Ryan juggled an armload of souvenirs as he tried to get the key into the slot outside the hotel room.
Gillian couldn’t suppress a smile as she watched him. “Do you need some help, sweetheart?” she asked. Her hands were full too, but she couldn’t resist teasing her husband.
“I can manage,” Ryan replied. He finally got the key into the slot and turned the knob. “After you.”
“Thank you.” Gillian walked into the hotel room and deposited her packages on the chair. She and Ryan had been all over New York City. They had gone to all the famous tourist spots and they had collected goofy souvenirs.
Ryan dropped his stuff on top of Gillian’s with the exception of a plastic statue of liberty crown. He placed that on top of Gillian’s head.
“Here you go, princess,” he said.
Gillian laughed and straightened out the crown. “This is the best crown I have ever had,” she said proudly. Her eyes locked with Ryan’s and her heart started pounding.
They had had so much fun that afternoon. Neither one of them had thought about their past or their problems. Anyone who saw them on the street had probably assumed that they were just a young couple in love without a care in the world.
But they were alone now. Gillian stared at Ryan wondering what was going through his mind. She didn’t want to spoil their perfect day by bringing up their problems.
“Ryan, are you sure you don’t want me to stay in another room?” Gillian asked. She had been very surprised when Ryan had told the hotel clerk that they would only need one room.
“I’m sure,” Ryan said. He frowned. “Unless you want to stay in another room,” he said uncertainly.
“No,” Gillian replied quickly. “I want to be with you, Ryan. I want to be with you all the time. I just didn’t know if you wanted to be with me,” she said.
“Oh Gilly.” Ryan hated the pain and confusion in his wife’s eyes. He needed to set things straight.
“Gillian, I know that I’ve put you through so much in the past few months. To be honest, it amazes me that you’re still here,” Ryan admitted.
“I love you, Ryan. There isn’t anywhere else I would rather be,” Gillian replied firmly. Her eyes filled with tears.
“I know. Gillian, there is something I’ve been wanting to ask you, and I’ve been waiting for the right time. I think this is it,” Ryan said.
Gillian tried to read Ryan’s expression. She could hear a slight nervousness in her voice and she wondered if he had something good or bad to say. She braced herself for either one.
“Go ahead,” she said.
Ryan took a deep breath. This was is. He brought Gillian over to the bed and gently sat her down. He kneeled down on the floor before her.
“Gillian, I love you so much. These last few months of my life have been absolute hell. It was like this never ending roller coaster ride.” Ryan’s blue eyes clouded over with pain. “But one thing was always constant, and that was you,” he said.
Gillian stroked Ryan’s cheek. “You needed me. I’ll always be there when you need me,” she promised him.
Ryan took her hand and kissed it. “The same goes for me. I will always be here for you, Gillian. You can count on that,” he said.
“I will,” Gillian said quietly.
Ryan nodded. “You got me through those months, Gillian. I didn’t know it at the time, but I know it now. You’re all I need,” he said.
Gillian’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “Oh Ryan,” she said.
Ryan brushed her tears away. “Gillian, I want you to move back into Myrtle’s with me. I want to go to sleep and wake up with you in my arms. I want to come home to you and I want to be waiting when you come home,” he said. He took her hands in his. “What do you say?”
Gillian was rendered speechless. This was what she had been waiting for. Ryan was telling her that he wanted her to come home. Eugenia’s words came back to her. Her grandmother had told her that she would be home soon where she belonged, and now she was going to be.
“Ryan.” Gillian cupped Ryan’s face in her hands. “I’ve waited so long for you to want me to come home.”
A smile played around Ryan’s lips. “Should I take that as a yes?” he asked teasingly.
Gillian laughed. “You can take that as a yes. You can take this as a yes as well.” She pulled Ryan’s face close to hers and their lips met in a passionate kiss.
Ryan hugged Gillian as the kiss deepened. He ran his hands through her long hair and let his lips roam over her neck. Gillian moaned softly.
“I love you, Ryan,” she whispered.
“I love you too.” Ryan’s mouth met hers again in a long, lingering kiss. He stood up and pulled Gillian to her feet.
“We’ve wasted so much time,” Ryan said. He put his hands on Gillian’s shoulders. “That’s my fault,” he said.
“You needed time, Ryan.” Gillian pulled him into her arms and stroked his hair. “I didn’t mind giving you the space because I knew you would come back to me,” she said.
Ryan held her tightly. “I’ll make it up to you,” he whispered. Ryan’s lips brushed over her earlobe.
Gillian closed her eyes as Ryan’s lips moved from her earlobe to her neck and then back to her mouth. She eagerly responded to his kiss.
“Make love to me, Ryan,” Gillian whispered. She began unbuttoning his shirt.
Ryan’s mind flashed back to the night of Tad and Dixie’s wedding. Gillian had practically begged him to make love to her that night, and he had walked out on her. It was just one of the many nights that he had pushed her away when he should have held her close. He wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
Gillian pushed Ryan’s shirt down his back and Ryan let it fall to the floor. Gillian pressed small kisses to his shoulders and chest. Her hands roamed over his strong muscles.
“You’re so beautiful, Ryan,” Gillian said.
“So are you, princess.” Ryan unzipped Gillian’s dress and gently moved it down her shoulders. It fell to the floor and Ryan pulled Gillian into his arms for another passionate kiss.
Gillian clung to Ryan. She had waited so long for this. She knew that Ryan loved her, and now he was finally coming back to her. Each kiss and caress brought a fresh wave of happiness over her.
Ryan lifted Gillian into his arms and carried her to the bed. He set her down gently and stared at her.
“What are you thinking?” Gillian asked.
“I never want to forget this moment,” Ryan replied. He wanted to remember how beautiful she looked and how much he loved her. Ryan knew the image would be burned into his brain for him to cherish forever.
Gillian reached for Ryan. “Come to me,” she said.
Ryan joined Gillian on the bed. They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment before coming together in a passionate kiss. As the intensity grew, the outside world disappeared leaving Ryan and Gillian locked together in their happiness.
* * * *
Gillian snuggled close to Ryan, listening to the sound of his hear beating. Night had come and gone and the morning brought rain. They quietly watched the raindrops fall outside their hotel window.
“You know, they say that rain washes away the old so the new can come in,” she said.
Ryan smiled. “Who says that?”
“I don’t know. People.” Gillian smiled at her husband’s teasing. “Are you laughing at me?”
“Of course not.” Ryan kissed the top of her head and held her tighter. “I think the rain is a sign that we should stay in bed,” he said.
“Really?” Gillian lightly ran her hands over Ryan’s chest. “Well, if you think that’s best,” she said.
“Oh I do.” Ryan kissed her softly. “I love you, Gillian.”
“I love you, too,” Gillian replied. She shifted and pulled Ryan into a deep kiss.
To Be Continued.....
Go to Chapter Ten
This link is not active! I have not written chapter ten yet.
