Chapter 11 – Stay With Me
Riker sat in the hospital waiting for news from anyone. Mark, Stormie, and Ryland got a call that Mamoo and Papa were in the hospital so they immediately left for the airport to go to them. So Riker sat with his phone in his hand waiting to hear something, from anyone.
Being a sixteen year old rockstar wasn't easy because going to a bar got Ross recognized. Lucky for him, people left him alone. He didn't want to do anything, but he thought he'd need a few shots to clear his mind. That was why he was sitting there now, debating on drinking or not.
Rocky took a drink of his beer. He needed to just forget...everything. Ellington walked towards him, finally finding him, taking the beer from his hand. "Rocky, I get that you're upset, but you can't just do this. And you shouldn't have blamed people for what happened."
"I know." Rocky said. He dropped his head into his hands. "I'm awful! I'm a horrible person! I don't deserve to be a father! I don't deserve to be alive!" He hissed in pain as his cuts hit the material of his shirt. He hoped Ell didn't notice.
Ellington furrowed his eyebrows. "Rocky, that's not true. You didn't mean what you said earlier." He looked at his friend's wrist. "Pull down your sleeve."
"No!" Rocky said, moving his wrist off the bar, and taking another drink of his beer.
"Rocky, don't make me pull it down cause if I have to do that, I'm going to call Riker and tell him about it." Ellington warned, taking the beer from him again.
"You already know whats there." Rocky said, "So why don't you just call Riker and get it over with. He can yell at me, and I can feel worse, and Ross can still probably be more depressed because of me. Maybe he'll lose the baby, and I'll finally kill myself." He took the beer back again, and took another long drink.
"He's not going to yell at you." Ellington told him. "If anything, he's going to try and make you feel better. And Ross will probably forgive you." He took the beer back and put it away.
"Why do you even bother Ell?" Rocky asked, shaking his head.
"You're like my own brother." Ellington said. "You shouldn't be doing this because of this downfall that's happening."
"Let's go." Rocky said, getting up and stumbling toward the door.
Ellington sighed and followed him. "Just don't say something you'll regret, alright?"
"Kay." Rocky said. He stumbled to Ellington's car. Ellington got into the driver's seat and started the car. "Did you really feel like it was anyone's fault earlier?" He asked, pulling out of the driveway.
"No." Rocky said, "I just was so angry. I wished that there was some reason. And just Ross and Riker were too easy to blame. I shouldn't have done it. It was a dick move and I hate myself. I just hope I can stop Ross from doing something stupid."
"I understand." Ellington said. "I'm sure you can. Just show him you really didn't mean it."
"How?" Rocky asked.
"I don't know that. But you need to figure that one out yourself." Ellington said.
"Alright." Rocky said.
Riker was still at the hospital.
"Mr. Lynch?" a nurse asked coming up to him.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Um, it's time for Emelia to bed fed, and it's important that she establish a connection with family. Since you are the only family here, and your also listed as godfather, we need you to come feed her."
"M...me?" he asked nervously.
"You'll be fine." the nurse said. He followed the nurse to the NICU. He changed into the scrubs, and entered Emelia's room. He looked down at his tiny little niece.
"She's so sweet." he said.
"Isn't she?" the nurse said.
"I can't believe she's so tiny." Riker said.
"She started out even tinier." the nurse said.
Riker looked at the tiny girl in awe. He picked her up gently, and the nurse handed him the tiny bottle of milk.
"I'll be back later." the nurse said.
"Alright." Riker said. He looked down at Emelia.
"Just you and me sweetheart."
Ross came back to the hospital about two hours later. But when he checked that hall in front of Becca's room, there was no one there. He didn't know where he should go, but he figured he'd check on Emelia. As he reached the babies' window, he awed at what he saw. It was Riker sleeping on a chair with little Emelia in his arms. Ross decided to walk in, slowly so that no one knew. He took a chair and sat next to them, admiring the little baby.
Riker stirred sensing some one was there. When he opened his eyes and saw Ross a smile immediately split across his face. "Hey you! Your back! I'd love to hug you, but my arms are a bit pre-occupied.
So...can I have a kiss?"
Ross smiled back a little, before giving him a kiss on the lips.
Riker sniffed. "Have you been drinking?"
Ross bit his lip. "Um...no." He lied.
"Ross, I can smell the alcohol." Riker said, frowning.
Ross looked down, ashamed. "I had a few shots." He admitted.
Riker sighed, "Ross you could've had a spontaneous abortion."
"What?" Ross asked. He didn't realize it. He looked down at his stomach and back at his soulmate. "I didn't know, I just needed something! What if I hurt our baby? See I'm such a terrible person!" He started bawling.
Riker put Emelia back in her incubator, and moved to hug Ross close to him. "Baby, calm down. I'm not blaming you. Not in the least. There was no way you could've known if the doctor didn't tell you. I'm sure our baby is fine. Just calm down, sweetheart." He ran his hand through Ross' hair.
Ross shook his head. "I always mess things up. It's all my fault this happened. Now we don't even know what's going to happen to everyone!" As he said that, he realized something. Rydel and Ellington, soulmates, Rydel could've gotten pregnant, and she had cancer. Then Rocky and Becca, soulmates, Becca was giving birth, fell into a coma. And now there's him and Riker, and he was pregnant. And he had a feeling something might happen. That made him sob louder.
