Between us

Chapter 31

Charlie's pov: 

"Oh yes! Before I forget, here's the official wedding invitation, you can invite that nurse Lucy that helped you as well." Jessy said and handed me the invitation. 

"I think Lucy will enjoy it." I said with a big smile and took the card. 

"Ah, on the seventeenth of December we'll have the time of our lives." Cindy, one of her high school friends said and smiled. 

Valery stroked over her new baby bump and and looked at me. "So Charlie, is labor really painful?" She looked genuinely concerned and I smiled reassuringly. 

"I'm not gonna lie to you, it was painful, but given the circumstances under with I gave birth to Riley, that's understandable." Her eyes widen and I quickly added. "But don't worry, you'll be fine, childbirth is a beautiful thing." 

"I'll try to see it from that perspective then, but I think I'll stick to a C-section." She said and we all laughed at her scared face. 

"And that's why I don't want to get married and have kids." Cindy said with certainty and I chuckled. 

"That's what I also said when I was in high school, and now look at me." I said and Jessy smiled knowingly. 

"Ah, Ryder Storm. To be honest, I never imagined him to be the loving family type of guy. He always scared me with his serious mafia-boss attitude, but now, he's a very joyful dad." Cindy said and I laughed. 

"And don't get me wrong, or feel offended, but right now, he's 'Daddy'. If you know what I mean." Valery added with a smirk. "My husband is handsome and all, but against Ryder he definitely loses."

To be honest, if my pregnant hormones were still here, I would've probably scratched both their eyes out. But I realized I'm not jealous, rather proud. He's mine. 

"How's he coping with Riley all alone at home?" Jessy asked amused. 

"Technically he's not alone, Armano, Larry, Nick and Orlando are with him. But then again, I would love to see how five grown men handle a crying baby." I said and they laughed. 

"That would be quite the spectacle." Valery said then thought to herself. "Wait, if Nick is one of Armano's groomsmen, then it definitely means that our lovely Sharon would be present as well, right?" 

"Mhm, she's one of, my bridesmaids." Jessy said guiltily and both Cindy and Valery groaned in frustration. "She's coming to meet us at the bridal shop later for the dress fittings." 

"Who's Sharon?" I asked in confusion. 

"Oh you're gonna love her, real pain in the ass that one." Cindy said. 

"Yeah, wait till she talks about all her fashion trips to Milan and Vegas." Valery said and I had to fight the urge not to laugh at their irritated expressions. 

"I'm really sorry, but you know how my mom and her mom can nag so I had to agree." Jessy said and I sympathized with the group. Sharon must really be a pain in the ass. 

We left the café and headed to the bridal shop where I finally got to meet the 'lovely' Sharon. She was a beautiful tall woman with long ash blonde hair and a very bright pink outfit. As soon as she spoke I realized why she was a pain in the ass. 
Her voice. 

She had a very irritating high-pitched voice. But I was taught well by Nana and mom and that's why I pretended that it didn't bother me and I was kind to her. 

She was still ranting about her model career and fashion trips when my phone beeped. 
Ryder. 

'Help :('

'The great Ryder Storm really asking for help? I thought handling crazy females was your level of expertise.' 

'I'm gonna ignore that statement. How long till you're back?' 

'Just a few more hours, why? Is Riley okay?' 

'She's alright, I'm asking on behalf of your husband. He's missing you.' 

I chuckled and typed quickly. 'Aww, tell him I miss him too, Mr. Storm. ;)' 

'See you later Mrs. Storm. :)'

I smiled and put my phone back in my bag when I noticed how Sharon was looking at me with a slight smile. 

Jessy came with in the room with an assistant and they both carried red wine colored bridesmaids dresses. "The theme of the wedding is 'Valentine in the snow', don't worry about the cold because we'll have the venue in a warm place." 

She gave us each the dresses to try on, and when I looked in the mirror I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw. 

It was a corset style dress that complimented all my curves. I looked good and my thoughts were confirmed by Jessy and the other girls also looked wonderful. Even though we all had the same colored dresses, the corset styles was different. 

We all agreed to come back to see Jessy's wedding dress at least two days before the wedding. We all bid our goodbyes and with the dress in my arms, I went inside the house. 

Ryder immediately opened the door and gave me a long passionate kiss. "Easy, Mr. Storm. You're gonna give my dress creases." I said with a laugh and pushed him out of the way and headed to our room. 

He was hot on my heels and I chuckled while hanging the dress carefully. "Mhm, a red dress." 

"Yep, I think red's my new statement color." I said and he pulled me closer. 

"I can't wait to see you in it. The wedding is on the seventeenth of December, right?" He asked and kissed me on the nose softly. 

"Yeah, why do you ask?" I eyed him suspiciously. 

"By then, you'll be healed up completely." His voice suddenly turned husky and my eyes widen. 

"Ryder Storm, did you really count out the days?" I asked with a shock and blushed. 

"Mhm, I did." He whispered near my lips and before I could answer his kiss, Riley began to cry in the other room. "I think I have competition." 

"Jealous of your daughter?" I mocked and he followed me to her nursery. I began to breastfeed her and he eyed my breast with lust, which only made my whole body flame up. 

"A little bit, yeah." He crouched down so that our faces are leveled. "I love it when you blush like this." He said and stroked my warm cheek with a dashing grin. He then kissed Riley and stood up. 

"No kiss for me?" 

"I'll kiss you later tonight, and treat you right in bed." His eyes darkened and he began to back up towards the door. "I promise." 

My heartbeats increased with excitement and I held up Riley and she looked at me with her sea-green eyes. "Oh, Puppet. If I know one thing, it's that Daddy always keeps his promises." 

She burped in response and I laughed, causing her to give a half smile. 

She smiled. 

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A/n: Hey guys! 👋
Welcome back to another chapter of Between us! 

Oh la la, Daddy, ahem, Ryder surely knows how to keep a promise. No matter what it is. *wink-wink*. 

But apart from that...my book is almost finished!😎 At least three to four chapters left...yikes!😯 As they say, time flies when your life is falling apart...

Q: Will the wedding be a success? What happened with Dominic? Why is he so silent? When will he strike? Stay tuned for more passion...and action! ^_^ 

Please forgive any typos and please comment...and don't forget to vote! ;)

Kind regards and stay safe :)

A. Freeman
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