Chapter 55: Chapter 55

My eyes slowly begin to open as the morning light filter through the window. I groan sleepy, stretching my arms as a yawn escapes my mouth. I had a really good sleep last night. Richie and I crashed the night at a nearby hotel because it was raining, and heading back home would be a long journey since my apartment is miles away from the cemetery. Speaking of the cemetery, I cannot be grateful enough to Richie, It felt like a blessing to visit my mom. Her presence was divine and when I spoke to her, I felt at ease; something I haven’t felt for a really long time.

You know that feeling when you thought you lost everything and then you realize you’re not alone; I felt it and I liked it. I guess when life throws a ball at you, you either dodge it or hold onto it. I held onto mine and I guess it’s not that heavy.

Taking a deep breath, I take a moment to savor the feeling of being fully awake before I stretch again, feeling the stiffness in my muscles begins to fade away. I grab my phone from the table and I see two missed calls and four messages from Rebecca. I check the message she sent.

*Message

Rebecca: Where are you?

Rebecca: Are you home yet?

Rebecca: Why aren’t you picking up my calls?

Rebecca: Call me back.

I sigh as I read her messages. I have so much to tell Rebecca but I just have to wait until we meet. I text her back telling her that I’m with Richie and it’s a long story. I know Rebecca will definitely get tense and maybe even call me so I text her that everything is fine and that I will explain everything to her later.

After responding, I drop the phone on the bed and sit up. I am about to stand up and head to the bathroom when Richie walks into the room. He looks at me with a smile on his face. As he approaches me, he sits on the bed next to me and says "Good morning, sleeping beauty." In a soft and warm voice.

"Good morning," I respond. He leans in and kisses me affectionately, the kiss doesn’t last as he pulls away shortly. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Get ready, we will be leaving in an hour." He says.

I groan, I totally forgot about leaving. I don’t feel like leaving here. "Do we have to leave now?" I pout like a baby.

Richie lightly chuckles "Yes we do." He responds

"Okay." I give in

"Now, get ready while I go check that car. I gotta make sure it’s ready." He says with a smile. He kisses my forehead before he stands up from the bed. A smile twitches on my face as I watch him leave the room. I never thought I will be this happy after everything that has happened. I feel a sense of warmth and happiness that lingers long after he's gone.

Taking a deep breath, I take the covers off, grab a towel and head into the bathroom to take a shower. Richie and I are going back to the Maranzano mansion. He ask me if I want to move back with him and I consider it for a moment. I mean everything is okay now so maybe it’s a good idea.

I finish taking my bath and I wear my outfit; a black shirt and blue jeans. I had it ordered last night so I don’t have to wear the ones I wore yesterday. After dressing, I head out of the room and into the living room area where Richie is. He is sitting on the couch waiting for me.

"Are you ready?" He asks

"Yeah, I’m just a little nervous," I admit. It’s been a month since I went there. I don’t want it to be all weird when I get there.

"It’s gonna be fine, trust me." He assures

I release a heavy sigh not saying a word.

***

My hands are folded on my lap as I twirl my thumbs around each other. We are a few minutes away from the mansion. I am as nervous as I am earlier. I just can’t help, but be very anxious, now that everyone knows about my mom, I don’t want it to be weird or uncomfortable and I certainly don’t want anyone to remind me of the past. I feel like everything is gonna be so awkward now that I’m back and John is still in a coma. Alice might act differently towards me knowing Richie chose me instead of John. This is gonna be a lot to handle, I just hope she doesn’t hate me for that.

I turn my gaze to Richie as I notice him steal a glance at me. "What?" I ask

He says nothing as he smiles and places his hand on mine. He glances at the road before turning his gaze back to me. "You have nothing to be nervous about. It’s gonna be fine." He says with a reassuring smile

I smile back at Richie, hoping that everything will turn out okay. Though, I don’t think so. Everyone might act neutral but I know Emily wouldn’t. She has this tendency to talk excessively and it gets so annoying sometimes that I just feel like ripping her tongue off.

I take a deep breath to calm myself. Maybe I’m just overthinking things; how bad can this be?

Finally arriving at the house, Richie climbs out of the car. He goes around to the passenger side and opens the door for me. He offers his hand to me and I take it. I climb out of the car, I stand next to Richie. I take a look at the house, I kinda miss this place.

Richie takes my hand and walks us up to the massive French doors. He presses the bell, and I look around as we wait. So many things have changed around here. I don’t remember Richie having a foundation in the middle of the drive nor do I recall these beautifully trimmed flowers.

"Richie." A voice says. I turn away from admiring the lights around the fountain and face the front door; it’s Alice. She has a soft smile on her face and she’s holding the door open for Richie and me.

"Oh my God, Rachel." She let go of the door and comes to wrap her arms around me. I feel a sense of warmth and comfort as Alice embraces me. "I missed you so much." She says holding me tightly.

"I missed you too," I say, my voice soft. Alice pulls out of the hug and turns her gaze to Richie. A small smile appears on her face, and I'm filled with a sense of warmth and happiness as I look at her. It's been so long since I've seen her, and I've missed her more than words can express.

"It’s about time you’re back." She says to Richie.

"What do you mean?" I ask looking between her and Richie, wondering what she’s talking about.

"Richie left home for a whole month." She explains

"What? Why did you do that?" I ask him

"I didn’t want to stay home without you." He says and my heart swells up. I smile as he leads me into the house.

Walking into the living room, I see Emma sitting on the couch. She looks up, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Hey, you guys!" She exclaims, jumping up to hug us.

