in your arms

f o u r t e e n

eventually we got to go home. from the hospital, i mean.

luckily i remembered pretty quickly that i didn't do any setting up for the baby coming before i left for the tour, but riley had bought the furniture months ago so i got west and eldon to go over to our place and set it up.

i came home to a mess and a poorly set up crib, but still. it was a sweet gesture.

riley couldn't stop crying when jess was born, and that made me cry, and then everyone was crying and honestly it was a bit of a mess, but it was the good type of mess. i was just really dumbfounded about the whole thing. i mean, a baby. i have a baby.

she's perfect. you know, i've barely slept in a week and all she does is cry, but still. when she isn't crying, and she's peaceful in my arms sleeping, she's beautiful.

me and riley have jobs yet money is still pretty short, but we're sorting it out. i'll do anything i can to protect by two girls, i know that for a fact.

but my sisters are full time babysitters at this point. i work a lot. and then riley is working at the studio so she's tired. hopefully when we get more used to this whole 'oh shit i have a living baby to take care of now,' thing, it'll be easier to handle.

i haven't told riley yet, but i've been working extra shifts for months, nearly, and only now is that coming handy because at last i bought a ring.

not the fanciest ring in the world, but still beautiful, and i know riley will love it becuase when i saw it i could imagine the moment when i give it to her. and in my head she loved it. and when i asked her the question that's been at the back of my throat for ages, she loved that even more.

i'm finally gonna ask her to marry me.

okay, maybe it's a little soon for marriage, but to be honest it's not much of a step up from where we are at the minute. i mean, we live together. we love each other. jesus, we have a baby together.

so really i'm just confirming it. confirming that she acctually does want this, with me, for the rest of, well... forever.

"and from my understanding that's a very long time."

after finally getting jess settled down, i walk into the kitchen where riley is making both our dinner and jessica's bottle, but i interrupt her by putting my arm around her waist and smashing my lips against her. "hey, babe," i whisper, smirking.

"hey," she replies. "is jessica asleep?"

"knocked out."

"great," riley smirks. "more alone time for us..."

"speaking of alone time," i say. "i booked us a table at that restaurant you really love-"

"mcdonald's?!"

"where else?" i smile. "it's the most romantic place on the face of the earth."

"i think that's only to us," riley laughs.

"maybe, but i thought going out for a night would be good for us," i tell her. "you know, relieve the stress."

"that sounds amazing, james," riley smiles up at me, going on her tip toes to kiss me again.

trust me. it's gonna get way better than that...

~~~

"honestly, i thought babies were a lot easier," riley admits, laughing. "i mean, sure, i knew they cry a lot and all that shit, but i thought it would be more relaxing than this."

"well, coming from someone who helped their Mom raise brooklyn not that long ago, i know how bad it is," i laugh. "okay. and trust me, jessica's an angel compared to my sister."

riley lets out a laugh. "i remember you always complaining about her," she says. "but you love her."

"i do," i smile. "how about we go for a walk?"

the park is part creepy, part amazing to walk through at night. you're trying to watch out for murderers or robbers, yet you're still trying to take in the view of the stars and the city.

riley always loved walking here.

she reminds me of that as soon as we start walking, and she points out all the things she loves seeing, and i just smile and hold onto her hand tighter.

she looks away for a second and i pull out the box, holding it in my hand, but behind my back for a few seconds. "riley, i love you so much," i start, and she replies, "i love you too, jay," and then when she turns around in down on one knee, smiling.

her eyes widen when she realises what's happening. "oh my god."

"riley ann raymond," i hold out the ring box. "i love you. more than anyone, and i just want to spend the rest of my life in your arms. and i know im really bad at this sort of thing but... will you make me happier than anyone on this miserable earth and marry me?"

she covers her mouth, tears filling up her brown eyes- then she slowly nods. "uh-huh," she says, laughing/crying as i get up and kiss her, holding her tight so she doesn't slip away.

i don't know much, i'll admit. but i definitely know that i want to spend the rest of my life with this girl.

~~

omggg so this is the end of 'in your arms' i guess 😭 guyssss where do i start? i seriously love everyone who read this book, and everyone who votes, or comments those amazing things that make me smile every time i read them. you are all super supportive and sweet and honestly it sounds cheesy but you were an amazing help with this book because you all made me feel like me writing was acctually worth it :) thank you to everyone, i love you all so much and i hope yous enjoyed this really short book, but i'm working on a new book that should be up really soon!! hopefully i'll make it longer :)

i might write a super short epilogue after this chapter but until then, peace out, and enjoy this cute gif of my babies :))
- emma 💘