Everything Has Changed //Ryan Blaney//

1.0 - Championship Weekend

Sienna

The first couple weeks of 'school' were over in a flash for Eleanor, mostly because she would be so exhausted after coming home that she would nap for most of the afternoon. Her being away for those few hours in the morning helped me out a ton with getting caught up on her laundry and putting it away, and also shopping for groceries and stuff for around the house. Unfortunately though, over the last month, Ryan and I have only got to hang out a couple of times. I hated that fact, knowing that I liked having him around.

He's been so busy with his racing and traveling that we haven't got to do as much as we want. Fortunately, this coming weekend is the championship race at Homestead - Miami, and Ryan had asked me to join him that weekend. From what he says, it's supposed to be a fun time. The only downfall to it was that I was talked into leaving El at home. Not by Ryan but by Sophia. 

She and I were talking about it while eating lunch the other day and the moment it left my lips she was eager for me to go. Stating that she would take care of Eleanor for the weekend so that Ryan and I could have fun. I know she's wanting to see us together so she was trying to do whatever she could to see that happen. I didn't like the idea at first mainly because I don't like leaving Eleanor with someone for a long time but she talked me into it.

When I brought up the sleepover with Aunt Soph to Eleanor while bathing her that night she couldn't contain the happiness. She babbled on and on while I dressed her in her jammies about what she wanted to take with her, from her favorite doll to the trunk of dress-up clothes she had in her room. The girl loved spending time with her 'aunt.' The bond they had was great since I didn't have any other family other than my parents, and they lived in West Virginia. Ashton's parents lived just twenty minutes from my parents, and he was an only child. So Sophia and Mason were the closest things to an aunt and uncle that El had.

Ryan liked the idea as well, although he was quite sad that his good luck charm wouldn't be with him during the final race but it did leave us with a weekend to talk and have fun with each other.

That part I was a bit nervous about. I had a good feeling the subject of us being together was going to come up and I was very apprehensive about it. Not because I didn't think he would be a good boyfriend but because I hadn't been a girlfriend in forever. Was everything still the same? Did I ask him, or do I wait and see if he does? 

I needed to just take a breather. Everything would be fine.

Later in the day, I picked up Eleanor and decided to take her out for some food and to get her a new doll or pajamas to take to Sophia's house. She loved the idea and bounced in her car seat, babbling about what she wanted. I gave her encouraging words when needed but made sure to watch the road. When we got to Wal-Mart I found a parking space farther from the doors. I hated parking at the front. People were so careless with how they pulled in, not caring if they dinged anyone's car with their doors.

"You ready, baby girl?" I asked, cutting the engine. She nodded her head rapidly, signaling that she was beyond ready. Her dark curls bounced against her cheeks as a big old smile spread. She reminded me so much of her father. Although those pretty blue eyes are all from her mom.  Even though Ashton and I both had blue eyes, mine were lighter and that's how Eleanor's are.

"So, are we wanting new jammies or a new doll?" I asked, figuring out what she would say.

"Both, Mommy." Of course. And knowing Mommy, she would get both. If it made her smile then she deserved it.

Ryan

I stood back out of the way as Sienna dropped Eleanor off with Mason and Sophia. Eleanor wasn't throwing a fit like I thought she might, which I'm sure Sienna was thankful for. I know leaving her for the next few days must be hard, but I'm prepared to give her a relaxing and fun weekend.

"El, you be a good girl for Aunt Soph and Uncle Mason, okay? Mommy will be home in just a few short days. I love you, baby." Sienna gave her daughter a big hug and kiss, trying not to cry. She talked to Sophia for a second, giving her every bag she had brought before saying goodbye and walking back to me.

"You sure you're ready?" I asked, wanting to make sure she was okay. She nodded her head, wiping away some tears that had fallen.

"Yeah, if we don't know, I never will." I knew she was having a hard time. She just didn't want to say anything about it. With another quick kiss from Eleanor to both of us, we said our goodbyes and headed for my truck. We were meeting at the Penske shop and flying down with Brad and Joey plus their families. Joey had been busy this whole week with interviews and guest appearances on news shows since he had made it to the final four. I was proud of him, knowing that he deserved it. Roger deserved this opportunity at that championship trophy.

It didn't take us long to pull into the gated parking lot at the shop and see that everyone was already there and waiting for us. I didn't pay any mind to it since we were still early in being here. When I parked we got out, grabbed our bags, and headed over to the group that had huddled around the bus door.

"About time you got here, Blaney." Brad joked, seeing us walk over. I thought about flipping him the bird but noticed Hudson and Scarlett here so I thought better of it. Don't want to teach the little ones bad gestures. 

"That was my fault, I didn't want to leave my daughter," Sienna spoke up, giving a small laugh at the end. I smiled at her, knowing that she didn't have to say anything since I knew Brad was joking.

"Scarlett was excited to have her friend around again," Paige said as she and Brittany moved closer to talk with Sienna. As they did so both their children moved with them.

It was a couple of minutes of the few of us catching up before we were ordered onto the bus by Roger. The drive and plane ride were both short as we got to the track just before eleven that night. All of us separated at that time, heading to our own motor homes.

"Go ahead and get comfortable. I'll set the rest of our stuff in the room. If you want, I can take the pull out couch." I said, placing her bags on the fairly large bed in the back of the motor home.

"Doubtful, Ryan. It's not the first time we slept in the same bed. Only difference is Eleanor isn't moving around and taking half of the bed herself." She smiled, a slight blush spreading across her cheeks. I couldn't help the way her actions made me feel. That feeling in the pit of my stomach grew every time I seen her. I knew I was falling for her hard and that scared me as much as it made me happy. There was just one thing I had to do next.

Word Count - 1418

Damn, sorry it's taken so long to update. My laptop broke a while back and trying to write this from my phone is hard. (That's what I did for half this chapter so sorry for any mistakes.) I'm going to try and update more since I got a lot of ideas for this. Anywho, let me know how you like the chapter. Photo is how I picture her tattoo placements. Arms (sleeves), thighs, back/shoulder, and feet. I feel like it's different and for some reason it intrigues me. Mainly because Blaney has a lot of tattoos so I figured the girl should too.

- Stay Beautiful

Courtney S 🌻💛