“Are you sure you are okay Ri? You seem pissed off.”
“No sweetie, I am just not feeling too good the last few days. I think I have the stomach flu.” She wanted to tell him, I am pregnant you jerk but one, she didn’t know that for sure and two, so far all she had were suspicions, until she knew exactly what he was doing when he disappeared for hours on end as well as all day and evening on the weekends, she would keep that to herself.
“Are you okay?” Tuck replied “Do you want me to get you something? I can drive you to the doctor if you want me too.”
Yeah, I want you to stop disappearing and tell me what the fuck is up “No, sweetie everything is fine if it keeps up I will go to the doctor I promise.”
“Alright, so what would you like to do for dinner?”
Riley leaned into the door frame “Will you be home tonight?”
Confused Tuck smiled She suspects. It’s a good damn thing I am almost done. If it wasn’t for Jack, and dad I would only be half way done with building the damned thing. Gotta make sure I pick up the kitchen sink tonight. “Yep, I will. Just gotta run a few errands before I get home. Want me to stop and grab something from the Chinese Buffet on the way home. I should be home by eighteen hundred hours?”
“That sounds great Tuck. Well I best get back over to my class, before one of the cadets decides flight school is like college and the ten-minute rule applies.” Riley kisses Tuck on the cheek and leaves.
When the clock turned to five o’clock, Riley released her class then walked out to her car, started it and drove down to the shoppette, and waiting for Tuck to drive by in his truck. It wasn’t long before she saw Tuck and then waited for another two cars to pass before she pulled out and followed him. She didn’t want to follow him too closely and risk him seeing her car, but she also wanted to be close enough to see where he was driving. When one car turned off on to a side road Riley dropped back and slowed some so there was enough to separate the vehicles and Tuck wouldn’t be able to see that she was following him.
Am I a terrible person for even doing this? She kept questioning herself and a few times she almost turned off and went home. As they kept driving, she noticed they were driving out to his family’s property or what she thought was the Frazier property.
They continued past the farm and when the other car turned off Riley dropped back more until she saw Tuck pull down an old dirt road on his family’s property. What is he doing? There is nothing out here but trees and the creek. Riley waited a few minutes then proceeded down the dirt road as she drove in closer it appeared. A huge two-story home. He built a house, He built us a house. She began to cry and as she quietly turned the car around, she eyed a mailbox that read Tuck and Riley Frazier. The tears were now flowing, and she fought them as hard as she could, but it was not use. He had now accomplished the most romantic, sweetest gesture she has ever heard of. He built them a house and from all appearances he had built it with his own two hands.
Riley was overcome with emotion and the entire drive home she was thinking of how terrible she had ever felt for doubting him. She had one errand to run herself before heading to their house. She needed to pick up a pregnancy test.
The following morning
When Riley woke up, her stomach rolling and an overwhelming feeling of wanting to vomit. She raced to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. With all the ruckus, Tuck wakes to hear Riley in the bathroom. He gets up out of bed and tries to go into the bathroom, but the door is locked.
“Riley baby, are you okay?”
Riley pauses for a moment between “ya!” were the only words she could speak. Finally, after a few minutes she stopped vomiting and pulled out the pregnancy test.
Here goes nothing and then proceeds to pee on the stick.
Reading the instructions Riley places, the cover back on the stick and waits. five minutes, five minutes before I know then twenty minutes to gather the courage to tell Tuck. But only if it is positive, no need to tell him if its negative. She smiles.
Knocking on the door again Tuck appears worried. “Riley baby it got quiet in there are you okay?”
“Ya give me a minute just brushing my teeth.” Riley turns on the faucet and pulls out her tooth brush. “Might as well knock it out while I wait.
When she finishes brushing, she picks up the stick, closes her eyes then holding the stick in front of her, she opens her eyes. Two pink lines -I’m pregnant. Her heart sinks into her toes and she starts to cry. Two months before the wedding and I get pregnant. Well at least I should be able to still fit into the wedding dress. She sits down on the toilet, gathers her thoughts then stands up, opens the door and walks out, holding the stick behind her back.
