Fangirl, Randy; Randy, Fangirl Chapter 16
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing! I really do appreciate each and every one of the reviewers! Good news: I had originally planned for 20 chapters, but it looks like it's going to be a bit longer!
Monday morning; Randy's house
Riley woke excitedly; she was ready to call the wedding planner, Janet. She scrolled through her phone's contacts until she found the name. She called and listened to the ringing impatiently. Hey! This is Janet of Your Day Wedding Planning. Congratulations on your engagement! I'm either out of the office or not near my cell right now. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I'll get to you as soon as possible. There was a beep to indicate the beginning of the voice message. Hey Janet! This is Riley Nelson, Barbara and Jacob's daughter. I was calling to ask you to be my wedding planner. I've been engaged for a while now and we're ready to start planning. I really hope you're available because you are the only woman I trust, besides myself, with my big day. Please give me call back. Thanks. Bye!
As if on cue, Randy immerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel as she ended the call. "What did the planner say?" he asked. Riley sighed. "She didn't answer; I left her a message." she said with a pout. Randy smiled softly as he pulled on sweatpants. He sat on the bed next to his disappointed fiancé. "It's going to be fine, babe. Honestly, I don't care about a huge wedding. I could do without it, really. I'm just excited to have a wife." He said. Randy thought that it was a nice sentiment. He saw the way Riley glared at him and he got nervous.
Riley stood and stomped out of the bedroom; slamming the door. The noise woke Nelson. He wailed loudly; Riley ignored it and went downstairs. "Dammit, Riley! You woke him up!" Randy yelled through the closed door. "Fuck you!" Riley screamed back. Riley went to the kitchen and made breakfast.
Soon, Riley didn't hear Nelson crying anymore; she assumed Randy had taken care of it. She heard Randy coming downstairs with his bags; he had Nelson, too. "What the hell was that?" Randy asked angrily as he came from the living room where he put his bags. Riley ignored him and turned away from him to finish cooking what was on the stove.
Randy put Nelson in the play pen where he stood in an attempt to walk around the perimeter. "Riley! I asked you a question." He said sternly. Riley continued to ignore him. Randy sighed. "Forget it." He said as he turned to leave.
Riley took a deep breath and plated the breakfast; she gave Randy his plate, but she put her own in the warmer. When she was done, she took Nelson from the playpen and put him in the high chair; she fed him his breakfast. Randy watched her quietly as he ate his own breakfast; he saw that she was starting to cry. "Baby, what's wrong?" Randy asked. Riley wiped away her tears and sniffled. "Nothing." She said coldly. Randy shook his head and tried to think of what he might have said or done to upset her; he couldn't think of anything.
"I don't know what I did, but please just talk to me." Randy pleaded. Riley looked at him and saw the remorse in his face. She sighed. "Earlier, you said you wanted to get married so that you could have a wife." Riley said sadly. Randy didn't understand why that upset her. "That's why you're mad?" Randy asked confused. Riley nodded. "You didn't say that the reason why you want to get marriedis because you love me." She said. Randy nodded, finally understanding.
He walked over to her and kissed her forehead. "You know I love you more than anything else in the world, baby; you and Nelson are the most important people in my life right now." He said as he cupped Riley's face and looked into her eyes. She nodded. "I know, but it would be nice to hear you say that from time to time." She said. Randy smiled and nodded. "Okay. But right now, I have a flight to catch." He said.
Riley smiled and nodded. "Can I drive you?" she asked. Randy smiled brightly and nodded. "I would love you to." He said. Riley smiled and packed a light bag for Nelson and strapped him in the car seat before pulling off. The ride to the airport consisted of wedding details.
"So have you thought about a venue for the wedding?" Randy asked. He had given Riley full control over the wedding and its details because he wanted their wedding day to be all about her. Riley shrugged. "Not really. I'm sure Janet knows of some good places, though." She said. Randy nodded. "What about theme colors?" he asked. Riley smiled. "Definitely violet and ivory. The shades can be negotiated, but I most definitely want some shade of purple and a shade of white." She said excitedly.
Randy chuckled and caressed the skin of her thigh left bare by her shorts. "That sounds beautiful, babe." He said. Riley smiled.
At the terminal, Randy's flight was delayed. Riley decided to stay with him until he boarded the plane. Randy bounced Nelson on his knee as they waited. "Somebody needs a haircut, huh Buddy?" he said. Nelson giggled. Riley smiled and ran her fingers through the baby's thick, light brown, tightly kinked hair.
Riley's engagement ring got stuck in the hair. She and Randy carefully pried the ring out and laughed. "I think we're getting a haircut this week, Nel." Riley said as she tickled the boy's belly.
Months ago, Riley and Randy had found out that Nelson is biracial during one of his checkups. It had explained his hair texture, dark green eyes, and darkening skin. They had originally planned hopes of Nelson never asking whether or not he was adopted, but with him being clearly of mixed race, Randy and Riley had to brace themselves for questions in the years to come.
Three months later
It was Nelson's first birthday. Riley had planned a small gathering to celebrate. Bob, Elaine, Nate, Becky, Dani, and Theresa were all in attendance. Randy was still on tour so he was missing the festivities. He sent several gifts for his son and made it his business to see him via Skype. Riley was unwrapping Nelson's gifts when her laptop chimed.
