Everlasting Love ~ A Rydellington Story

Always be There

Chapter Three
Riker's POV

He sat on the balcony overlooking their backyard. Just thinking.

After tomorrow, their lives would be incredibly different.

Rydel would be married. Her and Ramona and Ellington would be a family. They would move away, into a home they would call their own. Away from him. And that hurt more than anything.

All his life he had suffered from separation anxiety. Luckily, he hadn't lost much.

But these past few months, his anxiety had been through the roof. He had the constant fear that he would lose Rydel, and now that fear was becoming a reality.

He heard the screen door open and close behind him. Seconds later and he was no longer alone.

"You look like you could use a friend" a soft-spoken voice called beside him.

"What I could really use is a hug" he smiled to her.

Rydel pulled him into her arms. He breathed in the smell of her clothes. He never realized how much he loved that smell, how much comfort it brought him, until he was losing her.

"I don't want you to grow up" he sighed into her golden hair. "I want you to stay my innocent little sister forever"

She pulled him away from her.

"Is that what you're afraid of Riker?" she asked, "losing me?"

It surprised him, but hearing those words out loud actually brought tears to his eyes. He was petrified of losing her.

"Riker" her voice sympathetic. She took his hand. "Im not going anywhere"

"But you are" he battled, "You're getting married. And then next you're going to move out, and then you're going to start a family of your own and soon enough you will just be a distant memory"

He took a deep breath to calm himself down. Rydel's face showed hurt and worry. Her hazel eyes were now shiny with tears.

"We still have this Riker" she whispered. "We still have us. You and me, the dynamic duo. No matter how far apart physically we are, we will always be together emotionally. And you have to know that I will never leave you Riker. Because what we have is too special to just forget. You're my big brother. And no matter how many people try, no one will ever fill your spot in my heart."

He looked at her with the same admiration he saw her look at Ramona. She was so special, and so like him it was almost scary.

"And we have the band" she reassured him, "Even if its the only way we can see each other the next few weeks, at least it's something"

He smiled at her. He would miss seeing her smile everyday. He would miss the way she lit up the room.

But no matter how much he missed her, he would be okay. Because this is what she wants, to be with her one true love.

"I really am happy for you" he finally said, "I guess I'm just a little jealous at all the time Ellington will get to spend with you"

She laughed. "There is plenty of me to go around Riker. And if you ever need me, all you have to do is call. I'll always be there"

"Thank you" he said to her, leaning into her arms once more, "For just being you"