A North Carolina Autumn - Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Side note, i took this picture in arizona and it kinda gives off zombie apocalypse vibes, but i'm not sure why lol
"We're really doing this?" Rylie asks, her thumb hovering over the send button.
"I mean, look at them." I giggle. "I think we have to.
"Okay," Rylie turns to face me, crossing her legs. "Let's talk about it for a second. We both know it's happening, but are there any cons we should consider?"
"Right, you're smart. Cons..." I nod, mimicking her sitting position. "We both work and have school."
"But we'd already figured out a good system with Harvey most days, so would that really be an issue?" Rylie questions. She's right, we'd scheduled our jobs and classes so that Harvey wouldn't be alone for more than a couple of hours a day.
"You're right. And even on our busy days, Harvey and Sammy will obviously keep each other company."
"Exactly!" Rylie grins. "So, potty training." Her eyes dart to the puppy, watching her skeptically. "Sean and Lilly generally potty train them early on, but you can never trust a puppy in a brand new place. All they need is a little excitement or nervousness, and they'll pee everywhere."
I giggle, nodding. "So we're gonna have to keep an eye on her and probably take her out a lot."
"Yes, but it shouldn't take too long to get her used to things, which is perfect because..."
"We both have the next week and a half off!"
"Yep! No work or school."
"It's not going to be too expensive to feed two dogs, right?" I ask hesitantly. I know we can afford it either way, but I also want to be sure we can keep saving money the way we currently are.
"It won't be too much more, but I don't think we need to be worried since we've got two steady incomes." Rylie smiles, taking my hands. "Although, you're definitely making more than me."
"Only because I finally got a raise." I laugh. It had taken some convincing, but Larry, my moss, had finally seen that I was putting in more effort than every other worker. It seems like after over a year of working there, he's finally starting to see that I am his best waitress. Not that I'm letting it get to my head or anything.
"A raise that you deserved." Rylie reminds me as she cups my cheek. "By the way, have I told you how proud I am of you?"
"Mmm... I'm gonna say no because I really like hearing it." I grin, my smile widening when Rylie kisses me.
"Then I will tell you over and over. I am so proud of you, baby." RYlie says softly.
"Thank you, love." I whisper before pressing my lips back to hers.
As the kiss deepens, Rylie suddenly pulls away. "Wait," She giggles, apologizing when I pout. "I'm sorry, we just gotta do this before forgetting." She holds out her phone, showing the text we'd composed to Lilly and Sean about one of the other puppies that had yet to find a home. I nod and Rylie grins, pressing the send button.
"It's really lucky that they still have a couple puppies available from the same litter." I say as I watch Harvey and Sammy play tug of war with a now mangled rope toy. Sammy's little growls are so cute and the farthest thing from terrifying, and I can't help but giggle as I watch them. Even though he's a small dog, Harvey is huge compared to Sammy, but he doesn't use that to his advantage. Instead, he lets the small puppy pull him across the floor as they tug on opposite ends of the rope, the slick wood only making it easier for Sammy.
"It is good that she'll have a sibling nearby that she can grow up seeing." Rylie smiles, leaning back against the couch.
"They're gonna be so cute!" I grin, excited to see them grow up. A knock sounds suddenly, and Harvey and Sammy both freeze, their eyes locked on the door, the rope completely forgotten.
"Well now we know how to get their attention." Rylie giggles as she pushes herself off of the couch. I don't even bother trying to keep my eyes off of her as she walks towards the door, and I definitely can't help but enjoy the way her shorts show off a delicious amount of her long legs. She opens the door, revealing a delivery guy holding a bag of what I assume is our food. "Thank you!" She tells him happily before handing him a few dollars as a tip.
"Have a good night." The guy grins at Rylie and I scowl as I watch his eyes scan her appreciatively, just as mine had done moments before. My own eyes now narrow in a glare, willing the guy to glance my way for even just one second. He unfortunately misses my glare, disappearing down the hall a moment later.
