Crazy Stupid Love

Chapter 34: Shadow

Hearing whispers, I pull away from Ross to find Riker and Rydel standing in the doorway. Each of them have a hand shaped like half a heart not too far from a phone, the camera still pointed at Ross and I.
"This is why I hate having so many siblings," Ross grumbles.
"Why?" I laugh.
"When is the last time we have kissed without getting interrupted!" he says exasperatedly. Glancing to Riker and Rydel, he says, "You guys suck."
He looks upset, but humour dances in his eyes.
"It's a good picture!" Riker defends, holding out the iPhone for us to see.
The picture is framed with Riker and Rydel's finger heart. Ross holds me right to his body, the picture being captured of us in mid-kiss. The lights of the Eiffel Tower shine brightly behind us, adding a romantic aura to the picture.
"Send that to me?" I ask.
"Sure," Riker laughs.
"Were going to bed," Ross informs them as he takes my hand and leads me towards his room.
"I love them, but they show up at the worst times," he murmurs as he pulls his shirt over his head before discarding it on the floor beside him.
My eyes are drawn to his toned abdomen, watching the muscles shift as he moves his arms. My eyes dart away as Ross looks at me, but I am guessing I was a bit slow as a suggestive smirk forms on his face. For whatever reason, he decides not to mention it.
"So how was Toronto?" Ross asks softly as he slips under the covers.
Quickly changing, I climb in beside him.
"It was what I needed," I reply. "It wasn't easy, but it gave me the closure I needed to move on with my life."
"I'm sorry you had to do it alone," he murmurs. "I really wanted to be there."
"Well you're here now," I whisper. "And that is good enough for me."
He pulls my body on top of his, resting his arms on the back of my waist.
"I really loved that song," I say.
"Well I really love you, and I meant every word of it. You've brought so much happiness into my life. I don't feel the need to drink anymore, and you've given me a feeling that no one else can."
Gently, I press my lips against his.
"I love you, Ross."
He holds me tighter to him, the warmth of his bare chest seeping into me. I lay my head on his chest, listening to the soft vibrations emoting from it as he softly sings me to sleep.

.

I let out a soft yawn, my eyes fluttering open. I pull my body out of Ross' arms, careful not to wake him.
Glancing over, I see Ratliff sitting at the head of the bed beside us strumming softly on an acoustic guitar.
"Maybe another year, I'm gonna be right here," he quietly murmurs along with the music, a sad expression adorning his face as he scribbles the lyrics into a notebook.
"Hey, Rat," I whisper, easing myself onto the bed beside him.
"Hey, Mar."
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"Writing a song," he replies. "It's for Rydel."
"That's so sweet. Are you going to sing it for her?"
"No, she is really mad at me. I just realized why I was so upset about the whole situation, and got the inspiration for this song."
"What did you realize?" I prompt.
"That I love Rydel. I can't stand the thought of anyone hurting her. I can't even cope with the fact she loves someone, and it isn't me. And I think I just ended any chance of it ever being me."
His dark eyes meet mine, and tears begin streaming down his cheeks.
"It's going to be okay, Ell. Today is the last show, then we're going home. Everything will diffuse, and you'll figure it out."
"Really?" he whispers, hope growing in his dull eyes.
"Friendships like yours don't just end overnight," I assure him.
"I love you, Marriya. I'm so glad you came back," he murmurs. "It may have taken 16 years, but that doesn't matter."
"I love you too, Ellington, and I am right where I belong. It may have taken 16 years, but I'm finally home."
He takes me in his arms, hugging me as if his life depended on it.
"Can I hear the song?" I ask.
"Sure."
He swings the guitar back around, resting it on his thigh.
"It's called Shadow. I only have a little bit so far, but it's coming along," he explains.
I smile as he begins strumming.

"I'll take you anywhere
I'll put you on a throne
I'll lay down my heart, I swear
And I'll make sure that you'll never be alone
Only my shadow knows
How I feel about you
Only my shadow goes
Where I dream of you and me
Should I go or wait?
Is it too soon, too late?
Only my shadow knows"