Falling For You [ Ryan Rees - Twin Paranormal ]

32

Ryan sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers gently stroking the soft hair on his newborn daughter's head. Clarity June gurgled in her sleep, her tiny hand wrapped around his thumb. He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, a small smile playing on his lips.

Winter watched from the doorway with a mixture of pride and amusement. Despite the exhaustion that shadowed his eyes, there was a glow about him that spoke of the profound joy fatherhood had brought. He walked over, placing a hand on Ryan's shoulder.

"She's going to be a daddy's girl, you know," Winter said softly, his voice filled with warmth.

Ryan chuckled. "I think you're right. She already has me wrapped around her little finger."

Winter watched him with a mixture of understanding and concern. He knew this moment was tough for him.

"Ryan, she'll be fine," Winter assured him softly, though his own heart ached at the thought of him leaving. "We'll be fine."

Ryan nodded, his eyes never leaving Clarity's tiny face. She was squirming, her small hand gripping his thumb tightly as if sensing his impending departure. "I know," he replied,. "But it's hard. She's so little, and I don't want to miss anything."

Winter smiled gently, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on his arm. "We'll video call every chance we get. And you won't be gone that long. It's just for the night."

River and Wyatt stood by the car, loading the last of the cameras and equipment. They watched the exchange with empathy. River knew his brother's heart was torn, and Wyatt understood the strain of leaving loved ones behind.

"Hey, bro," River called out, trying to lighten the mood. "You ready to hunt some ghosts or what?"

Ryan chuckled despite himself. "Yeah, just give me a minute."

He then took a deep breath, then bent down to kiss Clarity's forehead. "I'll be back soon, baby girl," he whispered. He looked up at Winter, his eyes filled with love and gratitude. "I love you."

"We love you too," Winter replied, his eyes glistening. "Now go. The spirits won't wait forever."

Finally, Ryan handed Clarity back to Winter and walked toward the car, his steps slow and reluctant. Clarity whimpered, her tiny hand reaching out, and Ryan's heart twisted in his chest. He forced himself to smile and wave as he climbed into the car.

As they pulled out of the driveway, River glanced over at his brother. "You okay?"

Ryan nodded, though his eyes remained fixed on the rearview mirror until their house was out of sight. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just... let's make this a quick trip."

Wyatt, sitting in the back seat, chimed in. "Don't worry, we'll be in and out. We get the footage we need, and then it's back home."

Ryan managed a small smile. "Sounds like a plan."

The drive to Lake Mead was filled with the usual banter and camaraderie that defined their group. Despite the heavy hearts and lingering worries, they found comfort in each other's company. River, ever the optimist, kept the mood light with jokes and stories. Wyatt, always the strategist, discussed their plan for the investigation in detail.

As they neared Lake Mead, the atmosphere shifted. The sun was setting, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. The lake, with its dark, still waters, seemed to hold secrets just below the surface. It was known for its haunting tales—spirits, demons, even skinwalkers. The perfect place for an investigation.

~

"Alright," River said as they parked. "Let's set up base here. We'll do the usual sweep, see if we can catch anything on camera."

Ryan, still feeling the weight of leaving his family, forced himself to focus. "Yeah, let's do this."

They spent the next few hours setting up their equipment, ensuring everything was in place for a night of paranormal activity. As darkness fell, the air grew colder, and an unsettling silence enveloped them. Ryan's thoughts kept drifting back to Winter and CJ, but he pushed them aside, determined to stay focused.

"Ready?" Wyatt asked, handing Ryan a camera.

Ryan nodded. "Ready."

They began their investigation, moving through the eerie landscape with caution. The night was filled with the sounds of their footsteps, the occasional rustle of leaves, and the beeping of their equipment. Despite his worries, Ryan couldn't deny the thrill of the hunt—the adrenaline that surged through him with every unexplained noise and every flicker of movement.

Hours passed, and the night grew colder. They encountered a few strange occurrences—a shadow here, a whisper there—but nothing definitive. Still, the tension was palpable.

As they regrouped to review their footage, River noticed Ryan's distracted demeanor. "Hey, man, you alright?"

Ryan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yeah, just... can't stop thinking about Winter and CJ."

Wyatt placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's normal, Ryan. You're a dad now. But you're also doing what you love. They understand that."

Ryan nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, you're right. Let's finish up and head back."

Just as they were about to pack up, their equipment started going haywire. The temperature dropped suddenly, and a strange, guttural sound echoed through the air.

"What the hell was that?" River exclaimed, eyes wide.

"What was that?" Ryan asked, his voice shaking slightly.

"I don't know," River replied, checking his camera. "But we got it on film."

Wyatt nodded. "Let's get out of here. We've got what we came for."

As they packed up their equipment, Ryan felt a renewed sense of urgency to return home. The thrill of the hunt was exhilarating, but nothing compared to the pull of his family.

The drive back was filled with excited chatter about their encounter, but Ryan's mind was already at home, with Winter and CJ. When they finally pulled into the driveway, he barely waited for the car to stop before jumping out.

Winter met him at the door, CJ in her arms. "Welcome home," she said, smiling.

Ryan enveloped them both in a tight hug, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and joy. "I missed you both so much."

"We missed you too," Winter replied, kissing him gently.

CJ cooed, her tiny hand reaching up to touch his face. Ryan smiled. "Hey, sweetheart. Daddy's home."

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Ryan knew that no matter how thrilling the adventures were, nothing could compare to the love and warmth of his family. And he would always come back to them. Always.