A North Carolina Autumn - Chapter 63: Chapter 63

During our movie, I snuggle closer to Rylie than normal, if that's even possible. I'd taken things in my life for granted before, but Rylie is the one thing that I'm determined to never take for granted.
I've also been toying with the idea of planning some sort of trip to spoil her and make up for everything I'd put her through during the last few months. After the way she comforted me this morning, I'm only more set on planning something for her.
I smile to myself and turn my attention back to the movie, watching as the Grinch shoves some coal into a child's stocking. "That would've been what Gabe got for Christmas if he were still alive." I say this under my breath, but Rylie hears me anyway and snorts as she tries to hold in her laugh.
"Sorry, that was uncalled for..." I giggle, not really all that sorry.
"Am I allowed to laugh?" Rylie asks hesitantly.
"Please." I smile, relieved at her reaction. "Gabe sure as hell wouldn't have found that funny, which makes it better."
"I don't think he finds anything funny lately. You know, because..."
"He's dead." Rylie and I say in unison, which only brings on another fit of laughter.
"It feels really good to laugh about this, especially knowing there's nothing he can do about it." I say once we calm down.
"I agree wholeheartedly." Rylie smiles, gently squeezing my hand. "Although even if he were still alive, he still wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Wanna know why?"
"Because you'd break his nose again?"
"No," Rylie pauses. "Well, yes. But mostly because I know you wouldn't let him. Once you got away from him, he completely lost his hold on you. The blindfold he kept over your eyes was ripped away, and you started to see him for who he really was."
"A cruel, insecure, disgusting, dirt covered, potato peeled asshat." I grin.
"That's my girl!" Rylie laughs, her blue eyes shining. "I think, if given the chance, you would break several of his bones."
"You're damn right I would And maybe I'd accidentally kick him hard enough to ensure he could never reproduce." I add with a satisfied grin.
"Or it could be on purpose. I would never tell anyone." Rylie shrugs. "Heaven knows that's what I almost did that night in the alley."
"Why didn't you?"
"Believe me, I heavily considered it. But that 2x4 to his head ended up being extremely satisfying, so that was good enough for me." Rylie laughs. "I still remember the crack of the wood as it connected with his head..."
"Me too, actually." I laugh. "That's one of the last things I heard before blacking out."
"It's a fond memory for me." Rylie starts to laugh, but quickly stops herself. "Not the other stuff, though... I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
I gently cut her off, taking her hand. "It's okay, Ry. I know what you meant. That sound is a fond memory for me too."
Rylie lets out a breath, visibly relieved. "I know talking about this, about him, is still hard for you, so I never want to go too far and say the wrong thing."
"I know, love. It has been hard, but it's getting a lot easier because of you. You're always perfect when we talk about this stuff."
"How did I get lucky enough to marry such a sweet, reassuring girl?" Rylie asks softly.
"Have you met yourself? I ask myself that every day, because you are the whole package and then some!" I argue, determined to prove that I'm the lucky one in this relationship.
"So basically we're both absolutely amazing and the puppies are lucky to have us!" Rylie grins.
I giggle, kissing her cheek. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
Rylie and I spend the rest of the day watching movies, eating too much candy, and playing with the puppies. It's about 9:00pm when Rylie's phone rings, and she raises an eyebrow before answering.
"Hello Jeremy..." She's quiet for a moment as she listens to his voice. "Yes please!" She says suddenly. "Great, see you soon!"
"Soon?" I ask the moment she ends the call.
"Same and Jeremy are in town and want to stop by if we're not doing anything. Do we have any plans for the rest of the night?" Rylie asks.
"We do now!" I laugh. It has been almost a month since we last saw them, so it would be fun to catch up.
"Great, they'll be here in 15 minutes." Rylie grins.
"We should probably put on more clothes..." I giggle, gesturing to our outfits consisting of oversized t-shirts and panties.
"Yes, we should." Rylie nods, her eyes on my bare legs. "I'm the only one allowed to see you like this." She suddenly grabs my hips, pulling me to her. I giggle as she covers my face in kisses, enjoying the way our bodies are pressed together. "Okay, I'm all stocked up on kisses for now, let's go change." Rylie grins, pulling me into our bedroom.
"Well if it isn't our favorite newlywed lesbian couple!" Jeremy throws open his arms as soon as Rylie opens the door.
"Pretty sure we're the only newlywed lesbian couple you know." Rylie laughs, rolling her eyes.
"Or just the only lesbian couple you know in general." I tease, stepping forward to hug Jeremy and then Sam.
"Fair point, but you're our favorites irregardless."
"It's 'regardless'." I correct Jeremy before I can stop myself.
"Hm?" He questions, confused.
"Irregardless isn't technically a word... sorry, I didn't mean to correct you on it, it just slipped out."
"That's what she said." Sam says quickly, and I can't help but laugh.
"You're good, Aspen. I always look forward to our English lessons when we hang out." Jeremy teases, winking. "Rylie probably doesn't use any incorrect words, so someone has to do it."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Rylie laughs, leading the way to the couch. "So what are you two doing in Charlotte?"
"Wedding stuff," Jeremy shrugs. "Suit shopping basically."
I raise my eyebrows, surprised. "The day after Christmas?"
"By 'shopping', he means one of his buddies has a suit that he's never used, and Ava told us to check it out so we could have some 'quality bro time'." Sam explains, using his fingers to quote Ava's words. "I think she and Emma just wanted a girls day. Apparently we're too clingy."