"Ross, baby, come on everything's gonna be fine. None of this is your fault. And I will tell you that everyday. You are perfect, and I love you." Riker said.
"I don't care how many times you tell me." Ross said, still sobbing. "Words are only words. Feelings are the ones that matter. And I feel like it's all my fault. Not to mention someone else agrees to it. He said it is my fault."
"Rocky can go fuck himself Ross." Riker said, "Yes, I know it was Rocky. You don't have to protect him. I'm not going to do anything to him. That would just make you more upset. What can I do baby? You've got to stop feeling like this. What can I do to make you feel like it's not your fault." He got down on his knees in front of Ross, "Baby, please, there's got to be something."
"No, there's nothing you can do!" Ross said. "Just face it, it's all my fault and that's the fact! Nothing you can do will make me feel otherwise because that's the truth! I just wish none if this would've happened. Unless you can turn back time then there's nothing you can do."
Riker pleaded, "Baby, please."
"Well I don't know what you can do!" Ross exclaimed because he really didn't know. All he knew was that he was hating and blaming himself, slightly drunk, and scared as heck about his earlier thoughts. He just needed..."I just need you to hold me." Maybe his soulmate couldn't convince him that it wasn't his fault, but someone else could.
Riker got up and pulled Ross onto his lap, running his fingers through his hair. "It's gonna be okay."
Ross cried into his chest. "Why do you even love me?" He thought out loud.
"Because your my perfect soulmate." Riker said, kissing the top of Ross' head. "You will never be less than perfect in my eyes."
Ross looked up at him. "And you're mine." He sniffed. "I'm sorry." He found himself saying.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, baby." Riker said.
Ross was about to say something else but he saw Ellington and Rocky enter the room.
"There you guys are." Ellington said. "We thought you two disappeared or something."
"Nope we're right here, with the precious angel." Riker said, smiling.
"Um, Ross can I talk to you alone please?" Rocky asked, sorrowfully. Ross bit his lip and glanced at Riker, before looking back at his brother and nodding. "Okay." He got up.
"I need to talk to you anyway Riker." Ellington said.
Rocky walked out into the hall, "Ross, I am so sorry. I shouldn't have blamed you. None of this is your fault. I did exactly what I swore never to do because I know how it affects people." he rolled up his shirt sleeves. "See these. All these are because Becca's parents blamed me for their daughter losing her chance at her dreams. I never told Becca about it, and I never tried to tell myself that they were wrong. It's consumed me, and I don't want that to happen to you Ross." He started crying, "I can't let you end up like me."
Ross looked at him with tears. "Rocky.." He went and hugged him. "I forgive you. But please don't do this anymore. You're my brother and I don't want you to hurt yourself. I'll stop blaming myself if you promise to stop cutting. And you shouldn't listen to her parents. They shouldn't have meant it."
"I'll try Rossy. I promise." Rocky said.
"Okay." Ross said.
"So what did you want to talk to me about Ell?" Riker asked.
"Before I say it, I just want you to know not to yell at Rocky or anything because he really doesn't need that right now. I know you'll be upset but he needs his brother to comfort him." Ellington sighed. "Riker, he cut himself. I don't know how long or how many because he refused to show me, but he did."
"He...he what?" Riker asked. He felt his heart drop to his toes, and all the color leave his face.
"I'm sorry, Riker. But I just found out too." Ellington said. "I know it's hard for you to know about this because everything's going down with Becca and Emelia. And Ross being how he is, and now Rocky. I know it's hard cause only you, me and Rydel are the ones who- Wait where is she anyway?"
"She's in her hospital room." Riker said with a frown, "Didn't you get my like...ten voicemails?"
"No, I didn't." Ellington said. "My phone was off. What happened?"
"Rydel went to use the bathroom. She wouldn't let me walk her there. She had her cane with her, and a nurse came back like fifteen minutes later and said that she hit her head and is unconscious. So I was stuck at the hospital, alone all night with five different people that I love in the hospital, and I didn't know how any of them were. And nobody would answer their phone either. So I had no idea how any of the people that weren't in the hospital were either."
"Oh my God." Ellington gasped. "Now she's stuck here too?" He was trying his best not to tear up. "And Riker, I'm so sorry about what you had to go through."
"And Ross is blaming himself, and now Rocky...please stay sane with me Ell! I can't do this alone." Riker said hysterically.
Ellington nodded. "I will. We can get through it. Did you try talking to Ross? And if yes, what did he say?"
"He said, that there wasn't anything I could do. I'm hoping Rocky will maybe be able to do something." Riker said sadly.
"Well since he was the one who got Ross into thinking that, I'm sure he can get him to stop thinking that too." Ellington said and then saw the two come back into the room.
When Riker saw Rocky he got up and pulled him into a bone crushing hug.
"No hugs for me Riker?" Ross asked teasingly, but also seriously.
"Of course, baby." he said, moving from Rocky to Ross and hugging him gently.
Ross smiled. "I want a group hug." He said pulling Rocky into the hug.
"I'm gonna go and visit Rydel." Ellington said awkwardly. "Which room?"
