Chapter 18

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(Danny's POV)

With every circle around the apartment Ella feels heavier in my arms. Her eyes for the first 10 minutes were so focused on me that I thought she would never fall asleep. Now after another five her eyes drift shut.

I walk around again for about a minute just to make sure she was out. Then I set Ella down in the little rocking chair and turned it on.

Standing back up I arch my back and stretch out my tired arms. Ella may be a newborn but my arms got too used to her weight. After my short stretch session I look towards Ryan's room. He hadn't tried to come out and I'm really happy about it.

When I first walked in I saw him talk to Ella. Which was super cute! But then he looked to me and I just saw the weight he was carrying on his shoulders and I could see slight tired irritation in his eyes.

Ryan is doing so well on his own though. I was surprised not getting a word from him asking me to help out, but he might've been right about not needing in. Sometimes all you need is the love between you and the baby... I just hope I'm not actually getting in the way.

As I walk to the room I hear Ryans bed squeak slightly. I wait outside the door for a few more seconds. I had kept the door closed a couple hours ago to keep light from spilling in and to block out any noise from the baby.

I turn the knob slowly and peak in. Ryan lays there still in his big sweatshirt from this morning with the hood on. The covers surround him up to his chest and the pillows are scattered around the bed.

I think back to when I shut the door on him. The kiss he had given me had lingered on my cheek for a while after and so did the blush on my cheeks. I had cursed myself for my blush but I definitely remember seeing his ears turn a light shade of red, so I wasn't too embarrassed.

Ryan has never been open with his feelings with people so the sudden action caught me off guard... in a good way. It showed me that he's willing to go places with me.

After leaving the hospital he had texted me. Then the next day he texted again. From that day forward he hasn't missed a single day. Yes, sometimes I text first but it's cute seeing his conversation starters.

His arms are above his head wrapping around his hood and his legs reach across the bed all the way to the end. His hair hangs down covering his closed eyes and his mouth is slightly open showing he's truly asleep. Only when I see his flushed cheeks do I realize how warm the room is. I tip toe across the room to his window by his bed. I have to lean over the bed to reach the window and to grab the handle I place my knee on the bed to get better stability.

It had stopped raining about an hour ago so I decide to open the window. The window pops open and through the little crack I feel the cool breeze drift by. I open it a little more and the window squeaks slightly. Below me Ryan sniffs and turns over in bed.

Keeping the window where it's at I tip toe back across the room. The door clicks and I finally let out the breath that I was holding. I walk back into the kitchen and lean on one of the counters staring at my big food bag.

The time on the microwave says 1:32 p.m. so I decide to make my lunch. After breakfast this morning I decided to pay Ryan a visit so I packed enough food for two. But seeing Ryan sleep so well I think I'll leave him be.

The food I packed consists of: chicken and beef with egg noodles, some vegetables, spices, a melon and some strawberries, and some boxed brownies from my neighborhood cafe.

I grab a couple pans from his drawers and a big pot to put the noodles in. In one pan I put the veggies (bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots) and in the other pan I put the meat. In the big pot I start to boil water. After about three minutes the water is boiling so I open the egg noodle box and put in the noodles.

I add some parsley, basil, and black pepper to the vegetables and then I turn over the chicken and beef while adding salt and pepper. When the noodles are done I find a strainer to remove the water then I return them to the pot. Then I add in the meat. Instead of a sauce I add butter and some red pepper flakes to the noodles and more salt and black pepper.

"Danny?" I hear Ryan's voice from his room. His voice is quiet, but deep and raspy indicating he just woke up.

I walk over to his room and open the door. "Yeah?" I ask. Ryan is propped up in bed on an elbow while rubbing a hand through his scraggly hair.

"It smells good are you making something?" His cheeks are still flushed but since the room is cooler it's more from the amount of sleep he just got. His eyes squint at me and he gives a half tired smile.

"I am. Are you hungry or do you want to sleep more?" I walk more into the room and turn on the light.

"I'm more than hungry with this smell filling up the room." He says with a laugh. I catch him staring for a little bit before he pushes the covers off. "Mind if I freshen up first?" He asks.

"I don't mind. It's not all done yet anyway." I say. He walks up to me and when he gets close enough he pulls me into a hug. It catches me off guard like the kiss earlier, but I hug him back. His chest is warm from being under thick covers and I take in his smell. Mostly rain from this morning but also a hint of mint.

"I really appreciate this." He says. His voice sounding deeper coming from this angle. "I already feel more like myself than I have all this month."

When he pulls away I look down to hide my blush. "Y-yeah anytime." I say cursing myself for stuttering.

