Amberlee
Four days later
We pull into thedriveway of Ryan’s house, both of us exhausted. We wanted to drive straight through, but after driving for almost three days, taking turns, we were both bone tired. Around two am last night, Ryan made the call to pull over into a rest stop and get a few hours of sleep before driving the rest of the way home.
Home.
That feels so weird to say, but this is my home now.
Ryan has a spare room, thankfully, and I fully intend to crawl into that bed after a shower and sleep for ten hours straight. Once he parks the truck, he makes his way round to the back. I get out and open my car door, taking out the duffel bag. I have clean pajamas and underwear waiting inside of it, along with my toiletries. Hell, I may just soak in a tub of steaming hot waterwith some bubbles and work out the knots in my body from being in the cramped cab of that truck.
“That'll be your new home for as long as you want it.” Ryan points over toward the garage. Just above it is the apartment he had made for when his in-laws or friends came to visit.
It's fucking cute as hell, not big from the outside, but perfect. On the side of the building is a wood staircase leading to the apartment. Ryan put a lot of thought into it. There is a small deck built onto it, with flowers going around the top of it. Did he build a plant holder into the railing? If the outside looks this good, I can't wait to see the inside, but right now, I need a shower and sleep.
“Just show me to the spare bedroom. I'm too exhausted to be excited right now.” My voice is scratchy from lack of sleep, and I swear there's something in the air aggravating it. As soon as that thought crosses my mind, I fall into a sneezing fit, followed by a deep hacking cough.
“Ahh, allergies. You'll get used to them. I have some medicine inside that should help.” He takes the bag from my hand, then wraps his arm around my shoulder, leading me inside the house.
I've just set foot inside the door, when a ball of energy comes flying straight at me, wrapping his arms around my legs. “Aunt Lee Lee,” RJ cries.
Damn, it's only been about seven months, and he looks a foot taller. This is one thing that makes me happy about being here. I won’t miss my nephew growing up, well, until Ryan gets assigned to another duty station, but I'm going to try not to think about that.
“This can't be my nephew, he's too big.” I try my hardest to keep a straight face, the same as Ryan, but we both fail miserably.
“It is me. I just got big. Is it true you’re here for good?” His vocabulary is so good and I can't help but marvel at it.
He pulls away from me, giving me the space to squat down in front of him. “It sure is, buddy. But I'm really tired right now. Let me get a few hours of sleep, then I promise I am all yours.”
He grins and slams a kiss on my cheek before taking off down the hallway, which I assume leads to his bedroom.
Maddy steps into the room, laughing after him, and my eyes drop to her stomach.Holy shit!
“Are you pregnant?” I look between the both of them, waiting for one of them to answer. I’m not sure why since it's blatantly obvious.
Ryan moves past me, straight to his wife, gently kissing her on the lips before kneeling in front of her belly and kissing it twice.
“How have you kept this a secret? You look like you're about to deliver any day!”
They both start belly laughing.
“She still has five months to go. We didn't want to tell anyone until we were in the second trimester. And then when we found out you were coming, we thought we'd wait and call Mom and Dad with you here,” Ryan starts, then Maddy finishes for him.
“I'm having twins!” she squeals.
“Do you know what you're having?”
This just made this move even more exciting. I'm going to be an aunt again and I'll get to be here when they are born. I can even take care of RJ for them so they don't have to worry about who will be with him when she goes into labor.
“No.” She looks at Ryan, then smiles even bigger. “We've decided to be surprised. We won’t know until they're born.”
“Okay, there's so many things to do. You need a shower. We need to make sure the nursery is ready and that you have your delivery plan,” I start rambling until Ryan comes over and takes me by the shoulders.
“Yes, we can do all that. We would love your input. But the twins aren't being born tomorrow, so let me show you to theguest room so you can shower and sleep. Then tomorrow we can unload the truck and return everything.”
“Okay. But twins! You're going to be a dad times three! I'm going to be an aunt again!” This time it's me who's squealing.
Ryan takes off down the hallway and I quickly fall in step behind him. Sleep is definitely what I want and need right now. I take in all the pictures covering the hallway wall, and I can't wait to see all the new memories that will be placed there.