"Room 36TD ironically." Riker said, smiling.
"Thanks." Ellington said and left.
"Why's it ironic?" Ross asked.
"Well, my one line on Glee was Six, Curt's was Three, and then our other two friends were Titus and Dom. So when we did livestreams we were shortened to 36TD." Riker explained.
"Oh okay." Ross said.
Ellington entered the room 36TD and saw his soulmate laying there. He took a seat on the bed and stroked her hair. Rydel stirred slightly. She could feel someone touching her hair. She groaned.
"Rydel, baby are you awake?" Ellington asked, still stroking her hair and then held her hand.
"Ell?" Rydel asked. She opened her eyes again and closed them at the bright light...wait! Bright light? Rydel's eyes flew open and she looked at Ell. She flew forward and caught his lips with hers. Ellington was caught by surprise, but he kissed back. After they pulled away, he asked, "Rydel, you can see?"
"I can!" Rydel said, happy tears filling her eyes. "Ell I can see you."
Ellington smiled wide and hugged her. "I'm so happy you can see again Dels. I love you so much."
"I love you too. Ell." Rydel said. "I want to leave now. I want to see everyone else."
"I'm not sure if you can, but what about I call them here?" Ellington asked. "They'd love to see you."
"Okay." Rydel said, deflating a little bit. "I want to get out of here as soon as possible though."
"I know you do." Ellington said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. He turned on his phone and texted Riker that she woke up.
A moment later all the boys appeared. "Hey guys!" Rydel said, happily. "Nice shirt Ross. You look so nice in blue."
Ross looked down at his shirt then back at Rydel. "You can see?" He literally jumped onto her bed and hugged her. Tears streamed down his eyes. "I'm so glad you can see again Delly!"
"Me too, Rossy." Rydel said, tears in her own eyes. "Riker fix your hair. It looks like you haven't slept."
"I haven't." Riker mumbled.
"How's Becca?" Rydel asked. Rocky looked down at the ground, ready to cry.
"Haven't heard anything." Riker said, sadly.
"Emelia's okay though." Ross told her. "Riker was there with her for..?" He trailed off, not really knowing what he was there for.
"She needed someone to feed her. I ended up just sitting there all night. I had nothing better to do. Everyone else left, which you already know, but things are a bit better now. And your okay."
Just then a nurse came in, "I'm looking for Rocky and Ross Lynch?"
"Oh, that's why." Ross said before looking at the nurse. "Um, I'm Ross, why do you need me and Rocky?"
"We have a patient asking for you..." the nurse looked at her clipboard, "Becca Lynch?"
"Becca." Rocky breathed out looking up, in shock. "She's awake?"
"Yes, and asking for you two." the nurse said.
Ross started crying happy tears. "She's awake! Come on Rocky!" He practically ran out the door and to Becca's room.
Rocky ran after Ross straight to Becca's room.
"Your here!" Becca said smiling.
Ross was jumping up and down near her bed. He couldn't be happier. His sister woke up and got her vision back, now his sister-in-law also woke up. "How are you feeling? Why'd you call us? I'm so happy you're awake!" Apparently it was his hormones.
Becca laughed weakly. "I'm feeling very tired, but the doctor said it would go away eventually. I called you because I can only have two visitors at a time and I wanted to see you two first. And I'm very happy that I'm awake too."
Ross grinned. "I'm glad you're okay. But why'd you call me and not your best friend?" He asked curiously, still jumping. "Not that I have a problem with it, I'm glad you called me too. And now I'm gonna stop talking so your husband can talk."
Becca smiled, "You and Riker are both my best friend." she turned to Rocky, "Hey, babe."
Rocky ran to her and hugged her gently tears streaming down his face. "Don't ever leave me again." he whispered.
"I'm right here." Becca said, smiling against her husband's hair. Rocky pulled back and kissed her sweetly. "I've missed you."
"Missed you too. Now what's happened while I was out? Ross you had your doctor's appointment yesterday. How was it?" Becca said. She pulled Rocky onto the bed next to her and cuddled into his chest.
Ross gaped. He totally forgot about the appointment. "Um, I didn't go." He said but kept the grin on his face. "Because I decided to see Emelia. She's perfect, Becca."
"Is she? I want to see her." Becca said, smiling. "Does she look more like me? or Rocky? Please tell me she doesn't have his nose."
"Hey!" Rocky said.
"Babe, I love you, but your nose is awful." Becca said.
Ross laughed. "She looks like both of you. And no, she doesn't have his nose. Maybe you can see her when you're discharged."
"I want to see her now." Becca said, "The nurse said she would bring her down, but she would count as one of my visitors, so I figure I'll have her come when Riker comes to visit me. Then Ell and Rydel can come. Then I can have Emelia come back with Rocky for the night. Now what else had happened and why did you miss your doctor's appointment?"
"I forgot I had it." Ross shrugged. Of course he didn't want her to know the real reason. "And that's a good idea. You want me to call Riker now?"
"No not yet. I want to know what's happened. I've been out for two days. Something must have happened." Becca said, looking at Ross expectantly.
"Nothing happened." Ross said, smiling. "Why do you think something did? We were all just waiting for you to wake up...oh wait something did happen. Rydel got her vision back."
