Second Place
Birthday in Italy
(Part Two)
Disclaimer: check out chapter 1 – Thanks!
Pairing: Ross/Laura/Riker
Author's Note:
Song(s) used: "Wings" by Little Mix; "Birthday" by Selena Gomez
Special Thanks to: Google translator (English to Italian)
*Laura's, Rydel's, Maia's, and Raini's outfits can be found on my profile – Check it out!
SP*SP*SP
"Happy Birthday, Rydel!" Laura, Raini, and Maia cheered in unison, throwing their arms up to add emphasis to the occasion. Currently, the group of young women (minus Neo, who would pick them up later) were in a private club that primarily catered to the eighteen-and-over crowd, but also kept their celebrity-status down to a minimum for comfort and safety reasons.
Rydel laughed, sheer happiness shining in her eyes as she gazed down at the cupcake with pink frosting in front of her. There was a single lit candle, and she leaned forward to blow it out. "Thanks, you guys," she said. "Today has been so much fun!"
Morning had brought the other girls to excitedly wake Rydel to start her day as a newly turned twenty-year-old. They did everything the blonde wanted to do, which mostly consisted of shopping, sightseeing, and eating at the most gorgeous restaurants and cafes Italy had to offer. Neo had played driver, so that the girls could experience the foreign country to its fullest, and Laura had made sure to keep her work schedule clear for that day.
Now, the group of friends was dressed in their best outfits to spend an evening filled with rocking music, good company (meaning each other), and more delicious food and drinks.
"Hey, don't mention it," Laura said, waving off Rydel's words. "You totally deserve it – And the night is just beginning!"
Maia lifted her glass of Italian soda, grinning. "I'll drink to that!"
"Cheers!" they chorused as one, laughing.
Taking a sip of her grape Italian soda that matched her dress, Raini asked, "So, what's on the agenda for tonight, ladies?"
Rydel shot Laura a questioning look. "You'll have to ask Laura that. She set this whole thing up."
Laura smiled widely at her friends. "Jean-Paul told me all about this club. He says the food is eccellente, and that they have – wait for it – karaoke!" Delicate hands smoothed down her cherry-red, strapless dress, and she added, "I already put our names in, so now we just wait until they call us."
"I forgot you spoke Italian." Maia cocked her head to the side, curious. "Didn't you do some interviews in Italian?"
"Sì, ho fatto. Tutti siamo rimasti entusiasti."
"What?" the other three asked, blinking.
The petite brunette chuckled, then answered, "I said: Yes, I did. Everyone was so impressed." She shrugged. "Or, at least, that's how my father taught me how to speak Italian. Vanessa is more fluent than I am."
"That's still very impressive," Raini said. "What other languages do you speak? I've known you for how long and I never asked."
Rydel shook her head in self-mockery. "Speak for yourself. I've known her since Elementary and this is the first time I've even heard her speak this much Italian." She could remember going to Laura's house before they moved to California; Laura only spoke Italian with her father, though only a little when they had guests.
Laura answered Raini's question, "I can speak Italian, of course, English – duh – and I know some Spanish."
"And yet you can't whistle?" Raini teased, chuckling.
"You can't either!"
Rydel and Maia laughed as the two friends broke into a playful banter, knowing it wouldn't develop into anything remotely serious. If anything, they would have to avoid soaring ice cubes or straw wrappers turned into flying projectiles.
Suddenly, the music lowered, catching the girls' attention. "For all of you karaoke lovers out there," a male's smooth voice announced, "our next performers are: Laura Marano, Rydel Lynch, Maia Mitchell, and Raini Rodriguez. Please give them a warm welcome to the stage!"
Claps and cheers preceded the girls as they stood, laughing, and made their way to the stage area that was set in the middle of the club. Tables surrounded the right half, while a dance floor took up the remaining space on the left. It gave the patrons the option of either dancing with the singer/singers or sitting and enjoying the free entertainment.
The DJ's station hugged the back corner of the stage, which kept him out of the way but close enough to speak with any of the performers.
"What will you lovely ladies be singing tonight?"
The four shared a single look before answering simultaneously, "Wings by Little Mix."
