The Ghost Of You

Chapter Forty

Riley

The gang decided to join us at the Zoo today, Michelle and Harrison were currently over by the giraffes while across the path Sienna sat on Eldon's shoulder's while her and the boys looked at the elephants. 
It's clear to say that both of our kids certainly have favourites and it's also safe to say that Hunter is neither of their favourites 

"What are you thinking about?" James asked wrapping an arm around me as we walked through the zoo looking at our kids and our friends
"Just everyone" I shrugged
"Everyone?" He asked and I nodded
"Have you noticed how Harrison gravitates to girls and Sienna does the same to the boys?" I asked making James chuckled
"That depends who they are around" He said making me look at them confused

"If they are with the Gang, Harrison loves Michelle and Sienna loves Eldon. If they are with the gang and Emily, both kids go for Emily" He laughed
"Saying that if Emily is around no matter who is there both of them run to her first" He said causing me to softly smile before it dropped

It's been a further 2 years since I last spoke to Emily that night on the my fire escape when James first found me 
I never got a chance to see her again. I've known that my parents aren't happy with my return or more so they don't believe it's true 
I've tried to reach out to them but had been turned down the last couple times I tried
Paul said to stay away from James and the kids, he didn't say anything about my family

"Now who's stuck in her head" James whispered kissing my temple
"Can we do something crazy?" I asked, James stopped next to me looking over at me just as confused  
"Crazy? I didn't think that was in your vocab babe" He teased but I assure you this was no teasing matter

"Let's get married" I said making James raise a brow before holding up my hand that held the engagement ring
"I'm pretty sure I already asked you that Ri" He chuckled
"no I mean back at the beach, let's actually get married here. Like tomorrow? We can get your family to come down and-" I started to ramble before James cut me off

"Hey, what's going on in that pretty little head of yours babe?" He questioned
"Nothing, well a lot but can we do this?" I asked making James look over at the kids who were now stood with the entire gang, Harrison had Sienna on his back as they all continued to walk towards the next enclosure 

"Do you really want to?" James asked softly and I nodded
"The girls and I can go into town in the morning and get dresses, you and the boys can go tonight. We could do this right?" I rambled making James smile before nodding
"If this is how you want to do this Riley, I'm all there. Just give me a time and a place. I'll be at the other end of the aisle" He smiled before leaning in kissing me softly
His arms creeped around my waist pulling me in closer while cupping me cheek pulling away meeting me with the same smile on my lips

"Come on Mum! Come on Dad!" Harrison called 
"You can give kissies later Daddy!" Sienna said making everyone else laugh including our selves 

This was really going to happen.. 

--

"You two are really going to do this?" Michelle smiled as we sat in the kitchen with a glass of wine. Sienna was done for the night, Harrison was still with James and the boys looking for a suit
"I mean, can you really blame me?" I asked making Michelle shrug with a chuckle
"To be honest, growing up I did always think that this would be the Jiley wedding venue. You two were always happiest here" She smiled 

"Isn't it crazy to think of where you first started? Where we all started?" Michelle asked making me chuckle
"You walking into A-Troupe auditions like you owned the place" I laughed tilting my glass at her
"And you denying that you would ever go for guy like James while you were the only person he was looking at in that room" She smirked while I rolled my eyes

"That James is a different James to the one we know and love now" I said making Michelle nod in agreement
"He's a lot more bearable now. You should have seen how he was with the kids over the last two years Riles, they truly are his pride and joy at this point" Michelle gushed
"There was never a doubt that your kids were happy" She smiled 

Before I could say anything else, the front door opened and all 4 boys came in with a very sleepy Harrison clinging to Harrison 
"Mummm" He groaned before holding his arms out to me while I smiled taking him from James

"What did you guys do to the poor boy" Michelle laughed
"How much wine have you guys had tonight?" Eldon said holding up an empty bottle 
"Well Riley might not be able to drink wine soon" Michelle said making me look at her confused while all the boys looked at me wide eyed

"I am not nor will I ever be pregnant again" I warned the lot of them but Michelle's smile soon turned into a smirk
"Never say never Riles, a lot can happen on a honey moon" She winked before getting up off of her chair taking our empty glasses over to the sink 

I think the two children we have are plenty thankyou very much Michelle.