26. Somee
Somee
Beautiful blue water, white sand, and a view I would pay just about anything to have access to at will. How was this my life? Didn’t know, didn’t care but I was thoroughly enjoying it!
New life, who ‘dis?
Too excited to wait, Rylee and I climbed out of the SUV that pulled into the circular drive of the split level beach house, ready to explore.
“Can we go inside?” she signed, bouncing in place.
Ryland nodded with an amused expression. “Go ahead. The staff got here this morning. It should be open.”
“Staff?” I arched a brow and he made his way to me, placed his hands on my neck, and dropped a kiss on my forehead before speaking.
“Joy is here and I have two other people to help her. We’re celebrating your birthday. Breakfast was one and done. Figured you didn’t want me and Rylee as the sole source for feeding you while we’re here.”
My smile expanded. “It wasn’t that bad but… agreed.”
His mouth brushed over mine for a quick kiss. “Go check it out.”
Hand in hand, Rylee and I were on our way to the door.
Two beautifully carved wood structures painted pale blue sat centered in the white stucco.
To the left were glass panels, and to the right, a three-car garage.
This home could easily be the cover image of a magazine highlighting summer’s most beautiful places to get lost in paradise.
I was already in love with the inside before we crossed the threshold.
As soon as we stepped through the door, my eyes were moving to take in every inch of this beautiful oasis of happiness. The same white and blue theme from outside transitioned to the interior, with custom tile floors in the foyer bearing a mosaic design.
The entire center of the house was an open space with a living room larger than my entire house.
It extended to a kitchen with a flow of blue canvas sofas paired with white tables with glass and stone surfaces.
All the accents, lamps, and décor alternated between blue and cream with subtle hints of yellow.
The back of the house was all glass and I saw the ocean, making me feel as if I could extend my arm and touch the blueish teal water.
I’m in love.
Rylee apparently was too because she tugged my arm, and the minute I dropped my eyes to hers, the smile on her face had me returning one.
“Marlee is here.”
I frowned in confusion. “What?”
“Look?” She pointed to the right side and I almost lost my shit.
Marlee was here but she wasn’t alone. My mom, Roland, Miranda, and Orlando were with her.
Each of them had a bouquet of balloons and big goofy smiles on their faces.
As soon as I noticed them, the five of them came barreling down the stairs, releasing the balloons to free their hands.
Thank goodness for the weighted anchors that tied the balloons because the ceilings in this house were at least thirty feet high. Chaotically, they signed happy birthday, which had me tearing up. What in the entire hell? How is this possible?
Dumb question, sis, you know how it’s possible…
Ryland Parks.
Marlee tackled me with a bear hug while Rylee went right to Miranda, jumping excitedly with smiles and hugs.
“What are you doing here?”
“Are you mad?” Marlee returned quickly instead of answering my question.
“No, just surprised.”
Marlee turned her head and grinned, telling Miranda the coast was clear because I wasn’t mad. Miranda hugged me like she hadn’t seen me in years. It kind of felt that way because god I’d missed them.
“We thought you would be angry. Ryland reached out and invited us here for your birthday. I told him you didn’t do birthdays but didn’t tell him why.
He wouldn’t let up and said he wanted you to have the people you care about here for the weekend.
So I agreed but told him if you were pissed, he would have to fix it,” Marlee signed, speaking the words for Miranda.
I glanced at the door, which was still open with no signs of Ryland, and my mother walked up, hugging me equally as tight as Miranda had before she signed, “He’s hiding to make sure this goes well before he comes in here to face your wrath.”
“I’m not that bad…”
Marlee and my mother both narrowed their eyes in challenge and I rolled mine.
“Okay fine, but for good reason. I’m glad you’re here.”
I hugged Roland and Orlando before my mother moved closer, signing as discreetly as she could. “Are you sure? We can leave if it’s too much. I know birthdays aren’t your thing.”
“This kind of birthday is definitely my thing. Look at this house,” I signed, then flicked my hand in the air. “And I missed you. I’m glad you’re here.”
Her expression softened. She had her arms around me again, pulling back seconds after to sign, “I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too.” I grinned at Roland. “So we’re traveling as a couple now?” My brow inched up just a little. “This is really a thing then?”
