Between us

Chapter 30

One week later. 

It has been a dreadful week. Back in San Francisco Nana passed away merely two days after she met Riley. Hawk's cancer worsened up and he had a setback, but the doctors say that he's improving and that there is a big chance that he'll live longer.  

I guess I'm not mad at Hawk anymore, I mean, he did raise me for twenty-three years, and I realized that love could make you do a lot of things, even bad ones. 

Today after Nana's funeral, me and Ryder drove to the airport after also visiting Hawk. Riley was sleeping peacefully in the backseat and Ryder's family went back to Washington. We still had tight security because after all, Dominic's still out there. 

"You alright?" Ryder asked and put his hand on my leg while still focusing on the road. 

"Mhm, it's just hard to believe that she's gone, but I know that she's in a better place now, and that kind of makes me feel better." I answered and stroked his hand softly. 

"Where do you want to spend Christmas?" He asked to clear my mind off the sad topic. 

"Anywhere away from the negativity, as long as I'm with you two." I said and he chuckled. 

"I knew you would say that." 

"Ryder Storm, I know that look on your face, what do you have planned?" I asked suspiciously when he grinned. 

"Well, it wasn't easy since you've traveled across the globe this year," he began dryly and I swatted his hand off me. "So, I was thinking, Paris." 

"Ah, a cold Christmas in the city of love. I mean, it has always been the dream to go to the Eiffel Tower and meet a handsome French man and then share true love's first kiss." I said dreamily and Ryder frowned at the last statement, but I continued jokingly. "At least I have someone to look after Riley while I go fulfil my dream, right?" I pinched his cheek playfully. 

"No, we're not going to Paris anymore, we're going to Beijing, or Africa." He said with a scowl, and I bit my lower lip to stop the laugh from coming out. "A nice 'cold Christmas' you say? I'll even take you to Antarctica where there are no French men around." 

This time I couldn't stop the laugh and even he had to laugh as well. After a while I wiped my tears and cleared my throat. "I would love to spend Christmas in Paris with you. Just as long as you feed me hot chocolate and warm croissants, my Frenchman." I laughed again when I saw his sheepishly grin. 

We made it to the airport and after many security checks, we finally rose into the air in his private plane. Riley woke up and after feeding time and a nappy change, Ryder was busy cooing her to sleep. I got up and stood behind him to give him a neck massage after he laid her down. 

He sighed tiredly and pulled me to sit on top of his lap with his free hand, I softly scratched the back of his head. He then looked straight into my eyes while softly kissing my knuckles. "How long until you're completely healed up?" 

At first, I didn't understand what he meant, but when I saw the hunger and passion in his eyes I blushed profusely. "Uhm, at least five more weeks." I cleared my throat when he wiped away a loose hair strand from my face, and my face reddened even more when I felt his desire poking me. 

"Still so shy." He smiled and pulled me in for a long passionate kiss and pulled away with effort. "I'll wait, Charlie Storm. I'll wait for the night I get to make you scream again." 

And yes, I died. 

                                                                                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~