BLUE SKIES • RICHARD MADDEN

real life

"How are you?" Kylie asked her sister as she walked in the door. Eleanor was sitting on a bench stool and adverted her attention from her phone to her sister.

"I'm good, Kylie. How are you?"

Kylie had a big smile on her face that she couldn't wipe off. Eleanor noticed her happiness.

"Why are you so happy? I haven't seen you this happy since you met me."

Kylie pulled her hands from behind her back. Eleanor looked down at her hands and saw why she was so happy.

"Wha-what? No? Really? Oh my god! Kylie!"

Eleanor instantly ran to her sister and embraced her in a massive hug.

"Dacre proposed?" She asked her, pulling away.

"Yes!"

Kylie couldn't say much as the shock was still evident. She could not believe that it was real.

"How? What did he do?"

"As cliché as it sounds, he took me to Walmart, where we had our first date. It started out as a shopping, because I needed a few items for here. He bought me so many gifts, which I was surprised by but told him not to. He then took me to a look-out point which overlooked a lake. It was honestly the prettiest thing, I have to take you there one day. Anyway, we were admiring the view and then he got down on one knee and proposed!"

Eleanor pulled Kylie in for another hug, in which both girls started squealing with excitement.

"Dacre will be over soon, he just had to go home first and make a call."

Eleanor smiled at her sister. She walked to the kitchen and grabbed two wine glasses and the bottle of champagne from the fridge. She walked back over to her and held up the items.

"It's time to celebrate!"

~

The newly engaged couple and Eleanor all sat in the living room talking about different things.

"Eleanor, I was meant to ask this when I came; how's Richard?"

Eleanor smiled at the name. Richard was her happiness.

"He's great! He text me earlier with some big news. He's been nominated for best performance by an Actor for Bodyguard and Bodyguard has also been nominated for best drama television series at the Golden Globes!"

"That's amazing! Mind you, I decided to watch the show a few days ago and let me tell you, I definitely enjoyed it. That's big news for him." Eleanor nodded with a smile.

"He's also got an interview on Ellen next week. He's asked me if I wanted to join him in Cali."

"Are you going to go?" Kylie asked.

"I told him I would, I mean, I miss him so much. If you need me here though, I can tell him that I can't go."

"No, no! Eleanor, you go to California. You go to your man."

Eleanor beamed at her words. She raised her glass and tilted it to the couple.

"As much as I'd love to talk about Richard, this night is about you guys. Congratulations Mr. Montgomery and future Mrs. Montgomery!" Eleanor raised her glass, as did the other two and they all clinked glasses.

As Eleanor sipped her drink, her phone started ringing, her ringtone echoing through the house. She stood up from the chair and over to where her phone was. She picked it up seeing Richard's name against the screen.

"Speaking of the devil," she whispered to herself. She pressed accept and put her phone to her ear.

"Hey!" she greeted.

"Hello, love," he replied, his thick, Scottish accent echoing through the speaker.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Madden?"

"I just wanted to chat, love."

"Aw, you are very sweet. Listen, as much as I'd love to talk to you, I am quite busy at the moment. Kylie and Dacre just got engaged and we're having a few drinks."

"Oh, that's amazing! Please send my congratulations to them. I'll let you go, love. You enjoy the night with them. It's so great to hear your voice."

"It's so great to hear yours too."

Eleanor took a long breath, tears brimmed her eyes.

"I miss you so much, Richard. I really do," she choked. She couldn't help but let the tears fall

"I miss you too. But listen, I'll be in America soon. We'll be in California together spending so much time with each other. I'm counting down the days."

"Me too, Richard."

"Okay, love, have a great night. Again, please send forward my congratulations to Kylie and Dacre. I'll call you tomorrow. I love you."

Eleanor froze. It was the first time he said that to her and she couldn't help but smile. There was no denying it any more.

"I love you too, Richard. Have a great night, baby. Talk tomorrow."

She ended the call and looked down at her screen. The smile she had on her face would not be leaving for a very long time.

She walked back into the living room, still looking down at her screen.

Kylie noticed her emotion and questioned her.

"What's got you all happy? Did Richard call?"

Eleanor nodded, not able to get any words out.

"What happened?" Dacre asked.

"He-he told me he loves me."

"Oh my gosh! Did you say it back?" Kylie asked with excitement and eagerness.

"Well I can't deny it any longer now, can I? So yes, I said it back."

Kylie stood up and hugged her sister. She was happy that she had Richard in her life. He made her happy and that's what Kylie wanted for Eleanor.

"He makes you feel good. He is caring, supporting and loving to everyone. He's a keeper. Don't let him go."

Eleanor nodded at her sister.

"Aye, aye captain," she answered with a salute.

The girls re-joined Dacre and continued celebrating Kylie and Dacre's engagement.

Eleanor's phone screen lit up. She picked it up and smiled at the text she received from Richard.

1 new message from Richard ❤️

Richard ❤️
I love you, always ❤️