Paradise Bound (bxb)

Chapter 19

The next couple weeks were filled with working, chilling with Ry and then going home to welcome Genevieve to the world. We decide to stay in town after she was born because we were going to be there for Christmas anyway.

Now Christmas is finally tomorrow and I'm super excited to give Ryder his gift. I bought him a tungsten bracelet that had a section where it was customized to say "Mein Herz" on the top for him to always see and on the underside it says "Love, Your Sunflower".

I hope he likes it.

Currently, we are lounging on the couch with Jace and the brothers, watching TV quietly while Ry has Gen on his chest as she sleeps soundly, stroking his fingers through the short hair she has on her head. Not going to lie, it does something to me to see him so paternal.

I can't wait to see him with my children. Will he be as loving like this to them? Of course he will, Matt, he loves you. But it doesn't automatically make him love my children.

"Hey" he whispered, making me look at his face.

"Hmm?"

"You okay?" He asked

"Yeah, I'm fine" I reassured. He didn't seem convinced but he let it go.

"Okay, I can take her now" Chandra came in. "Thank you boys for letting me take a nap" she said appreciatively.

"It's no problem, I love my sister" Ryder cooed. Chandra gently took Gen off of him and laid her on her shoulder.

"What do you boys want for dinner?" She asked the lot of boys around the room. A mixture of Chinese and pizza shouts filled the room.

"Well I guess I'll call in both"

"Thanks Mom!" And "Thanks Chandra!" Were called out before she left the room with a smile on her face.

I moved over to snuggle into Ryder's side and he immediately wrapped his arm around me. I didn't want to crowd him with having Gen on him so now that he doesn't have her, I'm like a magnet to him. I tilted my head up to look at him and he looked down at me.

"I love you" I whispered and a cute smile graced his lips.

"I love you too" he replied sweetly, kissing my lips softly.

"Awwwww" I heard Dakota coo and I lifted my hand to flip him off. It earned a chuckle from the boys.

"Oh, I wanted to see the Rockefeller tree tomorrow night. Is it okay to leave here after gifts and breakfast?" Ry asked.

"Of course, my parents are coming over tomorrow for Christmas and to meet Genevieve" I informed him. "I'll just have to let them know we are leaving"

"Charlie and Tanner are coming here next week" Jace said as he texted on his phone.

"Who is all coming for New Years?" I asked

"Well obviously us" Jace gestured to the four of them "Charlie, Tanner and I think Peyton said him and Landon were too, right?" His question directed at Ry.

"It is a maybe at the moment" he shrugged

"What are the sleeping arrangements?" I asked curiously, since we haven't talked about it much.

"Well we are staying at a hotel by your apartment so no worries, we won't rain on your parade" Damon gave a wink.

"I'm pretty sure you did that so WE wouldn't rain on yours" I told him.

"To-may-toe, To-ma-to" he said back, making us all chuckle.

"I can't wait for you two to be back here " Jace commented with a small pout.

"That's like 3 and a half years away still" Dakota said matter of factly, Jace hit his arm.

"I know, you ass" he glared at him but then looked at me " I just miss having you just down the street"

"Me too, but New York is nice"

"Don't tell me you're gonna move there permanently after school" his eyes widened.

"There would be great job opportunities" I said, with a shrug. I'm not really interested in staying in New York, even though the job opportunities are true for my Architecture degree.

"You'd want to stay?" Ryder now asked, looking at me.

"No, no I'm kidding. I mean, I wouldn't be opposed but my life is here." I stated "Your life is here" I added quietly staring into the hazel eyes I love. His eyes softened as his hand came up to cup my cheek.

"I wouldn't keep you from reaching your full potential, Matthew. We would work something out if you wanted to live there" his thumb stroked my cheek. Gosh, he really says the perfect things.

"I was kidding" I repeated.

"And I'm just saying" he booped my nose.

The rest of the night we ate the Chinese and pizza while continuing to watch the TV before we all went to bed.

The next morning Ry and I were awakened by Jace catapulting on to our sleeping forms.

"You gotta stop doing that" I groaned

"It's Christmas" Jace sang loudly in my ear. I shoved his face away and he wiggled between Ryder and I.

"Please, make yourself comfortable" Ry said sarcastically in a groggy voice.

