Two healing souls- Book 2

CHAPTER Four

　　Ryland

　　“I give in!” Gracie groaned, pulling at her hair in frustration.

　　We had been here two hours and found nothing. We searched the internet, old articles and businesses. We searched his name with the details we had from old records in one of those old computers you used to get. I can’t remember its name, but people used it years ago to look through old newspaper articles and whatnot. There were too many Peter Robertsons. It was impossible to narrow them down. The name went back generations. Who knew it was such a damn common name

　　“Maybe we should call it a day, sweetheart, and start afresh on Monday,” I said softly.

　　I didn’t want her getting more upset than she already was. I knew how important this was to her, but I would not let her get upset about it. She will find what she needs. I will make sure of that, but right now, the best thing I believe is for us to get out of here.

　　“Yes, probably for the best,” she sighed.

　　“I am sorry we couldn’t find anything, love,”

　　“It is alright. Monday is a new day, right,” It was more of a statement than a question, so I nodded, bringing her to me and kissing her softly. I wished I could do more for her. We cleaned up everything that we were using and headed out.

　　“What do you want to do Ladies Choice,” I asked.

　　“I am not sure,” she shrugged.

　　I knew she was on a bit of a downer. I will have to cheer her up.

　　“Come on, let’s hit the shops and then dinner,” I smiled.

　　It would hopefully take her mind off everything else, even if only for a couple of hours. Gracie soon smiled at me. I think she liked that idea too. We still had a couple of hours before the shops started closing.

　　“I think we should find an apartment in this sort of area,” Gracie suggested as we headed into one of the stores.

　　“Yes, somewhere close to everything, but it may be a little more expensive,” I responded.

　　We will have to find jobs, and soon if we want to get an apartment together since we don’t have the money between us for anywhere right now.

　　“I know, but I am sure between the four of us, if we all get jobs, we can make it work,” Gracie said, hopeful.

　　“I am sure we can,” I said, and I would find a way to make it work. It would be good for us all. It is something we all want, so we should be able to make it happen.

　　“Where to first Do you need anything” she asked.

　　“Hmm, I was thinking about the lingerie department,” I smirked.

　　“Aww, are you looking for something sexy to wear, Ryland” Gracie had a sexy little smirk playing on her lips as she spoke every word. “I think you would suit red, definitely red for you,” She giggled.

　　I deserved that. I laughed loudly, wrapping my arm around and kissing the top of her head. Gracie looked up at me, a dorky smile on her lips. I reached to peck her lips for a moment.

　　“I don’t need anything, you Or are we just browsing” I asked.

　　“Browsing for now,”

　　I was sure one of us or both would find something to buy. If I must, I would trail the shops with Gracie if it meant keeping her mind off everything else.

　　It didn’t take long until things caught Gracie’s eye, and she took a few of them from the racks. She clasped my hand in her free hand and led us to the changing rooms. I stopped, expecting her to head in, but instead, she looked around, making sure no one was around and led us both into one of the changing rooms.

　　“I am sure I am not supposed to be in here with you,” I laughed.

　　“And I am not giving the entire store a fashion show,” Gracie stated.

　　I decided it was best not to argue with her. She hung the things up and stripped herself down to her underwear. How did she expect me to behave in here

　　“I honestly think it would be best for both of us if I wait outside because if I don’t, we will be in here longer than needed,”

　　Gracie laughed, shaking her head at me. But I simply couldn’t help myself. Anytime I see her half-naked, my hormones go through the roof. I struggle to contain myself around her.

　　“Behave for once in your life, Ryland,”

　　“I always behave, thank you very much. You are the one that makes me misbehave, especially when you are like this,” I said, pointing to her body.

　　I watched a devilish grin begin to form on her lips. She was up to something. Gracie stepped in closer to me, pressing herself to me.

　　“Can’t you handle me in my underwear, Ryland”

　　I shook my head, smirking.

　　“If you can’t handle me in just this sort of underwear, how are you going to handle me when I buy something even sexier” she purred.

　　I swallowed hard. This was so mean of her, teasing me like that. It wasn’t too long ago she was shying away from me and getting nervous every time she was naked in front of me, and now this. I love it! It is sexy. Her confidence is sexy.

　　I grabbed her hips, holding her tightly to me, “Are you planning on getting something sexy while we are here”

　　“Hmm, maybe, you will have to wait and see now, won’t you” Gracie pulled away, turning her back to me, taking the dress she picked up and covered herself with it.

　　“Tease,” I huffed.

　　“I know,” she said, looking over her shoulder at me.

　　And that was why I shouldn’t be in this changing room with her. I will get her back for this. This was how it was going to be the entire time we were in here. I just knew it.

　　“What do you think” she asked, turning to face me.

　　I glanced over her and smiled, “Beautiful,”

　　She did look gorgeous in it, but I knew she wouldn’t buy it because it wasn’t long enough to cover her legs.

　　“I thought so. It was nice to try it on,” she shrugged, taking it off.