Rylie shuts the door before turning towards me, her eyes widening as she catches my expression. "You okay...?" She questions hesitantly, approaching me cautiously.
"Yes, now that he's gone." I reply, clearing my face of any remaining jealousy.
"Did you know him or something?" Rylie giggles as she sits back down beside me.
"No, I just didn't like the way he looked at you. Like he wanted to do things to you. I'm the only one that gets to look at you like that." I grumble.
"Well," Rylie leans closer to me. "That sucks for him." Her lips meet mine in a warm but brief kiss. "Because the only one I want doing those things to me, is you."
Rylie's lips touch my neck, and I nearly lose the ability to speak. "And suddenly, every ounce of jealousy is gone." I whisper with a giggle.
"Good." Rylie grins, kissing my cheek. "You're the only one I want or need."
"Keep saying things like that and this will turn into a completely different conversation. One with very little talking, but lots of other noises." I smirk.
"Mmm..." I do love those conversations, but maybe we should build our energy first." She giggles, and I nod.
Rylie opens the food bag, pulling out two plates with tin covers. "I'm really excited for whatever this is!" I grin as I study the covered plate.
"I really think you'll like this." Rylie says excitedly before revealing the contents beneath the tin lid. "I present to you, the best crepes you will ever have. We've got bananas and strawberries wrapped inside two perfectly cooked, soft crepes, and topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and drizzled nutella. While that combination alone makes my mouth water, there's one more ingredient in these crepes that makes them dangerously addictive."
"Consider my interest peaked." I grin.
"Nutella mousse." Rylie explains, pointing to a light brown, creamy looking sauce filling the crepes. "I don't know how they make it, but it's the best thing I have ever tasted. I think it has cream cheese in it, and I've been tempted to try and make my own, but I don't think I'd be able to replicate this perfection." Rylie admits sadly.
"Stop that." I giggle. "I know how well you cook and bake, I have no doubt you could replicate this."
"Go ahead and try it, and then you'll see what I mean." Rylie laughs, waving her hand.
I don't need to be told twice. I grab my spoon and cut into the crepe, making sure to get a good amount of the mousse. My eyes widen the moment I taste it, and I have to force myself to savor the bite.
"Told you." Rylie laughs before taking a bite of her own. "It's good, huh?"
"Really good." I nod happily. "I can definitely taste the cream cheese. And I'm confident that you could recreate this."
"You're just saying that because you love me and don't want to hurt my feelings."
"I do love you, but that doesn't change the fact that you are really good at making things and I know this would be another thing you could make." I shrug and take another bite.
It doesn't take as long to finish our food, and I'm immediately sad afterwards that I didn't leave any for later.
"What's the matter, love?" Rylie asks, noticing my sudden sadness.
"I ate it too quickly and now it's all gone." I reply with a pout.
"Aspen," Rylie laughs. "Did you really think I wouldn't get extras?" She points to the bag, and I take note of two more covered plates that I somehow hadn't noticed before. I'd been too excited to notice anything but the plate in my hands.
"You know you're perfect, right?" I grin before kissing her happily.
"Only the best for you, my love." Rylie giggles, returning the kisses just as happily before getting up. "Wanna start the movie?" She asks as she takes the food to the fridge.
"Sure." I smile as I grab the remote. When she returns, she sits on the part of the couch that allows for my favorite cuddle position.
"Come here." Rylie smiles, creating a space for me between her legs. I waste no time and sit between her legs, leaning back against her chest. She rests her chin on my shoulder, letting out a content sigh. "I love holding you." Rylie's voice is soft in my ear.
I turn my head slightly, meeting her blue eyes briefly before pressing my lips gently to hers. She cups my cheek with one hand, brushing her thumb against my cheekbone, tempting me to continue the kiss for much longer. "Please hold me whenever you'd like." I finally say after several long moments.
