Mylow

I can't be bought. I'm worthless to 1, but priceless to 2. What am I?

Bailey said her goodbyes with her trademark smile on her face. She parted after requesting to come to make brownies whenever my granny returned from her trip. The afternoon sun was relentless. My feet throbbed as Ryan, and I crossed the cobblestone pathway to my front door. I leaned against him for some stability, as we climbed the steps. Like the southern gentleman he is, Ryan opened the door for me with a smile and guided me to the couch.

After a moment, I broke the silence, "I am sorry for crying." He laughed at that and rolled his eyes. I spoke again, "I mean it, I hate that I am always leaning on you and Bailey. I need to be more independent." Ryan just laughed harder. After raising a brow and glaring at him for a long moment, he finally rebutted, "Mylow, we love you. We want to be there for you as someone you can lean on. You are more than capable of taking care of yourself and this baby girl. It doesn't mean you cannot rely on us, and we want you to. This is hard, and your feelings are valid, so stop apologizing for expressing them." I hate it when he is right. He followed up his longwinded speech with a brief question, "how long have we known each other?".

I was slightly startled, "Well, I have known Bailey for-- well eight years now. I've known you since 7th grade, so six years," I responded. Ryan smirked, " You helped Bailey through her parents' extravagantly disastrous divorce and the whole Jarolde fiasco." At the comment of Jarolde's name, I laughed slowly. He continued, "and you helped me through all of the shenanigans with my brothers. I honestly don't know what would have happened if I could not have stayed at your house all those nights. I would have most likely been homeless. All those years you never asked for one thing from us, you are no bother. We want to be there for you."

I nodded, thankful for my friends. Leaning up against Ryan's arm, I let out a deep sigh. Silence fell over the room once again. After a moment, he called my name gently, then fell silent once more. "Look, Mylow, for a second, I need you to listen to me and not speak until I'm finished. Okay?" he said, suddenly jolting up and turning me to face him. Confused, I nodded and looked up into his blue eyes. After a long and deep breath, he spoke, "This baby- I love her already. Mylow, I want to be here day and night with you and her. I want to be someone you can lean on whenever you want to. I want to see her grow up to be just like you because you are so smart and talented and funny and beautiful inside and out—you quite a room when you walk into it with your sheer confidence. You can make anyone's belly ache with laughter. You furrow your crows when your uncomfortable, and it is just-- adorable. You remember the off-handed comments people make and use them to make each person feel special. You--" He pauses, taking a breath, and I assume to collect himself. Slowly he finishes, "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I want to be with you, Mylow. Now and forever. Mylow, I love you." Quickly he tore his eyes from mine, pulling at his socks the way he does whenever he is nervous.

We sat there for what seemed like hours. I was shocked, he was my best friend, and I don't want to lose him. "Ryan--" I began, but he immediately cut me off, "I do not want to lose our friendship. So if I am messing everything up, please tell me. All I ever want if for you to be hap--." I silenced him by pressing my lips to his in a hungry kiss. I needed to be close to him, and I was overwhelmed with joy as he pulled me closer. How did I not see it sooner? My stomach roared with a fluttering feeling. He has always been there for me since day one, never wanted anything from me. I pull his face closer to mine. He is who I turn to when I need to laugh. He smiles into my lips, pressing his forehead to mine. He is who I run to when I am feeling sad. We part briefly to look into each other's eyes. I need to tell him. His face is mere inches from mine. I have to tell him. He smiles warmly at me, examining my every feature. "I love you too," I let out with a jagged breath. His smile grew wild as he pulled me in for another passionate kiss, his hand tangled in my hair to pull me closer. He parts briefly to speak, "Be with me?" I laugh at that, "Yes, of course, I will."

This time when he leans against my chest and rubs my stomach, it feels warmer. I am running my fingers through his hair and listening to him talk to my daughter. "I bet you will be as good at softball as your mommy is" He smiled, watching his fingers dance across my belly. "That will be the first sport we will try," I comment with a chuckle. "I'm going to teach her to hunt. You can show her how to fish. I will also help her with learning how to box so she can kick boy's ass."

"Wow, a girl," he said, looking up at me with his icy blue eyes.

Hey, baby growing inside of me. I can't promise you life out here will be the best. But mommy is going to do everything she can do help you have the best life you possibly can. I don't know when your coming. but I cant wait to meet you and show you what this life has instore.

That is when I received the worst phone call of my life.