Ryder (21 page)

“Go to Daddy, Demi.” She runs off towards Ryder while I grab our bags. Quinn meets me at the front of the car and takes my hand.

“You ready for this?” She directs her head towards the others and the bar.

“Ready as I will ever be. What made him plan this anyways?” I ask her. She winks at me but doesn’t answer me. She walks off over to everyone and I follow. I choke on my air as I hear my darling four-year-old daughter talking to Ryder.

“I wanna get down and dirty with Uncle Reeve and Uncle Skeet just like Auntie Quinn did, she gets all the fun.” She pouts and I see a very, very red Quinn. She storms off towards the reception area and everyone who was trying to hold back their laughter lest loose and it’s belly laughs all around. Ryder picks Demi up and kisses her cheek.

“Angel, I think you need to not listen to Auntie Quinn and Mom talking anymore, ok?” She nods her little head. I walk up to them and Ryder offers his mouth to me, which I take greedily. I feel Demi being removed from between us but we never break contact. I wrap my hands around his neck and drag my nails over the back of it, earning me a sexy as sin growl from my man.

“Baby, we need to stop and get this day under way. Demi is going to love it, she gets to get covered in paint and throw paint at all of us. Hell, I think the boys will enjoy this just as much as she will.” He gives me a chaste kiss and takes my hand pulling me to join the other in the reception area. I see Demi on Rafe’s back; I was so lost in Ryder’s kiss that I didn’t see who took her from his arms. I knew she was safe and that’s all that matters. I walk over to Lucy and rub her belly. She is a good size for her gestation.

“How’s it going, Mama?” She smiles at me but then does a playful pout.

“I’m really not liking your man right now, he won’t let me play today.” She folds her arms and they sit on her bump and I can’t help but laugh.

“Hey now, Snowflake. I have to think of my niece and nephew you are growing in there.” He rubs her baby bump and kisses her head. I love the relationship that Lucy has with Ryder and Reeve; they truly see her as a sister.

“I know Ry Ry, but it still sucks ass.”

“Oh suck it up, Luce. You get to have a beautiful baby Phoenix to carry and a hot Phoenix man at your beck and call, win, win I say.” Kenzie winks at Lucy.

“Hey now Red, are you forgetting who you belong to?” Kenzie’s boyfriend Zach adds. Holy shit, I love all this eye candy I get to look at.  Rafe comes over sans my daughter, who is now walking around on Reeve’s feet. It is such an amazing sight to see a six foot one Reeve and a barely three foot Demi playing kiddy games; he is simply amazing with her. He plays tea party with her and they make dens in my apartment. I have to say that all the guys are ornery uncles to Demi and she being the little girl that she is, just laps up the male attention. I can tell you this now, when she is old enough to date that boy will have to go through Ryder, Rafe, Reeve and all the other guys and I have to say, I freaking love it. I love that they all see Demi as their own when Ryder lets them spend time with her.

After getting all geared up with goggles and safety rules, we head over to the start gate. Rob the guild explains about the balloons.

“Ok, listen up. There are barrels and bins around the yard filled with balloons already, just grab and throw. There is no hit and die rule, the rule is get your opponents covered in as much paint as possible. Now I don’t have to remind you all that you do have a very small person among your group so please be extra careful or you will deal with me and not her father, got it?” He looks at everyone and they nod. “Once it starts getting dark we will turn the lights on and that will make the paint glow and that’s where the extra fun begins. So please be safe and enjoy.” He unlocks the gate and we all enter. Music starts play0ing through the surround sound system and Demi stops in her tracks and turns to smiles at me.

I nod and she starts jumping up and down. Demi Lovato's “Really Don’t Care” plays through the speakers. She knows that she was named after Demi Lovato.

We all fan out and I notice that Reeve and Skeet take Demi, what are they planning? Sneaky fuckers.

I reach the first bin and bend over to grab a few balloons when something smacks my ass and I feel; wet, I turn to see Gunner smirking at me. “I had to get that hot piece of ass first.” He winks at me and then I see a bright green balloon explode on his chest and I burst out laughing as the paint spreads up his neck. I see Maisey laughing her ass off and she winks at me before high tailing it across the yard with Gunner hot on her heels. I see a rainbow of balloons flying across the yard and making pretty patterns all over the place. I see Lucy sitting on the small bleachers cheering Rafe and Demi on who is at this moment riding on Reeve's back, throwing balloons at anyone who they run past; Skeet is handing her balloons. I love these guys.

