst open, she struggled to take in her blurry surroundings, her eyes squinting due to the sunlight peering through her window. She turned slowly to her right, almost afraid of what she was going to find there. Within a mili-second she was nose to nose with Ryan...a sleeping Ryan. Despite the fact that he was sleeping, a telltale blush quickly made its way through Kelsi's body. Until that moment Kelsi had no idea that when she blushed, really blushed, she turned all sorts of pink...all over. That fact just made the pink blush turn to red.

Ryan woke up to the feeling he was being watched. He opened his tired blue eyes to find another larger pair of sky blue eyes staring straight at him with a panicked expression. He should have been worried by his girlfriend's expression, but he wasn't. The only emotion he was really capable of feeling at the moment was joy, utter and complete joy. Last night had been...magical. That was really the only way to describe it. He had never experienced anything like that in his life. It was as if everything about he and Kelsi was made in perfect accordance for one another.

"Good morning." Ryan said, a small yawn escaping with his greeting.

"Good morning." Kelsi squeaked, her reply so rapid it was almost impossible to separate her words.

"How do you feel?" Ryan asked, as he ran his hand through her tangled curls, taking care to enjoy the moment.

"Um...naked." Kelsi quickly closed her eyes at her response. Naked? Did she really just answer with naked? In her mind a cute coy answer was supposed to trip easily from her tongue. Why was it that her mind and her mouth were very rarely on the same page?

Kelsi took herself out of her internal dilemma to realize Ryan was laughing. Well, that was good, laughter was good. True, it was most likely at her, but it could be worse. He could be crying or yelling or...mute.

"You're laughing?" Kelsi said breathlessly, stating the obvious.

"You're funny." Was Ryan's ready response.

Kelsi couldn't help but smile at that. Only Ryan would find her odd ability to say asinine things "funny".

Ryan leaned over to Kelsi, taking her lips in a simple yet lingering kiss. A kiss that soon made Kelsi forget all of the ridiculous thoughts that had previously been running through her mind. Honestly, why was she worrying about being naked...in bed...with Ryan. It was as if each word ended with an exclamation mark in her mind. Before she knew it, her breathing was expelling in huge gasping breaths. Oh God no, Kelsi squinted her eyes as she willed her body not to hyperventilate. Damn nerves. Refrains of "cool as a cucumber" were on instant repeat in her head.

"Are you okay? No regrets?" Ryan asked softly, his eyes taking in every one of her features, he was a little worried that her breathing seemed to be somewhat...irregular. And Ryan could swear he heard her whisper something that sounded eerily like "cool as a cucumber." But that made absolutely no sense.

"I am a little embarrassed, I've never done this before." Kelsi paused for a moment. "I've never woken up next to a man...in my bed...naked...together. It's....weird, but good." Kelsi shook her head softly, before burying her face in her hands. "I'm making a mess of this." She manged to mumble.

Ryan thought she was adorable. Without a doubt, when it came to Kelsi, what you saw was what you got. There were no pretenses, no games; she was refreshingly honest.

"You aren't making a mess of anything Kels." Ryan reassured. "You are expressing yourself. And honestly, that's what I want. I want you to feel so comfortable with me, that you feel the freedom to say whatever comes to your mind." Ryan saw one of Kelsi's pretty blue eyes peak out from behind the wall of her hands. He took that as an okay to reach over and gently pull her fingers from her face. "I don't blame you for feeling...different and maybe even a little odd. We did something new last night Kels, an act that pretty much forces you to leave all inhibitions at the door."

"It was beautiful." Kelsi said quietly, the admission popping out of her mouth, before she even knew it was coming. "I didn't really know what to expect seeing as I had never...um..you know...done...that act...before." Kelsi finished, struggling for the appropriate words. "It was so much more than I ever could have imagined." She finished shyly.

Ryan wasted no time in pulling Kelsi as close as possible and securing her in a loving hug.

"It was spectacular Kels. You were...amazing." Ryan said, whispering the admission into her ear.

Kelsi pulled back, disbelief evident in her features.

"Really?" She asked doubtfully.

"Really." Ryan concluded simply.

Kelsi wanted to say something more, but she couldn't remember what it was. Ryan was kissing her, deep, passionate kisses that were rapidly pulling away her concentration. A slow simmer of heat started to take over her body, a heat that quickly seemed to engulf her whole being in flames. And then Kelsi couldn't think anymore, there was no room in her body for one single thought. But she could feel...oh, could she feel.

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Kelsi continued to look into her cereal bowl, watching as her cheerios became huge with absorbed milk, lost in thought. She sat cross legged in her old comfy chair, positioned near one of the big windows of her apartment. The windows had been why she had signed the lease to her tiny flat. While the apartment epitomized the word "small", the huge bay windows brought in what seemed like the whole sun. And Kelsi loved the sun, it was an inspiration for so much of her drive concerning music and the kids.

Today that sun was helping in a completely different manner, it was helping her adjust. This morning she was different in so many respects from the girl who woke up yesterday morning. Stating the obvious, she knew her body was different, but more importantly, her heart. She was in love, and not only that, she was loved back.

