PUCK (A BAD BOY HOCKEY ROMANCE) (42 page)

He reaches his hand down and entwines his fingers with mine. He raises it up and looks at the sparkly ring on my finger, which is weaved into his. Ryan kisses me on the hand and moves it over my belly where both our hands come to rest.

“Is our baby is craving some Chinese food?” he says with a chuckle. “How about we have something to eat and catch up?”

I laugh. With everything being said and the feelings being shared, I forgot how hungry I am. “Sounds like a great idea,” I reply.

We hold hands and walk over to the table. He starts unpacking the food and I grab the plates and drinks. We sit down for dinner, and even though so much has happened, it feels like no time has passed at all. We begin to talk about all the things that we’ve missed since he left. I tell Ryan all about what’s happening with the baby and everything I’ve been learning. He tells me all about the filming the movie and California. Our conversation continues well past the time it takes to eat our meal.

Both of our phones go off at the same time. It’s Tara sending us a group text:
Hope you were able to work everything out. Let me know what happened. I’m at the Dive with everyone and I still haven’t said a word.
We both laugh.

“Poor Tara,” I say. “She’s been so good to me. I feel terrible for putting her in the middle of all this.”

“I know. Me too,” Ryan agrees. “Why don’t we go down there? Then we can tell everyone everything.”

I sigh. “Yeah, we should. I haven’t seen anyone in so long. At least now they’ll understand why,” I answer, placing my hands on my belly again.

“Good. Let’s do it. Then we can come back here and figure out what we’re going to from here on out.”

“True. We have a lot of decisions to make,” I agree.

“We do. And we are going to make them
together,
” Ryan replies. He gets up and kisses me on my head. “I’ll clean up, you go get dressed. I want to see everyone, but I also want to get back here and be with you.” He winks at me.

I go into the bedroom to get dressed. I stare into my mirror and feel like I’m seeing someone completely different. It’s like the cloud of doubt has disappeared from around me. Having Ryan here, knowing he loves me, wearing this ring, everything is falling into place.

R
yan
and I are curled up on the couch, waiting for his car to the airport. It’s as if we are reliving the day he left, except this time, there is no sadness. Of course, I will miss him, but I know we will be together again soon enough, and then we won’t be apart ever again. The few days he was here were like a whirlwind.

After we caught up with each other, we met our friends at the bar. I wish I had taken a picture of their faces when we walked in together, although it doesn’t compare to the shock we saw when we told them about the baby and our engagement. Everyone is so happy for us, most of all Tara. I’m sure she is also relieved to not be carrying the weight of both of our secrets anymore. She made such a nice toast in honor of the both of us and we thanked her for helping us get back together. Without her, I don’t know what would have happened.

We spent the next day with our parents, breaking the news. I’m sure it was a mix of happiness and sadness. They weren’t happy that I hid the pregnancy from them, but I was in for a bigger shock. Ryan had told them everything before he left for California. My stepfather had been angry, but they’d come to terms with our relationship months ago.

My mother tries to convince me to stay with them while Ryan finishes up his film, at least until the baby is born, but my mind is made up already. I’m going to California to be with Ryan. He needs to be there now, and I need to be with him. She plans on making arrangements to stay with us and help with the baby once it’s here. She is over the moon about having a grandbaby. I can tell I hurt her feelings because I wasn’t open with her, but the look in her eye tells me she understands.

Later, when we’re alone, I snuggle in close to my soon to be husband.

“I can’t believe how everything has worked out,” I say softly.

“It’s incredible,” Ryan answers, “it’s like everything I’ve wished for keeps coming true.”

I tuck myself tighter under his arm and we go back to our thoughts. The buzzer rings a few minutes later, indicating his ride is here. Ryan kisses me softly and stands up. He reaches his hands out to help me up off the couch. I don’t really need his help yet, but I don’t mind, I will, at some point. He wraps me in his arms and hugs me snug against him.

“I love you so much,” Ryan whispers.

“I love you too,” I whisper back.

Our lips connect one last time. In the brief moment we have, we let our passion share the unspoken feelings we don’t have time to say before the driver rings the buzzer again.

We hesitantly break our embrace and look at each other once again, taking a mental picture before Ryan leaves. He places his hands on my stomach once more.