I see Beck hiding behind a Batman frame waiting and watching people so I know this is my chance to get him. I sneak around the side fence while keeping a watchful eye on everyone doing their thing. I approach Beck and slam a bright pink balloon on his back. He spins around and I jump up in the air, very proud of myself.

“Yeah, baby. Ninja Letty, Ninja Letty baby. Woohoo!” I do the chicken dance until I feel a balloon hit my shoulder. The paint gets in my hair and my ear. It starts running down my neck and is cold as hell, causing me to shiver. I turn to see the love of my life smiling at me. “Bastard,” I say, running after him. He is yelling at me.

“Come and get me Ninja Letty, c’mon baby you know you want me.” He winks and starts running backwards. Cocky little shit.  Five Seconds to Summer's ‘Don’t Stop’ starts playing and I have to say, these boys are my guilty pleasure.

I start running after Ryder, who is still jogging backwards but stops. I am about to shout and tell him to watch himself but I refrain myself, serves him right. Ryder falls over a bale of hay backwards and lands on his back, full feet in the air, turtle style and the laughter fills the yard. Demi takes the opportunity to slam a purple balloon on his chest. Demi giggles like crazy as Ryder pulls her down onto his chest and starts tickling her.

After about two hours of throwing paint balloons we decide its tome to have a snack break. We sit on the bales, chill and talk about what we all just did. I see Hayley and Brax walk through the gate to join us and I smile at them. Demi jumps off my lap and runs over to Hayley.

“Grandma, I got Daddy with a purple balloon but then he tickled me and I almost peed myself but I’m a big girl now and I stopped myself.” She puffs out her tiny chest so proudly. Ryder kisses the side of my head and I smile at him.

“Well, of course you are a big girl, you are a Phoenix now and us Phoenix girls are big and strong. Ok, so what’s the plan next, guys? I just wish that Auntie Ren could be here. She isn’t feeling very well right now, but she said that she wants to see you tomorrow for lots of hugs, ok?” While Ryder tells Hayley what we are doing next, I can’t help but check out my new family. I know that we are missing Trinity and I just wish that I could have met her.

Ren has been working away from home and she has been working so hard trying to sign new bands that she has exhausted herself and Hayley has forced her into resting up until she says so. These people, my people, are amazing and are full of love and friendship and that is hard to find in this quantity but I am so fucking happy that I found them. I am happy that Demi gets to have these people in her life showing her things that I could never have.

“Well, since it’s now getting dark we get to go into the barn and they will hit the florescent lights. We will all glow like angels we are,” Reeve jokes.

“Fuc…Freaking angel my backside,” Rafe chimes in. “We have been throwing neon paint so the lights will make the paint glow and anything white, so it’s pretty cool. Demi will love it.” Demi jumps off Hayley’s lap and darts for her uncle Rafe. “Plus, Snowflake can join in this time because it’s not too wild for her.” We finish up and all the lights pop on so we head over to the barn doors. I turn to speak to Ryder but I can’t see him anywhere.

“Have you seen Ryder? He was right behind me,” I ask Quinn. She shakes her head no and bends down to tie her shoelace. Weird.  I follow everyone into the middle of the barn floor. We all get into a circle and wait for the music to start. This was a rule that Ryder added. No throwing balloons until the music starts. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and I feel arms wrap around me.

“You having fun, baby?” I nod and lean back into him. He pulls me tight against his hard, hot body and I can feel how hard he is for me. I rub my ass against him and he hisses against my neck. He adds a few kisses and then he pulls away from me and the music starts Demi Lovato's ‘Neon Light’ plays, apt sing for the evening. I see balloons start flying across the room, everyone runs for cover and I just laugh. I stand next to a wooden shield and hear ‘Beautiful’ whispered into my ear but when I turn Ryder isn’t there. What the hell? I snatch up a few balloons and start throwing them at Gunner and Beck who are hiding behind a Minion shield. As the song comes to an end the lights go out; I immediately call out for Demi.

