Falling Apart, Together✓

Chapter Seventeen

I hadn't meant to fall asleep at Archer's so when I woke up there, I was very discombobulated. I open the door to get started with my day and tripped over something on the floor in front of the door. Looking down, I sighed, a sad smile gracing my features. Ransom.

I squat down and brush his hair out of his face. He looks so peaceful in his sleep, the worry lines disappearing. It almost makes me feel guilty for the silent, passive aggressive treatment I have been giving him lately... Almost. He stirs, leaving into my hand in his sleep. I let out a low laugh which causes him to open an eye.

"Morning," he mumbles, his voice deeper and raspy from sleep. God, I hated the effect this man has on me, I thought as I felt my panties dampen.

"Good morning. Were you out here all night?" I ask taking in the rest of him, his sweater and pants wrinkly.

"Mmhmm. I didn't want you to be alone." I chuckle.

"Archer was right across the hall. I wasn't alone."

"Not what I meant and you know it."

"I know," I sigh. "So why'd you come?"

"Because my fiance left in tears and decided to go to her brother's instead of talking to me."

I let out a frustrated yell and went back into the room, Ransom following me. "I don't know how to talk to you about this!" I yell.

"You've never had a problem telling me exactly what's on your mind before. Why should now be any different?"

"Do you want honesty right now or do you want the same platitudes I've been throwing your way for weeks hoping you'd notice?"

"I always want you to be honest."

"Ok then, here it is. I can't be happy for you and it's killing me. This whole situation is killing me Ransom and you don't even notice. I've put my whole life on hold for you. I'm trying to plan for the start of our future and you're more invested in the baby you're having with another woman. I haven't touched our wedding plans in weeks because I can't get you to give me even just five minutes of your undivided attention to make some decisions that we're supposed to be making together but I get to sit there and listen all about how you and Laurel are planning for lamaze classes and labour and delivery and blah, blah, blah. And I'm pissed that you're doing this with someone else. I'm pissed that we're supposed to be starting our lives together and now that life has to include the bitch who made my life hell for four years all because I got you and she didn't."

I take a deep breath and go to leave the room, only to find that the door won't budge. "What the hell!?!"

I hear Archer on the other side. "Nope, you're not allowed out until you work this shit out. You made everyone's lives miserable for months because you both were too stubborn to just talk to each other. And then you, Bentley, made me help you with your stupid revenge plot to get him back. You're not going to throw it away, again, because life threw another wrench in the plans.
Either pull it out, watch it collapse and start over again, or find a way to build around it."

I sigh and slide down the door, bringing my knees up to my chest, hugging them. "I'm not saying I want you to choose between me or your daughter. I know I can't compete. I'm just asking for my spot in your life back. I want us to get back on track. I want to get married. Even my job is lining up for that future but I need to know this is still something you want for me and you and not just because you'll have a better case for the custody hearing. I need to hear the words this time Ransom, or I'm gone."

He squats down in front of me. "I want you Bentley. I want you now just as much as I did when we were kids. I want to marry you. I want you to be my wife because you were always meant to be. I'm sorry my balancing act has been shit lately. I'm going to contact the lawyer when we're done here and have it worked out that all contact has to go through them unless she's in labor. And then we're going to sit down and you're going to tell me about this job offer and get all of the plans for the wedding done. Does that sound like a plan?"

I smile and nod as he pulls me into a hug. "I'm sorry Bentley," he says as I snuggle into his chest, clinging to him like he's my lifeline.

He helps me up and Archer finally opens the door. As I'm walking past him to the kitchen I deck him in the chest. He doubles over in pain. "That's for locking me in a room. I thought you would've learned your lesson from when we were kids." Ransom laughs and goes to the balcony to make his call. I go to the kitchen to make mine. Mark answers on the second ring.

"Hello. Mark Roberts?" I ask.

"Speaking."

"This is Bentley Reynolds."

"Hi Bentley! I'm hoping you have good news for me."

I laugh. "I definitely do. I'm accepting your offer."

"Awesome. Can you come by tomorrow and we'll get all of the paperwork out of the way?"

"Tomorrow will work great. What time?"

"Does noon work?"

"Noon works great. I'll see you then. Thank you again for this opportunity."

"No thank you. See you then." He says and then hangs up. I scream and do a little happy dance, which Ransom laughs at.

"Before I get into my news, how'd it go with the lawyer?"

"He doesn't think it'll be a problem, given our history. Now what was this job offer?"

"You are going to be married to the new official photographer of the New England Patriots!"

"Oh my god! Oh my god! Babe, that's amazing!" He picks me up and spins me around. "Are you ready to go home and plan our wedding?" he ask, a smile on his lips.

"Yes!" I say and run to grab my things before we leave Archer's apartment hand-in-hand.