A North Carolina Autumn - Chapter 59: Chapter 59

As I watch Rylie and her siblings interact and play, I think back to when I first met Rylie. At the time, she didn't have a relationship with her mother, and I completely understood why. Kristen and Brad had gotten divorced the year before Rylie and I had met, but it had been obvious that Rylie had still struggled with it.
I still can't imagine what it was like for Rylie to have her mother abandon her and the young boys so she could run off with the man she'd been cheating on their father with. I'd already disliked Kristen because of that, but my anger had deepened the night of Rylie's 18th birthday.
That whole day had been great, and I had done my best to give Rylie the type of birthday she deserved, but the phone call from her mother had wiped it all away. After over a year of silence, Rylie's mother had called to tell Rylie that she was pregnant and would be getting married to the man she'd left her family for.
Watching the pain and heartache fill Rylie's eyes had broken my heart. All I'd wanted since meeting Rylie was to protect her and her heart, but in that moment, there was nothing I could do to take the pain from her. It felt like I only made things worse, so I had eventually backed off to give her the time she needed. It had taken me a long time to move past the way Kristen had hurt Rylie.
Time really does heal. I love being able to see just how much things have changed since then. Although things aren't perfect, Rylie's family is healing and learning to love again, and I'm so thankful I get to be a part of that. I've learned a lot too, especially from Brad.
I have no doubt it took a lot for him to be able to move on, especially considering the things Kristen had done. Brad had only worried about the boys and Rylie and what would be best for them.
After losing my own father, I never thought I'd get to experience things like that, but Brad had proven me wrong. As if he could read my mind, Brad meets my eyes and gives me a quick wink. I smile in return before turning towards Rylie and she nudges me.
"Do you want to hold Harper while I grab their gifts?"
"No, that's okay." I smile. "I'll go grab them, you stay and have fun."
Rylie kisses my cheek before I stand and head up the stairs for the presents. While in my room, I check my phone and smile when I notice several "Merry Christmas" messages from the Salty Christian group chat. My smile slips when I see a message from an unknown number, but instead of letting the rising panic engulf me, I take a deep breath and delete the message. And then just to be safe, I block the number.
I drop my phone back on the nightstand before leaving my room, heading back downstairs to the people that matter.
"That's a really cute one." Spencer says from the couch as we try another outfit on Harper. I laugh as I notice Sammy and Murphy fast asleep on his chest, with Harvey beside him, resting his head on Spencer's arm.
"Looks like you make a good pillow." I grin.
"What can I say, they love me." Spencer brags, glancing down at the puppies. "I was just laying here for my own comfort, they just knew I would make the best nap spot." He grins.
"Sounds like they just like you for your body." Rylie teases. "And maybe your treats." She gestures to the nearly empty bag of dog treats on the ground beside the couch.
"Definitely my body." Spencer laughs.
The boys giggle from across the room as they play with the new toys Rylie and I had gotten while Brad, Jay and my mom clean up the dishes from dinner.
It's getting late, and although I know that means we have to say goodbye to everyone soon, I'm also excited to get home. Rylie and I had brought a few gifts to open here along with the gifts my mother had gotten us, but we'd left the rest at the apartment as a way to have our own little Christmas.
One of those gifts, in particular, isn't one I want Rylie to open in front of anyone but me. That might be the one I'm most excited for. I think with a smirk.
Before too long, it's time to go and I help pack up the baby's things as Rylie helps get her cute winter coat back on before putting Harper back in the car seat. "Thanks for letting us play dress up with her." Rylie says to Spencer as he pulls the diaper bag over his shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah. She was really cute, so it's no big deal." He waves his hand, and I roll my eyes, laughing.
"You look like such a dad." Rylie comments, tilting her head as she studies Spencer. "You've got the stance," She gestures to the diaper bag slung across his chest. "You know just how to hold the car seat." She points to the way he has the seat on his arm, allowing him to hold the edge with his hand in a way that looked like it made it easier to carry. "And you've even got a little stache growing to throw it all together!"
"What are you talking about?" Spencer grumbles, using his free hand to hide his upper lip. "You're being dumb."
"Oh, what's that, Spence? Did I embarrass you?" Rylie teases, and I giggle as Spencer rolls his eyes. "I seem to recall the last time you tried growing out your mustache had to do with a girl..."
"Ry," Spencer threatens, his eyes darting towards Brad. "If you don't shut up, you won't get to meet her until she's met everyone else."
"You wouldn't!" Rylie gasps.
"I would." Spencer threatens. "This one is different. I like her." He says softly. "I don't know what kind of psychic powers you have or how you figured it out so quickly." He laughs reluctantly.
"I just know things, Spence." Rylie shrugs. "But fear not, your secret is safe with us."
Spencer narrows his eyes at Rylie before glancing my way, and I nod while zipping my lips. "I know nothing." I say, earning another laugh from Spencer.
"You two are perfect for each other, you know that, right?"
"We're well aware." Rylie says, taking one of my hands with a grin.
"I'm not saying it'll be soon, but whenever I decide to bring her around, you two better not scare her away." Spencer says, purposefully avoiding her name.
"We only scare away people that deserve to be scared away." Rylie teases.
"I almost believe that, but you can't even hurt a fly." Spencer laughs, shaking his head. "You're not very threatening, Ry."
I raise my eyebrows. "You sure about that?" Spencer meets my eyes, and I continue. "My crazy ex, you remember him, right?"
"Yes..." Spencer says hesitantly. I know he doesn't know the full story, but he probably knows enough.
"The summer Rylie and I met, he was at the final surf competition and found me. All he had to do was lay his hands on me once to earn himself a broken nose and damaged ego. Rylie even gave him a chance to walk away, but he chose a swift punch from her instead."
Spencer's eyes widen as he glances at Rylie. "You never told me that."
"I have to seem innocent and sweet, Spencer. No one can know that deep down, I beat bullies up." She grins, and I laugh.
We talk for a few more minutes before saying our goodbyes to everyone, promising my mother that we'd be back soon so that the puppies could see each other. I giggle as we head to the car, watching how Sammy follows Harvey closely.
"We don't really need them on leashes, do we? Harvey never leaves our side, and Sammy apparently won't leave his." Rylie giggles.
"I guess we don't!" I grin as I open the back door. Harvey jumps right in and waits patiently for Sammy to do the same.
"She's too small, buddy." Rylie laughs as she helps the puppy into the car. The two dogs go right to the dog bed on the middle seat and curl up together.
Rylie turns around to look at them again the moment we're in the car. "How is it that we get two of the sweetest dogs on the planet?"
"I mean, we have you to thank for Sammy," I smile, slipping my fingers between Rylie's as I pull onto the road. "And we have Chester to thank for Harvey."
"Maybe Sammy's middle name should be Nellie." Rylie says softly, referring to Chester's wife.
My throat tightens and I blink back tears. "I think that's perfect. Chester would've loved that."
Rylie squeezes my hand gently and briefly meets my eyes with a look of understanding. "He really would've.