Then Ryan turns towards his closet and grabs some clothes. "I'll be quick" he says and I follow him out of the room and back into the kitchen.

He makes a pit stop to see Ella who had woken up at the sound of Ryan waking up.

"You actually fell asleep didn't you?" He asks her, "Hopefully that little nap won't stop you from sleeping tonight." He adds looking up at me with a small smile.

Then he makes his way to the bathroom. A few seconds later I hear the water turn on.

The length of my showers usually depend on how my day went. If it was a good day I will stay in there and clean myself for so long that I run out of hot water. If it was a bad day I will take the shortest shower if my life and crawl into my bed and sleep it off.

While growing up though, when my dad would take a shower he would get in wash up then get out. Maybe two minutes tops. When I asked my mom how long I should shower she said as long as I want. Then she added that boys don't take long at all. So after that reminder I decide to go ahead and set the table. I set it up with napkins, forks, and glasses of water.

Looking around the kitchen I find a stack of white plates. I take two and pile on the noodles to each plate. I try to make the meat even on both plates and I add vegetables to the side just in case he's picky in any way.

By the time I have put the pot and pans in the sink I hear the water shut off. I quickly wipe the counters of any spices and tidy up anything that I can find. As I'm finishing up the bathroom door creaks open.

"Oh my gosh." Ryan says lifting his head up to smell. "I know I already said this, but it smells absolutely amazing." I smile at the compliment and motion for him to sit down.

He has changed into a white button down shirt and blue jeans. Which I'm thankful for because I felt like I had over dressed and his hair is still damp, but the flush in his cheeks has gone away.... sadly. He looked cute I think with a pouty face in my head.

He stares down at the food and I pretend to be interested in my plate too. "Do you... do you pray?" I ask. I know he is doing some church classes but I'm not sure he puts what he learns in action.

"Oh yeah! I forgot." He says while standing up. He walks over to his room and walks out with a picture frame.

"My instructor told me to use this until I got the prayer down." He says. He leans over the table and hangs the frame on a nail that is in the wall. The picture is of an angel with its hands over a table full of food. The before meal prayer is printed across the picture as well.

While we prayed I see Ryan look away a couple times trying to say the prayer without looking. "Thanks for the reminder." He says with a smile.

"Is your class going well?" I ask and he nods while taking a bite of food. After the bite he makes a face of approval.

"It's going really well. The class will end after I get baptized and confirmed." He says.

"When is that?" I ask taking a bite of my own food.

"Hm... I was thinking about it last night while rocking Ella and I think I want to do it on my birthday...." he says. "I think I want Ella to be baptized with me." He adds. He looks at me questioningly.

"You want to know what I think of it?" I ask. I feel honored that he would want my opinion.

"Yeah. If you don't mind." He says.

"Well... I like that idea. Baptism is kind of a sign of rebirth which is why I think it's smart that you are doing it on your birthday. And having Ella baptized is also important if you want her to live as a catholic." I say. He takes in what I said and takes another bite of food.

After a little bit of eating he looks up at me. "My birthday is November 22." He says.

"This Sunday?" I ask and he nods. "It's soon... but if you let me, I can help set it up...?" I suggest. Ryan sits up straighter and smiles.

"I would really like that. I was hoping you'd be a part of this." He says. I feel warm thinking of how he said that. He wants me to be a part of it. A part of this important part of his life.

"I'd be honored." I say and we continue to eat our food.

————

"Thank you again Danny." He says behind me and I turn around.

"I'm glad I could see Ella and let you get some shut-eye. You better call me if you need another nap." I say sternly shaking my finger at him.

He laughs and grabs the finger. "I'm not a child." He says.

"I know. But you have a child." I say looking at Ella in his arms. She had been a little fussy as we were washing dishes and Ryan rocked her for a bit. Ryan looks down at her as well.

"I'll text you after I find out a good time at the church for Sunday." He says and I nod. Then he leans in and is about to kiss my cheek when I turn my head quick and he lands on my lips.

It's quick but leaves us both blushing. His eyes widen a little bit but then smiles and kisses me again a little longer. This time I pull away with a smile.

"I should get going." I say and he nods. I lean down and plant a small kiss on Ella's forehead before grabbing my bag then turning the door knob. "Talk to you later?" I ask.

Ryan pulls his phone out of his pocket. "I'm already thinking of what to send you." He says and I laugh.

"Dork." I say then give him a little wave before closing the door.

As I step away from the door I hear Ryan talk to Ella.

"Would you say I kissed her or she kissed me?" He asks and I laugh quietly. "Yeah I think so too." He adds as if Ella had given him an answer.

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