"Really! How'd that happen?" Becca asked excitedly, "And I know your not telling me something Rossy. I won't push you, but I will find out one way or another."
"She kind of accidentally hit her head walking to the bathroom, then woke up being able to see." Ross told her. "And let's not think about what happened. Whatever happened, not that anything happened, is over. Let's just be happy."
"Okay." Becca said. "I like being happy. And I like it when you and Riker are happy." she gave Ross a pointed look.
Ross let out a small, unnoticeable sigh. "Well then, I'm glad you like us being happy. So please keep it that way." He smiled.
"You have to go to the doctor's today Ross. I'll tell Riker to take you when he comes in." Becca said.
"I know." Ross said. "But not today cause I'm still tired. You know we didn't sleep for two days." He shrugged.
Becca frowned, "Your going tomorrow then."
"Tomorrow it is." Ross sighed. "Look Becca, you need to stop worrying about what happened the past two days. Nothing really happened. Will you please forget it and not try to find out?"
Becca studied Ross for a minute. "Fine, but only because I can see how important it is to you."
"Thanks Bec." Ross said. "But it doesn't mean that much to be." Of course that was a lie.
"Mhm." Becca said in a disbelieving tone. "Ross, I'm great at reading people. You can't lie to me."
"Of course I can." Ross said. "Not that I lied to you...cause I didn't."
"Mhm." Becca said, "I know you did. It's okay though I forgive you."
"No I didn't." Why was Ross so stubborn? "But okay. But still I didn't lie. So do you wanna have Riker and Em now?"
"You already have a nickname for her?" Becca asked tearing up.
"Um, if that's okay." Ross said. "I didn't mean to make a nickname for her without your permission. It just slipped out."
"No, it's sweet." Becca said, "But yeah. Can you send them in? Come here first." she said.
Ross nodded and sat on the bed.
Becca leaned forward, and hugged him tightly. Then she let him go. She turned to Rocky and hugged him and kissed him. "Love you."
"Love you too." Rocky said.
Ross got up. "Alright I'll call them. Bye Bec." He walked out.
"Bye." Becca said and waited for Riker and Emelia.
Riker was back with Emelia. They'd been kicked out of Delly's room so she could be cleared to leave. A nurse came in.
"Are you Riker Lynch?"
"Yes." Riker said.
"This little one's mother is asking for you and her." the nurse said, taking Emelia from Riker.
"Okay." Riker said. He followed the nurse to Becca's room. "Hey, Bec." he said, smiling.
"Hey Riker." Becca smiled, and it turned wider when she saw Emelia. "Oh wow she's beautiful." She said, reaching her arms out to take the little baby.
Riker picked up Emelia from the incubator and placed her in Becca's arms. "She's perfect, Bec. You and Rocky should be very proud."
"I am." Becca said with tears falling down. "She's so perfect." She gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead. "She's so tiny, but she's perfect." She looked up at Riker. "Did you know Ross gave her a nickname already?"
"Really?" Riker asked, smiling.
"Yes. He called her 'Em'." Becca told him. "Come here Riker."
Riker moved, and sat next Becca on the bed. "Yeah, Becca?"
She pulled him into a hug with her free hand. "Thank you for being here. And for being with Emelia."
"Of course, Bec. Your family, and my second best friend. I'll always be here for you." Riker said.
"Thank you, again." Becca said. "I heard Rydel got her vision back."
"Yeah. We walked in the room, and she was like Ross I like your blue shirt. And we were all shocked." he chuckled, "Leave to Delly to be dramatic."
Becca laughed. "Yeah I can't wait to see her." She paused. "So um, is something going on between you and Ross?"
"Um, well I know about the baby, but you already knew that. Something happened while you were unconscious." Riker said shaking his head, "But I'm hoping it gets fixed soon. It seems to be better already. Which is good, I could use a bit of a happy time right now. As for what happened, I'd rather not talk about it."
Becca let out a small chuckle. "You and Ross are pretty much the same when you don't wanna talk about something. But really, what happened? I'm not pressuring you into telling me but I'd just like to know what I missed." She shrugged.
"Rocky made a comment, Ross already being sensitive and then hormonal on top of it, took it way to much to heart. And apparently Rocky's having issues too. But please don't be mad at him Bec. It won't help."
"What did he do?" Becca asked with a hint of anger. "What exactly happened?"
"He blamed Ross for everything that happened." Riker sighed, "And I just found out today from Ell that he's been cutting."
Becca gasped. "He has? Oh my God why would he?" Tears surfaced her eyes and she opened her free arm, being careful with Emelia, and motioned for a hug.
Riker hugged her being careful not hurt Emelia. "I don't know, Bec. I don't know."
Becca took a deep breath before calming down. "Okay, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your happy time." She smiled. "I told Ross that he should go to the doctor's appointment tomorrow. You can go with him right?"
"Of course I can." Riker said, "And even if I can't I'll go anyway. Nothing's more important than him and our baby."
Becca smiled. "Do you think it's a boy or a girl?"
Riker smiled, "I don't know. Ross thinks it's a girl. I'll be happy as long as they're both safe, and healthy."
"I'm happy too." Becca told him. "I bet he or she will be best friends with Emelia. They'll be both cousins and best friends. Do you think so?"