Ryan loved her. He had said so himself, and not at all in a suggestive or planned way. It had burst out of him, like the air in a too full balloon. It was almost as if he hadn't been able to keep the news to himself anymore. An innate and thoughtful smile graced Kelsi's lips as she thought of Ryan. He was still fast asleep. Kelsi knew from their days as best friends that he loved to sleep in, and if she remembered correctly, when he finally decided to wake up he tended to be pretty...grumpy. A soft giggle escaped her as she realized she was actually looking forward to "grumpy" Ryan. In all honesty, she was looking forward to Ryan in general....every single aspect of Ryan life decided to bring her way.

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Ryan awoke to the sound of...birds. Loud, chirping, flapping birds. He let out a loud grunt as he rolled over, bringing a pillow with to cover his head.

And that is when he almost fell off the bed.

Ryan's eyes popped open, as he sat up a bit too rapidly and attempted to take in his surroundings, wondering why his bed was suddenly smaller. While his head seemed to be adjusting to no longer resuming a deep sleep, he recognized quite quickly where he was...Kelsi's. And at the thought of her, much of his sleepy mood (he refused to call himself "grumpy") evaporated. He even...smiled.

Ryan hurriedly leaped from the bed, more than ready to start the day. He eagerly pushed open the bedroom door, only to find his eyes searching for Kelsi in the small living area.

"I'm over here." Came her soft and sleepy voice.

Ryan's sharp blue eyes shifted from the couch to the over sized chair that seemed to engulf Kelsi's petite body.

"I see you still crave the morning sun?" He stated, taking a moment to appreciate the way the light's rays brought out differing streaks of color in her hair. She was so beautiful. How had he not noticed how beautiful she was before? That question seemed to be on repeat in his head. Perhaps because he hadn't been looking or paying attention; he had been so wrapped up in...

Ryan decided not to finish the thought, he wasn't quite ready to dissect the past. Besides, that didn't really matter...not in the long run. What did matter was now and the future. Every dream Ryan had for his future concerned and centered around Kelsi.

Kelsi didn't answer Ryan's previous question, instead just opting to give him a welcoming smile.

"How'd you sleep?" She asked.

She knew she was blushing; she was well aware of the heat that seemed to be centered on her cheeks. She couldn't seem to help it, everything about the current situation was so...intimate. She had never done this before, woken up with a man in her house. Hell, she had never even shared her bed with someone else, everything was so new. But, she liked it. She liked the idea of sharing her space with someone, well, not just someone, with Ryan.

"I slept great." He answered, bringing Kelsi promptly back to the present. "So, do you have to work today?"

"Oh yes, every week day." As the answer left her lips, Kelsi realized this was the first day she actually didn't want to go to work. It had nothing to do with the kids, she loved spending her days with Lauren and Matty. She just didn't want her day with Ryan to end.

The revelation scared her a bit. She wasn't used to relying on someone. For so long she had depended solely on herself, the idea of sharing that responsibility with someone, and not just anybody, but somebody who she was so vulnerable towards was quite frightening. A slight wrinkle furrowed Kelsi's brow as she considered this. As scary as the idea was, of sharing herself completely with someone else, Kelsi found she craved it. The idea of forming a partnership with Ryan, of working together to build something solid was so...lovely.

Ryan noticed the little wrinkle forming on Kelsi's brow, a sure fire sign that she was contemplative or worried. He slowly walked towards her, crouching down near her chair, making their vision level. Ryan reached over, using one finger to gently smooth the wrinkle away.

"A worry wrinkle, what brought that on?" He asked, his finger remaining on her face, moving from her brow to travel lightly down her cheek.

A slight smile fell across Kelsi's features.

"Believe it or not, it was a good worry." Kelsi began, bringing her hand up to grasp his. "I was thinking of how much I like this."

"Like what?" Ryan asked, a full scale grin making its way across his face.

"Being here with you, starting a relationship, laying the foundation towards something phenomenal."

Ryan's breath caught at her words. He realized no one had ever expressed anything like that to him before. No one had ever shown such faith in him. And that's what he saw when he gazed steadily into Kelsi's clear focused eyes, he saw faith, trust and love...and almost overwhelming amount of love.

"I've never felt this way before Kels." Ryan said, taking a greater leap and putting all of his feelings on the metaphorical table.

Kelsi didn't need to ask questions, she knew exactly what he was talking about, what he was attempting to express.

"Me neither." She said, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth, as she met Ryan half way. "I don't want this day to end."

"Why does it have to?" He asked, moving to kiss both of her palms.

A playful giggle escaped Kelsi, as Ryan's lips found a ticklish spot on her arm.

"Well, I have this little thing called work." Kelsi managed to get out between bursts of laughter.

"Can I come with you?" He asked, sounding very much like a little boy who saw a new toy within his grasp.

"You want to come with me...to work?" Kelsi questioned, a slight amount of doubt creeping into her tone.

Ryan jumped up from his crouching position, his hands reaching and finding Kelsi's, before pulling her up with him.