"I can’t believe you’re back; both of you. I missed you guys so much." She says pulling out of the hug.

"I missed you too," I say.

"You both are staying, right?" She asks looking between Richie and me.

Just as I'm about to respond, I get distracted by the sound of a heel clicking. My attention turns to the direction of the noise, and I see Emily walking toward me.

A sigh escapes my mouth. Oh no, here comes the drama.

"I knew I heard your voice." She says to Richie as she wraps her arms around him.

"How are you doing, Emily?" He asks

"I’m good." She responds pulling out of the hug. She turns her gaze to me, "Rachel." She says

"Emily."

She smiles before she speaks "It’s good to have you back." She wraps her arms around me. My body freeze as my eyes go wide. What the hell is going on? Is Emily’s hands wrapped around me or what?

I look at Richie to see that my expression matches his. Emily pulls out of the hug and smiles at me- it isn’t a wicked smile, it is real. I never knew Emily knows how to smile.

"I’m heading to the salon so I guess I will see you guys later." She says

I take a moment to process everything before I respond to her. "Sure, totally."

Flashing a smile, she turns and walks out of the room. I watch her exit the house before heading into the room with Richie. Once we're inside, he closes the door, and I immediately begin to speak. "What just happened?"

"I have no idea. I am equally as surprised as you are," He replies.

"That was crazy; like literally crazy. I never thought I would have her arms wrapped around me, I mean doesn’t she hates me."

"I don’t know, I guess she changed her mind. But you know what, forget about her." He says walking closer to me. "Let’s focus on us." He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

"I like the sound of that." I say wrapping my hand around his neck "What do you have in mind?"

"Umm…. I don’t know. How about this." He leans in and his lips meet mine, briefly, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I like that." A smile twitches at the corner of my lips as I savor the feel of the kiss

Richie slightly chuckles "How about this." He says and kisses my neck. He nuzzle against me, his lips on my neck, nibbling and kissing his way up to my earlobe where he gently bit me; it doesn’t hurt, it makes me want more.

"You’re so beautiful." He whispers in my ears.

I smile and whisper back "I know."

Richie kisses my neck passionately before he lifts his head and stares at me, his eyes filled with desire and lust. "I wanna have my way around you."

"Then what’s stopping you?"

As he leans in to kiss me, he smirks, but his expression changes when a knock on the door interrupts us. He groans, trying to ignore the sound, but the knock comes again, making it impossible for us to continue.

We both let out a sigh, knowing that we have to answer the door. "I'll go check who it is," Richie says, giving me a quick kiss on the forehead before heading to the door.

Richie opens the door and I hear an unfamiliar voice. I guess it’s a maid because she says "Sir Richie, Papa is asking of you. He is in the study room."

Richie releases a heavy sigh "Okay. I will be there." He says to her before she walks out of the room. Richie turns his gaze to me. "We are not done yet. I will be right back." He kisses me on the cheek and then heads out of the room.

As I see him walk away, I find myself smiling, feeling a wave of happiness wash over me. Everything feels right so far, I guess I was just overthinking things. Alice seems happy to see me and Emily, she just dashed me with surprise. I still can’t believe she was happy to see me, though I’m glad she is.

I release a deep breath as I decide to unpack the clothes before Richie comes back. I fold each cloth and place it in the drawer. As much as I hate to arrange clothes, I have to do it just in case Rebecca’s clothes were mixed up with mine. Richie had my clothes delivered to me on short notice so I won’t be surprised if some of her clothes are inside the suitcase.

While arranging, I lift my gaze when I hear the door open. Richie walks into the room, he looks tensed and bothered about something.

"What’s wrong?" I ask walking towards him

"It’s nothing." He sighs

"No, tell me what happened?" I inquire. I know something is bothering him, I can sense it.

Releasing a heavy breath he speaks "It’s Papa."

"What about him?"

"I had an argument with him for the first time and he seems really mad."

"Why?"

"I didn’t agree with what he said."

"No, I mean why did you argue with him?" I ask

Richie takes a deep breath and begins to speak, "Well, umm...you know when I proposed to you, I planned everything and according to the plan, the rehearsal dinner is supposed to be next weekend."

"Okay, go on."

"I tried to cancel it a few days ago, but it was too late. And now Papa is upset because I spent a lot of money on the dinner and it’s going to waste."

"What if It doesn’t go to waste? I mean, it only goes to waste when the rehearsal dinner doesn’t take place, right?"

"Yeah but…." Richie trails mid-sentence as he thinks it through. He opens his mouth to speak but clasps it shut. "Wait, are you saying…."

"Yes."

"Come on, we just got back together, don’t you think it’s too early?"

"I do but does it really matter, I mean what’s the point of loving each other if we don’t commit to spending our lives together?"

"You wanna do this?" He asks

"Do you?"

A smile appears on his lips and he nods "More than anything."

I am about to speak but didn’t as I get confused when Richie starts to feel his pocket with his hand.

"What are you looking for?" I ask

He doesn't respond and instead continues with what he's doing. He feels his pants pocket, and a smile spreads across his face. Suddenly Richie goes on one knee. My heart races as I realize what's happening. He pulls out my ring from his pocket, and my eyes widen with excitement. "Rachel Green, will you be my fiancé again?" He asks, his voice filled with love.

The smile on my face broadened. I can’t believe he kept the ring all this time. Unable to let out words. I nod and Richie slides the ring onto my finger.

"I love you," He says, standing up and pulling me close to him

"I love you too." I say and with that, he seals my lips with his.