"I like to think so. It'll be you and me second generation. Maybe they'll end up soulmates." Riker said smiling.
Becca shook her head, chuckling. "Maybe. But I don't wanna think about that yet. My little Emelia's only born two days ago, and yours isn't born yet."
"Sorry, getting ahead of myself." Riker said, smiling. "I've got to go. Ross is going to need some rest before the doctor's tomorrow." he kissed Becca's forehead. "I'll send Rocky in."
"Okay." Becca smiled.
Riker got up and left. A minute later Rocky entered the room. Becca looked at him. "Hi Rocky." She smiled, looking down at Emelia. "Our daughter is beautiful, isn't she?
"She is. Almost as beautiful as her mother." Rocky said, smiling.
"She has to be better than me." Becca said. Then she looked up at him. "I know what happened now. Why did you do it?"
"Do what?" Rocky asked, nervously. Becca sighed and took his hand, pulling up his sleeve. She gasped at the cuts. She knew they were there, but she didn't expect that much. "This. Why did you do this?"
"I ruined your life." Rocky said sadly, "It was your dream to make music and travel with us on stage, and I ruined it all when I got you pregnant. It's all my fault."
"No, baby." Becca frowned. "I want this. I love this life. You didn't ruin it, if anything you made it much better. Who said you ruined my life?"
"Your dad. At the wedding, he told me that I ruined your life." Rocky said, tears starting to run down his face.
"Oh Rocky." Becca hugged him. "Don't listen to him. You've only made my life better. We're married, we have a beautiful daughter, I'm happy. You should be too. He shouldn't have said that to you because the only fault you have is make me happy." She kissed him softly. "Promise me don't do it again?"
"I promise." Rocky said, tears running down his cheeks. "I promise."
"Okay. I love you." Becca smiled. "Sit with me."
Rocky sat next to her, and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Love you too."
Becca laid her head on his shoulder. "Riker said Emelia and his and Ross 's baby might be soulmates." She giggled.
"Really?" Rocky said, "Well that would be interesting. But I don't think my baby girl has a soulmate. I refuse to let her grow up that much."
Becca playfully rolled her eyes. "She's only two days old, but in sixteen years minus two days, she'll have a soulmate."
"No. No she won't." Rocky said, completely serious. "She's just going to stay my baby girl forever."
"And what if she grows up and finds and loves her soulmate?" Becca teased.
"Then I guess I'll have to let her." Rocky said, sadly. "But let's just hold off on the growing up thing."
"I know. She's still two days old anyway." Becca laughed.
"She's so adorable..." Rocky said. He was silent for a moment, "Oh, Rydel's checked out now. So, I was going to take Emelia back to the nursery for a bit so you could see her and Ell. That okay?"
"That's definitely okay." Becca said, carefully handing Emelia to Rocky.
"Alright, see you later angel." he said, kissing her forehead. Rydel came in a minute later with Ellington.
"Hey guys, Becca said, smiling.
"Hey Bec, how are you feeling?" Ellington asked. "You're not gonna kill me though right?" He joked
"No? Why would I kill you?" Becca asked. "Delly come hug me!"
Rydel laughed, and hugged Becca. "It's so good to see you again."
"Good to see you too." Becca said. She turned back to Ellington, "Do get a hug from Elly-bear?"
Ellington grinned. "Of course." He hugged her. "And only Del-bells can call me that."
Becca stuck out her tongue at him. "Fine, Ell. Be that way."
Ellington chuckled and stuck his tongue out too. "Yeah yeah Beckers."
Becca's deadpanned. "Ever call me that again and you will die."
Ellington got up and went behind Rydel. "She's threatening me again." He whispered loudly with a fake fearful face on.
Rydel whispered back loudly, "It's okay. I'll protect you from the big, bad girl in the hospital bed."
Ellington chuckled. "How? Tell me, how? She's out to get me." He couldn't help it and burst out laughing.
Becca laughed from the bed, and Rydel giggled too. "You know I would never actually hurt you Ell. Your my favorite Ratliff. My favorite Lynch is obviously Rocky, my second is my daughter, and then Riker, Ross, and Rydel are all tied for third."
Ellington smiled. "I know. So you saw Emelia earlier, what do you think?"
"She's perfect." Becca said smiling.
"I still haven't seen her." Rydel said pouting. "I'll have to see her before we leave."
"I'll go with you to see her later." Ellington told his soulmate, kissing her cheek. He turned back to Becca. "When are you allowed to leave anyway?"
"In another day or two." Becca said. "Emelia can't come home for another month."
"Oh." Ellington frowned. "Well at least we can still get to see her."
"Yeah. Me and Rocky will probably take turns staying with her." Becca said smiling.
"That's good." Ellington said. "You can all build a better family connection then."
"Yeah." Becca said, "I think I'm gonna get some rest now. I'll see you guys later." She hugged them both, then lay back on the hospital bed to try and sleep.
RLRLRLRLRLRLRLRLRL
"Riker, Riker, Riker." Ross kept calling his soulmate.
"What?" Riker asked, coming out of the kitchen. "I was making supper?"
Ross put his arms out in front of him, making grabby hands. "I want you."
"Fine. It's just has to boil." Riker said, moving over to Ross on the couch.
