Reasons

Chapter 35

Rylie's POV

The moment we had together was better than I ever could have imagine. We were now cuddled outside on a blanket. Staring out into the sunset, we stayed close despite the warm temperatures. I don't know what we can call ourselves, but I don't really care. I have missed being this close to Harry. His muscular arms holding me close comforted me.

"Rylie?" Harry speaks, his voice a soft melody to my ears.

"Hm?" I murmur sleeping, watching the horizon drowsily.

"Maybe we should get you home," Harry inquires, gripping my hand and pulling me up. I clutched onto his hand, unable to steady myself.

"Will you come by tomorrow?" I whisper, almost pleadingly. I was being selfish, but I only had so much time to be with him.

"What about your family?" Harry asks as he picks up our things. I help with the basket and head for the car. I was a little less drowsy now.

Hesitantly, I murmur, "I can spend the morning with them and the afternoon with you."

Harry doesn't respond as he throws everything into the back seat of the car. I was anxiously awaiting for him to agree, but he doesn't answer until we were on the road.

"I will try. I promise," Harry tells me. Pulling into my gravel road, he turns and kisses me on the cheek. I hadn't expected it, but I missed the simple gestures like this.

--

"Good morning baby girl," my mom whispers. Her fingers were running through my hair. She was forcing me out of my lovely slumber. "Happy birthday, Rylie," she whispers as I open my eyes. I half smile and sit up on the couch.

"Hi mom," I murmur, hugging her tightly.

"Ready to have your biggest present?" my mom murmurs, standing.

It was off, even for my mom, to open any gifts before eating a birthday breakfast. We always had our own little ways of doing things. We used to have parties, but that changed after my thirteenth party.

"So early? We haven't had the birthday breakfast yet, mom," I mutter, frowning.

"Well, I think the breakfast can wait for this one present. Now come on," she states, gripping my wrist and practically pulling me out to the backyard.

"Mom what is so great that it can't wait until breakfast. I am hung-" I stop dead in my tracks when some special someone rounds the corner and opens his arms up. A wide grin spread across his adorable face.

"Colby!" I scream, dashing over to him and encasing him in a tight embrace. His arms folded around me, and he chuckled lightly.

"Hey Ry. I'm glad I could make it. College isn't too fun when I haven't seen my favorite sister in a while," Colby states with a small smile.

"I am your only sister," I point out, rolling my eyes.

Colby just follows my eye roll with his own before pushing me away. "Time for the birthday breakfast for the birthday girl!"

--

I was halfway done filling my plate when two hands rested on my waist. "Hey," an all too familiar voice whispered. I turn slightly to look into the eyes of the only person I have ever loved. I wrapped my arms around him; a smile never left my face.

"I thought you wouldn't even speak to me today," I murmur softly. His arms pulled me closer to him, and I rested my head against his chest.

"Let's just a special someone convinced me to come," Harry replied with a cheeky grin. I threw a glance to my mother, but she only shook her head in denial. I threw my attention to Colby, who only shrugged in response.

If there had been one person I expected to invite Harry over for my birthday breakfast, it would have been my mother. Yet, I was shocked when my father stepped out from the hallway closet. His facial hair had grown out significantly since the last time I had seen him. Instead of the angry expression he had the last time, this time he wore a wide smile.

"Did you...?" I whisper, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Yea, I needed to apologize. To the both of you," he answers. I drop my arms from around Harry's waist, and Harry gives me a tiny shove towards my dad's direction. I encased him in a bear hug. I never realized how much I had missed my father until he had arrived.

"I missed you daddy," I whisper, keeping a hold on him. He returned my hug and kissed my cheek. I had missed this affection more than I had realized.

"Dear, I know you are having a reunion, but I have to tell you something," my mom cuts in. Her face was paler than I remembered. Her eyes cast down to the floor. "Recently, I spoke with my doctor. Remember during Christmas time when I wasn't feeling well? They found the cause. I have Leukemia."

My pulse quickened, and all I could remembering was bawling in tears.

--

This was it. My bags lied near the toe of my boot. My mom was sitting in a wheelchair. Her once long hair was now short and stringy. She didn't look like the mother I remembered, but her personality never changed. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close. "I will miss you," I stated, pulling back to stare into her warm eyes. She placed her hand over mine and offered a light smile.

"You know I will be over there with your father soon," mom stated. Her hand was frail, as if all the life was drained out of her. But where it counts, in her eyes, she looked as if she was having the time of her life.

I keep hugging her until my flight was called. Harry was standing waiting for me. His cheeky smile made my heart flutter. I would miss this guy. He had my heart, and he always would.

"I will be there during Thanksgiving. You better make me a good meal," he demanded, handing me a banquet of flowers. I threw my arms around him and kissed him passionately. An ocean would desperate us, but that would be okay. Sometimes, something bigger than even the oceans have separated us. We were accustomed to the time apart. "Skype me as soon as you can," he added as my flight called for a last chance.

"Bye Harry. I love and miss you," I murmur before boarding my destiny and leaving behind my future.