"Come on, the faster we eat the faster we get to the giiiiiiifts" Jace says with so much excitement.

"Yeah, yeah we will be down in five"I told him, nudging his shoulder with mine. He wiggled off the bed.

"Alright, but if you're not down in five. I'm gonna bring the big guns to carry you downstairs" he threatened with a pointed finger.

"Ughhhhh" I groaned after he left the room. I stretched out my arms and pulled Ry to me, nuzzling my face into the crook of his neck.

"Hmmmm we should probably go before he gets Damon and Sebastian" Ryder sighed out.

"Two more minutes" 

....

"MATTSY! RYDER!"

"Coming!" I yelled, squeezing my arms around Ry before we squirmed out of bed. We just threw on shirts before exiting the room and making our way to the dining room.

"Morning Matty!" my mom happily said. She was holding Genevieve. "She is so precious, Chandra" she said in awe. I walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek and I offered my cheek for her to kiss, which she was more than happy to leave her notorious lipstick print on. But, hey it's a holiday, I can deal with it. I hugged my dad and Ryder hugged them both as well.

"Breakfast is served" Jackie announced as a few other people came out with trays of eggs, bacon, ham steaks, sausage, gravy, biscuits and pancakes.

Victor joined us and then we all sat around the table and got our food before digging in. I have to say, the fact that our mothers didn't have to make the food makes it easier to spend time with them at the table than them running in and out of the kitchen. That is one perk of being rich enough for a kitchen staff.

After everyone ate, we moved to the living room where the gifts lay under the elegant Christmas tree.

Us kids had the parents go first. They fought that we should but it was a non winning argument so they ended up just opening their presents.

Chandra got a deep tissue massage certificate along with a new robe, slippers and eye mask from the brothers. Victor got a new golf club set from Ryder. My parents got matching grandma and grandpa shirts along with a gift card for dinner and a movie from me.

Jace and the brothers exchanged gifts. There were so many, from new colognes and body washes to gift cards to their favorite places to eat. Now I gave the black little box to Ryder. Jace gave me a look and I shook my head, knowing what he was thinking.

For one, I wouldn't propose on Christmas. That deserves a special day on its own. For two, we are still too new to the relationship.

Ryder opened it and read the words on the bracelet.

"Aww, Matthew, I love it" he said sincerely

"Turn it over" I told him with a little finger wag. He did as I said and read the other side. After, he asked to help put it on and so I helped him clasp it on his wrist. He smiled and leaned over to me to kiss my lips quickly.

I also gave him the gift from Jace and I's Universal Studios trip of the Ravenclaw stuffie and a robe. I didn't get him a wand because I wanted him to pick it out when we go.

He gave me my gift and I opened it. It was a new laptop. It was a great gift but I didn't know why he got me a new laptop.

"It's a higher speed working laptop for next semester, I know you are doing strictly online to be able to come when the babies come" he explained from my confused look.

"Ry you didn't have to. My laptop works just fine"

"Matty, you've had that thing for years" mom says "Just thank your man" she giggled.

"Thank you"I told him and he held up a finger.

"Hold on" I have one more thing. He got up and held out a hand to me. I took it and got up, following him as we moved through the house and up the stairs. Hmmm, I mean I wouldn't mind getting down and dirty but I didn't think he'd want to, with everyone in the house.

We passed his room door and he led me to another door. He opened it and I gasped.

There were two cribs, stuffed animals everywhere, two different dressers, two changing tables and two rocking chairs.

"Ry" I said in amazement.

"We need a room for them on your weekends when we have them, so the family got together and put this room together" he said as I looked around the room, picturing my babies living in here. Tears welled in my eyes.

"You're too sweet to me" I laughed and wiped away the tears. He wrapped me in his arms, squeezing me.

"We are in this together mon amour, I wouldn't leave you to figure it out by yourself" he peppered kisses on my cheek.

"This means so much to me, I hope you know that" I told him seriously. "I was thinking about how maybe you wouldn't love them" I blushed with embarrassment as he scoffed.

"That's absurd, Matthew" he furrowed his eyebrows "Why would you think such thoughts?"

"I don't know...it's just my brain" I shrugged. I explained how seeing him with Gen, made me feel all warm and fuzzy thinking about him being paternal to my babies and then explained how maybe he wouldn't love them like he loves me.