Ross grinned and clung onto Riker. "I love you."
"Love you too." Riker said, "Did you need something specific or did you just want me?"
"Just you." Ross smiled looking up at him. "Stay with me please?"
"Of course, baby. No where else I'd rather be." Riker said. He kissed Ross' forehead and hummed quietly.
"What are you humming?" Ross asked, snuggling closer.
"Oh, just this idea for a new song." Riker said, blushing slightly.
"What's it about?" Ross asked curiously. He moved down and put his head on Riker's lap.
"About exactly what I just said. Having no place you'd rather be than with the person next to you." Riker said, looking straight in Ross' eyes.
Ross blushed and smiled wide. He got up and smashed his lips onto his soulmate's, kissing passionately. "I love you so much." He said before kissing him again.
Riker kissed back, passinately, moving his lips against Ross'.
Ross smiled into the kiss and wrapped his arms around his soulmate's neck.
Just then the fire alarm went off. Riker pulled away, and dashed to the kitchen. "You've got to be fucking kidding me!" he yelled from the kitchen.
Ross followed in after him and gasped. "What the..?"
"The soup boiled away and the pot burned." Riker said, throwing the smoking pot in the sink, and turning on the water. He coughed, as the smoke rose up into his face. "Ross go up to our room and open the window. I don't want the smoke to hurt the baby."
"No, not unless you come with me." Ross protested and kept standing there. "I wanna be with you."
"Ross, baby. I need to finish cleaning up and open up the windows down here. Then I'll be right up. Please, for me." He made a puppy dog face at Ross.
Ross rolled his eyes playfully. "Fine but if you're not up there with me in two minutes then I'm going back here." He pecked Riker's cheek and left. Riker ran around the house opening all the windows then ran upstairs. By the time he got to their room he was out of breath.
Ross was near the door when Riker came in. "Wow I was just about to go downstairs. You look like you need to rest baby." He kissed his cheek.
"Only if you'll cuddle with me." Riker said, breathlessly.
"Um, DUH." Ross rolled his eyes, smiling. "But you're kinda sweaty and covered by a bit of smoke so..." He grinned turning around and went onto the bed again. "I think I'm just gonna sleep." He teased.
"Rossy." Riker pouted. "We can take a shower."
Ross shook his head and chuckled. "I was totally joking. Climb onto bed with me. But if you wanna shower we could." He grinned.
"I honestly would love to shower. I smell like crap." Riker said, wrinkling his nose.
Ross laughed. "Okay then let's shower." He got up. "But after that I want cuddles."
"Understood." Riker said. "I'm still hungry though." his stomach growled as if to prove his point.
"We can go out after that." Ross shrugged. "You want to right?]
"Yeah that sounds great." Riker said, grabbing his towel off the back of the chair.
Ross took his own towel and stepped into the bathroom. "Come here! I wanna shower with clothes on." He grinned.
"What?" Riker asked moving into the bathroom. "Seriously?"
Ross grinned wider and shook his head. "Nope." He wrapped his arms around his soulmate before suddenly pulling his shirt off and giving him a kiss. Riker kissed back, sweetly. Ross smiled into the kiss, sneaking his hand to grab the shower and turning it on, before spraying all over his soulmate.
Riker yelped in surprise as the water hit him. "Ross!" he exclaimed.
Ross laughed and sprayed him again. "Shower right?"
"I didn't exactly mean like this." Riker said, spluttering.
"Then what exactly did you mean?" Ross asked, grinning.
"Oh I don't know, but..." Riker grabbed the sprayer away from Ross and turned it on. "I think I'm going to have to get you back."
"Riker!" Ross whined. "I still have clothes on!" He ran away to the other side of the bathroom.
"Yeah, and I still had pants and underwear on." Riker said. He moved so that Ross was blocked in the corner. "No where to run now." he said.
"Um..." Ross smiled sheepishly. "Baby, have I ever told you how much I love you? And um..." He kept trying to find reasons.
"Mhm. You have actually. Somehow though I don't think that's going to save you." Riker said, smiling. He turned the water back on, and sprayed Ross again.
"Riker!" Ross shielded himself from the water. "Stop it I...I'm pregnant! You're gonna hurt the baby!" He faked falling and clutched his stomach.
"Ross!" Riker said, rushing to his side. "Baby are you okay?"
Ross looked down to hide his grin, but ended up laughing out loud. He reached up and kissed his soulmate. "Gotcha."
"Don't do that to me!" Riker said, hugging Ross tightly.
"Now you're really gonna hurt the baby if you keep squeezing me." He teased. "But I love it " he hugged him back.
"I'm so glad your okay." Riker said. "Can we take a real shower now?"
Ross smiled and nodded. "Of course. Just let me get rid of my clothes." He took off his clothes and stepped into the shower. Riker undressed and stepped into the shower.
"I love you." Ross said, giving him a wet hug.
"Love you too." Riker said.
"Do you know what we should do tonight?" Ross asked. "We should go on a date...or something...you know?"
"Yeah. Whatever you wanna do. Let's do it." Riker said smiling.
Ross smiled. "Yay. But you pick the place this time."
"I don't know." Riker said..."Yeah I really have no idea...give me a minute. I'll think of something."