"But look at you two." Jeremy jumps in, apparently upset about the girls sending them away for the day. "You two have been together for a year and a half and you still can't go more than a minute without touching each other in some way."
Rylie and I glance down at the same time, looking at our joined hands.
"What's your point, Jer?" Rylie asks, and I smirk.
"Yeah, Jere. We're lesbians. It's a lesbian thing."
"I thought you were bi?" Jeremy narrows his eyes, still trying to prove a point.
"I'm like... 1% into guys. It used to be a little more, but Gabe brought it down a lot. The other 99% is reserved for Rylie." I explain. Slight shock becomes very noticeable on the guys' faces, and I draw my eyebrows together. "What?"
"Nothing..." Jeremy clears his throat.
"It's just... you never really talk about Gabe." Sam finishes for him.
"Oh, yeah." I shrug nonchalantly. "It's the season of healing."
"Good for you," Sam smiles warmly. "You never cease to impress us with your strength."
I don't know if I would go that far...I think as I glance briefly down at the healing lines on my wrist. "It helps to have a lot of support." I finally say, gently squeezing Rylie's hand as I smile at the guys. "As far as your women go, I don't think they think you're too clingy. You and Emma are newlyweds," I say to Sam. "And you and Ava are recently engaged. I have no doubt they love any affection and attention from you."
"Aspen's right," Rylie agrees. "I'm guessing they just wanted a day to plan some wedding stuff away from your prying eyes." She teases.
"Jeremy has fomo." Sam says quickly.
"Apparently, so do you." I laugh, earring a glare. "I'm teasing! It's pretty obvious that you two are just in love."
"With each other." Rylie teases, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Gross." Jeremy shudders. "No offense!" He adds quickly. "I'm not saying being gay is gross, because I don't find you two or any other gay people gross..." Jeremy rambles, trying to redeem himself.
"We know, Jer. But go on." Rylie laughs.
Jeremy blows out a breath. "What I meant to say is gross, because it's Sam. He's my bro. My best friend. Nothing more. Sure, I can't go more than a few days without hanging out with him, but that's because I've known him forever and he's my best friend. But I would never want to, you know... be with him. No offense, Sam." Jeremy finishes, his face crimson red.
"None taken." Sam chuckles, leaning back against the couch.
"Are you saying Sam is unappealing? Unattractive?" Rylie asks innocently, but it's obvious to me that she's stirring the pot on purpose. I'm more than a little bit entertained by it.
"Well, no." Jeremy scratches his head. "Sam is a good looking guy, we all know that."
Sam grins, puffing his chest. "Thanks babe." He teases, winking at Jeremy.
"Babe?" Rylie laughs. "I knew we weren't the only fruity ones!" She teases, earning a glare from Jeremy. "We're just teasing, Jer. I, for one, could tell right when I first met you that you are as straight as they come. I have a very good gaydar, and it detected absolutely no fruitiness from you."
I giggle at Rylie's explanation, happy when Jeremy begins laughing too. Suddenly, two fluffy shapes run into the living room, no doubt curious about the noise we are making.
"Oh my God!" Jeremy yells excitedly. "You two had another baby?"
"And you didn't think to tell anyone that you were expecting, or even trying?" Sam chimes in.
"You guys are so weird." Rylie laughs, shaking her head. Then, deciding to play along, she takes my hand and stares into my eyes. "Aspen and I never thought we'd want another. We were perfectly happy having Harvey as our only baby." She pauses, leaning in to whisper in my ear. "Fur baby, that is." Her breath tickles my ear, sending a chill down my spine. Or maybe that's not what causes the shiver. Maybe it's the thought of having children with Rylie.
I'd thought about it before and we'd talked about it a handful of times, but the thought never failed to make me smile. I have no doubt she is going to be the sweetest mother.
Rylie continues, keeping my hand in hers. "But when we met little Sammy-"
Sam cuts Rylie off excitedly. "Sammy?"
Rylie lifts a hand, quieting him. "Shush, I'm not done." Sam narrows his eyes, glaring at Rylie as he leans back against the couch once more. "As I was saying," Rylie continues. "When we met little Sammy, we knew she was going to be ours. Harvey loved her instantly, and he's the best big brother."
"Cute story!" Sam says. "But what I would really like to know is where her name came from? Or rather, who she's named after?"
I laugh and Rylie rolls her eyes. "I hate to break it to you, Sam..."
"No, please Ry!" Sam cuts her off again, leaning down to pick up the small puppy. "Whatever the real reason is, I don't need to know. Hear me out." He pauses, cuddling the puppy to his chest. "If you simply say that you named this puppy after me and want me to be the godfather, then Emma and I will name our first daughter after either you or Aspen. Your choice."
Rylie's jaw drops, and I widen my eyes. He has to be joking.
"Are you being serious?" Rylie asks skeptically.
"100%." Sam responds, grinning.
Rylie turns to me, the question obvious in her eyes. I shrug and give a nod, because why not? She smiles and turns back to Sam. "Congratulations, you are now the godfather of an adorable little puppy that we named after you!"
"Jeremy, are you willing to make a similar offer?" I ask with a grin. "Harvey could use a godfather."
Jeremy laughs, already nodding his head. "Normally I would need to talk this over with Ava, but you can count us in. We will name our first daughter after either you or Rylie, whichever one Sam doesn't use."
Rylie and I laugh, and the guys reach over to shake our hands. "Sounds like we've got a deal." Rylie grins before slipping her hand into mine once more.