Crazy Stupid Love

Chapter 51: Dropping the Bomb

Riker's POV

After a solid ten minutes of mental preparation, I make my way downstairs for breakfast the next morning. I am unhappily surprised to find Rocky in the process of mixing together an omelet.
"Hey, Man," he says quietly. "Would you mind-"
"Yes," I cut him off. "I would mind."
Slamming the bowl down on the counter, he turns to face me.
"When are you going to gown up?" he demands. "Cause for the 'man of the house', you're sure acting like a child."
"How would you feel if I took the last chance you had with the love of your life and destroyed it? Oh wait, you can't get a girl for more than a couple weeks!"
"Because I know when to call it quits rather than fighting for something that's only going to break me in the end!"
"All you do is quit things!" I yell. "You have no sense of working for what you want!"
"That relationship was over, Riker! You're just too dumb to see it."
"You know what, back the hell off before I beat your ass!" I cry, forming fists and raising them to my chest.
"Are you actually gonna hit me?" Rocky screams. "Cause if you are, go ahead! I'm not saying I won't swing back, but do whatever it takes for you to realize I did what I did to help you!"
Anger contorts my face into a look of pure disgust; rage channeling though veins.
"Do it," he seethes.
But I don't.
Lowering my hands; I collapse onto the floor. Tears well in my eyes, but I do nothing to stop them.
"Hey, Man," Rocky murmurs as he moves to sit next to me.
"She's not coming back," I whisper.
"No, Riker, she's not."
"I don't know what I did wrong. I loved her with all that I was."
"And now she's destroyed everything that you are. I'm saying this because I love you, Rik, you need to let her go."
Loud sobs rack my chest as I fall weakly into my brothers embrace, letting out the last tears I'll ever cry for Emily Chance.

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Rydel's POV

By 3pm the next day, the guys, Marriya, and I are through makeup and ready for another reunion interview at Clevver TV. Today's the day I tell the world everything, and I'm nowhere near ready.
"Rydel, are you sure you want to do this?" Riker asks again.
"No, but I have to."
"No, Rydel, you don't have to. We'll find another way and-" Rocky begins, but I quickly cut him off.
"They deserve to know. They're my family too, and I can't keep this from them."
"We won't keep it from them, just find a different way to tell them," Ryland suggests.
"We can't keep putting this off," I insist. "If the fans haven't guessed it yet, they will soon. They deserve to hear it from me, and I want it to be in my words on my terms. No rumour is going to wreck this or cause any sort of drama."
"Only if you're sure," Ross says. "If you can't do it anymore, just give us the word and we'll be out of there."
"Okay," I agree.
"Hey, R5," a man calls out. "We're ready for you."
Ellington places his hand on my back, leading me towards the couches.
"Hey, guys," Joslyn greets. "Welcome back! Rydel, you're looking stunning as always. "
"You too, Joslyn! It's great to be back," I reply.
"Well, let's get started."
"Hey, Everyone! It's Joslyn Davis, and I am lucky enough to here today with America's favourite band, R5!"
"Hey guys, I'm Riker."
"Ross."
"Ellington Ratliff."
"Rydel."
"And I'm Rocky."
"Well it's so great to see you all again, it's been so long!"
"Too long," Riker agrees.
"How have you all been doing? How was your Christmas?"
"It was hard," Ross answers. "It was so different not having our parents there, but the seven of us love each other so much that it was the best that it could have been."
"And the other two being your youngest brother Ryland, and your girlfriend, who is also Ellington's sister, Marriya?"
"Yeah, that's them."
"Well that sounds wonderful. I'm so sorry to hear about your parents. It was truly tragic what happened to them. How are you all holding up?"
"It's been really, really hard," I reply. "I think the only reason we're getting through it is because we have each other. I honestly couldn't ask for a better, more supporting group of people I love to catch me every time I start to fall."
"That is so beautiful," Joslyn says. "Now how about we play a little game. We're going to go down the line, and everyone will say one word that describes the person sitting to their right. Okay, Riker, you start. One word about Ross."
"Stubborn," Riker says immediately.
"I'll take it, Ross laughs. "Ratliff is loud."
"Fair enough," Ratliff agrees.
"Okay, Ellington, your turn. Describe Rydel in one word," the Joslyn prompts.
Looking into my eyes, he takes my hand between his own.
"Mine."
"I'm sensing some Rydellington action happening over there," Joslyn laughs. "Might need to separate you two."
"You can try," Ellington replies.
"Hasn't worked for the last six years, but be my guest," Rocky adds.
"Annoying," I say. "I think that's gonna have to be my word for Rocky."
"Someones sensitive this morning," he retorts. "But my word for Riker would have to be determined. When that boy wants something, he doesn't give up on it."
A long look passes between the boys, and I get the feeling there was a little more meaning behind Rocky's word choice.
"I always love that game. We don't have too much time left, but is there anything you guys want to say? Any big announcements for us?"
All of the sudden, my throat feels as if it has closed. I try to push the words out, but I am unable to make a sound.
Squeezing my hand; Ellington draws my eyes to his.
"Do you want to do this?" he whispers.
Silently, I nod my head.
"Yeah, we have something," Ratliff pipes up. "Rydel and I have something we want to tell you guys."
"But before we can do that," I manage. "I have some bad news."
"Bad news?" Joslyn questions.
"So... umm... there's no easy way to say this, but I think you all need to know," I say. "In the beginning of this month I was at the hospital and had some testing done. Those test results came back a little while ago, and..."
I freeze again; trying desperately to think of how I want to say this.
"Do you want me to say it," Ellington whispers in my ear.
"No, I need to do this," I murmur.
"Whenever you're ready."
Blinking rapidly, I attempt to keep tears from falling. Looking around the room, I meet the compassionate and concerned eyes of the six people I love, followed by each member of the Clevver staff that has stopped to watch the interview. It's all just too much
Warm tears begin streaming down my face, but I force my shaking voice to continue. "I have liver cancer, and it's terminal."
Ellington pulls me in tight to his body, giving me the reassurance I desperately need. Rocky laces his fingers with mine, and Joslyn does all she can to keep her composure.
"But," I continue weakly. "I have some good news too."
"We, actually, have good news," Ellington corrects. "We're getting married."
Smiling slightly, I rest my head on his shoulder.
"Well that is such great news! Such a silver lining to everything going on! I'm so happy for your two," Joslyn exclaims.
"Theres one more thing," I say. "I'm four months pregnant."
"We're four months pregnant," Ellington adds, pressing a kiss to my cheek. "And if you haven't guessed by, Rydellington is very real."

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Hey everyone! I thought I'd put some Rydellington into this chapter, as they have recently been confirmed! I'm so happy for them! I mean we all knew for a while now, but I'm glad they have decided to be open with it. Sorry it was kinda a boring chapter this time around, but it needed to happen.

Anyway, I want to ask you guys for a favour. I want some feedback on my story up to this point. If you have any suggestions or constructive criticism to help me make it better, please either comment or message me. Let me know the good, the bad, and everything in between. It would really help. Also, any suggestions you guys give me that I use, I will give credit. Don't be afraid to let me know your thoughts :)
Thanks everyone! I love you guys so much and thanks again for 30.5K
~ Hannah xxx