Kyla
One ring.
One ring has changed everything. So much so, when someone crept into the room and woke Ricky up, then they both left, I knew it would be club business and I pretended to be asleep. I eventually fell back to sleep and woke up a little while ago and I don’t have the same sick feeling when Ricky is out there. It’s hard to see the ring in the darkness but I can feel it clamped around my finger and it feels like safety.
We’ve spoken about marriage many times. However, I was beginning to believe he was never going to ask. He has now and he doesn’t want a long engagement.
I completely shut my past in a small box and lock it down in the deep depths of my mind. Always look to the future and that’s what I’m going to do.
The silence is interrupted by the earth-shaking rumbles from more than a few bikes and I snuggle deep into the covers.
I relax into the bed when the bedroom door opens and quietly closes. Ricky’s home.
He undresses quickly and quietly, careful not to wake me, and slides into bed slowly.
“You weren’t gone for long,” I murmur, taking him by surprise.
“You’re awake?”
“Yeah.”
His movements sharpens as he doesn’t have to worry about waking me and he leans on one elbow and thumps the flat pillow trying to bring it back to life.
“Where did you go?” I ask, relishing in the warmth his body radiates against me.
“Cas had a sighting of Danny, but he was gone before we got there.”
Hearing the news splits me in two. A part of me is happy they nearly had him because when the Lost Souls have him it means this is over. Yet, the other part shakes in fear that it will turn against the club again and bring more death.
“What happens next?”
“Cas and the others carried on tracking him and the rest of us came back. I need a couple of hours sleep,” he yawns.
“Lay on your front and I’ll rub your back until you fall asleep,” I offer, knowing it won’t take long.
“This is why I’m marrying you, you know how to look after me,” he chuckles and rolls onto his front.
The muscles in his back have always been a turn on for me. The way they move as he moves, even his tattoos can’t hide them.
Straddling has waist, I settle on his firm ass and push my hands up each side of his spine. He lets out a low groan and closes his eyes.
I don’t know if I’m doing this right but he hasn’t complained in the past and I continue adding pressure to the top of his shoulders and drag my palms down his back. In a few minutes, he is softly snoring and I climb off him.
Being up this early I’m able to get in and out of the bathroom without someone wanting in and head downstairs to find my mom and dad already in the kitchen.
I frown when I look at my dad, he looks beat and I wonder how little sleep he can survive on.
“Good morning,” I smile, hiding the worry I have for him.
“Someone’s happy this morning,” mom chirps, already pouring me a coffee.
“Look at the size of her ring, of course she’s happy,” dad grunts, with a smirk playing around his mouth. He is a handsome man for his age when he doesn’t look like he wants to kill you.
“He did good, didn’t he,” I grin.
“He done very well, sweetheart,” mum coos, passing me my coffee.
“How much am I looking at?” dad asks.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m going to be the father of the bride, it’s my duty to pay. So, what kind of wedding do you want? Big? Small?”
I haven’t thought past the engagement ring, let alone the wedding.
“I haven’t thought about it,” I admit.
“It’s time you do, he wants to marry you soon.”
I sit at the table and wrap my hands around the hot mug. It’s getting cold now and a chill runs through me when my mom opens the back door.
“He asked for my blessing yesterday, which I appreciated.”
How very traditional and respectful, I like it.
“I’ll talk to him and get back to you.”
“You do that, if you want to go big don’t worry about the cost. I’ve got it covered, you can have what you want.”
“Thanks, dad.”
The day truly begins now, one of the kids, either JJ or Leo, starts crying upstairs and gets louder as he is brought downstairs.
“Getting married is the only thing we want to look forward too. I’m not ready to be a grandpa yet,” dad huffs and I laugh.
“Don’t worry, I’m not ready for babies either.”
“There’s plenty of time for babies,” mum adds, just to drive it in.
It’s Alannah who walks into the kitchen holding a grumpy Leo on her hip.
“Is he here?” she asks my dad.
“He’s still out there, he’s fine.”
She nods and carries on to the fridge. She’s been told her man is fine and now she continues being a mother and getting on with life. She makes it look so easy, maybe it will be for me one day too.
“Kyla, come and help me make breakfast,” mom says, pulling packs of bacon out of the fridge once Alannah has moved on to put Leo in the highchair.
The grocery bill for everyone staying here is staggering, Ricky threw sixty dollars into the kitty yesterday and others put in their share.
I get lumbered with the eggs but I don’t mind, it gives me a chance to admire my ring as I whisk.
“Congratulations again, hun,” Alannah smiles, pouring Leo a bowl of cereal, “Ricky’s a really good guy.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s been too long since the club had something to look forward too. Please tell me you’re not going to want a small wedding,” she frowns and I smile.
“We haven’t spoken about the wedding yet, but we will and I’ll let you know,” I assure her.
“Make sure you do, after all this shit going on, love and happiness is what we all need.”
I couldn’t agree more. I scramble the eggs, butter toast, set plates on the table and pour a jug of fresh orange juice, all the while day dreaming about a day I never thought I’d see.