"Of course I would love them as much as I love you. They are a part of you, sunflower. I love you, and I love them" he reassured and my heart felt like it was going to burst. Can this man be any more perfect?

"I wouldn't say I'm perfect but I'm flattered" Ry responded with a grin and I blushed.

"I said that out loud?" I asked and he nodded with a laugh. He kissed my temple.

"Are you ready to leave?"

"Oh, yes. We should probably change though" he nodded and we went to his room to change out of our pajamas and into regular clothes.

On our way out of the house we said our goodbyes to everyone and they had us promise we'd let them know when we got home because of the light snow coming down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We finally made it to the city and we parked in the parking garage.

"Let's get settled inside and we will eat dinner before we walk there"

"Sounds like a good plan"I told him and followed with my bag. We made it into the apartment complex and to the door. He opened it and I heard a jingling.

"What is that?" I wondered as it sounded louder.

All of a sudden I see the grey Dwarf kitty sauntering toward us. Ryder closed the door quickly and I squealed like a girl.

"You got the cat?!?!?!?"I asked as I picked up the beautiful feline.

"I couldn't not, after the way you looked at her" he simply replied.

"So it's a she"I nodded as I rubbed my face against her smooth face.

"Have a name or do you need a few days?" Ry asked as he took my bag from me.

"Hmmm" I thought about it and then a light bulb went off "April" I smiled.

"Why April?"

"It's the month we met"I told him and he looked at me in awe.

I know, we both are just big ole cheese balls for each other.

"I love that name for her" he said as he stroked her head. She purred loudly as she curled in my arms.

"How'd you get her without me knowing?" I asked curiously.

"Well, I had Landon come get her after the day we saw her in the window and he kept her until yesterday where he set up the litter box, cat tree, water and food bowls and toys for her. Peyton and him wanted to see the Rockefeller tree anyway so it was killing two birds with one stone" he replied while he pointed to the cat tree by the patio doors and the bowls for her.

"Makes me feel like my gifts were lame compared to yours" I mumbled in response.

"No, Matthew, your gifts were perfect" he kissed my cheek. "Plus, there is one more gift you can give me"

I looked at him in question and then he nodded toward April. There was a rolled up paper I didn't notice, under her collar. I picked it out and unfolded the note.

'Move in with me?'

A big smile came across my face " Yes! Of course I will, I practically live here already"I laugh.

"True, but I wanted to make it official" he shrugged. We maneuvered into the living room and sat on one of the futons while April paced across both our laps. Ry reached over and pulled something from the side table. He dangled it over our heads and I looked up to see a fake mistletoe.

"Merry Christmas, Matthew" he lowly said, flicking his eyes to my lips.

"Merry Christmas, Ry" I said before connecting our lips.

Our lips moved in a slow, decadent kiss. Savoring each other's soft lips. April's furry face, nudged up between our lips and we broke away in laughter.

"Oh no, we brought a cockblock into our house" Ryder said.

"Don't worry two more will be coming too" I told him and he frowned.

"Ahhh, yes the downside of children. But they are worth it"

"Yes they are" I agreed.

We ended up cooking some pizza rolls and Mac and cheese for our dinner. It's not festive but it's what we had since we haven't gone grocery shopping for a bit between traveling to Pennsylvania and back.

We made sure April was occupied with a toy before we left the apartment and walked to the Rockefeller tree. It was chilly out as it is winter and the light snow continued to fall.

Winter in New York is so beautiful. It's something I feel someone should try to experience at least once in their life. As we walked close together, with my arm around his waist, we came upon the Rockefeller tree.

"Whoa, it's just so beautiful" I said in awe.

"Not as much as you" Ry said, leaning his head on my shoulder looking at me.

"You're quite the charmer" I smirked, looking back at him.

"So you've mentioned before" he gave a cheesy grin. I rubbed my nose against his softly.

"We should ice skate and get hot cocoa" he said.

"Yes! Let's go" I agreed and we made our way to get ice skate rentals.

The night was perfect and probably one of my favorite Christmases I've ever had. I don't know how I can show how much it means to have him in my life. I mean there is a way but like I had said before, I think it may be a bit early to decide that. I can honestly say, being with him forever doesn't sound unappealing at all. So maybe, some day in the future. I will propose to this lovely man.