"Perfetto. Let's get this beat started!"
As the music started, Laura, Rydel, Maia, and Raini lined up with the four microphone stands that had been up set for them. The crowd went wild as they smiled, then opened their mouths to start singing their hearts out.
Wings:
All:
"Mama told me not to waste my life
She said spread your wings my little butterfly
Don't let what they say keep you up at night
And if they give you shhhh...
Then they can walk on by"
The audience went ballistic. The sound of their applause and excitement had the girls shifting and bopping faster to the beat. The energy they could feel bleeding off of the crowd fed their own, and it made their voices harmonize with crystal-clear clarity. Everything and everyone was beyond exhilarated.
Raini:
"My feet, feet can't touch the ground
And I can't hear a sound
But you just keep on running up your mouth yeah
Walk, walk on over there
'Cause I'm too fly to care, oh yeah"
All:
"Your words don't mean a thing
I'm not listening
Keep talking, all I know is
Mama told me not to waste my life,
She said spread your wings my little butterfly
Don't let what they say keep you up at night
And they can't detain you
'Cause wings are made to fly
And we don't let nobody bring us down
No matter what you say – it won't hurt me
Don't matter if I fall from the sky
These wings are made to fly
(Hey, hey, woo!)"
Rydel laughed as she continued singing with her best friends, truly happy and not afraid to show it. She couldn't ask for better friends; they were like family.
All four exchanged glances, sly gleams in their eyes. Then, much the audience's approval, they began rocking and swaying to the beat of the pounding music. The microphone stands moved and swayed with their bodies, their hands holding the staffs to make sure it didn't fall.
Maia:
"I'm firing up on that runway
I know we're gonna get there someday
But we don't need no "Ready. Steady. Go!", no
Talk, talk turns into air
And I don't even care, oh yeah"
All:
"Your words don't mean a thing
I'm not listening
Keep talking, all I know is
Mama told me not to waste my life,
She said spread your wings my little butterfly
Don't let what they say keep you up at night,
And they can't detain you
'Cause wings are made to fly
And we don't let nobody bring us down
No matter what you say – it won't hurt me
Don't matter if I fall from the sky
These wings are made to fly"
The only thing Rydel might change about this night, however, was that Calum wasn't there. They had been in Italy for a week and, after her initial hesitation, Rydel had texted the redheaded actor. It was the first step to what she hoped would become something deeper, but she still remained unsure.
All she did know was that she liked talking to him. A lot. Their conversations had carried from when they awoke to the time when they went to sleep. It didn't matter how long it lasted, all that mattered was that Rydel talked to Calum every day since that first text.
She really hoped it meant something more than friendship.
Laura:
"I don't need no one saying hey, hey, hey, hey
I don't hear no one saying hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
You better keep on walking
I don't wanna hear your talking, boy'd
You better keep on walking
I don't wanna hear your talking, boy'd"
All:
"Your words don't mean a thing
I'm not listening
They're just like water off my wings
Mama told me not to waste my life
She said spread your wings my little butterfly (my little butterfly)
Don't let what they say keep you up at night
And they can't detain you
'Cause wings are made to fly
And we don't let nobody bring us down
No matter what you say – it won't hurt me
Don't matter if I fall from the sky
These wings are made to fly"
Rydel cleared her thoughts as she got ready to do the big finish. It was like she and the others didn't need to communicate verbally – they all just knew when the other would be singing solo while the others picked up where they needed to. She loved how they could have entire conversations with just a glance. To her, it spoke of true, everlasting friendship; a type of sisterhood, almost.
It was also why she was finally ready to tell them about her growing feelings for Calum. It was time to put them out of their misery. Ever since Raini had asked about the Canadian in front of Maia (and Laura in the hotel room), none of them would leave Rydel alone. Of course, she handled it in good fun and amusement – since she would have done the same to any of them – but now she felt confident about what to say.
She was ready to admit that she liked Calum Worthy as more than a friend.
Rydel:
"And we don't let nobody bring us down
No matter what you say – it won't hurt me
Don't matter if I fall from the sky
These wings are made to fly."
