Girl in a Hoodie: Where the Future Lies

Chapter 2

James's POV:

I sat beside Riley on the settee with her resting her head against my chest as she cuddled into my side. Everyone continued to walk over and join us, discussing some random conversations and others relevant to pregnancy and our engagement. I could tell Riley's put up some sort of a fond relationship with my Aunt Karla who is a nurse and was giving her loads of advice. She seemed to have settled down after talking to her which I appreciate.

"God, it's hot in here," Riley mumbles. She wriggles about in my arms before sitting up properly.

"You want to go outside?" I ask her which ends with her nodding slightly. I stand up, off of the sofa and then walk out with her before sitting down on the outdoor, plastic chairs away from the rest of my slightly-annoying family. It's kind of surprising how my mum is so happy about this. I'm not going to lie, I thought she would have had it out for the both of us, turns out it's the complete opposite and I'm not too sure if that's for better or worse...

When I sit down on one of the chairs, I was expecting Riley to sit on the one opposite me across from the small grey table in between, but instead, she decides to sit on my lap sideways, hugging me tight and resting her head where it was previously. I rub her arm and then kiss the top of her head on her hair.

"What's wrong, Riles?" I ask her. I could sense the tension she was holding within her and how she seemed extremely uptight and down earlier on. She's been like that a lot recently but it's strange that she won't tell me why. I know she's been thinking a lot lately about the baby and been having doubts, I just wish she would talk to me about it though.

She slowly raises her head and looks at me enviously. "How do you do it?" she questions.

"How do I do what?" I ask softly.

"How are you not confused? Or doubtful about life? How are you so calm and collected without a single worry in the world? I don't get it."

"First of all, who said any of that?" I smirk. "I do worry, Ri. I'm not always so calm and versatile, you know that," I tell her. She sighs, her eyes shining in the daylight. "Just because I might not show it all the time doesn't mean I'm not thinking or feeling things humans are meant to feel. What's going on with you, Riles?"

"I don't know... I guess I'm just, what do you call it?"

"Anxious? About the future?" I suggest. She nods. "You don't need to be. I know your life probably seems like it's moving extremely quickly, but I'm always going to be here, you know that. I'm not going anywhere, so you'll never be alone," I remind her.

"I love you, James," she murmurs quietly.

"I love you more," I mumble against her forehead as I kiss it lightly.

"You two!" a sudden voice calls from behind us. We both look up and then see my Aunt Kathy rushing over towards us. "Well aren't you just the cutest thing," she says, referring to Riley. She giggles gingerly, sitting up properly on my lap and readjusting herself. "I must say, James, how did you manage to get with someone like her?" she questions smugly. I furrow my brows, pretending to be offended although I wasn't. I've been asked that question tonnes of times today. It's not really surprising to hear it yet again. Riley smiles. "Well anyways, I came to see how you're coping with the baby, Riley?" She bites her lip.

"I-" but before she can even answer, Kathy cuts her off.

"Frustrating?"

"You could say that-"

"Mm, I know. Deborah was like that with James, I'll have you know. He was a very irritating baby. He still is sometimes," she blabs. I see Riley raise both of her eyebrows in shock as to how much my family chatters. They never stop talking. "Ooh! And the ring! I must see it!" She snatches Riley's hand and then takes a look, her face turning to an admirable one. I suppose I made a rather good choice in picking. "Oh my! It's gorgeous!" she exclaims to which Riley chuckles this time.

"I honestly don't know where he got the money from," Ri claims. I roll my eyes playfully. Let's just say I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who knows a lady who knows another guy who sells amazing rings for considerate prices. Interesting, I know.

"Ah, and I just can't wait for the wedding! Young love," she says as she places a hand over her heart dramatically. Riley bares her teeth as she tries to smile but I can just about sense the awkwardness. My family carries a lot of that around with them. "Anyway, I'll leave you two alone, shall I?" she grins. Before either of us can respond to that, she happily walks off and then Riley stares at me blankly.

"You have a very interesting family..." she says slowly, but also grinning at the same time. I laugh.

"Yeah... That's something I'm not too happy about," I tell her.

Riley's POV:

Later on that evening at around ten o'clock (the time everyone finally chose to go home), I sat in James's room. Well, I guess it's my room now too, but something just feels off... James was having a late-night shower whilst I tried on my pre-bought wedding dress once again. We still have three months until the actual day, but I'm feeling a bit self-conscious over the whole thing.

As I look at myself in the mirror, I instantly take notice of the baggy part around my belly. By the time our wedding day comes, my stomach will be much bigger than it already is. The dress will definitely fit me, but looking at myself wearing it right now, it's dawning on me how much bigger I'm becoming... how much bigger I still have to become...

Sighing, I flunk myself down on the bed, holding the edges of the dress firmly and then allowing it to drop. As I hear the water stop running from the shower, James shortly walks in with a towel over the lower part of his body. I turn around and smile at him, tucking a small piece of hair behind my ear. He walks over and then kisses my lips lightly before walking over to his own drawer and beginning to get changed.

"It's funny how you keep on trying on that wedding dress even though I'm not supposed to see what you look like in it until the wedding day," he proclaims, not facing me and continuing to get dressed.

"I won't look the same though..." I say. "My bump will be much bigger," I mutter. As I say those words, I then feel a slight kick in the pit of my stomach and I smile as I place my hand over the top of it. This pregnancy is so confusing. One minute I hate it, the next I love it.

"You might not look the same but I know you'll look beautiful either way." He turns around to face me after putting on his boxer shorts and plain white t-shirt and then smiles as I blush. "I got you something by the way," he claims. I raise an eyebrow as I look up at him.

"You did?" He nods and then walks over to his bedside table, opening one of the bottom drawers and then bringing out a box. I remain curious as he walks over and sits down beside me. "Here, you can open it." He gestures for me to do just that after placing it in my palms.

"What is it?" I ask him. He shrugs and I roll my eyes before opening the rectangular-shaped black box. After taking the lid off, I place it beside me on the bed and then inside, a silver necklace with a small cross on it is revealed.

"If you look in the cross you'll see something," he tells me. Following his instructions, I take the necklace out and then take a closer look at the cross. On the line across was the initials 'J & R' and then downwards was the word 'forever', all in cursive writing.

"James...!" I gasp,  looking up at him as he smiles sweetly, "I love it!" I find my arms wrapping around his neck, holding the necklace firmly in the palm of my hand as I close my eyes, wanting to be this close to him all of the time. "Thank you," I mumble, my words being full and sincere. He rubs my back slowly.

"I love you, Riles," he says. I pull back and smile at him.

"You must do if you seriously got me this!" I exclaim. He chuckles and then puts his hand out.

"Do you want me to...?" I nod and then he carefully takes the necklace out of my hand whilst I turn around sideways. He moves his hands to the front of my neck and then pulls the chain backwards before clipping it around the back. As soon as it's on, I turn back to face him before allowing our lips to connect once more.