After everyone was in the apartment, and Jayde and Joel were finished ‘catching up’, the group sat together in the living room going over everything that had happened in the last 8 hours. Finally, at somewhere near 3am, Rylann decided it was time for sleep. She stood up and hesitated for a moment, looking down at Benji who had been holding her in his arms while they sat. He felt the stare and turned to look at Rylann. Neither said a word, but he carefully stood up and took Rylann’s hand into his own. Joel and Billy felt the need to make some ‘hoots’ and catcalls before Benji and Rylann flipped them off and continued to the bedroom. Benji made his way into the room that seemed so large compared to the bus he had been living on. He sat at the edge of the bed and watched Rylann follow him in, closing the door behind her.
“So…”Benji began, in his best attempt to break the awkward silence.
“My turn to talk.” Rylann smiled at him and she made her way toward the bed. She stopped at the dresser, with her back to Benji, picked something up, and continued toward him. “Ok…Over the last two days, Jayde has been doing her best to get out of me exactly what was going on. I decided not to tell her anything, because I thought you should be the first person to hear everything. Until last night, I didn’t think I was ready…I was still sorting through my thoughts and emotions, and just wasn’t ready. Then I found the letter.” She paused to look into his eyes. “I don’t know how to tell you or express the way reading that made me feel. For the first time, maybe ever, there was this feeling of undying love.” She took his hand into hers, and began to rub her fingers over his palm. “I decided that I was ready to talk to you, and pray that you would come back to me.” Benji opened his mouth to respond, but Rylann continued. “Let me finish. What I am trying to say is…I want to marry you. I want to wear this ring for the rest of my life as a symbol of our love. You have already given me your promise by proposing to me. When I left, I broke that promise, and now I need to make my own. So…” She smiled slightly as tears brimmed her eyes. She knelt down on both of her knees in front of Benji. “Benjamin Levi Madden, you ARE the love of my life. You have given me so much and continue to give. I want to spend the rest of my life giving back to you all the love you have shared with me. My promise to you is to stay by you for the rest of my days, to love you unconditionally the way you have me, and to continue to be your best friend until the day we are separated by death.” Rylann blinked quickly to clear her tear filled eyes, and smiled up at Benji. “Benji… will YOU marry ME?” She released her clenched palm and revealed a large, silver band.
“You know my answer. I will spend the rest of my life by your side. I will continue to try to make you as happy as you have made me. And I will be your husband.” He smiled with such sweet sincerity as he bent forward and pulled Rylann up, into his arms. He kissed her with more passion then either thought possible. They smiled at each other, just taking in every part of the moment they could.
“So, we’re engaged…again.” He laughed.
“Yes, but let’s make this the last time!” She smiled before leaning in to kiss him again. He grinned evilly at her before taking her into his arms and over his shoulder. He ran out of the room toward the still awake group in the living room.
“WE’RE ENGAGED!” Benji beamed.
“NO KIDDING!” Billy answered sarcastically. “You’ve been engaged for over a month!”
“No, we’re, uh…re-engaged. SHE proposed to ME!!” He smiled still holding Rylann tightly in his arms.
“Congratulations!” Joel, Jayde, Paul and Zandria chorused.
“Thanks…now we’re off to ‘bed’!” Benji wiggled his eyes wildly. Rylann burst out laughing as Benji took off toward the bedroom.
“Oh Lord!” Rylann shouted to the group as she was carried away. Benji rushed through the door into the bedroom, toward the bed where he dropped Rylann down.
“Geesh…horny much?!?” Rylann teased.
“NOPE! In love much!” He exclaimed.
“Aww…you really know what to say to get into my pants…” she smiled.
“It’s not your pant’s I want to get into, it’s those panties!” He laughed and grabbed her waist pulling her into him. Rylann smiled up at him. “ I love you…” he whispered, before he laid down on top of Rylann and kissed her tenderly.
“ I bet I love you more…”
“We’ve made that bet before, but I am more than willing to show you…” He continued kissing her. She smiled through the soft connections from his lips. She grabbed the collar of his tee shirt pulling him down more forcefully onto her. She smiled while looking deep into his eyes.
“Show me” she whispered…