As the song finished and the music ebbed away, the crowd exploded with noise and cheers. The four young women on stage glanced at each other, grinning and laughing from the adrenaline pumping through their veins. They'd never get tired of performing for people, especially enthusiastic fans.
The DJ spoke up, causing their gazes to shift onto him. "This isn't normally done, but… Would you ladies consider singing another song for us?"
Again, they looked at each other. Then, smiling widely, they answered him in unison:
"We'd love to."
SP*SP*SP
A few hours later since their performance and encore, Rydel once more stood on the karaoke stage amidst a cheering crowd. This time, however, she stood alone, as the other girls joined the audience. Everyone was eager to hear the song she was going to sing, and Rydel's heart was thumping excitedly in her chest. She was surprised that it hadn't hopped out yet.
Hands grabbing onto the microphone set up for her use, she nodded slightly in the DJ's direction to signal that she was ready. It wasn't long afterwards that the upbeat music started to play Birthday by Selena Gomez.
The crowd gave a resounding cheer. Rydel grinned.
Birthday:
"Tell 'em that it's my birthday [x3]
When I party like that
Every night's my birthday
They don't know, so it's okay
Tell 'em that it's my birthday
When I party like that
(Jazz it up)
[x2]"
Swaying the skirt of her pink dress to the beat of the music, Rydel continued to sing and lightly dance where she stood. There was just something different about performing solo versus singing with the band.
Don't get her wrong – She loved performing with her brothers and Ratliff. They were her family, like how Laura and the other girls were. But Rydel couldn't deny the thrill she got when she actually got to sing by herself.
It could be intoxicating.
"Happy as can be
Falling into you, falling into me (so yummy)
How do you do, come and meet the queen, cake and cream
Blow your dreams, blow your dreams, blow your dreams away with me
Blow your dreams, blow your dreams, blow your dreams away with me
So yummy
Tell 'em that it's my birthday
[x3]
When I party like that
Every night's my birthday
They don't know, so it's okay
Tell 'em that it's my birthday
When I party like that
(Jazz it up)
[x2]"
The blonde keyboardist took the microphone off the stand, starting to dance more vigorously on stage. The crowd went wild, and she grinned wider as she walked along the stage's edge. At this rate, her face was going to be stuck like that.
"Feeling fine and free
Crashing into you, crashing into me (so yummy)
It's all I wanna do, come and dance with me, pretty please
Blow your dreams, blow your dreams, blow your dreams away with me
Blow your dreams, blow your dreams, blow your dreams away with me"
Her thoughts inevitably went to Calum. What was he doing now? Sleeping? Recording something for a show he's guest starring on? Rydel wasn't sure about his work schedule, but she was definitely telling him about her performance. Sure, she was singing karaoke, but that didn't mean she didn't want him to see her.
Hopefully someone in the audience was recording tonight's entertainment for YouTube, despite the fact that the club was known for keeping celebrities' identities secret.
"Tell 'em that it's my birthday [x3]
When I party like that
Every night's my birthday
They don't know, so it's okay
Tell 'em that it's my birthday
When I party like that
Tell 'em that it's my birthday
[x3]
When I party like that
Every night's my birthday
They don't know, so it's okay
Tell 'em that it's my birthday
When I party like that
Blow your dreams, blow your dreams, blow your dreams away with me
[x4]
(Party on, baby)"
From the dance floor, Laura cheered at the top of her lungs as she continued to watch her best blonde (female) friend. She couldn't have been more proud of Rydel than in that moment – She looked and sounded stunning. Laura just wished a certain redheaded actor could see how bright Rydel was shining. He would have been mesmerized.
"Tell 'em that it's my birthday [x3]
When I party like that
Every night's my birthday
They don't know, so it's okay
Tell 'em that it's my birthday
When I party like that"
Standing between Laura and Maia, Raini had her phone out, recording Rydel's stellar performance. Grinning, the Latina couldn't wait to post the video. She planned on tagging Calum (and them, of course) to make sure he saw it the next time he logged on.
More than anything, she wanted Rydel and Calum to get together. They seemed so right for each other, and Raini was enough of a mother hen to worry about their individual happiness. They were both in good places, career-wise, but they lacked in the romance department.