Roland stepped closer to my mother, hooking an arm around her and smiling like a man who was claiming whatever they had going on as he nodded.
“I’m glad. It’s been too many years of her pretending she wasn’t feeling you.”
Roland chuckled and my mom rolled her eyes. “Mind your business.”
“I sure will because you’re finally minding your own so I don’t have to,” I signed with a smug grin.
Ryland came through the door with our luggage and surveyed the scene before his gaze met mine. “I already had it planned before I knew you didn’t celebrate. It was last minute getting them here but I figured you would want to spend this weekend with the people you love.”
People I love?
I guess that has a double meaning because spending it with you is definitely turning out to be a highlight…
“Thank you. This is perfect.” I lifted on my toes and kissed him while Ryland hooked an arm around my waist, pulling me in to hold me hostage before dropping his head and his eyes locked on mine, speaking privately. “You sure?”
When I grinned and nodded, he dropped another kiss then went to greet everyone. This man was determined to surround me in love and wasn’t selfish about how I received that love. He brought my family here to celebrate with me.
“Thank you for this.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Can I put my swimsuit on? Miranda said she will take me to the beach.” Rylee was all in with this trip, but more due to having access to the beach than my birthday.
“Yes, let’s find our rooms and get you changed.” I tapped her nose and Ryland grabbed our bags so we could have a quick tour and get situated in our room. The open area of the living room and kitchen separated the space into a split level on both sides.
Marlee, his parents, and my mom and Roland were on one side, while me, him, and Rylee had the other side.
Our bedroom was at one end of the hall with the one Rylee would be occupying on the other, just like at his house in Crescent Falls.
After I got Rylee changed, she was on her way to the beach with everyone while Ryland hung back to check in with me.
He sat on a pale yellow scalloped chair near the corner of our room, and when I stepped between his legs, he motioned for me to sit down. Once I was facing him on his lap, his hands were moving.
“Now that there’s no audience, is there anything you want to say?”
“Are there any more surprises?”
“No. I figured I was already pushing my luck by flying my family and yours here to celebrate a birthday you didn’t even tell me about.
” He smiled sexily, then added. “Marlee agreed to come but didn’t tell me about your beef with birthdays.
I put her in charge of making sure your mom was here, so I was completely in the dark. ”
“She loves me but I’m sure her main goal was getting to me by any means necessary. And if you told her the beach, then it was pretty much fuck your feelings if there was fallout. She was coming.”
He laughed, signing, “Yeah I figured, but respected that she loves you enough to be here. I just need to make sure you’re cool with everything. If you’d rather keep it chill with just us, there’s a resort where I can book rooms for them.”
“No, it’s fine. You already rented this house.”
“I didn’t rent shit. This is mine.”
“Wait, this is your house?”
“Yeah, my parents spend more time here than I do, so they think it’s theirs, but my name is on everything.”
“Good to know. I think I’m in love with this house.”
“You can come anytime you want.”
“Is there another way to get here besides that damn helicopter?” I frowned and he chuckled. “We could drive but it takes an hour to make it across the bridge or a forty-minute boat ride.”
“Yeah no, not doing that.” As much as I hated the helicopter, which Ryland and Rylee loved, an hour drive on a bridge that crossed over water with no way out was a hard pass.
A plane was one thing, but there was something that made me feel so unsafe in a condensed version of one. He could keep that shit.
“I might have to rethink that part.”
He smirked. “Real shit though, if you want me to get them set up at the resort, I can do that.”
“And get cussed out by everyone here? Rylee included because there’s no way she’s letting you clear this house of people who will do whatever she wants, whenever she wants because they’re all wrapped around her little fingers.” I arched a brow.
“If it’s what you wanted, then yeah, I’d take that hit.”
“Well you don’t have to. I’m glad you were all up in my business, making plans for my time without my permission.”
He laughed, dropping his hands to my ass, gripping firmly when he spoke. “Your business is my business. If I can’t right all the wrongs in your world, then I don’t deserve your time and I damn sure don’t deserve your heart.”
“You asking for my heart?” I signed. He shook his head, smiling cockily before he answered.
“Nah, I don’t need to ask. I already have full custody. Don’t act like you didn’t hand that shit over.”
I did…
“Do I have yours?”
“You’re breathing, aren’t you?”