Rayne and Alex

Chapter 31

Rayne 

I sigh contently when the familiar aroma of coffee fills my nostrils. I stretch out my arms before opening my eyes and startling for a moment when I don't recognize where I am. I immediately relax when I take in Alex's white ceiling and blue walls. I look down and smile when I find my legs tangled in his black bedsheets and my torso covered by his large green t-shirt. I shove my face into his pillow and laugh happily.

I feel like in just a few short hours so much has changed, yet nothing at all. I like it that way.

I roll over and lean over Alex's bed and snort quietly to myself when I see the mess of blankets and pillows that Alex made on the floor. Shaking my head, I force myself to leave the comforting warmth of Alex's bed.

When I walk into the kitchen, I find Alex whistling to himself as he makes pancakes. He's in his boxers with no shirt on. I sneak up behind him and wrap my arms around his torso. I lean my forehead into his back.

"Hey, babe," Alex murmurs.

"Hey," we stay still for a bit. "You didn't have to sleep on the floor, you know."

Alex's body shakes as he laughs. He turns around and speaks to me with his hands on my hips. "A man can only have so much self-control," he tells me with a smirk.

"So..." I begin.

"Why do I feel like I'm not going to like what you're about to say?"

I laugh, "I just have an idea."

"That doesn't calm my mind," he comments. He lifts me by the hips and sits me on the counter. He turns away from me for a second to turn off the stove and put one last pancake onto a plate.

"Hear me out," I say. I take a deep breath, "I want to tell Jeff and Rose about me. Lily and Eli too, obviously."

Alex speaks to me with his hands resting on my thighs. "Okay," he says slowly. "When do we do it?"

I sigh in relief. I'm happy that he's going to be by my side as I tell everyone. "I want to do it as soon as possible. I don't like lying to them."

Alex nods, "Okay. We can tell them soon. I'll go shower." He kisses my forehead tenderly. "Eat some breakfast. There's some orange juice in the fridge."

Before he goes, I speak up again, "I have a question. It might be kinda weird..."

"Yeah?" Alex questions. 

"Do you happen to know why I'm named Rayne?" I ask, biting my lip. 

Alex nods, "Yeah, actually. When Rose was pregnant with you... when it would rain you would start kicking like crazy. She figured it meant you liked the rain."

I nod as I retain this information. I actually really do love the rain. 

"Why?" Alex asks me.

I shrug, "My mom... well, Carol... she'd told me she named me Rayne because the only times she could get me to sleep soundly was when it rained. She said she'd named me after a few days in the hospital."

Alex seems to realize I don't really want to talk about Carol much anymore. He kisses me on the forehead and says, "I'm gonna go take that shower now."

I pout quietly to myself as I watch Alex saunter out of the kitchen. I don't know what I'm expecting, but I know that Alex will be by my side no matter what.

***

Alex and I are sitting on his bed facing each other in awkward silence until he speaks to me. I'm sitting criss cross with my hands folded in my lap.

"Are you ready?"

"No." I take as many deep breaths as possible in an attempt to calm my palpitating heart.

"C'mon. What are you afraid of?"

"Everything. So much could go wrong."

"And so much is going to go right," Alex takes my face in his hands and looks me directly in the eyes. "You're going to give them something they lost and never thought they'd get back."

I nod and exhale the breath I was holding. I jump when I hear the faint sounds of knocking. Alex gets up and goes to get the door and I follow after him. I adjust my lilac t-shirt and look down at my white sneakers before holding my head up high.

Alex turns to face me as he puts his hand on the doorknob, "Ready?"

I shake my head, but reply with, "Yes." He laughs at me and I shrug, "Now or never and all that, right?"

Alex kisses my temple softly, "Right."

Alex opens the door and I smile wide when I see everyone. Lily flashes her bright smile at me, but Rose and Jeff looked a little confused. Eli doesn't seem to notice the slight awkwardness and immediately walks over to me and gives me a hug. He squeezes me tightly and I squeeze him back just as forcefully.

"Hey, Rayne." He winks at Alex, "You're here early."

"Shut up, Eli," Alex grumbles softly to him. He hugs his mom and kisses her on the cheek.

"Is everything okay?" Rose asks concernedly.

I look to Alex and wait for him to answer. We didn't really talk about what we were going to say.

He nods. "Everything's fine," he motions everyone to the living room. "Let's sit."

Alex walks with me to the living room with a hand on the small of my back. He rubs the spot in soft, comforting circles. We sit in a way where we can speak to everyone at once. When Alex doesn't say anything, everyone looks to me expectantly. I lick my dry lips before speaking.

"So... I have to tell you guys something," I direct my words to Rose and Jeff, but I stop when I feel my eyes begin to burn. I clear my throat.

Alex speaks up for me. He grabs my hand. "We've recently found something out..."