Ross shook his head and sat on the floor. "60..59..58..57..56..."
"Really?" Riker asked. "Um...we could go...I know! We can go to the beach and watch the sunset!"
"...34..33..32.." Ross nodded. "That's a perfect idea, but we're kinda showering, and going to the beach is... Never mind. I love that idea." He smiled.
"I know, but it's what I could come up with." Riker said. "The other thing I wanted to do we can't do cause your pregnant. No offense."
"Well what is the other thing?" Ross asked, shrugging. "Pretty sure it's not that bad."
"Well, I wanted to take you to a concert, but I don't think that'd be such a good idea." Riker said. "I mean all those people and everything..."
"No I want a concert!" Ross stood up immediately. "It's not so bad! Please Rikey I want a concert! Please!" He whined.
"But Ross..." Riker said, biting his bottom lip.
"Please! Riker, please. I love concerts." Ross pleaded with tears in his eyes, clearly from the hormones. "Please."
"Fine." Riker said, not being able to take his soulmate in almost tears.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Ross said jumping with excitement, this time with happy tears.
"Baby, calm down." Riker said. "I don't want you to slip and fall."
Ross stopped jumping and giggled. "Okay. Love you. And what concert is it?"
"Um, Maroon 5?" Riker said biting his lip. He knew Ross wasn't a huge Maroon 5 fan, but he hoped it would be okay.
"Maroon 5 would be great as long as I'm with you." Ross smiled and gave him a small kiss.
Riker smiled and kissed back. "Your the best."
"No, you are." Ross smiled. "Don't deny it. You're the perfectest person among the perfectest perfectest person remember?" He grinned.
Riker laughed. "Only you have a memory that good, baby. Now if we're gonna go to that concert we need to get out, and get dressed."
Ross pouted, then nodded. "Okay." He stepped out of the shower and took his towel.
"What's with all the pouting today?" Riker asked, getting out and turning off the water. "Are you trying to kill me with your adorableness?"
"No of course not!" Ross pouted again. "Why would I kill you? I love you!" Did he not know what a metaphor is?
"Rossy, I wasn't being serious." Riker said, moving to Ross, and hugging him tightly. "Calm down, baby."
Ross smiled and hugged back. "But I am. I really do love you, I'm serious about that."
"I know and I'm serious when I say I love you too." Riker said, pressing his lips to Ross'
Ross kissed back and smiled. "We need to really get dressed though."
"Yeah." Riker said, breathlessly.
Ross smiled, grabbing his towel and wrapped it around himself. "What time's the concert?"
"Oh alright." Ross said. "If you're worrying, don't. We can have a great time and nothing's gonna happen." He pecked his soulmate's cheek.
"Alright. I'll try and stay calm." Riker said, moving to go to their room.
Ross shook his head, smiling, following him. He took some clothes and got dressed before sitting on the bed. Riker went through his closet pulling out clothes, but none of them seemed right. He stamped his foot in frustration, and his towel fell off. He yelped, and picked the towel up hastily trying to wrap it back around his waist.
Ross got up and went to his side. "Are you okay?" He asked, putting a hand on his soulmate's shoulder.
"I can't find anything to wear!" Riker said, in frustration, tears in the corners of his eyes.
"Riker," Ross hugged him, "baby, it's okay. Want me to pick it out for you?" Riker nodded, and sat down on the bed.
Ross kissed his cheek before turning back to the closet. "Okay let's see." He picked out a pair of ripped jeans, and a random dark blue T-shirt. "This okay?" He asked and took out a black jacket. "Maybe this too?"
Riker nodded, and sniffled. "Thank-you."
"Baby, why are you so worked up about this?" Ross asked, sitting down on the bed next to him.
"I don't know." Riker said, starting to cry. "I'm just feeling really sensitive right now."
"Oh baby." Ross put his arms around his soulmate. "What's bothering you?"
"I don't know!" Riker said. "There isn't anything bothering me that I know about!"
"I'm sorry baby." Ross said, giving him a small kiss. "Maybe my hormones are rubbing off on you. But hey, it's okay. We're okay. Nothing to be upset about right?"
"Right." Riker said, sniffling. "I'm gonna get dressed now." He stood up and got dressed. "How do I look?"
Ross looked up at his soulmate. How gorgeous, handsome, perfect he was. "You..." No words could really describe what he was thinking.
Riker's eyes filled with tears. "It looks awful doesn't it?" He crumpled to the floor. "I look horrible!"
"No!" Ross went and hugged him. "No no that's not it! You look amazing and I was speechless and you're so perfect and don't even think for a second that you look horrible cause you don't! Baby you're amazing, you're perfect, you're just everything a person could dream of having!"
"You really think so?" Riker asked sniffling.
"No, I know so." Ross said looking into his soulmate's eyes. His perfect, hazel eyes that got him dazed. "You're just so perfect." Riker burst into tears again.
Ross snapped out of his daze. "No, Riker, did I say something wrong?"
Riker shook his head. "I just love you so much!"
"I love you too!" Ross attacked him with a hug. "So much!"
Riker laughed through his tears. "Can we still go to the concert?"
"Of course! Duh!" Ross jumped up with excitement again. "Come on! Don't wanna be late!"
