The Concept |r. blaney|

twenty-two: my world

She stood at the sink, dishes being washed and set to dry on the rack as loud music thumped from the bluetooth speaker beside her. The sun was setting outside, hot and unforgiving but not as deadly as the Arizonan summer she hated so much. She watched from the sink the setting sun. It cast an orange glow over Ryan's— their land.

The grass rolled for acres, nearly mowed and kept until the woodsy tree line at the base of the hill. She envisioned a barn, two maybe, and a fence all around. She could envision a playground she was ambitious to build for her children, whenever they should come. Her delicate gaze wandered further, her smile widening as she mindlessly stopped washing dishes to dream.

She spotted three deer in the corner of the field. She was sure if she told Ryan, he'd insist on going for a hunt, but she couldn't help but remain silent as the deer raised its head and flicked its ear, looking up at the house. Seemingly straight at her as it chewed.

She jumped, being taken from her thoughts as Ryan's hands wound around her waist, causing her t-shirt (his... theirs, she decided) to rise up. "Hey good lookin'," he kissed her cheek before nestling his face into the crook of her neck.

She giggled, shut the sink off, and spun in his arms to purposefully put her cold, wet hands on his neck. He cringed away from her touch as she laughed, pulling him down to kiss her. They swayed with the music that was since forgotten, Ryan's arm winding around her waist to look over the sink. "Dinner was immaculate."

"Don't lie, it was awful." She laughed, scrunching up her nose as Ryan scoffed. "No seriously. It wasn't very good."

"Still took ya three hours so all that hard work tasted pretty sweet." He kissed the tip of her nose before opening the fridge. He looked through it before grabbing two sodas, his coy smile spreading. "Our show is gonna start soon. I set it up and everything."

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute. Just gonna finish up here,"

"I got the snacks!" He called as Sturgill hopped up on the couch with him. Cadence bit down on her lip, eyes wandering to her cell phone. She disconnected it from the speaker and dialed up a number she hasn't in so long. She stared at it, at the contact name and pondered the depth of it. To hold such a title and act like anything but—

She sucked in a deep breath and hit send before she could talk herself out of it. It took only three rings for the familiar voice to drift through the line, but when it did, Cadence's smile was relieved.

"Hi mama."

She took a seat on the bar stool as her mother immediately apologized; tears straining her voice. Cadence wasn't going to cry. No. Instead, she flashed a quick smile and as respectfully as possible, told her mom to just listen. "Momma," she began, eyes moving to the window, where there were more deer now. "I'm happy now. I have a boyfriend, I live with him in North Carolina. I have been for six months now. His names Ryan." She smiled quickly, eyes wandering to the hallway, where she knew he sat patiently for her return. "He's waiting for me right now. I just... I want things to be right. I want you and Dad to meet him, because... Because he makes me happy and—"

"North Carolina?" She sniffled. Cadences smile faltered as she envisioned her mother's tired eyes; her weak hands swatting away tears. "Well... what do you think of doing Thanksgiving there? Have a nice big meal, catch up."

"That's a really good idea, Mom." Her voice cracked. She shut her eyes and inhaled deeply through her nose. "I'll call tomorrow, we can figure it all out, okay?"

"Okay, bug. I love you. I miss you so much."

"Miss you too.... love you. I'll see you real soon." She ended the call, eyes following the phone as she set it down. She bit down on her thumbnail anxiously before chuckling breathlessly. She got to her feet and went into the living room, seeing Ryan curled up under a fuzzy blanket by the fireplace with Sturgill cuddling him. "Make room for me cutie,"

"Yes ma'am."

"I was talking to Sturgill, babe," she teased, helping herself to sitting on his lap. Ryan dropped his phone and rolled his eyes as she hugged him and kissed his cheek before sitting beside him. Ryan held her close, covering her with the blanket as she put the show on. "Do you care if my parents come for thanksgiving?"

"Your p—" Ryan jerked his head away, brow furrowed as he looked down at his girlfriend. She looked up at him and flashed him a small, hopeful smile. "Oh course they can come, Lanalee. I didn't know..." he paused before shrugging. "I'm glad they're coming."

"Me too."

And they did. It was Ryan's family meeting hers, and for once, she was content.

Her family showed nothing but gratitude to Ryan and nothing but kindness to the Blaney's. Cadence was sure after an emotional conversation with Ryan's mom, her mom, and herself that she saw her father an Ryan clink beers to something. The twinkle in Ryans eye ensured his contentment. He wasn't uncomfortable; he didn't feel unwelcome.

If it wasn't for Emma getting to her feet to have a toast, Cadence was sure she would've cried tears of joy. After falling into a love forbidden by her parents and then losing that love-- losing all that love, she was thankful. So incredibly, deeply thankful. 

"I'd like to just... real quick say how thankful for my husband and our lovely, devilishly handsome son. My siblings, even Ryan and all his chaotic glory." She rolled her eyes as Ryan gaped at his sister, arm falling around his girlfriend as Sturgill stomped his feet for some of the food on the table. They all stood for now, around the table as the conversations came to a close. Light smiles coveted every face as each piece of the family grabbed onto each other. 

"Chaotic glory?"

"You have some strange timing, brother," She winked. Cadence's smile faltered as she looked up to her boyfriend. He only rolled his eyes with warmth evident in his cheeks. He kissed her temple as his sister continued, rambling on and on about love and family and trust-- Just being thankful. Cadence couldn't help but tap out of the toast as Ryan pulled her into his chest to hug her from behind.

He leaned down, his breath hot against her ear as they swayed side to side slowly. "I love you," He whispered sweetly. She smiled even wider. 

"What did Emma mean?"

"Say you love me." He growled in her ear before kissing her neck. She nearly squirmed out of his grasp with a squeal before she realized everyone raising their glasses. 

"I love you," She giggled softly, accepting the glass of wine her mother offered her. They all clinked glasses to  before delving into the luscious meal.

Cadence Alana LeRoy wouldn't learn what it was that Emma was referring to until much later. She wouldn't learn why her mother hugged her crying by the end of the night declaring her proudness of her or why her father shook Ryan's hand several times throughout their visit; Nor would she completely understand Erin toasting to her sisters until over a year later.

She thought her heart couldn't be anymore full, but during the early days of December the following year, watching Ryan get down to his knee, she was proved wrong.