Give A Little More

Chapter 18

The first couple of days with Rike being gone, consisted of Rydel and I skyping a lot, because after the guards found out they came over on Thanksgiving we got in trouble like teenagers. Ross and I also watched a lot of Netflix, and I got to write a few blog posts, being that I had a lot of time to shop online.

I woke up three mornings after Riker left and begged my guard to let me go on a jog. He promised I could if it was just up and down the block, and I was happy enough to get out of the house. I took off down our street a couple of times before being flagged down by the one and only Wendy Bentley, our overly kind neighbor, also a mother of four kids. "Harper!!" She smiled, running out to meet me, "You're on a jog!" She said, "That's so great, getting in that best shape for your wedding!" She said. I gasped at first and then smiled, remembering Riker talking about our wedding on Thanksgiving, "I guess so," I breathed heavily, "Yeah,"

"Do you want a glass of water?" She asked me. "Oh, thanks Wendy, but I'm about to head back to my place and jump in the pool," and then a wild amount of words came out of my mouth, "We've got a heated pool," I said, "Would you and the kids like to come over and hang out?" 'What the hell did you just do Harper?' "Well, how generous!" She exclaimed, "Once they finish their school for the day I'll give you a ring!" She smiled at me, turning to face her oldest, playing in the dirt, "Stop that right now!" She yelled, "I'll talk to you later Harper..." She sighed, running over to her bunch of children. I sighed, silently thanking God that I didn't have four children and ran back to my house to shower.

Ross was asleep when I got home, so I showered and cleaned up the house to wait for the arivval of my guests. I had no clue what I was thinking, but I did know Riker would appreciate me trying to be nice to kind people, so I was going to try.

At 3 pm she knocked on my door, all four kids in tow, the youngest only being two months old, was asleep in a cradle on her chest. The three older ones ran straight to the back yard, screaming and throwing pool noodles. "Mommy, come play with us!" A little boy yelled, I had no clue thier names. "Harper, The kids want me to get in with them, would you watch Gregory for me?" She asked politely. "I, um, I guess," I said. 'Gregory, remember that,' She handed him to me and I sat down in one of our lawn chairs, watching the kids jump like maniacs around our pool and I sighed, "Boy, am I gonna need a drink after this..."

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Finally after four hours of pool and family fun, Wendy took her screaming children and her screaming baby out of my house to go home. I had to give it to her, she did really well in stressful situations, like your kids wanting you in the pool while you're breastfeeding and changing a diaper at the same time, but it wasn't something I could handle. Maybe one or two. If Riker found out I was even considering wanting children, he'd flip and get all happy and want to get married and have kids and it would be all he talked about, and right now I like it jut being the two of us to focus on.

"Whoa, who let out a ditry diaper," Ross scrunched up his nose and sat on the couch, tossing his shoes off, "Ugh keep it clean please," I whined, picking them up, "And ugh, Ross, go SHOWER, you stink, did you go run?" "Up and down the block 60 times... I miss the beach." He sighed, standing up, "And who flipped your switch, Harper, loosen up." He rolled his eyes. "Sorry," I rubbed my eyes, "I just, I miss Riker and Wendy and her devils were over in the pool and I just need a drink!"

"Deal," Ross said, "I'll go shower, you fix the drinks, we'll make a game of it." "Are you sure?" I asked him. "Positive, I'll be right out..." He said, winking and walking down the hallway. I got out the tequila and various other alcoholic beverages I had hidden away. Shortly after, Ross came back in, sweatpants and a t-shirt and a santa hat. "What the hell is that?" I giggled, pointing to his head. "Laugh now," He said, "But It's basically, you take shots whenever someone wears the santa hat." He said, putting the red and white hat on our TV. "Sounds fun enough after just having gone through that traumatic experience." I said to him, shuddering. He started the movie Elf and we took one shot almost immediately. "This is gonna be goooooood," I said, "But Riker would have loved it, I wish he were here," I said, taking another drink. "We'll play it again when he gets back,"

"After a day like today," I slurred, "Boy am I happy I don't have to be drinking alone," I giggled. "We too," Ross hiccuped, "I mean ME," He laughed, stumbling to the floor with laughter. "Fuck," He said, "Ow" He laughed. "Okay," He said, "Unpause the movie," He yelled. I smiled and pressed the button, picking up my drink to take another shot.

"I can't stand," I giggled, asking for his hands, "Ross," I smiled. "Harper, I loves you," He said, hugging my tightly. "I love you more than that!" I said to him. I walked tumbling into the bathroom and came back to Ross passed out on the couch, "Ross I'm so fucking tired." I paused, "I just puked and you don't even care!" Then I blacked out.