016: Family Matters

As Kayla Ravenswood cleared the dinner dishes from the meal she and Rick had shared with her grandparents, she couldn't get the knots in her stomach to loosen. With the world thrown into chaos and Rick effectively on holiday until the public ban on bars was lifted, they had nothing but time on their hands. They had invited Ronald and Katherine Knix to Las Vegas once Kayla had learned that they were well enough to travel. The older couple had jumped at the chance to visit their beloved granddaughter and meet the new man in her life. The little tidbit about the fact they'd gotten married on a whim had been left out as Kayla had wanted to tell them in person. The two of them had raised Kayla for most of her life and had done more for her than anyone. She considered them her parents and she knew they were going to be hurt that they hadn't been there to see her get married. Katherine had always dreamed of giving her a beautiful wedding while Ronnie had always planned on giving her away. Telling them about this was going to be hard, but she hoped they'd see how happy she was.

The dinner proved to be delicious and the conversation was enjoyable – Rick had gone out of his way to prepare something from an old cookbook he had on his shelf that he claimed had once belonged to Julia Child. Ronnie seemed to get along with the new man in his granddaughter's life and Katherine thought he was charming. Just from observing, Kayla could tell that her grandparents approved of Rick and that relaxed her just a little bit. In order not to give too much away too soon, the newlywed couple had taken off their wedding bands and put them away. Her wedding band had felt so perfect, but now her finger felt naked. At least she'd be able to put it back on by the end of the night.

While her grandparents were having a drink in the living room, Kayla was in the kitchen loading the dishwasher. She hesitated for a few moments and breathed a sigh of relief when her husband came into the kitchen with a few dishes she'd missed. He'd eschewed the full suit he normally wore and had opted for one of his dress shirts. As the meal and conversation had progressed favorably, he'd undone the top few buttons. Now he looked relaxed, completely in control as he moved towards her with the last of the dessert plates.

She started to take them from him and then almost dropped them, her hands shaking with nerves. "Okay, so you gave Poppa some whiskey, right? He always has a glass after dinner and Grammy – she's having some wine? Always after dinner... if I had a bad grade to tell them about... or the time I dented Poppa's GTO, it was after dinner." It was clear how anxious she was.

"I did. Cracked open one of the bottles I'd been saving for a special occasion. Poured us both a glass." He set the dishes down and gave her a quick hug. "Relax, doll. Didn't get a chance to dazzle with my mixology skills, but I think they'll manage. Are you ready for this?"

She held onto him and closed her eyes for a moment. "I think so; I just wanna get it over with." She looked up at him and bit down on her lower lip. "Hold my hand?"

"Of course." He took it and gave it a squeeze before lifting it to his lips. "I'll be right there with you."

Warmly, she smiled up at him and kept hold of his hand as well. She then brought his to her lips and gave it a kiss. Nodding, she led him into the living room where Ronnie and Katie sat next to each other, enjoying their drinks.

"Rick, your place is beautiful and the view is stunning!" Katherine said as she held onto her glass of wine.

"And you got yourself a nice selection in your bar." Ronnie was enjoying his whiskey, obviously impressed.

Rick let Kayla choose her seat first and she settled down on the love seat across from them. He'd never actually sat on this piece of furniture before in all the years he'd owned it. Picking up his glass from the table, he settled in next to her, his hand resting on Kayla's knee for a moment as he soaked in the praise. "A lot of hard work went into this – I'm glad you approve."

"The work you put into it shows." Katherine replied, smiling as she watched the two of them. Kayla was looking up at Rick and it was easy to see just how much the young woman cared for this man and the feeling seemed to be mutual. Knowing that Kayla had someone who cared deeply for was also a relief. The older woman had been worried that her granddaughter was going to be lonely out in Las Vegas. Of course, she had her own tight-knit group of adopted family members that looked out for her, it still felt good to know there was this man. Reaching over, she put a hand on her husband's arm. "Thank you both for the invitation out here. We've only been to Las Vegas a few times. The first time being in 1962." The memory of that first trip brought a nostalgic smile to her face.

"Can't forget that trip. Got my ass kicked for the first time by your father." Ronnie chuckled as well. He was a man of few words at times.

"I was sixteen and I knew I loved this man, knew it from the time I was a little girl. My father didn't like him, thought he was a rebel. He wasn't wrong." She laughed a bit, taking a drink from her wine. "Long story short, I snuck out of my room one summer night – met Ronnie and we took his Harley Davidson to this city and he married me." At the recollection of their story, the two had joined hands.

Kayla watched in fascination as her eyebrows raised and she shook her head. "Wait a minute... I knew you both ran off and eloped, but I didn't know it was here." The realization about that and what she and Rick were about to tell them, made her laugh. In a way, she actually felt better. "I'm glad you told me now, though, because Rick and I actually have something to tell you." Reaching up, Kayla placed her hand over Rick's and gave it a squeeze. "Grammy, I told you after I met Rick that I thought I was falling in love with him and... well it turns out that he was also falling in love with me. With all the uncertainty right now, we decided..." she trailed off, hesitant and Rick cut in smoothly.

"It was my suggestion, actually. We didn't want to waste more time so we found the last chapel open before the lock-down started and made things official... legally."

