A Day in the Life of...

Baby, Just Say Yes- Riley Herbst

"Holy shit, you're actually going to do it." Noah looked at his best friend, and the engagement ring nestled in the box on the coffee table in front of them. Riley had been keeping the secret for a couple of weeks now, but he was ready to go through with it. "I thought for sure she'd ask you before you ask her." Riley rolled his eyes. "Congratulations. Really. I'm happy for you. Emery's going to be happy for you, too."
"We're really growing up, aren't we?" Riley asked as he lightly patted the newborn's back. Emery and Noah welcomed baby Posie at the end of September.
"We are. Look at me, I'm in charge of a whole ass baby!" Riley laughed. Posie started to stir, prompting Noah to get up off the couch. "She doesn't like to be still for too long." Noah said, lightly bouncing his daughter while patting her back.
"When you told me that Emery was pregnant, I thought you were making a joke." Noah laughed.
"So, you're asking her this week when you guys are in Vegas?" Riley wanted to bring Elle to one of his favorite places back home to propose, but he'll ultimately do it wherever. He also wanted to do it on the one year anniversary of his first Xfinity win, but that was two days ago, and he still had one more thing he needed to do. Emery walked into the living room to grab Posie for a feeding when she saw the ring with the pear-shaped stone on the table.
"Riley Herbst, what are you planning on doing?" She asked, picking the box off the table.
"Emery, I think we know." Noah replied.
"That's not a diamond." Emery stated, watching the ring catch the light shining through the living room window.
"It's not. That's an Opal, I think. My mom helped me pick it out. Said it was very Elle-like. I'm pretty sure I accidentally made my mom cry." Emery smiled.
"That's the birthstone for October. The month you finally told her how you felt, you making that bet, you winning that bet, your first date, your first kiss. The month you'll be proposing to her in." Riley leaned back into the couch.
"I never really thought about it that way." Emery smiled at her husband's best friend as she handed the box to him.
"October is your month. It's perfect. And the emeralds for her birthday. It's absolutely perfect. She's going to love it."
"So, mom and Daddy Herbst approve. What did Amelia, Leah, and Smoke have to say?"
"Well, Amelia is happy. Video chatted with her yesterday."
"Leah and Smoke?"
"I have to head over there now before Elle and I leave for Vegas."
"You haven't asked him yet?" Riley held up the box.
"I just got this a week ago."
"You have the entire proposal planned out, and you haven't asked her dad for his blessing?"
"I really messed this up, didn't I?"
"No, you didn't. Tony is going to give you his blessing. You know he is." Emery reassured him. Riley got up off the couch.
"I guess, wish me luck." Emery gave him a hug and Noah a fist bump. Riley gave Posie a kiss on the top of her head before heading out of the Gragson household. Riley sent Tony a quick text telling him he was coming over. Tony sent just a thumbs-up emoji, which was very on brand for Smoke. Smoke was waiting outside when Riley pulled up to the house.
"Riley, my boy." Tony greeted his daughter's boyfriend, clapping him on the shoulder.
"How's your day going so far?" Riley asked.
"Let's cut to the chase. Let's go to my office." Riley's nerves shot way up. Riley followed Tony into the house, giving Leah a quick wave as they walked past the living room to Tony's office. "Sit." Riley sat down quickly. Tony walked around the desk to sit in his own chair. "Alright, let's see it."
"Wait, what?"
"The engagement ring you bought for my daughter. Amelia called me last night after she talked to you. I should be hurt that you asked her first before you asked me."
"I felt like she'd be easier to ask first."
"Do I scare you?"
"Sometimes. Not as my boss, obviously. As my girlfriend's dad, that's a whole other story." Riley said as he pulled the box out of his pocket. He slid it across the desk. Tony grabbed it and opened the box.
"You did good, kid."
"Mom helped." Tony smiled. "I love your daughter. For four years. I want to spend every second of every day for the rest of my life with her."
"You're a good kid, Riley. Of course, you have my blessing."
"Did he ask you already?" Riley heard Leah's voice on the other side of the door.
"Yup." Tony said, handing the ring box back to his young driver.
"Thank God. It's about time." Leah walked into the office. "Good luck, Riley." Riley felt like he needed it.
***
Elle walked happily ahead of Riley as they walked one of the trails at Red Rock Canyon. When Elle suggested the hike, Riley was hesitant. Riley wasn't a big fan of hiking, but he knew the place had some of the best views and the best places to put his plan into action. He watched as Elle stopped, pulled out her phone, and snapped a picture of the two of them.
"My God, Riley. Don't look like you're about to die." Elle said with a laugh.
"I can give you another face." Rilley said, closing the gap between the pair. He wrapped his arm around her waist, nuzzling his face into the neck. Elle laughed as she took the picture.
"That's better, thank you."
"I'm not built for hiking, Elle." Riley said, pressing a kiss to her neck.
"Oh, I know. That's why I was surprised you agreed to this. Usually I'll go by myself. Or Keelan will come with." Elle always considered Keelan and Piper unofficial cousins as Tony and Kevin have been best friends pretty much all of Elle's life. She was even Piper's godmother. Riley let her go so they could continue their hike. "This place is absolutely amazing." Elle said as she took a few more photos of the scenery. "You've got to keep up, Herbst. I don't want to have to leave you and then explain to my dad why his driver can't race Saturday."
"Right, right." Riley muttered, picking up his pace. They eventually stopped again for Elle to marvel at the nature around them. It was now or never. Riley dug the ring box out of his pocket. He got down on one knee and took a deep breath. "Elle."
"Yeah?" She asked, not turning around.
"Elle."
"What?"
"Can you turn around, please?" Elle slowly turned around to find her boyfriend on one knee.
"Riley. What are you doing?"
"Really trying not to mess this up. I love you, Elle. For the last four years. Since you bounced into that conference room." Elle couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Or the tears that started forming in her eyes. "You can say no if you want, but I really hope that you say yes. So, Elle Francesca Stewart, will you marry me?" Elle could only nod her head. Elle closed the distance between the pair before getting down on her knees in front of him. She let him slip the ring onto her finger before she took his head in her hands. The tears were finally sliding down her cheeks.
"In what fucked up world would I say no to you?" Elle asked, pressing her lips to his.
"I love you so much."
"I love you too." Elle finally took a good look at the ring he put on her finger. "That's not a diamond."
"Did you want one? Oh no, I messed this up, didn't I?"
"No, you didn't. It perfect."
"Emery said it was the October birthstone and I guess October is our month."
"It is, isn't it?" Riley smiled. "I can't wait to be your wife."
"I can't wait either."