| ~ Chapter Thirty-Three ~ |
| For the first time, Ryann felt like she was part of the family. She was the one getting all the attention, not her older brother anymore. Elisabeth wanted Ryann and Jeff to immediately set a date, and help with planning it all, but Ryann stopped her in her tracks. �I am not rushing to get married Mom.� �I�m not trying to rush you darling. So have you seen a doctor?� Elisabeth asked. �No mom, I am going to go see my doctor when Jeff and I get home. Which reminds me, we�re going to leave Thursday morning, so we can get back early.� Jeff turned to Ryann with an inquisitive look on his face. �I should see my doctor as soon as possible.� �Yes, you should Ryanna.� Doug said. �But I thought you had planned to stay until Sunday?� �We did Dad, but things have changed. You guys are always welcome to come to North Carolina to visit. You haven�t been down since I moved there.� �Are you sure it�s not something else?� Doug asked. �Dad, once Chris finds out about all of this, he�s going to be furious. I don�t want to be around when it all comes out. Gosh, it�s not like you are never going to see us again.� �I know, I know. I just miss my little girl.� Jeff walked over to Ryann and put his arms around her. �I promise Doug, that I will take real good care of her.� �I have no doubt in my mind about that.� Doug said. �Well, let�s just enjoy the rest of our day together, huh?� The family had another big cookout that evening, along with some extended family and friends. It was after ten o�clock, and the last few guests had finally left. Jeff and Ryann were in the kitchen taking care of the food, and Jeff said, �Honey, when did you decide that we were leaving Thursday?� �I don�t know Jeff; I�ve just had my share of Vermont for awhile. I�m ready to go home.� �I understand, but�� �Don�t worry about it. I just want to get back home and get back to normal. I don�t want to worry about Chris lurking around the corner somewhere, waiting to slap me up or something.� �Slap you up?� �Never mind.� Ryann said, quickly trying to change the subject. �Did Chris used to hit you when you were with him?� Jeff asked. �Let�s just say that it wasn�t just emotional abuse that I received from him. End of discussion.� �Ryann, why didn�t you tell me?� �I don�t want to talk about it Jeff.� �Does anyone know?� �No, and I�d like to keep it that way. So can we drop it please?� �Sure.� Jeff said, although he didn�t mean it. He knew that Ryann would tell him when she was ready. They finished up the dishes, and headed up to Ryann�s room. Jess was in there sitting on the bed. �Jess, what are you doing?� Ryann asked. �Well, I might not see you two leave before you leave Thursday because I have plans after school tomorrow. So are you coming home for my graduation in June?� �Of course Jess.� Ryann said. �Did you honestly think I would miss it?� �No, I was just checking. But hey, do you think I could come down and visit this summer?� �Of course you can Jess.� Jeff responded. �You are always welcome in our home. All of your family is.� �I still can�t believe that Jeff Hardy is going to be my brother-in-law.� Jess commented. �I can�t believe you are such a dork!� Ryann said. �Now get out of here, I am tired. I promise that we will see you in the morning before you leave, ok?� �Alright. Good night guys.� �Goodnight Jessica.� Ryann and Jeff said at the same time. Jessica left the bedroom and shut the door behind her. Ryann started to change for bed, and when she took her shirt off. Jeff walked over to her and put his hand on her belly. �We have a baby growing in there.� He said as he rubbed his hand around. �How cool is that?� �It�s very cool honey.� Ryann replied. �Can I finish changing now?� Ryann grabbed her pajamas and finished changing. Jeff changed also, turned off the light, and climbed into bed. Ryann turned on the television, and cuddled up to her fianc�e. Ryann turned a movie on, and set the sleep timer on the television. The two of them were zonked out within a half an hour, both sleeping like babies. Doug and Elisabeth were on their way to bed, and as they were walking past Ryann�s bedroom door, they peeked in on their daughter and soon to be son-in-law. Doug turned to his wife and said, �It hard to believe that she�s all grown up now.� �I know. It seems like just yesterday she and John were six and eight, wrestling around the back yard. She did always insist that she�d become a wrestling superstar.� Elisabeth commented. �And she�s found herself a good man. One that will take care of her.� �He is different though.� �As long as he treats my little girl with respect, and he takes care of her, then he can look any way he wants. You�re just going to have to deal with it Elisabeth. Our daughter has fallen in love, and he may not look clean cut, but he loves her. That is what matters.� �If Ryanna is happy, then we have to be happy for her.� Elisabeth said. �She is happy Elisabeth. She�s so much more alive since she broke things off with Chris. Can�t you see the difference?� �I hadn�t noticed.� �Well, if you weren�t so busy wrapped up in yourself and gave more attention to your children, you would notice.� �Doug!� Elisabeth said as she shut the door to Ryann�s room. �I do pay attention to my children.� �John and Jessica have always been first in your life, but not Ryanna. She has always looked for your affection and never received it.� �I love all my children just the same.� �Then why is it that you don�t show it?� �Ryann has always been very independent; she hasn�t ever shown me that she needs me.� �That�s because John and Jessica always came first. Let�s not argue about this tonight. I�m not in the mood.� Doug stated. �Fine.� Elisabeth said. Ryann�s parents went to their room for the night, and the house was finally quiet. |
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