"Oh, I will. Don't you worry, love." Rylie promises with a grin.
As the movie begins, Harvey and Sammy finally calm down. Harvey, knowing the drill, hops up onto the couch and settles in next to Rylie, resting his head on her thigh.
Sammy seems a little lost, and we can't help but laugh a little as she stares at us curiously from the ground, her head slightly cocked. "Let's get you up here." I giggle, leaning down so I can help the small puppy up onto the couch. I set her beside Harvey, but she surprises me by climbing onto my lap.
"Awe, Ry, look!" I whisper as Sammy curls up.
"I think she likes you." Rylie giggles. "I'm not surprised."
I try to pay attention to the movie as it plays since it's one I haven't seen before, but I definitely listen more than watch since my eyes like to wander back to the puppy. She sleeps for the entire movie, only waking up when I stop petting her.
Guess I have to pet her for the entire movie. I think with a smile. Sammy's white fur is soft and thick beneath my fingers, and I make a mental note to brush it frequently to prevent it from getting matted.
"What do you say we take these guys out for a quick potty break before starting Treasure Planet?" Rylie asks once the current movie ends.
"You really want to watch that one again?" I ask with a giggle.
"Yes," Rylie laughs. "I know you love it, so there's one reason. You also just watched a movie of my choice, so that's another reason. And lastly, it really is a good movie, so I don't mind watching it whenever you want to."
"I love you." I laugh before heading towards the coat rack. Even though she doesn't need it, I help Rylie with her coat before taking her hand and Harvey's leash. She takes Sammy's leash before opening the door.
"I bet you $5 it's snowing." I say when we reach the ground floor.
"No, I bet you a heavy makeout session that it's snowing." Rylie counters with a smirk. "I would rather that than $5." She giggles.
"Fuck," I murmur.  "It better be snowing." Rylie and I laugh, and I pump my fist triumphantly when we see the flakes falling outside.
"Snow for the win." Rylie laughs as she pulls up her hood. "For the record, I was planning on making out with you even if it wasn't snowing."
"We're on the same page, then." I laugh.
As we walk, Harvey leads the way, excitedly showing Sammy all of his favorite things. She follows along happily, getting occasionally distracted by the snowflakes, especially when a few land on her nose.
Not many people are out even though it's still relatively early in the evening and the sun has yet to set, but I can't blame them. It's freezing. Rylie's hand is warm in mine, and I've got a glove on the other, so it could be worse.
"I really am thinking about buying a heated coat." I say with a full body shiver.
Rylie laughs, bringing me closer to her warm side. "I'm all for that, but maybe wait until after christmas when things go on sale." She smiles.
"Good thing that's only a few days away." I laugh. The puppies didn't seem to mind the cold or the snow, that's pretty evident.
"It's almost like he's making a point to walk only in the snow." Rylie laughs, reading my mind.
"I was just thinking that." I agree. "Remind me to take extra care in drying their feet so that we don't have slippery floors or wet carpet."
"I'll take care of that, love." Rylie says sweetly, gently squeezing my hand.
"But you did it last time!" I argue, determined to give her the night off.
"Maybe I like to do it." Rylie jokes with a shrug.
"Is that so?" I question, raising an eyebrow.
"I prefer not to comment at this time. I just want to make you happy, okay?" Rylie laughs.
"You do make me happy, Ry. Happier than I ever thought was possible.I hope you know that drying the puppies feet won't make me any less happy." I giggle.
"I know, I just like doing things for you." She smiles.
"You do so much for me. How about we each take a dog? We do have two now." I suggest with a grin.
"You're the best at finding solutions to our problems." Rylie says, making me smile.
"We're doing really well if drying their feet is one of our problems." I laugh.
"Knock on wood, you don't want to jinx it!"
I jokingly knock on the back of a wooden bench as we pass by, but even if I'd knocked on every single piece of wood in sight, it wouldn't really make a difference in the end.