My Brother's Best Friend

36

Now I'm a little over two months and I have a very very little bump that Ryder is obsessed with. Like literally. He'll kiss it every time he comes or goes to work after kissing me. He'll kneel down, lift my shirt up and press a lingering kiss on the center of my stomach.

Uncle Ricky is the other protective one. Whenever he sees me doing something, such as laundry or cooking or even just standing up to grab myself something he'll lightly scold me before getting me what I stood up for himself.

So you can imagine the dozens of texts I got today from both when I decided to go wedding dress shopping on my own.

I went into the first store and told the front lady what kind I'm looking for and she quickly brought out at least six beautiful dresses. I looked through them and tried them on and even though all was gorgeous, the last one grabbed my attention.

It was a long dress with lacy, long sleeves and front, an open back and a silky-like end. I immediately fell in love and with the money I put aside through out the years I payed for it and bought it.

Just as I exit the shop uncle Ricky calls me and I decide to pick it up. "Sophia! Where are you child? Your husband is going crazy at work and sent me out to search for you."

"Hi Rick. Fiancé and I'm at the corner of the little cafe shop if you want to see that I'm alive and breathing." I say as I hold the dress bag in one hand and the other holds my phone.

"I'll come and pick you up. Don't you move." He says and I think I hear him grumble something about 'I'm being too old for this' before hanging up.

True to his words, Ricky picked me up with his SUV and his eyes widened when he saw the bag in my hand "Is that...?" He trails off.

I nod and get into the passenger seat, putting the bag in the back "It is. Now if you tell Ryder you'll be in trouble. And if you try to peek, you'll also be in trouble."

He sighs but nods. "Fine. You are a lot like Rose" He smiles at the memory of her without even noticing it but when he catches on the smile is wiped off and he clears his throat.

"So...um, Ryder's at work but expect a full blown tantrum when he gets home." He says, avoiding eye contact with me.

I muster up the courage. "Tell me about her." I say softly as I look at him and watch him freeze as he stops at a red light.

"Who? Your man-child fiancé?" I roll my eyes at his awful job at trying to divert the subject.

"Tell me about Ryder's mom. Rose."

He sighs, "She was the most beautiful and amazing person I've ever met. She was kind, gentle but also feisty and put me in my place if needed. I was planning on running away together then propose but my brother and our parents happened and the last time I saw her was on her death bed." He says with a sorrow look as he park in the driveway of my house.

He let out a bitter laugh. "The fucker didn't even show up for his own son's birth. He was too busy fucking someone. Of course I never told that to Rose, I only focused on her and Ryder. I made her last fifteen minutes as happy as I could."

He takes in a sharp breath as he remembers these things. "Then my brother showed up, took Ryder with the police's help and I had tried finding the kid until a few years when I heard his name at a local bar from a drunk man, his father. It wasn't a question, I searched up the name of the school and then they gave me Ryder and now, here we are."

"You loved her very much I can tell from the way you talk about her." I say and put a hand on his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"You know, she'd have loved you. You are perfect for Ryder and I can't thank you enough for making him so happy. Now how are you and the baby?"

I sigh, but don't fight the subject change. "I- we are okay. We'll go for our next check up in a week and we decided we don't want to know the gender until birth."

"You do know Ryder will spoil them, gender doesn't matter." He says as he gets out, rounds the car and helps me out even though I'm perfectly capable of doing so.

We walk inside after I unlock the door. "Oh I know that. But I'll probably be the same so I'm not judging."

I hear a car pull up outside then a door open and slam shut before we see Ryder storming inside. When he sees me he lets out a breath and walks over. "You scared me shirtless. I rushed out of a meeting when you didn't pick up the phone for the 12th time." He kisses my head before kneeling down, lifting up my hoodie, okay his hoodie, and kissing my bump.

See what I meant?

"I'm fine, Ry. I just went out for a bit. Nothing serious and Ricky picked me up." I hug him and kiss his lips. "Now stop being so grumpy, abuela is coming over so better freshen up cause once she gets here you won't have peace."

He kisses me again before nodding and going upstairs into the bathroom to take a shower. Once he is out of earshot uncle Ricky bumps his hip with mine. "I'll keep the dress at mine. He won't snoop there and I swear I won't peek" He promises as he leaves and drives home.

I hear footsteps behind me before feeling arms wrap around me from behind and a head in my neck, kissing the skin. I turn and see Ryder in nothing but sweatpants and his hair being damp from the shower.

"Come on, we have some time before your abuela comes over." He winks and leads me upstairs.

Word count: 1055
Sorry I haven't posted an update in long.
I'm nearing the end of this one and am thinking about new ideas for other books.
Have a lovely day!