　　I didn’t say anything because I knew she wasn’t ready to show her scars, but one day hopefully, she will be OK with doing that. Gracie sat it aside, trying everything else on, and in the end, she didn’t want any of them.

　　“Let’s go somewhere else,” Gracie suggested.

　　We put everything back and headed out. I hoped that eventually she would find something that she wanted.

　　***

　　Gracie and I had arrived back at the hotel, to dump the few things we had bought and to get ready for another outing; dinner.

　　Once we were back again, Gracie dumped her things, throwing herself on the bed, “I am exhausted!”

　　She did seem tired. I believed it was due to everything that has happened today. I went over and lay down next to her, and I loved how she responded to my action; she rolled into me, snuggling up.

　　“I will parade around for you later,” she giggled as she believed she had the upper hand only because she did get some new underwear, but wouldn’t let me see it.

　　“No rush, we got time, sweetness,” I chuckled.

　　I knew she was too tired for anything tonight, and that was fine. I suggested getting ready for bed and finding a movie to watch, a suggestion that Gracie liked. I know we do that a lot, but I like it: just us, chilling and watching movies. It doesn’t matter what I am doing. If I am doing it with Gracie, I don’t tend to get bored.

　　I don’t even miss all the crap that I used to do. I will not lie, sometimes I am still tempted by the drink and drugs when I am having a bad day or when the nightmares come, but I fight that. I think because now I have something to fight for, whereas before Gracie, I didn’t.

　　“Ryland, are you OK” I got pulled out of my thoughts when I heard Gracie’s voice.

　　“Yes, fine, my love,” I smiled, “I was just thinking,”

　　She smiled back at me, planted a soft kiss on my lips before going to get herself ready for bed, and I did the same. I slipped under the covers, waiting for Gracie to join me.

　　“It is cold tonight,” she said, hurrying towards the bed.

　　“Get in then, and I will keep you warm,”

　　“That is what she said,” Gracie laughed.

　　I bust out laughing at her attempt at a dirty joke. She smiled proudly at me.

　　“God, you are such a dork sometimes, but I love you for it, Gracie,”

　　I brought her to me, hugging her. Some of the things that she comes out with would c***k anyone up.

　　“Yes, but I am your dork,” she noted.

　　“Yes, you are,” I agreed, “And you are not allowed to be anyone else’s ever, ever again,” I added firmly.

　　Gracie rolled onto her stomach, resting her head on me, and looked up at me.

　　“Is that so” she asked.

　　“Yip! Mine! Only mine! Always mine!” I made sure to emphasise every word.

　　“Hmm, I would be alright with that,” she grinned

　　“Good,” I said, bringing her over me.

　　I closed the gap between us by bringing her lips to mine and ran my fingers up and down her spine as I kissed her softly. I felt her shiver under my touch.

　　“Mine,” she mumbled into the kiss.

　　“Yes, always,” I responded.

　　She parted her lips from mine, nuzzling her face to my neck. I slid my arms around her, pulling the covers over us. I smiled, stroking her hair.

　　“I like when you are here, just like this,” I whispered.

　　“Me too,”

　　Gracie kissed my neck between her words. I groaned, and then she stopped. I don’t think she wanted to get me started. I held her to me, playing with her hair, and minutes later, I heard her breathing become shallow. She had fallen asleep. I knew she was tired, but I didn’t realize how tired. It was not even nine p.m. I didn’t think she would sleep for long at this time.

　　“Sweet dreams, beautiful, I love you,” I whispered.

　　I didn’t want to move her, but I would have to because I didn’t think it would be very comfortable for her to sleep like this. I gently rolled us over, and she snuggled back into me. Gracie buried her face in my chest, wrapping herself around me. I chuckled to myself thinking my girl sleeps in some of the strangest positions. I didn’t think I would be moving any time soon, even if I wanted to. I probably couldn’t with how tightly Gracie was wrapped around me.

　　I closed my eyes over, hoping it would help me drift off too. I didn’t have much else I could do. I couldn't even reach the remote for the TV or my phone.

　　After about twenty minutes, I heard Gracie beginning to mumble in her sleep. I listened to what she was saying since I had nothing else to do.

　　“Yay! Mommy is so proud of you,” she said, sounding excited, “Walk to daddy,” she added.

　　What was she dreaming about It sounds like she is dreaming about a baby walking. Who’s baby, though I continued to listen to what she was saying.

　　“I can’t believe she is walking, Ryland,”

　　Was she dreaming about our baby It sure sounded like it. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. She was dreaming about us having babies. Yes, it is all way too soon for all of that, but I was glad she wanted that one day, and with me by the sound of things.

　　“Well done, Callie,”

　　Her voice sounded proud when she said that. Callie That is a nice name. Gracie fell silent after that. I was still smiling like a fool. I let my eyes close over and soon found myself drifting off with the thoughts of Gracie and I in the future.

　　I hope we can have Callie and all that one day.