Everlasting Love ~ A Rydellington Story

Fresh Starts and Everlasting Love

Chapter Two

Riker's POV

He had been helping his mom organize everything for the wedding. His baby sister's wedding.

He still couldn't get that through his head. No matter how much he loved her, and how happy he was for her and Ratliff, it still hurt. He had to sit back and watch as his best friend grew up.

After tomorrow, she would be gone. Starting her new life with Ellington. And that hurt him.

The living room was full of random flower arrangements that Rocky and Ryland had put together. He couldn't help but laugh at the two of them, hard at work pairing pink roses with white tulips.

Ross was sitting on the back porch counting out candy to put in the wedding favours. The ground around him was covered in different kinds of pink covered candy.

And Riker sat with his mother at the kitchen table, helping her sew together the last finishing touches to Rydel's dress.

It amazed him, how their whole family could come together, after so many tragedies, for a wedding. A happy time, for all of them.

He heard the front door click open, and he leaned around the wall to see who had returned home.

With a permanent grin on her face, Rydel walked in, holding Ramona in one arm, the other grasping Ellington's hand.

"So I'm guessing its a go then?" he laughed. Rydel smiled at him, her dimples showing.

She handed Ramona down to Ryland, who had also welcomed their sister at the door. Then she ran into Riker's open arms.

"I'm so happy for you Delly" he smiled as he hugged his sister. "I really am"

"Thank you Riker" she responded, "For everything"

His mom came around the corner, her eyes filled with tears.

"Let me see! Let me see!" she ran to Rydel, taking her hand to look at the new ring on her finger.

"Rydel it's beautiful!" she coed. "My baby is all grown up"

Riker turned to Ratliff.

"I'm really happy for you man" he smiled, hugging Ratliff. "You deserve so much after what I put you through"

Ratliff smiled at him. "She means the world to me Riker. And even after all we've been through, I know we wouldn't be here without you. So thank you, for not giving up on us."

He nodded his head, smiling at his new brother. For years they had always thought of Ratliff as a brother. Now that would finally be true.

"Ramona are you ready for mommy and daddy to get married?" Ryland asked his niece, holding her in front of him.

She smiled her toothless grin, and coed into his face.

"I guess that's a yes!" Rocky laughed.

Ross came out of the kitchen, carrying a cake that they had made for Rydel's birthday, with a new message on the top.

"I think this calls for a celebratory cake" he laughed, setting it down on the table in front of Rydel and Ellington.

"Congrats Rydellington" the cake read, Rocky's choice. Their sister laughed.

"But we're missing one person" she replied. Their father. He wasn't there to celebrate the engagement. Instead, he was laying in a hospital bed, being prodded with needles.

"He's here in spirit Rydel" their mom said, hugging her. "And he loves you, don't you ever forget that"

He smiled. Their dad would always be with them, even after he died.

"To fresh starts" he said. "And everlasting love"