Landing In London {Dreams & Bleachers Sequel}

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Ryder's POV

We've been in Denver about three weeks since Jade and Harley left. Nicky's made a full recovery, which is a true miracle. I'm so glad to see my baby back on his feet, and happy.

Our flight leaves in two days, so we've got the weekend to say a final goodbye to what has been our home since we were little. NJ was working on his computer while I sat in the next room, staring at the ring I had bought. It was mostly a dark silver, with a band of black through the middle, something I know he'd love. I'm just not sure if he wants marriage.

We've talked about it, and he seems ready to settle down, but scared. To be honest, I'm scared too. I sighed, slipping the black box in the pocket of my jeans.

I walked out to the living room area of our hotel. He looked up at me, smiling. "Just finishing up with work. You wanna do something today?"

"Yeah," I replied. "I was thinking we go for a walk around our old town?"

"I'm scared it's changed too much for us to recognize." He laughed.

"Oh, please. It'd take a miracle for anything to get restored in that shithole!" I responded, smiling at his adorable laugh.

"Hey, that shithole is still our hometown!" NJ responded, still grinning as he closed up his computer.

He stood up and grabbed his jacket off the back of the couch while I searched for the keys to the rental car. We then headed for the door, which I held for him. It made me flash back to the day in the coffee shop, when he asked me to start treating him better. From that day on, I always have held the door for him, and I'll probably do it 'till the day I die.

As we walked down the hall, I wrapped my arm around his waist. NJ giggled, reaching up to kiss me. To this day, we still get strange looks, but I've learned now to ignore them. If Nicky is happy, I'm happy, and that is all that matters, not some random people I'll probably never see again.

Later

We arrived at the old theater parking lot, seeing it was just as we left it ten years ago. I could see all the memories flashing through Nicky's eyes as he stared at the building. Putting my hand in his, he broke out of his hypnotic state. 

"I can't believe this is still here." He said.

I looked across the street, smiling. "The coffee shop is too. C'mon, let's walk."

And so we did. NJ and I kept along paths that we used to walk daily. The body shop was still in tact, and the same old men we used to know are still working there. Our old school was still standing too, which honestly was a surprise.

On our walk, we passed by a building that looked a little newer. Nicky stopped, letting his hand fall from mine as his eyes glazed over.

"Babe? You okay?" I asked. 

He roughly swallowed, replied, "Yeah, yeah, it's just, this was my old foster home. I can't believe it's gone." 

I sighed. "I'm sorry, Hun."

"No, I'm... I'm glad it's gone." He muttered. "It was old when I was there."

Maybe it was best it was gone. It might have finally freed Nicky of some memories he'd rather not hang onto. 

When I was in elementary school, my parents decided to move back to England. Right after I left, Nicky was put in that home, and stayed there until I came back in ninth grade and my parents offered for him to stay with us. Sometimes I think he'd of been better at the orphanage. 

He started walking again, and I followed, until we were at the old park. The sun was starting to set, making the park glow beautifully, just as it used to. It made NJ smile just as bright as it always did, too. Guess some things don't change.

"You remember this place?" I asked.

"How could I forget?" He giggled as we walked around the side of the fountain. "This was the first time we met. You were the weird kid that no one else wanted to talk to, but then again, so was I. And, this was the last place I saw you before you went back to England. It was also there first place you said I love you for the first time."

"But it won't be the last." I smiled, then gently kissed him. As I pulled back, I looked straight into those beautiful eyes that were still just as innocent. "Nicky, I love you to death. I want to always be here to protect you, to keep you safe. I never want there to be night when I can't hold you, or a morning where I can't wake up to hearin' you play music in the kitchen. Those moments are better than any thing on this earth. I live for you, Nicky, and I never want to lose you. Will you marry me?"

He put his hands to his face to wipe away tears, then knelt down and attacked me with a hug. "Yes, a million times yes. I love you, Ryder, more than life."

I smiled, wrapping my arms around him as I heard his adorable cry of joy whimpering in my ear. It's true, that love is better than anything in this world. I've never felt more happier in my life than I do right now, because I have the one I love, to hold for now, and forever. 

The ring & I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi in the sidebar/info