Riley grabbed the laptop and pulled Nelson into her lap as she answered the call. Seconds later, Randy popped up on the screen. Nelson clapped and kicked happily. "Dada!" he said happily. Randy smiled; he waved to his son. "Hey Nel!" he said. "Hay!" Nelson squealed as he waved. "Happy birthday, buddy." Randy said with a smile. "Hay!" Nelson said again. Randy laughed. "I'm so sorry that I can't be there with you and Mommy, but I promise I'll be home soon, bud. I love you!" Randy said. Nelson grabbed at the computer screen and wailed when he couldn't touch Randy like he wanted to.
At that, Becky took Nelson from Riley's lap. Riley smiled at Randy and waved. "Hey, babe." She said. "Hey, Riley. I'm sorry I couldn't be there today." He said full of sadness. "I know, Randy. It's okay; you'll be home soon, right?" she asked. Randy nodded and looked down as if he were guilty or ashamed. "In a few weeks." He said. "A few weeks?" Riley asked almost angrily. She had not expected Randy to be gone for so long. "I know it's a long time, babe, but time will fly." He said. Riley sighed and nodded. "We miss you; we can't wait to have you home." She said. Randy nodded and smiled. "I have to go but I'll call you later tonight." He said.
Riley nodded and sighed. "I love you, baby. Don't you forget that." Randy said. "I love you too, Randy." Riley said. They waved goodbye and disconnected.
Almost a year later
Randy had gotten injured so he had been home for a couple months. When he healed up, he left again. Nelson is almost 2 years old; he's 22 months old. He sat on a play mat in one of the guest rooms with Riley and Becky as he played with a toy.
Riley was pacing back and forth in a long white dress; she was trying on her wedding gown for what she thought was the last time. It was too long and the tailor was on vacation. The wedding was in a week and there was no one to fix her dress; she was panicking as the phone rang on the other end. She was calling Janet, the wedding planner, to figure out what to do.
Janet! The dress is too long! What am I supposed to do? Have you called the dressmaker? Of course I have! She's out of town on vacation! Okay. Just calm down; let me see who I can call for you. Hold on.
Riley continued to pace as she was on hold. Riley? I'm here. Did you find anyone? Um, the people I called are all busy with other weddings. Seriously? Did you tell them who I am? Yes, I did. I'm sorry sweetie. When will you be back? I'll be back in St. Louis in time for the wedding. Okay. Thanks for your help Janet. Anytime, dear. I'll see you in a week. Okay; bye. Bye.
"What am I going to do now, Becky? I can't wear this! What if I trip over it in front of everyone?" Riley asked in a panic as she hung up the phone. Becky smiled sympathetically. "It'll be fine, Riley. We can find another tailor before next week." She said. Riley nodded and took a deep breath.
"Daddy's home!" They heard Randy announce as he walked through the front door. "Dada!" Nelson yelled as he wobbled toward the stairs. There was a baby gate there, so he couldn't go down the stairs. "Dada here!" He cried in an attempt to get Riley to take him downstairs.
Becky helped Riley get out of her dress so she could help Nelson. Just as Riley pulled on Nike shorts and a tank top, Randy walked in with Nelson on his hip. "Hey Beck." He said as he hugged his sister. He smiled at his distressed fiancé. "Hey babe." He said with a calming smiled. Riley smiled back and pecked his lips. "What's all the fuss I heard about the dress?" he asked. Riley sighed. "It's too long. I can't wear it like that." She wined. Randy chuckled. "Just take it back to the tailor." He suggested nonchalantly. Riley groaned. "She's out of town!" she said in annoyance. "Well, tomorrow is Friday; maybe there is another tailor who can fix it." Randy said. Riley glared at him.
Randy nodded and slowly left the room; he didn't want to be on the receiving end of was surely going to turn into a tantrum from Riley. "I'll leave you two alone." Becky said. "Don't worry about that dress, Riley. Everything will work itself out." She continued. Riley nodded and smiled softly. "Thank you, Becky." Riley said quietly as she hugged Becky tightly. "Anything for my future sister-in-law." She said with a bright smile. "See ya later, Randal!" Becky shouted as she went downstairs. "Later, Rebecca!" he retorted.
After she saw Becky out the front door, Riley went back upstairs to Nelson's room where she figured Randy was; she was right. He and Nelson were playing with building blocks on Nelson's Alphabet Farm rug. Riley leaned against the door frame and watched the father-son moment as it happened before her eyes. She smiled at the two of them. Randy looked up and smiled as well. "Hey Nel? Can Mommy come play with us?" Randy asked. Nelson turned to look at Riley; he giggled brightly and turned back to Randy. "Ya!" he said.
Riley smiled and sat Indian-style with the two of them. "Did you miss me when I was gone, buddy?" Randy asked the toddler. He didn't respond; Randy pouted. "Did you miss Daddy, Nel?" Riley asked. Nelson nodded. "Ya. Daddy gone long time." He said sadly as he waddled into Randy's lap. Randy held Nelson tightly in his arms; he felt horribly about his son's sadness on his behalf. Riley gave Randy a comforting smile.
In a week Riley was going to be marrying the man who sat on a farm animal rug across from her. It was all too surreal for her. Riley found herself smiling goofily. "What?" Randy asked. Riley smiled even bigger. "We're getting married in a week." She said quietly. "I'm sorry, I didn't get that. What did you say?" Randy asked facetiously. Riley smiled and crawled closer to her fiancé. "I said: We're getting married in a week." Riley said as she pecked Randy's lips after every word. Randy laughed. Nelson clapped happily. "Are you excited, Nel? Are you happy that Mommy and Daddy are getting married?" she asked. He nodded happily.
A/N: Please review! I love you for reading!