The Ghost Of You

Chapter Thirty Six

James

"Mummy, where are we going?" Sienna asked as the four of us has been sat driving for the last hour 
"I don't know baby" Riley said before glancing over at me curiously
"Nobody knows Princess, not even Mummy" I said looking at her through the mirror causing her to pout
"I don't like your surprises Daddy" She said making me chuckle

"But you haven't even seen it yet? What if it's amazing?" I suggested making her playfully glare
"Is it?" She asked 
"Of course it is" I said making her huff and cross her arms against her chest before turning to look out the window

I glanced over at Harrison to see him content with his headphones on which isn't uncommon. It helps with his travel sickness and usually puts him to sleep for the entire drive 

"She's just like you, you know?" I asked Riley as I placed my hand on her thigh while Riley rolled her eyes at me taking a hold of my hand 
"you should know that if I don't like surprises, our daughter certainly won't. I'm sending my condolences to any guy she tries to date" Riley said making my hand stiffen slightly causing another giggle to leave Riley
"She isn't allowed to date" I warned her
"She will though James, whether you let her or not" She laughed as I looked back at Sienna 

"Princess?" I called making Sienna hum before looking back at me
"You won't date boys will you?" I asked and she pulled a face
"Ew no, boys are gross!" She said making Riley roll her eyes while I smiled triumphally  
"No you though Daddy, you aren't gross" She said kicking the back of my chair lightly
"thanks sweetheart" I said smiling at her 

"she won't remember that in 10 years time, you realise that?" Riley said making my poke my tongue out at her
"I don't care how old she gets, she's my little girl and no stupid teenager is going near her!" I reminded her while Riley shook her head in my direction 

This was our little family, this is how it was supposed to be the entire time

--

"What is this place?" Harrison asked the minute that we all pilled out of the car, I turned to the boot to grab the cases I'd put together for everyone late last night
"This guys is-" I started before Riley cut me off
"This is the beach house" She said looking at me for confirmation
"It is" I smiled 

This was the one place where Riley and I would spend every single summer. Sometimes on our own, sometimes with my family, sometimes with the gang. But this was our place whether anyone wanted to argue us on that

"Does that mean that's the ocean?" Harrison asked pointing directly towards the sand and the water
"It is baby" Riley smiled smoothing over his hair as he leant against her lightly
"Can we go swimming?" Sienna asked
"Sissy, you don't know how to swim" Harrison said making me look at him with a smile
It's been quite sometime since he called her Sissy. He grew out of it but if he wants to make a return with it, I'm here for it 

"Well buddy you know what that means don't you?" I asked making him proudly smile
"We pick up the pieces" He said offering me his closed fist, fist bumping me before running off with Sienna shortly behind him as we all entered the house 

It hadn't changed at all since we were last here. Or at least since I was last here
When Riley first went missing, back when everyone was convinced she was dead I came here a lot. 
It was one of the many places that I truly felt closer to her 
The amount of memories we had on this beach, in this house was enough to keep me going 
And the thought of us making more memories now just makes it even more perfect

The kids were in front of the back porch building some sand castles while Riley stood leaning against the fencing watching them in awe
Growing up I knew it was always going to be Riley, I knew that she was it for me but if you had told me then that I would be engaged stood on a porch watching our two kids play in the sand
I would have called you crazy

"I got you something" I smiled making Riley hum in response as I wrapped one of my arms around her 
Harrison and Sienna had successfully managed to build a castle at this point, it was a small one but from the looks of things they were now looking for thing to decorate with 
Which means with them distracted, this was my best shot right now

I took out the small velvet box from my jeans placing it down in front of Riley, she looked down instantly looking at it confused before turning back to look at me
"What is that?" She whispered making me chuckle as I leant forward pressing out foreheads together
"I think we both know what it is Ri" I said softly making her smile as I opened the box revealing a ring 

It was small, simple. Exactly how I knew Riley would like it. She wouldn't want anything big or flashy, that isn't Riley

"W-When?" She asked as I gently slid the ring onto her finger
"When Harrison and I went out yesterday, I obviously had to get advice from our favourite expert" I winked nodding back over to Harrison who was now looking back in our direction with a big grin on his face before his legs took flight running back to us
"HEY!" Sienna called after him pouting at his abandonment but of course she shortly followed

"Do you love it Mum?" Harrison asked wrapping his arms around her waist hugging her tightly
"I love it so much monkey" Riley said leaning down to place a kiss on his cheek

"Bubby you left me" Sienna pouted before coming and sitting on my knee and I crouched to join them all
"It's okay Princess, bubby was excited" I said making Sienna look at me confused
"Excited about what?" She said before looking at Harrison 

"Mum and Dad are getting Married Sissy" Harrison said not helping to make her less confused
"What is that?" She asked crossing her arms
"It means you get to way a very very pretty dress Princess" I said trying to use terms she'll appreciate
"Like a princess dress?" She asked and I nodded

"Except it'll be a special dress only you'll wear sweetie" Riley said making Sienna's face light up before smiling at us all

"I'm gonna get married one day too! And I'll get another dress!" Sienna said making Riley smirk at me with a raised brow while I looked at Riley with a small glare 

Touché Riley, Touché