“I’ll be waiting for you, Eve,” Ryan reminds me. He smirks. “You better get on the plane this time.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” I reply.

We quickly kiss one last time on the lips. Ryan rubs my stomach and picks up his bag. “I’ll call you when I land. I love you.”

“I love you,” I say and blow him a kiss as he starts down the stairs.

I
’ve been
worried and complaining about how I have nothing pretty to wear. My body is huge and it doesn’t matter what I put on—I look like a giant balloon. Ryan keeps telling me how beautiful I am and that I’m carrying our little miracle inside me. I appreciate it and I know he’s trying, but what I see in the mirror is reality. Nothing I put on will make me look as exquisite as any of the famous actresses and models that I will be surrounded by. The only thing I have to wear is not even close to the level of style the other women will be wearing, but it’s my only option. I leave the store, feeling defeated.

Ryan isn’t home when I get there, but there is a large box with a ribbon on our bed. I open the card and I’m once again overcome with the love and kindness this man has for me:

I know you haven’t been feeling so pretty lately. You have no idea how beautiful you are, especially while you are carrying our baby. You are, and always will be, the sexiest woman in my life. I only have eyes for you, and I would love if you could show up in this tonight. I hope you like it. I had it specially made. There is matching jewelry on the dresser on loan from the designer. I know you will be the most beautiful woman on the red carpet.

I love you.

I open the box and pull the dress out. It is absolutely gorgeous. It’s light blue, the same color as Ryan’s eyes. I hold it up against me and look in the mirror. It’s the perfect complement to my tanned skin.

I take off my clothes to try it on and hope it looks good since I will be wearing it no matter what. I have a little trouble getting it on but when I turn and look at myself, it is actually the perfect dress. It accentuates my body in the right places and masks the areas I don’t want to call attention to.

I walk over to the dresser and open the jewelry boxes. The stones and gems shining back at me are like nothing I’ve ever seen. My fingers are actually shaking as I clasp on the necklace and earrings. I am in awe of my reflection. I actually look like a princess. Ryan has gone above and beyond anything he’s ever done, which is a lot, having this dress made. He made sure I will look and feel as wonderful as he thinks I am.

I take everything back off and send Ryan a text, thanking him. He’s busy with interviews and stylists, and all kinds of last-minute details, but I want him to know I got his gift and I absolutely love it. We won’t see each other until right before we arrive, but we’ll walk in together, for sure.

I spend the rest of the afternoon having my hair and nails done. I want everything to be perfect for Ryan. This is the biggest night of his career, and I want it be flawless. I come home and put the dress and jewelry back on. I wear a pair of flats. Nobody will see my feet and at this point my balance is so off there’s no way I could get into a pair of heels. I get into the awaiting car and take the short drive to meet Ryan.

He steps in and his eyes light up. “You look stunning,” he says.

“Thanks to you,” I reply. “This is amazing. Everything you do is amazing. You deserve everything that is coming to you, Ryan.”

The driver opens the door and hundreds of flashes of light are continuously going off. Ryan steps out of the car and holds out his hands to help me out next while the cameras continue to catch the whole scene. I stand up and straighten my dress, Ryan takes my hand, and we walk the red carpet to his first movie premier. The flashes don’t quit and microphones are shoved toward him and questions yelled quickly over the din as we pass.

We stop at the designated spot for a posed photo and Ryan listens to a couple of questions. He gives the rehearsed answers, and starts to pull me toward the entrance. One of the reporters shouts, “Ryan! Ryan, what’s your next big project after tonight?”

Ryan stops to answer. “We’re going to have our baby, and then I’m going to marry the woman of my dreams.”

He looks at me and winks and we continue the short distance to the entrance. The usher opens the door for us and we disappear inside. I glance around the room. It’s filled with everyone of importance to the movie and their guests. I notice some familiar faces from AGR and PGR, and then spot our friends. Ryan arranged for some of them to be here. The rest will meet us at the after party to celebrate.

“Oh my God, Ryan. I can’t believe this is real,” I whisper, awestruck.

Ryan turns to me and squeezes my hand. “None of this would mean anything without you.”

We hold hands and walk in to the premier of his movie, and the beginning of our dream come true. The lights dim, and a new chapter begins.