At one time, Raini thought she could be that for Calum, but her feelings hadn't extended past deep friendship. With Rydel, Calum had more of a chance to find some happiness. Who was Raini to disrupt that? No, she was going to encourage it as much as possible.
After all, that's what friends were for, right?
"Tell 'em that it's my birthday [x3]
When I party like that
Every night's my birthday
They don't know, so it's okay
Tell 'em that it's my birthday
When I party like that."
As the song came to an end, the audience erupted into screams and shouts. Rydel laughed as she replaced the microphone to the stand, waving to her Italian fans and exited the stage to rejoin her friends.
"Give it up for Miss Rydel Lynch, everyone! Wasn't she sorprendente?" the DJ said, "Next up, we have..."
Rydel tuned out the rest of the DJ's words as she reunited with the others, all squealing in excitement and laughing.
"Well, I can check that off the bucketlist," she said, grinning.
"Yeah," Raini agreed, "singing karaoke in a different country was definitely awesome!"
Maia laughed. "This should become a 'thing' for us."
"Like you could go two weeks without Rocky on a near-regular basis," Laura teased. "I would pay to see that happen!"
"As if you could do the same with Riker," the Australian actress popped back playfully.
Laura pretended to think about it, then shrugged. "Riker and I–"
"Are practically married," the other three chimed in simultaneously, giggling humorously.
"Well, you're not wrong..." Laura would be the first to admit that she and Riker had been together for so long, marriage would be the next logical step. But her feelings for Ross complicated things, especially when it came to living arrangements. She and Riker couldn't stay in the Lynch house forever, after all. Where did that leave her and Ross? "But I don't know about any upcoming engagements in the near-future."
The girls made their way back to the table while they contemplated Laura's words.
Once seated, Rydel asked with obvious concern, "What do you mean? You and Riker are crazy about each other."
The petite brunette nodded. "We are," she reassured, "but I don't think we're ready to tie the knot – at least, not yet. I mean, we're still young and our careers are starting to really take-off. Marriage right now wouldn't be ideal, but maybe in another few years." By then she'd know what to do about her Ross situation too, but it wasn't like she could mention it. It also made her wonder if Ross thought about their future.
The others nodded in understanding. Maia commented, "You're right – You two are still young. There's plenty of time to decide things for your relationship." Sighing dreamily, she added, "Like with me and Rocky. We're gonna last forever and ever. I can feel it."
SP*SP*SP
Meanwhile, Rocky was lounging on the couch, watching a game on TV with Ryland. The older brunette wasn't sure where his other brothers were, but he assumed Ross was hanging out with Calum again, while Ratliff spent time with Kelly. Riker, on the other hand, was at the studio, recording more songs for Glee with the other Warblers. Mark and Stormie were doing their own thing, too, but it didn't matter to Rocky. He liked spending time with Ryland, especially because they didn't get a lot of one-on-one brother time.
"So," Ryland asked, never taking his eyes away from the television, "how are things with Maia?"
His own gaze never leaving the screen, Rocky shrugged. "We're okay. You know, just having fun and spending time together when we can."
"Cool." It was silent for a moment. "How long have you two been dating?"
"Few months, I guess."
"Cool."
Suddenly, the opposing team scored a point, and Rocky and Ryland jumped to their feet, yelling at the screen and pointing wildly. When the moment was over, they sat back down, huffing and still grumbling about what happened.
Ryland then asked, "What were we just talking about?"
"Hell if I remember."
SP*SP*SP
Maia released another dreamy sigh the more she thought about her relationship with Rocky. "Yup," she reiterated, "forever and ever."
"We heard you the first time," the others laughed.
"So," the Australian actress continued, grinning, "aside from my love affair with an amazing guy – What about you, Rydel? Being the birthday girl, the focus should be on you." Laura and Raini turned their attention onto their blonde companion, who sipped her strawberry Italian soda as if bracing herself.
Rydel set her drink down, silently taking a deep breath. Then, with as much courage as she could muster, she said, "I like Calum... as more than a friend."
