Page 37 of Forever Fallen

“Wipe your eyes, Sophie,” Ryan frowned, his dark eyes searching hers. “I have three requests. First off, I’m throwing away that creepy crocheted doll on the television. The darn thing watched me the entire time you were in the bath upstairs and it gives me the willies.”

Sophie let out a choked laugh and accepted the tissues, wiping her face and blowing her nose noisily. Once she was finished, Ryan spoke again… his voice barely a whisper in the stillness of the room.

“And then I’d like to have dinner with my wife tonight while the food is still warm. Third and last of all? Can we sit on the porch for a little bit - together?”

She stared up at him in disbelief and wondered if she was hearing him right, or dreaming up all of this. He was willing to consider being stuck with her for the next five years?

“That’s my favorite doll,” she whispered, needing to lighten the mood and make someone laugh, because it just hurt too much to cry anymore. She desperately wanted to feel happiness and joy… craved it.

One side of his lip turned upwards in a wry smile, chuckling softly.

“It’s me or the doll, woman…”

Sophie stepped forward and hugged Ryan, unable to hold back.

He made an exaggerated ‘oomph’as she rushed into his arms. Those warm, strong limbs wrapped around her, cradling her to him. His hand smoothed her hair and rubbed her back, comforting her.

“Dinner… and then we ditch the doll?” he whispered against her hair.

“She’s a goner…” Sophie smiled against his shoulder, feeling the first stirrings of joy flutter within her. “She can go right now.”

“What are you doing Saturday night?” he asked softly. “I think perhaps we need to get to know each other a little more and maybe go on a few dates, if we are going to be married.”

Sophie tensed.

“The funeral is Saturday,” she whispered, realizing that she hadn’t told him any of the plans yet.

She’d opted for the graveside service, the only reception hall in town wasn’t available for the viewing because it was already rented by one of the F.H.A. clubs for a local event.

They assured her at the funeral home that a graveside service would give them plenty of room, because Ruby was beloved by the entire town.

“I didn’t know. I’m sorry. Would you mind if I was at your side?” Ryan offered. “It’s not actually first-date material, but you aren’t doing any of this alone anymore… alright? Even fake-couples talk to each other or annoy each other.”

“I would appreciate it so much to have you with me,” she admitted.

“It’s what the best fake-husbands do…” he teased gently, kissing the top of her head. “Now, let’s eat. I’ll even help with the dishes.”

“You cooked… which means you clean, buster,” she retorted, releasing him, and feeling better about everything that had happened in the last few days.

He held out a hand to her – and she hesitated.

This was the first time he’d ever attempted to hold her hand without anyone watching or putting on a show.

This was almost… ‘relationship-like’.

Anyone could be nice, do something for someone, or even kiss a person in the heat of the moment… but holding hands was something done just to have a connection with that other person.

Sophie slipped her hand into his, cherishing the feeling of warmth and recognizing the difference between the two of them. His hand was callused in a few places and just seemed to fit perfectly against her palm.

“I suppose I could be bribed to do the dishes for a kiss…” he hedged quietly.

“Then I already paid,” she replied, smiling shyly at the kiss that shook her foundation… and when she thought she had lost already.

“In spades,wife…”

* * *

Sittingin the rocker in her bathrobe felt odd, but Ryan kept the front porch lights off, ‘claiming it would keep the bugs away’… but somehow, she knew he did it for her.

---