"Will you drive? I'm too emotional right now." Riker said, wiping his eyes.
Ross gasped. "Drive Six again? Really?" He jumped up and down to cheer up his soulmate.
"Your insane." Riker said, shaking his head. "Let's go."
"I know I'm insane. But you love me." Ross grinned, before a few seconds later asking, "right?"
"Of course I do." Riker said. He handed the keys to Ross. "We can stop for food on the way home, okay?"
"Mhm." Ross nodded, taking the keys. "But when we go home, you're driving cause I know I'll be sleepy."
"Okay." Riker said, nodding.
Ross smiled and got to the car, climbing into the driver's seat. "So um, where's the venue at?"
"The Concert hall downtown." Riker said. "I can't remember the name."
"Okay." Ross said. He started the car and pulled out the driveway. "So why'd you think of taking me to the concert?" He asked curiously.
"I don't know." Riker shrugged, not looking at Ross. "I just thought it sounded fun."
Ross furrowed his eyebrows. "Baby please look at me. What's the other reason?"
"Nothing." Riker said, glancing at Ross then looking away.
"Riker Anthony Lynch, tell me now and look at me or I will pull this car over." Ross said, trying to sound convincing.
"You'll see when you get there." Riker said, looking at Ross.
Ross sighed. "Alright then."
"It's nothing bad I promise, baby." Riker said, looking at Ross' with puppy dog eyes.
"Okay." Ross gave him a small smile before focusing on the road again. After a few minutes, he pulled over. "Is this it?" He asked.
"Yeah." Riker said, biting his lip nervously.
"Alright." Ross said. "So will you tell me what's up now?" He opened the door and got out.
"Nope." Riker said, popping the p.
Ross pouted. "And you don't want me keeping secrets from you."
"This isn't me keeping a secret that is something that you need to know. You'll find out in like..." he looked at his phone. "A half hour."
"A half hour is too long." Ross whined. "But I'll wait. Let's get in."
"It's not that long." Riker said, rolling his eyes. They got the tickets and found they're seat, right in the front row. The show started and after about a half-hour, Riker could hardly sit still.
"Hey Riker, it's already half an hour." Ross said looking at him. "You seem fussy. What's up?"
"You'll see." Riker said.
"Well, you see we've got two love birds up here in the front row." Adam Levine said. "And I think they deserve a dance don't you?" The crowd went wild.
Ross looked at Riker, confused, before looking back up and looking at him again. "Did he mean us?" He asked.
"Surprise." Riker said, as they followed security toward the stage.
Ross, stunned, gaped. "You made a surprise for me?" His eyes filled with happy tears.
"Well, this isn't all of the surprise." Riker said.
"So, these two are going to dance through this next song. Then I believe one of them has something they want to say." Adam said. Sugar started playing. Riker wrapped his arms around Ross' waist. "I love you, baby."
"I love you too." Ross said, his eyes filled with love and tears falling. "But Riker, I don't- I mean I'm not prepared for a dance, and I don't knoe what to do, and..." He started rambling.
Riker kissed softly. "Your doing that rambling thing again. Just follow my lead, baby. They swayed as the song played, and as it wound down, one of the stage hands brought Riker a microphone.
Ross smiled. "I can't believe you did this for me. I don't deserve it. I absolutely love you."
"I love you too." Riker said. "Now I have this all planned out so please don't interrupt baby okay?"
"Okay." Ross smiled, wiping away his happy tears.
"Ross Shor Lynch for the past four years I have waited for you to get your mark. I was so happy when I found out that you were my soulmate. I can't imagine anyone better for me. I never could. I've loved you for forever. And all I want is to keep loving you forever. To grow old together, with our baby, and any other babies that we have. Ross, your so perfect, and I love you so much..." he got down on one knee. "So, Ross Shor Lynch, my best friend, my first love, my soulmate, will you marry me?"
Ross gasped, and more tears fell. He cupped a hand over his mouth, before nodding. "Yes. Yes! Yes!" He answered. "Yes I will marry you, I love you so much!"
Riker's smile widened. He slid the ring on Ross' finger, and stood up and hugged Ross' tightly, tears falling down his face too. The crowd roared behind them.
"Congrats guys!" Adam said, smiling.
"Come on let's go." Riker whispered in Ross' ear.
Ross sobbed happily and followed his soulmate. "I can't believe you did that for me. That's the best thing anyone has ever done for me. I really love you, so much."
"Well, you deserve the best baby. This was the best proposal I could think of. I hope it was okay. I mean I know Maroon 5 isn't your favorite, but..." Riker rambled.
Ross cut him off by smashing his lips into Riker's. "That was perfect! I love it! I love you! And I love our baby. I can't believe you made so much trouble for me though. You're just really amazing. And I'm glad that I will be married to you. This is the happiest night of my life." By the end, he was back in tears again.
"I love you too." Riker said, tears in his eyes. He couldn't believe that Ross' agreed to spend the rest of his life with him...although they would have any way since they were soulmates, but still.
"You know spending my entire life with you, is what I've always dreamed of." Ross told him. "And I won't regret it one bit. I hope you will never regret proposing me too." He smiled.
"Never. Never ever." Riker said, smashing his lips to Ross'.