AN: Sorry for the wait on the chapter, I didn't have any time this week to update. I hope you guys enjoy this and again review and let me know what you want to see happen and what you think.

Chapter 44

The smile just wouldn't leave her face. She and Riker were going to get married. It felt like she had this feeling of completion when he slides the ring on her finger. The Ring wasn't extravagant by any means, but if it wasn't the most beautiful ring that she ever saw. Laura couldn't stop looking at it. She just sighed it was all her dreams were about. Laura turned her head and Riker was gone. Wondering where he went Laura got out of bed and slipped on a shirt of his and a pair of his boxers and she made her way out to the living room. She noticed Ratliff at the kitchen table having breakfast.

" Morning Ratliff, have you seen Riker?" Laura asked as she made her way to get some orange juice and some yogurt.

" No I just got up not too long ago. By the way Congratulation's on the engagement. Are you sure you want to be stuck with that loser for the rest of your life?" Ratliff joked.

Laura just laughed. " What can I say? The man has his skills." Laura winked.

Ratliff just gagged. " Thanks Laura for that image."

Laura rolled her eyes.

" You and Ross are ones to talk, you guys are always making "noise" in your room."

Ratliff blushed. " Well can you blame him? Look at this." Ratliff just painted at him.

Laura just laughed. Ratliff then laughed too.

" But seriously congratulation's." Ratliff said honestly. He really was happy to see Riker and Laura so happy. He has known Riker as long as he knew Ross obviously since they are brothers and in all that time he has never seen Riker's face light up as it has when he looks at Laura.

" Thanks Ratliff, so where is Ross?" Laura asked.

" He is still asleep. Or I should say he just fell asleep not that long ago." Ratliff sighed sadly. Laura reached over and grabbed Ratliff's hand.

" I really am sorry about how Rydel reacted. I don't know what is going on with her. Because this isn't the Rydel that I have always known." Laura said.

Ratliff agreed. " I know, yesterday it was like I was watching a stranger go off on her brother. When Ross first saw her here, he was hopeful and excited that maybe she was here to repair their relationship. He didn't realize that she wanted to end it." Ratliff said.

Laura sighed. Her heart broke for her friends. Ratliff and Ross didn't need Rydel treating them like that. But she knew something must have happened to Rydel to make her act out this way. Her hear also breaks for her as she said this wasn't Rydel. Laura would do everything in her power to make sure everything is okay.

" All I know is something is wrong with her, she is normally so accepting of everyone. I want to see if I can find out what is wrong. This is not okay for her to be treating Ross like this."

Ratliff nodded.

" I would go and try and talk to her, but I have a feeling she doesn't want to see me either. This sucks because I care so much for her, she is like the sister I have never had and I don't like to see her in pain. But I can't have her hurting Ross either."

Laura nodded. " I completely understand."

Ratliff just sighed.

" This whole situation sucks."

" Yeah it does but I have faith that it will all workout. I am pretty sure Rydel will realize what she is doing and she will fix things with you two."

Ratliff just nodded again. He really wished that he could have Laura's faith. But he couldn't shake this feeling that nothing was ever going to be the same again. Tired of this being a downer moment Ratliff changed the subject.

" So when do you think you guys will get married?" he asked.

Laura sighed. ' I don't know we just got engaged last night. I don't want to rush anything, but I just can't wait to be his wife. I am thinking maybe June of next year? I don't know I am going to have to talk it over with Riker."

Ratliff just nodded.

Ross suddenly appeared all of a sudden. Laura smiled.

" Morning Ross/" Laura smiled.

Ross just smiled and placed a kiss on top of Laura's head. " Morning to you too future sister in law." Ross said as he made his way to Ratliff and kissed him good morning.

Laura smiled. " So did you get any sleep?" she asked.

Ross sighed. " A Little, but not much." He said as he sat next to Ratliff and across from Laura. Laura squeezed Ross's hand like she did with Ratliff.

" I am sure once Rydel realizes what she is doing, she is going to apologize. I am sure of it." Laura said.

" I hope so, I just can't get her look at me out of my mind. Laura she looked at me like I was trash. She was really upset at me and I just couldn't explain it but it seems there is more to it than me just being gay."

" I told Ratliff here something is going on with her and I will find out. If she is hurting I am sorry for her pain but that doesn't excuse the fact that she is hurting you."

" I just miss having my sister you know?" Ross said.

" And I am sure she misses you beneath that anger. Just give her some time and I am pretty sure she will come around. Or if she doesn't then that is going to be her loss, she will miss the chance to see her brother truly happy."

" Thanks Laura, you are amazing. You know as much as it hurts to not have Rydel, you are my sister Laura, you are my family and I am so happy that will actually be true when you and Riker get married."

Laura smiled. " Thanks Ross, I have Austin and Ally to thank for it. If it wasn't for the show I wouldn't have meet you and to get to know your family. And I wouldn't have met Riker."

Ross smiled. " I miss the show so much. I am sorry about it being cancelled." Ross said.

Laura rolled her eyes.

" Ross it is not your fault. As much as I miss the show, I don't want to see you blame yourself. Love isn't wrong and people who have a problem with what you and Ratliff have will need to get over it."

" Listen to Laura babe, it is not your fault. And Ry will come around. She is just feeling angry and confused right now. She will come around." Ratliff said as he grabbed Ross's hand.

Ross smiled. He really was lucky to have Ratliff and Laura in his life. Ross realized that he was truly blessed to have people in his life that were willing to have his back. Ross just smiled and ate his breakfast with Laura and Ratliff. The three of them just enjoyed the morning together.