“OK, who has Demi?” I yell.

“I have her, baby she is fine.” Just by the tone of his voice the fine hairs on my body go into high sexual alert. God what he does to me.

I can see some figures moving but can’t quite make out who is who. And then I sense him. I know Ryder is close; it’s amazing that I can sense him when he is near. My body knows when he walks into the room and I have to say, I love the way my body reacts to him.

“Baby.” Ryder says and I can tell the he is standing in front of me and my heart rate picks up.

“Ryder, what’s going on?” My question comes out slightly breathy.

“You know that I love you and I love Demi, you girls are my Inside Noise and I will forever tell you both that. I wish that my dad could have met you because damn, he would have loved you.” He pauses I can hear him taking a deep breath, what the hell is he doing?

“Brax cover Demi’s ears please” I, chuckle; bless him for thinking about her. He knows what she is like these days. “Fuck Letty, you are my entire world and I love that you chose me to be in your life and you chose me to be Demi’s dad. I will love you both until my fucking last dying breath. I will always put you two first and foremost. I will make you happy and I will never hurt you again I promise you that, baby. Each time Demi calls me ‘daddy’ it takes my breath away and I will never get used to you telling me that you love me.” The tears are streaming down my face and I don’t think I can stop them. All of a sudden one florescent spotlight comes on and hits Ryder; I can’t see much of him except from the paint splashes over his clothes but then I hear a small popping noise and I come face to face with words written in green and pink neon paint across Ryder's chest. I suck in a breath and I bring my hand up to cover my mouth to try and hold the happy sob in. Across Ryder’s chest are the words.

Marry me?

Fuck me sideways.

I try catching my breath and try to let all this sink in, this beautiful man wants to marry me and take my daughter as his own. He wants to be a family with us. This is what I have always wanted for Demi and me but never thought we would succeed in getting it. Fuck he wants me to be Mrs. Ryder Phoenix. Will Demi get his last name? Oh shit, we will have to look into that. I am going to say yes. Holy fucking shit balls.

“Mama, you have to say yes, you know that, right”? I laugh at my daughter and smile at her. I see a half empty paint balloon glowing on the floor and walk over to it and dip my two fingers into it and walk back over to Ryder. I see that he has completely removed his denim shirt and his chest and abs take my breath away, like every fucking time I see them.

“You like what you see, baby?” He smirks at me. I don’t answer him and his beautiful face falls a little, oh poor baby. I bring my paint-covered fingers up to his abs and right one word.

YES!

Ryder looks down at his stomach and a big ass sexy smile crosses his face and he fist bumps the air.

“Fuck yeah.” The barn lights come on and he picks me up and swings me around, causing not only me but everyone to laugh and cheer and clap. I can see everyone properly. Hayley and Lucy are crying but smiling at us. Rafe and Reeve come over and hug us both and pat Ryder on the back. Everyone gives us hugs and congratulates us. I feel so safe and loved within this family and I am happy that Demi as them also.

“So that’s two down and one to go. So Reeve when are you getting your Inside Noise?” Nix asks Reeve, who almost chokes on his own air.

“Not gonna happen dude. NEVER. When are you getting yours?” She smirks at Nix.

Nix lets out a little laugh “And what makes you think that I haven’t found her already?” Everyone turns to Nix and he shrugs “What? I don’t have to tell you everything”

“Like hell you don’t, Uncle Nix.” Kenzie pipes in. “Do tell.” She smiles sweetly.

“Fine Miss K. Her name is Amy. We have been dating for about three weeks.” He winks at Kenzi.

“Do I get to be a Phoenix now?” Demi adds in.

“Yes, baby you do. Once Mam and me get married we are going to sort out how to change your last name, ok? Would you like that?” Ryder asks.

“Well duh Dad, I want the same name as you and Mama. God, you old people are so dumb sometimes” She rolls her eyes and everyone laughs. I look down at my hand and take a moment to study my ring; Ryder did good. It’s a while gold band with a circle diamond in the middle with three small lines of diamonds meeting together at the bottom.