“Tuck darlin’ I need to tell you something and I don’t want you to freak out okay?” Do you promise?
“Yeah of course I promise.” He replied.
“Okay, can you maybe sit down.” She asked.
Tuck sat back down on the bed. All kinds of ideas raced through his brain. “Alright, I am down. What’s up Ri?”
Riley thought for a moment then pulled out the stick, handing it to him. “I’m….”
Before she could say anything, Tuck was on his feet, he picked her up and spun her around “My baby is gonna have a baby. Oh, Ri I love you more than anything in this world. I can’t wait to be a daddy.”
“Riley baby how long have you known?”
“Oh, I’d say about five minutes longer than you. Are you truly excited Tuck?”
Tuck stopped, put Riley back down to the floor then cupped her cheeks, pulling her in he kissed her “Riley, my darlin’ I have never wanted something more than marrying you and have children. If I never flew another apache again, I would be okay with that because I would have you and I would have our child. I have never been so happy as I am right at this very moment, except when you said YES.”
Tears fell down Riley’s cheeks as Tuck leaned down and kissed her when he pulled up from the kiss, he said “A lot will be changing are you okay with that?”
Riley shook her head, she was still sobbing “Yes, I couldn’t be happier. I fell in love with you the moment we met; I know a lot has happened since then but never not once did I not think of you. I have always wanted to be with you Tuck. I will love you until the day I die and then some.”
“I love you too Ri. He smiled and half grin Good thing you got your wedding gown a little big then can let it out if ya get too big.”
“Oh, har har har. Dork.” Riley playfully smacks him on the shoulder. “Get ready for work, I am gonna grab my clothes and jump in with you.”
“Oh alright!” He replied with a huge grin. “One thing we don’t have to worry about now is you getting pregnant. Can’t be more pregnant huh? Let’s get it on baby.”
“You’re just too much Tuck Frazier, go shower. I will be in in a minute.”
15
June 6th
The Wedding of James Tucker Frazier and Riley Elizabeth Andrews
Between visits back and forth between the hairdresser and the bathroom, Riley had finally gotten to a point that her bridesmaids and her mother could help her with her dress.
“Are you nervous Ri?” her mother asked. “Is that why you keep running to the bathroom or are you pregnant?” Riley ignored the question and slipped her arms through the straps of her dress. This was her Wedding Day; she and Tuck had agreed that they would wait until the first trimester was over before they told family and friends today would be spent celebrating their love for each other and then celebrate the upcoming new arrival.
“Riley Lynn Andrews did you hear your mother?”
“Yes, momma I heard you I am just nervous. I want this day to go off without a hitch. The only hitch I want happening is Tuck and I getting hitched.”
“Alright little one. I just wanna make sure my little girl is okay.”
“I’m okay momma I promise. It’s just nerves.” Riley smiled to herself thinking how happy her momma is gonna be once Tuck and she tell
them the news. “Momma, how does Tuck look?”
“Oh, sweetie he looks so handsome and y’alls buddies are here. Everything is just so beautiful. And you little one, you look gorgeous. You are glowing. I overheard him tell your daddy this is the happiest he has ever been in his entire life. Told your daddy he has a big wedding gift for ya too, but he wouldn’t tell him ‘til he gave it to you”
“Really momma?”
“Yep. Not even your daddy got a hint. I think your daddy got little irritated then I reminded him of our day then he understood.”
“What happened on your day?” Riley asked” I don’t think I ever heard this story?”
“Oh, baby girl and you still won’t not today anyway. Maybe after but not before. Now here is your something old.”
Riley’s mother handed her an old gold bracelet, with a little heart that hung. “This was your great-great-grandmother’s she got it from her momma the day she married. Now it’s yours to give to your daughter when she gets married?”