Riker couldn't wipe the grin that was on his face. Laura was going to become his wife and they were going to have a future together. This was all that he really wanted. He couldn't help but think back on last night as they celebrated the news.

Riker could help but blush at the memories. He and Laura could be pretty brazen in their sex life, but to completely let go and have sex on the beach even at night was pretty brazen even for them. But Riker couldn't or wouldn't change it for the world. He always wanted Laura so he would do it any where as long as she wanted too. And Last night was amazing.

Riker thinks he still has sand in some places where sand shouldn't be. But Riker just shrugged. It was totally worth it. After the beach and after letting their bodies come down from their mutual high, they got dressed and cleaned up the area they made their way back to the apartment. And Riker couldn't hold it in; he screamed that he was getting married.

He got greeted with a congrats from Ratliff and Ross and a Shut the Hell up I am trying to sleep from Rocky.

Nice.

Riker got up extra early this morning as he planned on going to both of their parents and letting them know. His mother's face at the news made his heart burst, she was so very happy and so was his father. Ryland was also happy for him. It made Riker happy to know that his family was happy for them.

The only person that he didn't see was Rydel. But to be honest he didn't make a point to go out of his way to see her. He was still extremely pissed that Rydel did what she did. No matter if she felt jealous that Ratliff wanted Ross and not her, didn't give her the right to do what she did. He loved his sister, he really did but right now he was extremely disappointed in her. As Riker was about to leave he heard her call for him.

" So is this how it is going to be from now on? I made a mistake and you hate me?" Rydel asked.

Riker rolled his eyes.

" It didn't seem to me that you felt that you made a mistake. The way you tore down Ross and basically told him that he disgusted you wasn't a way to say you were sorry."

" Riker please you are my big brother and I hate that you are mad at me. Do you hate me?" Rydel asked. Riker took a look at his sister and he couldn't help but picture her when she was little. The two of them were always so close, being the oldest two out of all of them. Riker had thought he knew his sister so well, but turns out he really didn't. If she was capable of doing something like this, did he really know her at all?

" I don't hate you Ry, I Hate what you did. I am still trying to wrap my head around that." Riker said.

Rydel sighed.

" I know what I did was wrong, but I am sorry." Rydel said.

" Then why did you go off on Ross yesterday?" Riker asked.

" I don't know okay! I just saw him and Ratliff together and I was angry."

" You know you can't use that as an excuse to go after Ross you know that right?" Riker said.

Rydel rolled her eyes.

" Thanks for stating that my feelings don't count."

" I did not say that Ry! I know your angry about Ratliff, and I am sorry believe me or not but I don't like to see you in any pain. But what you did was out of line."

" So are you going to say anything to anyone?" Rydel asked.

" I know I should but I am not."

Rydel sighed in relief.

" That is because if you are truly sorry then you will confess yourself." Riker said. He turned and walked out the door. It killed him to be angry with her, but Rydel has to make a lot up to people. Rydel just looked at the closed door. She knew Riker was right. The only way to make amends is to take Responsibility for what she done.

" Mom, Dad I have something to tell you." Rydel called out as she made her way to the living room.

After an amazing morning with Ratliff and Ross, the three of them just hanged out, as it had been a while since she and Ross did anything together. The three of them were at the beach just relaxing.

" This is a beautiful day." Laura sighed as she lied down on her towel and soaked up some rays. Ross nodded as he was next to her and Ratliff was next to him.

" This was such a great idea." Ratliff said.

" It was, we haven't really hung out much lately Ross and Ratliff I figured we could use a day together. I would asked Rocky but he isn't around. Anyone know what is up with him?" Laura asked.

Ross rolled his eyes.

" I don't know but with Rocky it is always hard to tell, he likes his secrets." Ross said.

" Yeah he does, but come on every night he sneaks out?" Ratliff said.

" That is why I am worried." Laura said.

Ross just shrugged. " Who know Rocky will tell us when he is ready. Now I don't know about you guys but I want to surf." Ross said as he grabbed his wet suit and started putting it on. Ratliff did the same.

" How about you Laur?" Ratliff asked.

Laura just chuckled. ' Surfing and me? They don't go together."

Ross laughed. " That's true, you and clumsiness and surfing would be priceless." Laura lightly punched his arm.

" Ouch." Ross whined.

" Aww poor whittle baby maybe Ratliff would kiss it and make it better?" Laura said.

Ross rolled his eyes.

Ratliff just chuckled. " Let's go surfing." Ratliff said as he and Ross went to grab their boards. Leaving Laura on the towel laughing. She laid back down and just relaxed. This was perfect.

" Hey babe." Riker said as he stood over Laura.

Laura smiled.

" Hey there you." Laura smiled. Riker kicked off his sandals and took off his shirt. He laid down next to her.

" Where did you go?" Laura asked as she sat up. Riker smiled.

" I went over to my parents to let them know that they will soon be going to a wedding." Riker smiled as he kissed her shoulder.

" You told them? I could have gone with you." Laura said a her eyes widen.

Riker laughed.

" I wanted to do it on my own, plus I had something to take care off after."

" What did you have to take care of?" Laura asked.

" That is a surprise." Riker said with a smile.

" Oh really?" Laura said.

" Yes Really. Now lets just enjoy the day and have some fun okay?" Riker said.

Laura smiled.

Today was really perfect. Too bad it was going to come crashing all down.