SP*SP*SP
Back in Los Angeles, Ross and Calum were at the latter's apartment that he used when he was in town. In Canada, he mostly stayed with his family, so it was nice being able to live on his own, especially when he had to work odd hours between acting gigs or attending University.
Currently, the two friends were watching movies they dumped into a pile and randomly chose from. For snacks, they went with the basics: soda, chips and dip, popcorn, and a box of pizza were scattered on the coffee table. They would have invited the other guys, too, if they all hadn't had plans for the day.
It was fine, however. Ross saw this as the perfect opportunity to ask Calum about Rydel without the others around to overhear. The blonde teen knew that the two had been texting – there wasn't a lot that got passed him. He had to wonder how things were progressing, though. Laura and Raini hadn't had much to report, and Ratliff wasn't as close to the Canadian as Ross was.
"So, has anything changed between you and Rydel?" he casually asked, keeping his eyes glued to the television set. Avengers was playing, one of Ross's all-time favorite action movies.
Calum paused, popcorn pieces in the hand halfway to his mouth. He was silent for a moment before admitting, "We've been texting a lot since she and the other girls got to Italy."
"Oh?" He hoped he did a good job of keeping his interest down to a minimum.
"Yeah." A smile twitched across the older male's lips. "The time difference throws things off, of course, but we manage. She says she's having a good time."
Ross replied, "That's good. I'm glad she's having fun. The trip was her birthday present from Laura, after all." So far, the conversation was going good. He just hoped Calum would be more direct about his feelings for Rydel without Ross having to pry it from him. The girls and Neo would be coming home soon, and the blonde guitarist wanted to know where Calum and Rydel (hopefully) stood before that. "Rydel mention anything else?"
"She mentioned this guy named Jean-Paul." His nose wrinkled lightly, but no hint of jealously touched his tone. "He's the photographer for Laura's photo shoot. Seems like a nice guy, from what I've been told. Everyone on the crew is also really friendly."
Jean-Paul, huh? He would be lying if he said he wasn't a little bit jealous, if not concerned. His (secret) girlfriend was in an entirely different country, where tons of good-looking guys could flirt with her. Full-blooded Italian guys, at that. Aren't they known for being 'hot blooded' or something, whatever that meant?
Ross mentally shook his head. He needed to stay focused. Right now, he was in the middle of (possibly) setting up Calum and Rydel. His only sister's happiness could be on the line.
"What else have you guys talked about?"
Calum popped a piece of popcorn into his mouth, shrugging casually. "All kinds of stuff, I guess," he hedged. "She's... really easy to talk to. She reminds me that I shouldn't take everything so seriously. That I need to remember to have fun, you know?" A light, affectionate tone entered his voice towards the end. It slipped in unintentionally, but Ross caught it.
He smiled. "Good. It sounds like you two are getting along great."
"I hope so, man. I really hope so. But the true test will be when she returns to LA with the others."
"You planning on asking her out on a date?"
Slowly, the redhead nodded. "I think it would be the best way to determine how I feel about her," he answered. "I'm pretty sure I'm still not in the rebound-stage, but I want to be absolutely sure. Rydel deserves better than that."
Ross nodded in understanding. Even if things didn't work out between Calum and Rydel, Ross was happy to know that Calum only ever had the best intentions towards Ross's only sister and R5's talented keyboardist.
He slapped his friend on the shoulder, smiling encouragingly. "I hope things work out for you, bro," he said.
Calum grinned, blue eyes sparkling. "Thanks, Ross. That means a lot."
SP*SP*SP
After dropping her bomb, the other three young women started squealing and asking all sorts of questions. How long has she been talking to Calum? When did she figure out her feelings for him extended past friendship? What did they talk about? Were they planning on having their first date when she got back?
Rydel laughingly answered everything she could, though most were left to speculation. She wasn't sure when, exactly, her feelings changed, but she knew Calum was a good guy. He made her laugh, and he always showed he cared in some way, like with a compliment or when he talked about a charity that he wanted to get involved with. He even made the subjects he wanted to study at the local University sound exciting.
Really, how couldn't she fall for a guy like that?
"Okay, so, what would you consider a perfect first date?" Maia asked, grinning.
