Pretty Amazing Grace {Ryan Blaney || Sequel to Sweet Caroline} ✔️

thirty-three

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"How are you feeling? Daytona Speedweeks is next week. Are you nervous about going back?" His therapist asked, leaning back in his chair.

Ryan's fingers played with the zipper on his jacket as he searched for an answer. "I don't think I'm nervous." He thought aloud. "I mean, I'm relieved that everything is out in the open." After the initial buzz of his story, the buzz died down quickly. He knew the storyline would be brought up in Daytona but he had made peace with it -- especially now that he had his foundation to promote

"And living with Lydia and Caroline? How is that going?"

Ryan grinned. He had been living with them before they bought the house so the transition was smooth. "It's great. I'm going to miss being there 24/7 with Caroline though." Spending time with Caroline had been the highlight of the offseason. He tried not to think of it as making up for lost time but he had made it a point to do as much with Caroline as he could -- aquarium trips, teaching her how to ride a bike, fishing.

"And Lydia?" The therapist prompted.

Ryan's grin never wavered. "We're doing great. It feels like we've finally found a good place."

"Any news on the baby front?" He peered over his glasses at Ryan. Ryan had confided in him that he and Lydia had decided that they were ready for a baby.

"I mean, it's only been a couple of months." Ryan shrugged, not really wanting to share the way he cried when Lydia told him that her period had started.

Ryan knew that it was perfectly normal to have to try for a few months but he was so impatient that it hurt.

"Is there anything in particular that you wanted to talk about today?" The therapist asked his usual question, satisfied with Ryan's answers.

Lately, it seemed like he was having a hard time trying to think of things to talk about. But there was one thing on his mind that had been taking up a lot of space and he knew it was time to let it out.

"I think I want to propose to Lydia." Ryan blurted.

"Then why don't you?"

Ryan crinkled his nose. It was such a simple question but Ryan didn't find the answer to be so simple.

When Ryan didn't say anything, his therapist continued. "I mean, you guys bought a house together and you're trying to have another baby together. You both have put in so much work -- marriage seems like the next logical step. At least to me anyway."

Ryan lowered his head. "I never even asked her to be my girlfriend. What if she doesn't want to marry me?"

"Ah." He scribbled something in his notebook. "The root of this. Well Ryan, is there any indication that she doesn't want to marry you? She has been making huge commitments to you and that seems like a big deal for her. Is there any chance she doesn't believe in marriage?"

Ryan shrugged. "She does have a wedding board on Pinterest." He felt silly for admitting that he knew that but one time she had shown him something from one of her boards and he couldn't help but notice the board and notice that she had been actively pinning things to it.

"My best advice is to talk to her." The therapist shut his notebook. "Although personally, I think you'd be okay if you want to surprise her."

Ryan knew he should talk to Lydia about it but there was something alluring to him about a surprise proposal -- if nothing else, something to get his mind off of the state of Lydia's uterus.

"Thank you." Ryan stood up to leave.

"As always, my pleasure. Your growth has been remarkable -- it has been a privilege. Same time next week?"

"Of course." Ryan waved, leaving the therapist's office.

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"How was your therapy session?" Lydia asked, climbing into bed next to Ryan.

He smiled, "We just talked about the upcoming season." He tried to hide his wince -- he hated lying but saying "We talked about how I want to propose to you" didn't really sound right.

Plus it would ruin the surprise.

Ryan had spent the rest of the day brainstorming ideas. He wasn't particularly good at it but he had enlisted Kim's help -- if anybody could help plan a dazzling proposal, it was Kim.

He had even managed to find Lydia's Pinterest account, hoping that she had pinned engagements rings -- to give him an idea of what to look for. To his surprise -- there was only one ring.

It was a delicate ring with an oval diamond in the middle with tinier stones on the side. It was beautiful and Ryan knew he didn't need to look any further.

So he bought the ring, the most important task accomplished.

He really was going to propose to Lydia. He didn't know when yet but he was going to do it soon.

"Are you excited for Daytona?" Lydia peered curiously at Ryan. "Or are you nervous to face everybody?"

"This is the most excited I've been." Ryan couldn't help but grin. "I can't wait for you and Caroline to be at the track every weekend with me..." His voice trailed off. "Or at least until Caroline starts school in the fall."

"I'm sure we can make something work," Lydia reassured. "I'm not going to lie, I think Caroline is going to start asking to race soon, especially now that your dad has the go-kart going."

Ryan chuckled a little. Caroline had already started dropping hints that she wanted to follow in his footsteps. He wasn't surprised, it was in her blood after all. "We're going to let her race though, right? Somebody has to continue the Blaney legacy."

"Or maybe she'll make her own." Lydia offered.

Ryan couldn't help but grin -- there wasn't much doubt in his mind that Caroline would do exactly that one day.

"I love you." He kissed the top of her forehead.

"I love you too." Lydia curled into him, her breathing slowing as they both fell asleep.

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