Love Me Now. (Book 1)

chapter 19:- Garden Parties.

Winding down Ryders window he presses the intercom to let us into the gates house property.

Signalling us to go in when the gate moves open Ryder drives up the long driveway, I gasp at the size of the house. However it isnt a house it's a mansion. Beautiful brickwork, with a lovely trellis around the double white door entrance.

"Ryder, you didnt tell me your auntie lived here." I sigh.

"Dont worry baby girl, your met my family and auntie before they love you, just like I do so stop panicking." He gentle grabs my hand placing a kiss to my knuckles.

Ryder opens the car do for me, holding onto my hand to help me out.
We make our way to the back of the property where the party is in fill swing, hearing the jazz music in the background.

The garden has been set up beautifully, theres a marquee in the centre, with seated tables and chairs all covered in white with fancy link ribbons, flower decorations in the middle of each table.
They even have a stage with a live band playing aswell as waiters serving food and drink to people.

"Ryder, your mother told me it was going to be a small affair, there must be over 150 people here ." I insist.

"Heads up baby, I think my auntie spotted you."

Before I can even say another word, Ryder auntie Caroline comes running over in her black heels and wine glass in toe.

"Oh my god, Bianca, I cant believe it's you, how have you been my darling? " she smiles whilst going in for a hug.

" I'm good thank you, how have you been? Happy birthday. " I pass over the present from Ryder.

Ryder goes in to hug his auntie whilst his mother Jeanette now appears.

"Hello my lovies, I so glad you decided to come in the end Bianca. "

"Well I dont think Ryder wouldn't have accepted no for an answer" I say whilst starring at him.

He smirks and take me off guard by pulling my waist in close to his side and kisses be gently on the forehead.

His mother and auntie both star wide eyes with amusement.

"So are you two  like back together?" Jentette asks.

"Yes mum, Bianca has given me another chance and I'm not going to let her down again.
I asked her to be my girlfriend yesterday and she said yes." Ryder grins.

"Thars amazing news, I'm so happy!" Jenette beams.

"Oh god best present ever my nephew has finally got his love of his life back." Caroline's jumps up and down.

Ryders brings his head down to my ear and whisper ignore her she had to much to drink already.

We spend the next hour or two mingling with the rest of the family and other guest.

Taking a seat at one of the tables I need to rest my pins from all the standing in my heels.
Ryder comes back with a glass of wine for me and a soft drink for him, he moves his chair closer to mine wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

A older lady approaches and takes a seat next opposite us on the table.
She must be in her mid to late 60s at least but she is glammed up to the 9s with her silver grey hair permed, and full set of jewelry on.

I look to Ryder to see if he knows who it is but get cut off.

"Ryder my dear come and give your nanna a hug will you?"

So it's the nan, over the years if knowing Ryder and dating him I never met his grandmother so this was lovely too see.

I watch as Ryder gets off his seat and higs his nan tightly.

"So who is this pretty little thing?"

" Hi, I'm Bianca, Ryder girlfriend." I state.

"Well hello there, I'm Betty but you can call me nanna B if you like. "

"So you and my grandson ah, well I hope your being carefully and making sure you wrap it Ryder, but then again I'm getting old now and I would like to see my great grandson or granddaughter before I cough it." Betty says so bluntly.

I nearly choke on my wine at how forward and blunt she is but cant help but chuckle atnher sense of humour.

"No nan, no grand babies just yet I'm afraid. " Ryders smirks back to me.

"Well you best get on it, I can always make an excuse if you two want to disappear for a while." Betty laughs now.

"Nanna, just stop will you. "

After getting to know Ryders nan, I realised she is so similar to Ryder in many ways.

The sun finally is setting and the beautiful white clouds descend with the red sky light above.

I look to Ryder who is now standing.

"May I have this dance Bianca?" Ryder said.

"Of course, young sir. " I laugh at my own response.

Ryder guides me to the dance floor near the stage where a handful of people are dancing.

I wrap my hands around his neck, whilst he places his hands on my waist moving to the music.

"Thank you for today Ryder, this, everything  your family has been amazing, thank you for sharing it with me. " I say.

"Anything for you baby girl. I love you.  "

"And I love you." I respond.

A new song has just started to be played, its reo speedwagon with I'm going to keep on loving you.

"Bee"

I stare up to Ryder looking into his eyes. .

"This is our song baby, when I said that I love you, I meant that I'd love you forever, and I'm going to keep on loving you,cause it's the only thing I wanna do,I dont wanna sleep, I just wanna keep on loving you." Ryder sings the lyrics to me whilst I'm memorized just gazing into his eyes.

"I think I could love you forever Ryder. There is no one else for me ever. " i finish.