“Thank you, momma I can’t wait to give it, to our daughter. Only six and a half months to wait and you get to meet your granddaughter or grandson.” Riley immediately put her hand to her mouth “Well shit! I guess the cat is outta the bag now!”
“Sissy you are pregnant, I knew it. Oh, sissy I am so happy for you and Tuck. A momma just knows. I knew it.”
“Momma don’t tell anyone not even daddy. We planned on telling everyone when we got back from our honeymoon.” Riley’s mom had her in an embrace squeezing her tightly.
“I won’t I promise.”
The pair hugged and finished getting her dress zipped up and did a final check on makeup and flowers, a knock at the door made Riley jump.
“Who is it?” Riley replied
“It’s daddy. He replied as he opened the door. Are you ready pumpkin?”
“Yes daddy. I’ve waited a really long time for this day to come. I am ready.”
Riley laced her arm into her fathers, and they walked to the double door that separated the chapel from the hallway outside. She had her three best friends and Tuck’s sister’s little girl as the flower girl.
“Daddy, how is Tuck doing?”
“Pumpkin, he is doing great. He is so excited to be your husband even said he’d change his name to Mr. Riley Andrews if that’s what you wanted.”
Riley burst out in laughter “Sounds like Tuck.”
“I don’t think his daddy appreciated it, but Tuck told him he wasn’t marrying just a woman, he was marrying THE WOMAN. The woman of his dreams and if it meant changing his name, he sure in the hell would. Told me right before I came to get you to tell you he loved you more than life itself and he will spend the rest of his making sure you were as happy as he has been and is on this day. Pumpkin, you got yourself a good man there. Don’t let him go this time.”
“Oh, daddy I won’t. I love him more than breathing. He is my heart, my soul, my everything. He has given me so much more than my life; he has given me a reason for my life. I cannot wait to become Mrs. Tuck Frazier.”
Just as her final words were spoken the wedding march began and the doors opened. Each of the bridesmaids and the flower girl made their way down the aisle then Riley and her daddy came into Tuck’s view. They stood motionless for a moment and Tuck felt all the air from his lungs leave his body. Riley stood a mere twenty-five feet from him and she felt like she was a million miles away. “My god, she’s beautiful.” Were his only words.
He watched as Riley and her father took time with each step and inched ever closer to him. Tuck wanted this to last forever but also debated in his mind about run up dragging her to the altar so they could marry quickly, and he could finally show her his gift to her, to her and their baby. This was a day Tuck had waited on since the day he had met Riley. Their blind date that had went so well then, he had to leave, their hours on video chat then finally of their reconnection. What happened was meant to happen the way it did so that on this day they could both be standing in this church on this day marrying the only person they have ever loved.
When Riley finally reached Tuck, he whispered “I love you Riley Andrews will you be my wife?” Riley leaned over to Tuck “Yes a thousand time yes. Now let’s get this show on the road. I’m horny.” Tuck and Riley both burst into laughter as the entire congregation stared at them. The preacher who was also one of Tuck’s flight crew had to laugh also then he looked at Tuck and Riley nodding his head to them as if to say we will begin now.
“We are gathered here on this day to join in matrimony James Tucker Frazier and Riley Elizabeth Andrews…” The preacher said but for Tuck and Riley they just stared into each other’s eyes until they both were tapped by their respective bride and groomsmen to say “I DO”
When the Preacher said you may kiss your bride Tuck picked up Riley kissed her then yelled to the entire church “My Baby is gonna have a baby!” and he kissed her again scooping her up into his arms he carried her out of the church and into the 1973 MGB convertible.
“Now my dear I’ll take you to your wedding gift.”
“But Tuck what about the reception, the pictures, the birdseed. Everything?”
“Baby, don’t you worry about that I got that handled Taylor and Top are taking care of everything. Once we get to the reception everyone will be waiting with the birdseed, and photographer will be there don’t worry baby. I got you. Now sit back, relax and when we get close you gotta promise to close your eyes.”
