Misinterpreting Fate (Book 2)

39. Babysitting Duty

Chapter 39: Babysitting Duty

Sam

Even with my winter coat and gloves on, I was still shivering. I moved closer to Ryan, shifting his arm so that it was around my shoulders, hoping to steal some of his warmth. It was his idea to come out here, so it's his responsibility to keep me warm. Isn't that what boyfriends are for anyway?

He chuckled lightly. "Little cold there?" he asked.

"Well, yeah. We're sitting on a metal bench in the park, three days before Christmas, when it looks - and feels - like it's about to snow any minute. This isn't the best date we've been on."

"You know this isn't a date, Sammy."

I sighed, looking over at the playground where Regal and Matty were playing together. I was so glad they were the same age and got along with each other so well. It made babysitting so much better because I could do it with Ryan by my side.

I just wished he hadn't given the kids the idea to come here, not when it was thirty degrees out anyway. It was way too cold.

I started playing with Ryan's hand that was laying across my chest. He wasn't wearing gloves, which made me wonder how he wasn't freezing. Looking a little closer, I realized his knuckles were covered in little cuts and bruises. They were definitely new.

"Ryan?" I asked quietly, still looking at his hand. "What did you do?"

"What? Oh, that. I was at the gym earlier."

"You don't normally leave there like this, though." I gently ran my fingers over the cuts, wishing I had the power to heal them. Even if he acted like it didn't matter to him, I know it must still hurt.

Ryan didn't say anything so I lifted my gaze up to his face. He was looking off to the left - away from me - sadness in his eyes.

That's when I remembered what today was. I threw my arms around him, burying my face against his neck.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered against his skin. "I can't believe I forgot. I should have known."

With everything that's been going on, I hadn't realized how much Ryan was still missing his dad. Today was the anniversary of his death. I should have remembered that.

He held me back tightly. "It's okay, Sammy," he said quietly. "I hadn't said anything. It's not your fault."

"Ryan...!" Matty whined. I slid off Ryan to see both kids running over to us. "I'm cold."

I stood up from the bench, grabbing Regal's little outstretched hand. She was bundled up even more than I was, but she still looked cold. We definitely should get them home and warmed up.

Regal's only been living with us for just over a week now and already it felt more than right. She brought a new kind of light into our home - one I didn't know we needed. When Regal smiles or laughs, which has been happening more and more each passing day, she makes everyone around her smile and laugh along with her.

Ryan's fingers slipped between mine. I looked up at him and smiled when I saw him already smiling at me.

"Wanna head to my place?" he asked. "It's closer anyway."

"Only if you have hot chocolate there," I replied, leaning into his side. "I could really use some right about now."

He laughed. "Anything for you."

It wasn't long before we were at his house and I had a nice hot mug of hot chocolate in my hands. Ryan was sitting next to me at the table with his own mug while the kids played in the other room. It felt like such a moment, but I felt like there was an extra weight in the room. I didn't want to address it, but knew I had to.

"How are you doing?" I asked.

He shrugged, knowing exactly what I was referring to. "It's just hard, you know? It's already been four years..."

I reached out and grabbed his hand. "Yeah. But you still have people who love you here. He would have been proud of you."

Ryan smiled. "Thanks, Sammy."

It wasn't long before Poppa came by to pick us up. Mrs. Helder had wanted Regal and me to stay for dinner, but I declined. I had a feeling they should just be a family tonight. Ryan needed it.

Poppa was currently trying to get Regal into her coat, but she was refusing. Not because she didn't want to leave, but simply because she wasn't as comfortable around Poppa yet.

"Seems like you can't be everyone's favorite parent," I told him, coming over to help.

He backed off, letting me slip the sleeves of her coat over her arms and zip it up. "Are you saying I'm your favorite, Sammy?" I didn't even need to see his face to know that he was smirking at me. "Don't tell your father that. He might get jealous."

I laughed, putting Regal's gloves on her hands. "I didn't say that. Although... You kinda cook better than Dad, so there's that."

"I agree," Ryan spoke up from behind me. "Your cooking is amazing."

"You're more than welcome to join us for Christmas dinner," Poppa said, addressing both Ryan and his mother. "You can all come. There'll be more than enough food, don't worry."

"Oh, Mika," Mrs. Helder said. "I wouldn't want to impose."

Poppa shook his head. "Nonsense. You're more than welcome."

I turned to Ryan, suddenly very excited, while our parents discussed details. We were going to have Christmas together. What more could I ask for?

He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him. Then he gave me a quick kiss. "Guess I don't have to give this to you now then, huh?" He showed me a small box wrapped in red and green paper.

I reached for it, but he held it above his head. "Nope," he said, holding back a laugh. "Not until Christmas, Sammy. That's the rule."

I pouted, but accepted it. I could wait a few more days. Besides, the gift I had for him was still at home. At least this way we can give each other our gifts at the same time.

"Sam," Poppa said, making me turn around. "Ready to go?"

I nodded, grabbing hold of Regal's outstretched hand. I then looked back at Ryan with a smile. My life had finally fallen into place. My family was more complete than ever and I had a boyfriend I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out.