Love Does Exist (Ross & Heather Fanfiction)

Chapter 41 Family Compete

"Dude, what time is it?" I was almost out of it, but I was still slightly aware of what was around me.

"Quarter after ten." Ross said. When I tucked in closer to him, he tightened his hold on me. I tried to block them out.

"Wow, she's tired." Was he talking about me? "It's still early."

Ross said nothing back, only laid his head down on me. He sighed, and I could feel his mouth curl up on my forehead.

"Hey, please tell her it's all cool with the situation with Kayleigh. I really hate that it bothered her to say something. She did nothing wrong." Ross looked down when I clenched his shirt.

He laughed. "She heard you. She's not quite asleep yet." He kissed the top of my head.

They were quiet for a few minutes. I heard Rydel and Ellington call it a night, Rocky next a few minutes later. All that was left was mister talks a lot. I really wanted to sleep, badly. I felt the couch move as Riker moved. Or was it Ross? I don't think my body would physically tell the difference right now.

"I don't know man," Riker started to speak again. Really? "You got lucky, big time. I should have snatched her while I had the chance."

Ross laughed, holding me tighter. "Yeah right. She had the opportunity to sit with you that night. You were on her other side, remember?" How did he remember this? "She chose to watch the movie with me."

Riker laughed a little. "I suppose you're right." Damn right he's right. He sighed. "I don't know, it must be nice having someone to love. And I see what she's been through, nothing seems to phase her."

"Listen," Ross picks his head up. "I'm not solely responsible for that. You forget she looks to you too. And Rydel, all of them. Even mom." He kissed my head again. "And you'll meet someone dude, just be patient. I did, and she came to me. Stop going nuts over it. Love will find you."

"Not like that though. She's fun to have around." Ross chucked. Oh no. "Okay, I don't wanna know. But I will say this. You better not let her go. She's what you need. And I think it's getting to where we all need her around. Have you noticed how the house has changed over the last few weeks?"

"Yeah." Ross lays his head back down.

"She has brightened up the house. When was the last time we all sat down together?" He gets up from the couch. "It's nice." He's silent for a moment. "I'm heading off now. See you tomorrow."

"Alright." Ross said, not moving his head off of mine. "Night."

"Night" Riker starts to walk away. Finally.

I wait a few seconds after hearing the door shut. "Is he gone now." I whisper half awake. Ross laughs and nods. "Finally. Quiet."

"Come on," Ross says lifting me up into his lap. I was so tired, my whole body was limp. "Do you wanna go to bed, or stay out here?"

I think for a moment. "What time does everyone usually start waking up?"

"About 7."

"Bed." I say a little louder. He laughs.

"You look really tired, can you walk?" Ross asked.

I try to just move my feet, no success. They were jello. My head flops back on his chest. He just laughs, standing up with me in his arms. My eyes were already shut again. When we get into the room, he lays me down on the bed and pulls the comers over me. Than he's gone. I roll my head over. yep, he's gone. I roll my head back over, too tired to wonder. Than I hear the tv turn off.

A few seconds later, the bed moves as he climbs in. I scoot close to him, laying my head on his shoulder. Normally right now was our talk time, but I was super tired from all night last night being that, plus more. I hadn't slept for almost forty hours. I was wore out. "I love you." I whisper. As my eyes fall shut, I hear him say the same.

I wake up in the middle of the night, like usual, still very tired. Ross is passed out, and for some reason I was up. It was clock work, but usually we both wake up. I looked over at the clock. It was not even midnight. What woke me up? I remember a strange dream, and I know what woke me. I remember seeing dads face.

I sit up on the edge of the bed, not even phasing Ross. I didn't want to wake him, so I got up, and walked to the living room. I stand there for a second, than go out to the garage. I pick up the old red guitar and the pick in the neck, right where I left it. Maybe it was a combination of things that woke me up. I was a little nervous for Sunday. Why did I agree to this again?

I lay back against the couch, and start to strum the beauty. Someone had cleaned it back up, and I intended to keep it clean. More than likely it was Ross, after my saying it was beautiful. He was going to make it that way again. And it truly was. Or maybe it was Rocky. I thought I saw him playing it earlier, but I could be wrong. Either way, it was playable again. I play a little, and soon my eyes fall shut again. I tried to get up and go back to bed, but I couldn't move. Jello legs again.

I wait a few minutes and try again. Nothing. Okay, I guess I'm sleeping here with the guitar on me. Last words to go through my mind. My eyes fall shut. I doesn't even seem like a minute, and I'm being picked up off the couch, and carried off. I was hoping it was Ross, because I was too tired to open my eyes. Than I'm back in bed again. Ross. I try to open my eyes, but I can't seem to make them open.

He lays back down, pulling my head on his. I manage to scoot my arm onto his chest, moving slowly and in spurts. He laughed a little, deciding to help me get it up the rest of the way. I did have the energy to smile. "I love you, good night." He whispers than kisses the top of my head. I fade away again.