"Yeah, why not. I have hung out with you and the kids before. It'll be great." Ryan paused for a moment, making his blue eyes as big and droopy as possible. "Please....." He stressed, drawing the word out while completely achieving a "puppy dog" look.

"Fine." Kelsi said with a laugh. "We need to hurry though, I can't be late."

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Kelsi watched with a grin as Ryan, Lauren and Matty took off running across the wide expanse of grassy park, the bright streamers attached to their kite flying in the wind as if it was its own personality. It was an uncharacteristically warm day in Chicago, Kelsi could tell spring was trying so hard to break through winter's barriers.

Ryan was spinning and breaking into dancing leaps across the grass. Kelsi couldn't help but laugh as she watched Lauren and Matthew attempt to imitate his effortless moves. She rushed forward when Matthew landed promptly on his bum, the kite falling from the air in perfect accordance with the little boy. Before she had even taken two steps, Ryan was there, brushing Matty off and allowing him to leap onto his back. Kelsi's feet came to a skidding halt as she watched Ryan balance Matthew on his back while he held Lauren's hand. Matty was holding onto the kite, stretching it as high into the sky as his little arms would allow. They looked like a...family. Ryan was a natural with them. It was so obvious to Kelsi that he genuinely loved being with the kids. And those kids, they adored him right back.

"Kels Bells, come on!" Lauren yelled, shaking Kelsi out of her inner revelry.

Kelsi took off, sprinting after them, carefully taking in the ground, making sure there weren't any branches that could possibly trip her. Lord knows, it would be so like her to trip and fall flat on her face...or ass. Running and Kelsi simply did not mix.

Ryan led them all to the top of a makeshift hill. He held on to Matty securely, loving the feel of the child in his arms. As he took in the pleasure of having the little boy gripping his back and the little girl holding on tight to his hand, Ryan realized he could do this...be a parent...someday. Not only could he do it, but he wanted it, craved it even. He had never thought seriously about having kids before. But when he was with Kelsi, Lauren and Matty...it was impossible not to think of the future possibilities.

Matthew easily slid off Ryan's back, being careful to protect the fragile kite. Seeing Kelsi make her way up the hill, seemed to fill his little body with even more excitement.

"Kelsi, is it going to fly again?" He asked, his big blue eyes alight with wonder.

Kelsi let herself feel the rough wind rip through her curls; her cheeks flushed with excitement she crouched down to Matty's level.

"I think so buddy. Are you excited?" She asked, her lips split in a huge grin.

"So excited!" Matty replied, jumping up and down in his exuberance.

Ryan focused on Lauren, easily placing his arm around her shoulders.

"What do you think Lala girl, you ready to get this baby back in the air?" He said, gesturing towards the kite.

"Let's do it Ryan." Lauren said, picking up Ryan's hand to place a loving kiss on his palm.

Ryan stopped suddenly and looked at the little red-haired, green eyed girl.

"What was that for?" He asked, gesturing towards his hand and a bit taken back by Lauren's spontaneous show of affection.

Lauren moved naturally into Ryan's side, placing her small and narrow hands around him in an accepting hug.

"It's because I love you Ryan." Lauren spoke simply.

At her words Ryan honestly thought he felt his heart actually expand. He knelt down next to Lauren, expecting her to be a bit shy; he was surprised to find her staring at him inquisitively, as if she was wondering why he was making such a big deal over her declaration. It was so simple for her...to utter those words. She didn't think about ramifications or fear, Lauren simply felt and expressed. It would have been impossible for Ryan not to appreciate and recognize the beauty in that.

"I love you too Lauren." Ryan said, taking care with his words; it was suddenly so important that this little girl know how much he actually meant them.

"What about me?" Matthew said, his little lips puffing out into an adorable pout.

At Matthew's outburst, Ryan's laughing eyes met Kelsi's and held. His breath caught as he saw the tears falling freely down her cheeks. The funny thing was, he wasn't worried. He understood why she was crying and the waves of emotion that were probably hitting her about now, because he was feeling them too.

Ryan wrapped his arms around Matthew, bringing his small body to his in a joyful embrace.

"Matthew, you are impossible not to love." Ryan expressed, blue eyes meeting blue.

"Does that mean you love me too?" Matty asked, gently beeping Ryan's nose.

"More than I could ever begin to express." He answered, hugging Matthew's already wiggling body to him more firmly.

"Do you love Kelsi?" Lauren asked, her face an almost too innocent mask. Ryan had the impression she knew exactly what she was proposing.

Ryan wasted no time in making eye contact with Kelsi. He started to walk towards her with Matthew still wrapped securely in his arms. On his way towards Kelsi, Ryan used his free arm to pick up Lauren, cuddling both siblings close to his strong and steady chest. He continued towards Kelsi, a bit slower, but with even more purpose.

"What I feel for Kelsi seems to even surpass love." Ryan stated simply, his eyes containing the emotion bubbling up inside him.

Kelsi didn't need to think twice; quickly closing the space between them, she wrapped her arms around the three people she loved most in the world.

Wow...I had a whole different plan for this chapter, but I ended up writing this instead. I hope you all liked it. And I will see you soon!

Love,

Jen