Rydel thought about it for a second, contemplating how she should answer. "Well, I'm not very picky," she said, "Maybe dinner and a movie?"
Laura cooed, "Ooh, classic." Taking a sip from her cherry Italian soda, she added, "My first date with Riker was going out for dinner. We stayed there for so long, talking, they practically had to kick us out."
"I can't imagine what you two had to talk about," Raini said, shaking her head. "I mean, you've known each other for years. What else did you have to discuss?"
"I guess it was because we had such a history that things were easy for us. We just got to add a few 'benefits', I guess you could say," the brunette giggled.
Maia teased, "Like holding hands, and hugging, and cuddling, and kissing. Right?"
Rolling her eyes, Rydel said, "Emphasis on the kissing. It's totally weird seeing your older brother kissing your best friend. I almost fainted the first time I saw them."
"And now?" Raini asked, amused.
"They're so sweet I can feel cavities forming," she replied good-naturedly.
Laura playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop it," she reprimanded, "we're not that bad. Besides, we were talking about you, Delly. What kind of movie would you want to see?"
"Why does the type of movie matter?" the blonde asked, confused.
"Because it sets the tone for the rest of the night," the other three answered simultaneously.
Rydel made a noise of understanding. "So, I should choose a romance?" She liked watching romantic movies as much as the next girl, but she loved paranormal or fantasy more. One of her favorite TV shows was The Vampire Diaries, after all.
Laura said, "Well, romantic-comedy is good, too, but you should pick something you'll actually enjoy. There's no point in going to a movie if you end up falling asleep."
"I did that once," Raini admitted, shaking her head. "I was on a date with this guy, and the movie turned out to be more boring than I thought. It didn't help that I was working on two television gigs at the same time."
"What happened?" Maia asked. She couldn't imagine falling asleep in a crowded theater but, then again, she could imagine the exhaustion she'd feel while working on two different projects. She'd probably enter la la land while getting the tickets.
"Ah, he took it personally. After that, let's just say we didn't go out on another date."
Rydel commented, "Okay, I definitely don't want that to happen."
Laura soothingly patted her arm. "Don't worry. Horror flicks are great excuses to cuddle," she offered, wiggling her eyebrows playfully. "Just FYI."
Laughing, the blonde summed up, "Okay, so I should stick to something like romantic-comedy to set the mood for the rest of the date, but horror movies are fine if I want to cuddle with him." Hearing it out loud like that, she had to shake her head in consternation. "Those genres are, like, totally at opposite ends of the spectrum."
"Yeah, but it's fool-proof," the other three replied, shrugging.
SP*SP*SP
The next morning, before Laura left to another photo shoot, she set up her laptop to video-chat with Riker. Talking on the phone and texting weren't enough, so the couple had figured out when the best time would be to have some face-to-face conversation.
Yawning behind a small, clenched fist, the petite brunette laid down on her stomach with a pillow propping her head up. She smiled lazily at her boyfriend, who had his laptop set up on his desk.
"Hey, you," she softly greeted.
"Hey, yourself, beautiful. How was last night?"
She laughed quietly, feeling so happy and giddy for Rydel. "It was so much fun. We danced and sang karaoke, and drank so much Italian soda I'm surprised none of us got sick."
Riker chuckled. "I'm glad you guys had such a good time. What else did you do?"
From there, Laura told him about all the shopping they did, all of the restaurants and other eating places they visited. He listened attentively, nodding, and chuckling at the appropriate times. When she started explaining some of the clothes she bought, she could tell from his expression that he wondered how much Rydel would be bringing home. He knew how much of a shopaholic his only sister could be.
"Well, it sounds like everyone had a really great time," he said. "You practically sound like you want to live there."
"I wouldn't object," she cheekily replied.
He smirked in amusement. "I wouldn't either, as long as I get to move up there with you."
"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way, Riker."
"Good," he said. "So, you have another photo shoot to get ready for?"
Laura wrinkled her nose cutely. "Yeah, my last one. After that, I'll be coming home to Los Angeles." Dropping her voice, she silkily added, "And back into your arms. Into your bed." Of course, the same could be said about Ross, but Riker had always been her first love. Besides, she'd been in more contact with the younger blonde than her actual boyfriend the entire trip.
