Chapter 26: Chapter 26

She stood, and took slow steps, keeping her eyes on the drops that were splattered all over the floor. She followed them back upstairs and to another room with a fireplace. She leaned against the rail of the door. Ryder and Sheila laid on their stomachs and spread out before them was a long row of Legos and a wide green bottom.

Squinting her eyes, she watched as they fumbled through the pieces and placed them on the green bottom, arranging them. She walked in and sat on a black leather chair; they didn’t even notice her. The Legos took the shape of a foundation for something in a green, blue, red order and every tenth piece was yellow. She curled up in a ball and rested her head on the arm of the chair and her eyes grew heavy. Maybe soon Ryder would want to leave.

Strong arms lifted her up and cuddled her close, like a baby. She opened her eyes just a slant, and saw a pair of gray eyes under a wrinkled brow looking down at her.

“Go back to sleep, pretty thing.”

“What are you doing, Ryder?” she whispered and wrapped her arms around the neck of the eyes. She was laid in a bed of soft flowers as black waves engulfed her. Ryder wrapped his arms around her, telling her how much he loved her and to forget tonight. She would forget everything for him.

Alevia opened her eyes to a black mass that lay over her face. She rubbed the soft fabric of the sheets and trailed to what she knew was Ryder's hand. Pulling the sheets down, she spotted a poster of Babe Ruth, resting against a navy blue wall and one of a Bugatti on the door.

Ryder half lay on top of her with an arm completely wrapped around her. She squeezed herself from his arm and stepped out of the bed. Alecia opened a drawer of a red oak dresser, grabbing a pair of black boxers and a white t-shirt. This must be a room for Ryder. It had him written all over it. She walked out of the room into the adjoining sitting room and stopped.

In front of her sat a beautifully arranged castle made of Legos. It had a drawbridge, balconies and two little people standing in one of the towers. She walked up to it and placed a finger on the girl piece. Someone, probably Ryder, had used a marker and colored their hair brown, and their arms were stretched out as if they were holding hands. How could they do this?

How long had they lain there, creating such an intricately designed castle?

“I’m always impressed with their Lego masterpieces,” said a deep voice.

Alecia looked up and took a step back. Leaning in the doorway with a coffee cup in his hand was Ryder's godfather. She smiled, as her form begin to shake. He was a tall man with light brown hair, a wrinkled brow and deep green eyes that held a lightness.

She placed her hands behind her back, wiggling her fingers together when he set the mug down on a table and walked over to her.

Alecia tensed as he placed two hands on her hips and said, “you really are a pretty thing.”

She giggled. She couldn’t help it. “Did Ryder get that from you?”

“He gets many of his mannerisms from me. I’m glad I finally get to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. You really are such a lovely young girl.”

The President of the United States had just called her beautiful. She looked to the door, hoping Ryder would wake up. What did one say to the President when you are standing in front of him in a pair of boxers and a t-shirt?

“Hey, Alecia.” He bent to her ear. “I’m a father before I’m a president, so don’t be shy.” She turned back to him.

“You love my son.”

She nodded, her cheeks growing warm, feeling the blush color her cheeks.

“Good, then you have my heart.”

“My parents really like him.”

His smile widened. “After you two are married, or like we werewolves love to say, after you two become official mates, I’ll have to get your father more involved in the party.”

“You will!” She turned to the door as she placed a hand over her mouth.

“He needs to get up anyway.”

She turned back to him and listened to him speak focusing on his words until the bedroom door opened and Ryder came out pressing down on his head – his hair flowed in several different directions.

“There you are, Alecia,” he said.

She held out her hand, but he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned his chin down on her head.

“Good morning, son.” Richard ran his fingers through Ryder's bangs straightening them out, caressing his head like he was his beloved son. “Alecia, I’ve been fixing his hair since he was a baby.” He paused and took a step back from them. “My Ryder.”

Ryder leaned over her and kissed her neck; his hand caressing her hip just like Sheila

had done last night. Memories filled her mind. He never once said a word about his behavior and she never had a chance to ask. She needed to know and he promised he would do anything she wanted today. He would tell her the truth. If there was a problem, she would help him. She would always help him.

“Ryder, can we talk?” she asked.

Ryder placed two fingers on her lips. She stared at the ceiling. Maybe he would want to talk after they were done, but when it was over; he just got out of bed and put on some slacks.

“I’m not tired,” he said.

She pulled the sheets up over her breasts and sat up. “I want to talk.”

He kissed her head. “And, I want to talk to Richard.”

She placed her feet on the floor, but he placed his hands on her shoulders and laid her back down.

“Go to sleep, pretty thing. We’ll talk tomorrow,” he said before he straightened and walked out of the door.