What a day.

After everyone left Jamie and Cherise's, I stayed the rest of the afternoon in support of my friend. This whole Ollie thing was really getting to her. Every time someone brought it up, she got more depressed. I tried to ask her about it twice but got shot down. 

So we sat on her couch and ate cake while we watched Must Love Dogs, 10 Things I Hate About You, and finally He's Just Not That Into You. I offered to stay for dinner after the last movie, but she said she was fine and for me to go home.

Since Ryan was working at the bar tonight, I was planning on getting his voicemail when I called on my way home. So I was pleasantly surprised when he answered his phone. He explained that since the boys had everything under control at the bar, he decided to take tonight off. Then when I asked if he wanted me to pick something up for dinner for us, he surprised me again by informing me that he was cooking dinner himself. 

We'd been so busy lately with the baby shower and everything else that we always ordered out. It was a nice change of pace to have a home cooked meal. And my husband there waiting for me. 

There'd been so many nights where he had to work so late either at the bar or his dad's business that I would spend the evenings alone. Some nights it was okay. I would order in some take-out and binge on the latest new episodes of shows recorded on my DVR. Then on the nights where I felt a little too alone, I had my girls. I would either go see a movie with Karma and Harper, or I would go to Lanie's and spend hours gossiping or playing with little Nate. On the rare nights when the bar was insanely bust and all of our men were working, we would have a girls' night/sleepover at Lanie's. 

Not tonight, though. Tonight I was sliding the key into the lock of our front door and pushing it open with a smile. My eyes went to the kitchen immediately. Our large condo had a pretty open floorplan, which I liked. I could see into the kitchen and living room from the entry way. 

With the volume of the sports game playing on the TV, plus the sizzle of the food Ryan was cooking, he didn't hear me when I came in. I took advantage of that little fact and snuck up behind him, sliding my arms around his waist before placing a soft kiss to his neck. 

"Hey you." 

I could hear the smile in his voice. "Hey baby. How are you feeling?" 

"I feel good," I answered. It was true. I did have that little dizzy spell earlier, but I didn't feel that way anymore. "I'm surprised you're here." 

He turned around in my arms, a wry smile tugging his lips. "I figured after the day you had that you didn't want to be here alone." 

I grimaced. There was only one way he knew about what happened. "Jamie?" 

"Yep. She sent me a text and gave me a brief summary of what happened.  I didn't believe it when I first read it." His smiled was replaced with an odd mixture of shock and concern. "Did my mom really try to mend things with you?"

I was surprised he didn't lead with that whole Godzilla vs. Mothra thing. "Yeah, she did. I mean, I think she did. She seemed to mean it. We had a good talk." 

"I wish I could have seen that. Maybe my dad was right about her wanting to repair things with me and Jackson." Ryan frowned. "Well, I don't know, actually. She hasn't tried to contact him yet. Or me. Now that I think about it, she's only taken that step with you."

I thought about that for a second. "Maybe you should invite her to have lunch with you and Jackson. Just the three of you. but, you know...in a public place."

"I don't know about that, Dani. Maybe I should see her alone first." With a sigh he continued, "It's this whole Everly thing. Jackson looks just like her. Even if she's serious about making amends, I'm worried that she'll take one look at him and remember why she was pissed off in the first place. She and Jackson were never close." 

I rubbed my hand against his chest comfortingly. "Maybe she really is turning over a new leaf. Besides, she has a new foe right now." 

His brows drew together. "What do you mean?" 

"Your mom and Cherise were going at it regarding the baby shower. Neither wanted to share responsibility. Before I stepped in between them, I was sure it was going to get physical." 

"Damn," he breathed. "Everything was okay after that?" 

I shrugged a shoulder. "I had to assign jobs to them and remind them that it was my baby shower and it was going to be my way. They shut up after that." 

Pride shown in Ryan's eyes. "Look at my girl. I think you need to handle all disagreements with my mom from now on." 

I gave an amused snort. "Yeah, right. I rather stand on the sidelines when it comes to angry moms rather than play referee. The less stress the better."

"Speaking of less stress." He nodded towards the stove. "If I let that go any longer, then we will be ordering out tonight. Go change and get into your comfy clothes. The tacos will be ready soon."

I perked up immediately. "Tacos? Really? And did you make sure to buy—"

"Sour cream. Yes, I did." 

"What about the—"

"I got the ranch, too." 

I kissed him lightly on the lips and reached around to grab his ass. "That's my man." 

I heard him chuckle behind me as I walked out of the kitchen and towards our room. Wanting to wash the day off, I stripped my clothes off, threw my hair up in a messy bun, and took a quick shower. 

And thank God I did. The hot water felt amazing—and if it wasn't for Ryan and the dinner he cooked waiting for me out there, I would have taken a nice, long bubble bath. Maybe tomorrow. Tonight I just wanted to forget about arguments and everything else except Ryan. And the tacos. Once I was all dried off, I walked to our large mahogany dresser and pulled out a pair of my stretchy yoga pants and one of Ryan's Red Sox sweaters. 

Even though he was born and raised in New York, he went to MIT for school and came back a Sox fan. There were still a few sports arguments between him and his dad sometimes. And way more between him and Nate, who was a die-hard Yankees fan. Even though I didn't find sports very enjoyable, I certainly enjoyed watching the men bicker over it.

I walked back down the hallway, passing the nursery with a smile and rubbing my baby bump. I was dying for the baby shower. I was stressed when Cherise and Priscilla were arguing, but after that everything seemed to finally sink in. 

The baby was coming soon. 

Okay, not soon soon, but soon enough. And I couldn't wait. 

When I rejoined Ryan in the kitchen, I paused. There was a vase of beautiful long stemmed roses on the table, which wasn't there before. Two wine glasses were also on the table. One of them most likely filled with apple juice—since that's what I've been craving lately—and the other with wine for him. Candles were lit. Soft R&B music was coming through the speakers in the living room. 

And Ryan was standing next to the table holding a single rose. 

"What is this?" 

He gestured to the table. "For you. I wanted to do something special for you." Unable to form words, I looked from the table back to him. "I never thought I would see the day that Danielle Hale is rendered speechless." 

When I took a step towards him, he met me in the middle. I took the rose from him and smelled it. "This is amazing, Ryan. But what's the special occasion?" 

His expression turned sheepish. "Truth is...Jamie spilled the beans about the whole Godzilla vs. Mothra thing."

"I knew it!" I slapped him playfully on the arm before he pulled me into his. "You knew this whole time!"

"Yes, I did. And I meant what I said, baby. You're one woman who is not to be messed with. And that is one of the things I love about you. So I made sure it was okay with the guys if I took the night off, then I came home to fix your favorite food and grabbed some flowers."

My eyes started to water. "What did I do to deserve you?" 

"You showed up at my door during my darkest time and showed me the light. I wouldn't have made it through Everly's death, or any day after without you, Danielle. I love you." 

I didn't even have time to say anything back before he captured my lips in a passionate kiss. My lips parted immediately and he didn't hesitate to snake his tongue inside. I never got tired of kissing this man. With deadly talent, it barely took a minute before I was moaning into his mouth. 

"Wait," I breathed when I pulled away. "If this was going to be a romantic night, why am I in sweats? I should be wearing something sexy!" 

Ryan's eyes darkened with hunger. "Baby, I wanted you in those yoga pants is because I love the way it shows off that body of yours. And second, you look so damn edible in my sweater." He dropped his lips to my neck, sucking at my skin softly. 

"And you know one of my favorite things...is making love to you in it."