Chapter 283: White
*Of all the assholes in this world, this one got blessed with an angel. I’m the luckiest asshole there is. – Chance*
Chance grumbled as he made his way to the front door. He found his mother and sister, Evie and Karan.
“What time is it?” he asked as the four women entered.
“Eight.” His mother said and his sister added “Ish.”
“Define nine. Ish.”
“Seven thirty.” Karan laughed.
“I need coffee.” Chance said making his way past the women and to the kitchen.
“Where’s Rye?” Karan asked as they all followed him into the kitchen.
“Asleep.” He answered starting the coffee pot and effortlessly making a bottle. Down the hall Michael began to cry. “You’re late, buddy.”
“He’s late?” Evie asked as they heard baby giggles. “And I’m leaking.”
Chance handed her a box of breast pads from the cabinet with bottles and formula. “Don’t ask. We keep getting them in the mail.”
“You’re on the newborn mailing list.” Evie said as she pulled damp breast pads out of her bra and put dry ones in.
“Shit.” Chance muttered as he turned away from Evie. All four women noticed the change, but none said anything.
“Hey, sorry, I forgot you were coming over.” Rye said coming in carrying Michael.
“Now she tells us.” Chance said taking the infant from her. “Give me a kiss so we can go find something manly to do while we’re outnumbered.”
Rye chuckled as she kissed him. It was becoming easier for her to do. After their first session with Carly together, they had a long heart to heart. Rye began to think that maybe she could love him.
Chance took the baby and the freshly made bottle and headed towards the living room. The whole time, he told Michael about the importance of a ten-millimeter socket. The baby cooed and giggled until they were settled, and he was happily sucking on the nipple.
“I’m pretty sure that my ovaries just exploded.” Karan said dreamily.
“Right there with you, girl.” Mia said. “And damn it, that’s my brother.”
“I’ve got two at home and I’m with you.” Evie admitted.
“I’m more than willing to watch them all.” Alana smiled. “Just not all at once. I’m not Becks.”
“Yeah, go get dressed so we can go dress shopping.” Karan ordered pushing Rye down the hall. “Before you start in on buying new, we’re going to a bridal resale shop that benefits local charities. After the wedding-”
“It can be stored away for me to someday walk our daughter down the aisle in.” Chance said firmly.
“Chance… I….” Rye stumbled.
“Come here, duchess.” He held out an arm for her. When she sat next to him, he wrapped his arm around her and kissed her hair. His other arm held Michael with his bottle held in place with a single finger.
“I love you, Rye. This little guy may not have my DNA, but he’s mine. I would love to see a little Rye running around with a white streak. But if you would feel better adopting, I’m good with that too.”
“I know that Donna Leigh is not my biological mother, but it still scares me. It’s hereditary and I’m already scared for Michael.” She took the now empty bottle as Chance shifted him to his belly on strong thighs with Stitch and giant Hawaiian flowers on them.
Chance began rubbing the little back on his lap. Michael let out a loud burp and smiled before going to sleep.
“You have about thirty minutes before this diaper is an atomic bomb.” Chance told Rye tipping her face up for a kiss. Taking the bottle out of her hand, he nudged her with his arm. “You better leave while you can.”
Rye smiled at him. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Duchess, I don’t deserve either of you. But you…”
“I am enough. I am strong. I am loved. I can trust. I can grow. I can love.” She recited.
“Damn straight.” He murmured as he kissed her temple.
Rye went to the bedroom to get changed and Alana sat next to her son.
“How’s it going?”
“It’s going good. Can you watch Michael tonight?” he said turning the infant to his back.
“Horses?” She asked caressing the tiny belly.
“No. I want to take her out before we get married next week. So far, all of our dates have involved Michael or other people.” He grinned at Karan who became their usual third when they would go to lunch. “You’re not invited.”
“Then who’s going to be your chaperone?” Karan teased as Rye came back in the room. “Girl, how many shirts do you own?”
“Eighteen.” Rye said as she pulled on her black tennis shoes. “No, sorry, twenty.”
“Good. Go put on one other than that pink ATL shirt.” Karan teased.
Chance shot Karan a look before turning his attention to Rye.
“Rye.” Evie said gently as she touched her arm.
“I’m sorry. I’m not used to having things.” Rye said softly. “For a while the three of us lived in a two door Ford. Having just what you needed became normal.”
“I’m sorry!” Karan said feeling guilty. “I was just trying to give you a hard time. I didn’t realize…. I’m an idiot.”
“I got really good at hiding things.” Rye admitted. “I have the shirts for the Clubhouse, the ones from my jobs in Georgia and a few from thrift stores. Chance bought me a couple for court. Clothes were a luxury.”
“Oh honey.” Alana said wrapping her arms around the other woman. “I see a shopping spree in your future. You definitely need something to wear tonight.”
“I can’t afford-”
“It’s a good thing that Evie likes to shop.” Mia joked.
“What are you talking about?” Evie asked following the other women out to her charger. “Evie loves to shop. Evie has been dying to go shopping since, I don’t know, October.”
The drive to the boutique was short and filled with everyone picking on Evie. Especially Evie. The section of wedding dresses in Rye’s size only had about ten white dresses. They took them all and went to the dressing rooms.
The first two were ruled out because they were way too gaudy for her taste. Another two were ruled out for being too risqué. Rye sat the miniskirt off to the side shaking her head no.
She tried on the others, but none seemed right. This was the only thing that Chance had requested. Virginal white. He wanted the club to know that he, the club slut, had fallen for a virgin.
He loved the irony. But he also loved the strength that she had to make it out of her childhood and still be a virgin.
“Excuse me,” the brunette clerk in the black skirt suit said carrying a dress bag over. “This was just brought in yesterday. The wedding was called off. I think it’s the right size.”
She placed the dress on a hook and then unzipped the white bag. Inside was a white satin gown with a mandarin collar and a bodice that flowed into the full skirt with a short train. Small satin covered buttons ran the length of the back of the bodice. At the wrists, long sleeves had three matching buttons on the underside while the sleeves extended to the middle finger over the back of the hand.
And when she put it on, it fit almost perfectly. A few inches too long and a little loose around the waist. She stepped out of the dressing room and the four women fell silent.
“Oh my God, Rye.” Karan whispered. “It’s like it was meant to be.”
“There is a veil that I think will look great on her.” The clerk said walking away. She returned with a short veil attached to a comb. After sliding it in place, she stood back to look.
“You can’t see her streak.” Alana objected. “He loves it.”
Rye removed it and smoothed out her hair. She caught Alana’s eyes in the mirror and the older woman approached her.
“Do you need a mommy hug?” she asked opening her arms. The bride gave a small nod as lay her head on the other woman’s shoulder.
“I’m using your line.” Mia said. “And now I’m leaking.”
Evie handed her a breast pad from her purse as she dabbed her own eyes with one. Mia shrugged as she accepted it and wiped away her own tears. Karan held her hand out for one also.
Alana kissed Rye’s temple and turned her around. “Saturday, if you think you’re going to cry, just keep in mind that you may get a breast pad.”
Sniffling, Rye started laughing and held her hand out for one.
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