*The next day*
The news defiantly came as a shock to the group. The last they knew, the two were not speaking and now, only 4 months after meeting, were engaged. Nevertheless, the group offered their congratulations to the couple. Rylann, as expected, was put through several psychological evaluations to understand her stability. After diagnosing that she was mentally stable, the hospital agreed to release her under the conditions she began seeing a psychologist and taking her medication on a regular basis again, and that she was under constant supervision. Benji moved his few belongings from the hotel to Rylann's apartment. He planned to stay there with her until he had to leave for the tour again, in 4 days. The next two days went very smoothly. Benji and Rylann talked through a lot of the things that still confused the two of them. They worked toward making arrangements for someone to stay with Rylann while he was on the road. This was a difficult task, though, because Rylann had cut all ties with friends and family when she moved out here nearly five years earlier. She had few friends in the city, none of which she felt close enough to have move in with her.
"How about someone from the coffee shop? Or school?" Benji suggested.
"Not school…there is no one there who I would ask. And the shop…I dunno, the only person who could possibly even do it would be Natalie. She's the only single person there, but I'm not really close enough with her to have her live with me." Rylann had shot down every suggestion Benji had offered.
"Baby, I'm out of idea's…isn't there anyone back home, or anything?"
"No, I don't think there is…I haven't spoken to my mother since the day I left, my sister stopped speaking to me 2 years ago…" she racked her brain for ideas. "Umm…I can't think of anyone. I guess that's what I get for being a loner in high school."
"Don't worry sweetie, we'll think of something." He softly kissed her forehead reassuringly. "What'da you say we go to bed…we'll think about this more tomorrow." He grabbed her hands and lifted her gently from the sofa. He wrapped his arms around her and walked back to the bedroom. Rylann slid her shorts to the floor and climbed into bed in her usual tank and panties. Benji stripped down to his boxers and situated himself next to Rylann in the large bed. She slid herself snuggly into his arms and rested her head against his chest. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
"G'night Ry…"
"Night Benji…" she whispered. Rylann awoke surprisingly early the next morning. She wiggled herself out of Benji's grasp, careful not to wake him. She walked to the kitchen and began cooking a big breakfast. As she tiptoed back into the bedroom, she set the tray of food down on her desk and continued toward the bed. She slipped back into Benji's arms, and kissed his lips softly. She continued to apply kisses all over his face, neck, and mostly his lips.
"Mmmm…that's the best wake up I've ever had…" Benji smiled at Rylann.
"Well, good…my job is complete. Did you sleep well?" She looked intensely into his eyes.
"Yea…it's this bed, I'm telling you…" He looked over toward the desk… "I knew I smelled food!" He smiled brightly.
"Yep…but don't get used to this…this is strictly a 22nd birthday occasion." She smiled widely.
"Aww…geez, I completely forgot today was my birthday, with everything going on…"
"Yea…But let's forget all that for now…Today is your day!"
"Ok…I say we stay in bed all day…" he grinned evilly. Rylann laughed.
"Uh uh…maybe later, but you and I are going out today! So hurry up and eat, so we can get ready and get going…"She kissed him sweetly and went to shower. The two went to see Joel and Jayde at the hotel for a little while and then spent the remainder of the afternoon in the city. They stopped back at the apartment shortly to change and then went to reservations at Benji's favorite restaurant. He sat in awe of how beautiful she looked. Her long hair was loosely swept up, leaving her shoulders exposed in her classy, strap-less, black dress. She never wore makeup, but tonight had applied some so subtly, to accent her best features. They ate and spent time just enjoying each other's company. For the first time in several days, the pressure was lifted from the two. Everything had happened so quickly, they were glad to just be together, relieved of all the stresses from the past couple days.
*Back at Rylann's apartment *
"Hey Babe…I'm gonna jump in the shower real quick, `k?" Benji shouted toward the bedroom Rylann had just entered.
"Yea…I'm gonna get changed myself…"She frantically gathered things around the bedroom. She waited until she heard the shower start before she began to undress. She quickly began lighting all the candles around her room. She placed a piece of paper on the bed's center pillow. She heard the shower turn off and she quickly rushed into the spare room. She listened as she heard Benji whistle something as he walked into the bedroom. She smiled to herself and took a deep breath. Benji looked around at the room, lit only by several candles strewn about. He walked toward the bed where he saw a note lying on the pillow. Still wearing a towel wrapped around his waist, he picked up the note and began reading, with his back to the door.
Benj,
This week has been one of the hardest weeks of my life. I've had to
face so much pain that I had pushed away for so long. Somehow, by
the grace of god, I had someone as wonderful as you by my side to
help me through. The matters we have dealt with in the short time we
have known each other are things that most married couples of 20
years have hardly encountered. You have dealt with these things with
such compassion, honesty, and love. You are so much more than I ever
could have asked for. I am so lucky to have you in my life. I hope
your 22nd birthday was the greatest of your life…and I have one
final gift for you…turn around…
Benji slowly turned toward the door to the bedroom. Rylann stood in the frame, wearing a black and red lingerie piece.
"Happy Birthday Babe…" Rylann smiled.
"Ry…wow, you look amazing!" He walked toward her, mesmerized by her.
"I try" she laughed and smiled brightly. "Well…time to unwrap your last present!"
Benji took her into his arms and carried her over to the bed, his towel slipping from his waist and to the floor…