His own voice dropping until it sounded like a sexy growl, the bassist said, "I can't wait either, babe. Two weeks apart is too long."
She purred in pleasure, though her doe-like eyes trailed to the second bed on the other side of the room. Rydel was still sound asleep, which Laura planned on keeping that way, which meant no hanky panky courtesy of the hotel's free WiFi.
Releasing a heavy sigh, she gave Riker a solemn look. "If only I had my own room," she softly said, the words coming out throaty. "I would've given you quite the show."
"I'm sure you would have," he replied, chuckling, but trying to clear his mind of hot, dirty images of watching Laura pleasure herself on his computer screen. Another time, perhaps. Hell, why should he settle for that when he would soon have her physically? He could be patient. Yeah, right. Most likely not. "I'm guessing Rydel is there?"
"Yeah. She's out like a rock, but I'm not surprised. Last night was pretty wild, considering we're in a foreign country, and she's no longer a teen."
Riker rolled his eyes, but a smile curved his mouth. More than anything, he was happy that his only sister had a good time on her birthday. Nothing could have topped the trip to Italy. "I can only imagine what you girls will be planning when you've all hit twenty-one."
The petite brunette pouted prettily at her boyfriend. "You're not gonna take me to Vegas?" she inquired.
"Do you want me to take you to Vegas?" he returned teasingly.
She nibbled her bottom lip, eyes sparkling. "Surprise me," was all she said.
The couple continued talking for several more minutes, Riker explaining what he'd been doing since she left, before Laura's phone buzzed with a text from Neo.
"Do you have to go?" Riker asked, disappointment coloring his tone but understanding overpowered it, especially when she looked into his eyes.
Scanning the text quickly, she nodded in resignation. "Yeah, they're expecting me within the hour, and I still need to finish getting dressed." Thankfully, only the light make-up she'd put on would take the longest. "I'll send you texts throughout the day. I miss you, Riker."
"I miss you, too, Laura," he softly replied. "But don't worry. After today, you'll be back home in no time."
"Can't wait."
"I love you."
She smiled as warmth centered in her chest. She'd never get tired of hearing him say that. "I love you, too, so much."
With a last boyish smile and wave, Riker closed the video-chat as Laura did the same. When the screen was blank, she blew out a gusty sigh.
Yeah, she couldn't wait to go home. She missed her guys.
SP*SP*SP
When his conversation was over, Riker went back to bed for a few more hours of sleep. He couldn't wait until Laura (and the others) were home again. He missed her, but at least he'd been able to stay busy during the two weeks she'd been gone. If he hadn't, he was sure he would have ended up a little stir-crazy. The video-chat had eased some of that, thankfully.
Now, dressed in a T-shirt, sweats, and glasses, the blonde made his way downstairs for a late breakfast. He was positive his brothers would give him hell for sleeping in (again), but talking face-to-face with Laura was worth any ribbing he would receive.
Knock, knock, knock!
Pausing at the bottom of the stairway, Riker gave the door a curious glance. No one was supposed to be stopping by today, not even Ratliff (who pretty much had his own key at this point). The drummer was supposed to be having a date with Kelly, seeing as how the two only had a limited amount of time together.
The blonde could understand. If it weren't for the fact that Laura was also in the entertainment business (not to mention living under the same roof), they wouldn't have a lot of quality time with each other. With Kelly's job and Ratliff's obligations to the band, the couple basically had no time for a relationship. Riker was just impressed they could keep it together; it couldn't be easy to be apart for long periods of time, like when R5 was on tour or performing a concert in another city.
Knock, knock, knock!
Snapping out of his thoughts, Riker shook his head to clear it. Now wasn't the time to psycho-analyze another's relationship. He should be answering the door. It could be a lost tourist in desperate need of directions.
"Just a second," he called out. Opening the front door, he started, "How can I–?" His expression darkened like a thundercloud as he got a good look at the person on the other side. Suddenly, that desperate tourist didn't sound so bad. "What the fuck do you want?"