“Alright, I promise.”
“Wait change of plans close them now!
“Alright.” Riley closed her eyes she couldn’t wait to see how it all looked now. Tuck had no idea she already knew the gift, but she hadn’t seen it in a few months. She had let Tuck take his time and she never asked questions again.
“Are we there yet?” she asked.
Tuck laughed “No not yet.”
Riley waited a bit longer than asked again “Are we there yet?” then Tuck would answer again “Nope keep your eyes closed.”
Finally, she felt the convertible turn on what she thought was the final turn and she asked again “Are we there yet Tuck?”
Tuck smiled and he paused taking in the entire scene. “Yes, but keep your eyes closed I am gonna help you from the car and we are gonna walk a little way. I will tell you when. Alright?”
“Alright I won’t peek.”
Tuck opened the car door and took Riley’s hand then standing behind her he led her over to where they both stood in front of the two-story log cabin home.
“Alright, open your…” before he could even finish Riley’s eyes shot open and she began to cry. “Tuck what’s all this?”
“This is our home. I built this mostly alone but my daddy, and some of the guys from the school came out too. I built this for us. Wanna see inside?”
“There’s an inside too? It’s not just a cardboard cutout and once I touch it, it falls down and it’s a trailer?”
“No Baby. I promise it’s a real house, with a real inside.” Tuck laughed hysterically and lead Riley up to the house. Tuck reaches into his pocket and pulls out the keys, handing one to Riley “Here baby you open it.” As he lifts her into his arms to carry her over the threshold. Riley turns the key, then the handle and pushes the door open. The house is completely decorated with everything they had in their house as well as brand new furniture.
“How?”
“Well yesterday when you went to the hotel and stayed with your parents, the guys and I spent all day yesterday and all night getting it ready.” Tuck carries her into the house and sits her down. Riley looks around and everywhere she looks is their stuff.
All pictures are hung, the table is new but their tablecloth is on it. The couch is new and then Scout comes barreling out of the kitchen Tuck orders him to sit so he doesn’t damage Riley’s gown then Tuck takes her through the house room by room. When they come to the final room Tuck says nothing except “Close your eyes baby” Riley closes her eyes and Tuck opens the door to
reveal a nursery.
Tuck had purchased both boy and girl decor and an envelope sat on the back of the rocking chair; tears begin to flow. Thanks to the makeup artist her makeup stays fresh. Tuck grabs the envelope and hands it to Riley. She opens it and it is a credit card with ten thousand dollars on it. “That my dear is so that we can go and buy what we need for our little one once we know if it is a boy or a girl.
Epilogue
One Year Later
“Riley, baby can you grab Tucker, I think he woke up Scout is pulling me by the pant leg.”
“Yep, I see him on the baby monitor he is up and has turned himself over.”
“He did what?” Tuck replied running in from the office.
“He turned over! Oh my god our baby turned over.” Riley teared up. “Our baby is growing up Tuck.”
“Ri, he turned over. He didn’t go off to college.” He joked.
“I know but next he will be walking, then talking then going to school, then going on his first date, then having sex for the first time, leaving for college then marrying. I don’t want him to grow up.”
Tuck held Riley in his arms, kissing her on the cheek as they both looked down at their baby boy in his crib. “Well, baby we got awhile before that happens until then let’s enjoy our time with him and ya know we can always make more babies. That’s the fun part. What’cha say we get Tucker, fed, changed and call your momma and daddy to come watch him and we go to a hotel and take a mini vacation, maybe make a couple more babies?”
“How about we start out with trying to make another one then maybe we discuss a third one after that.”
Tuck laughed “Well, you know the rule, right?”
“What rule is that?”
“The rule of evens.”
“Evens?”
“Ya you can only have an even number of kids, otherwise a kid gets left out of playing.”
Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology Page 305