Katherine's eyes went wide, her hand squeezing her husband's. "The two of you got.... Married? Married? That's what you're saying?"

As Katherine downed the rest of her wine, Ronnie's hand came up and rubbed his forehead. This was a lot to take in. He stared at this man he'd just met a few hours before, measuring him up in a different light. "You mind elaborating on this, kid?" The old man's eyes were narrowed as he nursed the rest of his whiskey.

"All due respect, sir," Rick said softly, his eyes locking on the older man's, "I knew from the moment we met that Kayla was going to change my life. She came here looking for a fresh start. It's funny, really. I didn't realize how much I needed someone like her, how much truth there truly was in the idea that opposites attract." His smile was wistful as he looked over at his wife, giving her knee a gentle pat. "It might have been spur-of-the-moment, might not have given anyone else a chance to celebrate with us, but it still felt right. With the way things are right now, we wouldn't have been able to have a big do anyhow. I realize we were being wholly selfish and I'm sorry. You can lay that blame on me." He sighed, taking a small sip of his whiskey, "if I had it to do all over again, the only thing I'd have changed would have been seeking your blessing first."

"This is a lot to take in; honestly not what we were expecting." Katherine set her wine glass on the coffee and kept hold of her husband's hand. "I think we need to take the rest of the night and let it all digest."

"You love her?" The question came out from Ronnie, still not taking his eyes off of Rick. "Gonna take care of her, no matter what?"

"More than anything," he sounded sincere, too. "I'd walk through fire for her. Literally. Everything I have is hers – she'll never want for anything again. I promise you that."

Kayla was looking at Rick, tears welling in her eyes. She'd grabbed his hand and held onto it. From what Ronnie could see, the other man really did love his granddaughter. "Okay." He turned his attention to Katherine. "It's getting pretty late. We probably should get back to the RV park."

Katherine nodded and stood up. There were so many emotions running through her, but for the most part they were positive. "I think we both need some sleep." Warmly, she smiled at Kayla and walked over her. "So far you have made this a very memorable visit." Her arms went around her granddaughter and hugged her close. "As long as you're happy, I'm happy."

"I love you, Grammy." Kayla hugged her grandmother back as she looked at her grandfather. "Poppa?"

Ronnie had stood up as he also made his way over to her and slid his hands into pockets. "Not gonna kick his ass if that's what you're worried about." He held his arms open for her. "C'mere." Kayla walked over and hugged him tightly. "Can't really get too upset when your grandma and I did the same thing." With an arm still around her, Ronnie extended his other hand to Rick. "I've got my eye on you, son."

"I'd expect nothing less," Rick replied, shaking the man's hand firmly. "It was a pleasure meeting you both."

Ronnie nodded and gave Kayla a final squeeze before letting her go. Katherine took this opportunity to give her new grandson-in-law a big hug. "We'll touch base in the morning."

"Sounds great, Grammy." Kayla murmured, feeling relieved about how the evening went.

"Come back for breakfast," Rick replied, his arm resting gently around Kayla's shoulder.

They finished saying their goodbyes and Rick activated the elevator to take them back to the ground floor. Once they'd left, Kayla got herself a shower and dressed in pajamas. Her wedding band had immediately been placed back on her finger as she joined her husband in the living room.

"That went really well, actually. I mean, I knew they'd accept this, but not this quick." Taking a seat next to him, she snuggled up and placed her head on his shoulder. "They really like you."

"You thought they wouldn't?" Rick chuckled, sounding so cocky. "I know how to turn on the charm. Managed to woo you in record time, didn't I?" He was joking around but he was actually relieved that it had gone so well.

"Well actually you didn't even have to try to charm. I was yours from the moment I walked into your office." Her hand was playing with the buttons of his shirt as she was thinking. "How would you feel about another wedding? My grandparents could be there... Poppa could give me away and we could have a first dance?"

"One for them?" He considered it for a moment, trying to think about it from her perspective. His parents were gone. He had nobody he'd desperately need to invite but he could see the strain their impulse decision had put on the relationship Kayla had with her family. "We could, once things out there settle down. If you'd like to do that. Absolutely." There wasn't a single thing in the world that he'd deny her.

"Not just for them." Lifting her head so she could look at him, Kayla slid her hand into his. "I'm not saying it wasn't special, Rick – it was. It was unbelievable but I just wish..."

"Oh." The realization hit him hard, making him feel like a fool for not realizing it sooner. "No, it's fine. I understand completely. I..." he faltered, almost wanting to apologize for that oversight. Instead, he gave her hand a squeeze. "Kayla... would you do me the honour of marrying me... again?"

"Yes, absolutely." Her hands came up and rested on either side of his face and she kissed him softly. "There isn't anything I'd love more."

"Just think of how magical the wedding night will be." He murmured the words against her lips when the kiss broke, thinking to himself how wonderful it would be to consummate that union all over again.

She returned his kiss and grinned as she got to her feet. "C'mon, let's go practice for the wedding night." Kayla pulled her husband to his feet and led him into the bedroom. In all of her life, Kayla couldn't remember being as happy as she was at that moment and wanted nothing more than to show him exactly how she felt.