The Ghost Of You

Chapter Thirty Four

James 

"Hey sweetheart, what are you making?" I asked Sienna, today was the final day I had with Riley before the kids were back. It was their last day at the cabin 
I turned to see Riley walking out onto the balcony handing me a cup of coffee before glancing at the screen widening her eyes but I shook my head taking a hold of her waist pulling her next to me, to her praise she was still out of frame but that wouldn't be for long
"Princess can you go get your brother please. I need to talk to you about something" I said making her nod as she threw the phone onto the sofa running off to find Harrison 

"James no, I can't" Riley panicked but I shook my head leaning forward pressing my lisp against hers feeling her instantly relax for a moment before sighing 
"You can Riley, I'm right here okay?" I offered taking a hold of her hand kissing the back of it as I intertwined them 

"Dad isn't even on the phone Sienna!" Harrison yelled making me chuckle
"I'm here buddy" I said looking back at the screen to see his face looking at me confused before the screen was then shared with a mixture of Sienna and Harrison 
"I was fishing Dad, we've caught some many fish but I keep dropping them back into the water" Harrison said making me laugh again
"That's the point buddy, if you don't put them back in they won't survive and you won't be able to fish again" I reminded him
"Oh yeah!" He said
"Harrison always stinks when he's been out with Grandpa" Sienna said making Harrison glared
"Do not" He said
"Do too!" Sienna argued back poking her tongue

"Guys" I said trying to regain some sort of control in this conversation
"There is something I need to talk to you about" I reminded them
"I didn't do it" Harrison said holding a hand up in surrender
"What? no. I mean we'll come back to whatever that is" I said making him screw up his face

"When you guys come home tomorrow. Things are going to be a little different okay?" I offered
"Different how?" Harrison asked
"Well for instance, Harrison you won't be going to school next week. We've got a lot to do buddy" I said making him cheer
"I am not going to complain about that!" He said making me chuckle 

"But Daddy that means we can't have a tea party, Harrison always makes them bad" Sienna said
"I'm sure I can find more then one thing to occupy Harrison so we can still have your tea party sweetheart" I said watching a proud smile form on her lips

"There is something I need to show you guys okay, but you can't freak out alright?" I offered turning to look at Riley who looked panicked again
"Freak out?" Sienna asked and I nodded before slowly turning the camera so that Riley was in the frame, the moment I did I could hear the kids gasp slightly before sitting their silently 

"Mummy?" Sienna asked making Riley's face crease into a pout slightly 
"Mum is that really you?" Harrison asked as Riley's eyes started to fill with tears 

I left Riley with my phone allowing her to talk to the kids. I thought for a second she would pull me back and ask me to stay but I think we both know that she needed this more then anything right now and having some time with them alone is exactly what she needed 

After some time had passed, I heard the balcony door creak open as I stood in the kitchen washing up some dishes. Before I even had a chance to turn around to greet Riley, I felt her arms wrap around my torso resting my face flat against my back with what I hope was a smile on her lips
"Thankyou" She whispered making it barely audible, I smiled to myself before turning around still with Riley's arm's around me  

"They'll be back before know it and I can promise you now that no matter how much we want time alone, we will not get it" I said making her chuckle lightly nodding against my chest 

"They are so perfect James, and that's all because of you. Without you over the last 2 years I don't even want to think what would have happened to them" Riley whispered
"It wasn't all me Riley, you gave them a good starting point. In fact Harrison taught Sienna most of the things she knows and I know that all came from you. So don't put it all on me, you were had just as much of an impact" I said making her look up at me

This was Riley. 
This was the Riley I fell in love with back when we were kids
This was the Riley that I refuse to ever let go off

"Come with me?" I asked making Riley look at me confused before nodding with a smile on her lips 

--

It didn't take us long to get where I wanted us to go, this one place was somewhere that holds a lot of meaning to the both of us. Or at least I hope it still does
"James, what is this place?" Riley asked as we walked into the building hand in hand
"I'm very offended Ri" I teased making her giggle lightly as we walked through a set of double doors 

The moment we did, Riley turned to look at me gobsmacked to say the least 
But was I surprised? not even the slightest

"Now if memory serves me well Riley, this is the first place you told me you loved me" I winked watching her cheeks turn a light shade of pink as we walked through the auditorium straight to the stage 

"Is this really where we had nationals? It looks so different then I remember. It's a lot smaller then I remember" She said making me laugh after finding the switch for some lights 
"No Riley, that's just because when we were at Nationals, you were tiny. Now you've grown up" I reminded her making her roll her eyes before turning back out to look at the empty seats
"This is where I told you I loved you" She whispered making me smile as I came up behind her wrapping my arms around her waist 

"I knew before then" She said making me hum as I placed my head on her shoulder
"I think part of me loved you before I really knew you" She said making me smile
"It's okay, I've been in love with you since baby ballet" I winked making her giggle lightly before turning her head placing a soft kiss on my cheek

"now Riley, would you do me the honour of a final dance on stage?" I asked holding out my hand before Riley laughed again taking a hold of it before curtseying 
"I would be honoured" She smiled, not just any smile.. A true smile 

We ended the dance and the smiles on both of our faces were something that I dreamed off, I've always wanted to come back here one day. Here of back to Studio A. I wanted to relive it all just to go on this journey all over again with Riley
It's always been Riley, it'll only ever be Riley. No matter how many times I have to chase after her, no matter how many miles I have to go to find her 

"Marry me" I whispered making Riley look at me wide eyed
"James I-" She started but I shook my head
"If you need to run Riley, we'll run with you. Don't let us go" I whispered placing my forehead 
"Marry me" I repeated watching as her eyes searched mine just like they always do when I ask a question she's unsure on 

"Yes" She breathed out finally allowing us both to irrupt in smiles before I leant forward crashing our lips together again