Speak To Me

(Tilly)

I felt my head nod off to the side, my hand still clutching my dad's as I slowly drifted to sleep.

"Angel, I think we should head back. Your dad should be good for the rest of the night." Rylan whispered beside me, his hand brushing the hair away from my face as I fluttered my eyes open.

"It would be easier if you just stayed at the house Mija..it's much closer." Mama said, making Rylan shoot her a disapproving look. She has tried getting me to the apartment every day this week..and I just am not ready to go.

I won't lie..what she told me about Shaina and how everything happened..it has stayed in the back of my mind the entire time..and a part of me has been searching for any inclination that Rylan would do the same to me.

That he only wants one thing and will move on the moment he gets it..but then he does something that completely contradicts everything they said over and over again.

Since the moment we got to the hospital, he hadn't left my side for more than an hour..and that was to get us some real food and a change of clothes.

But the times he does leave, mama wastes no time to scoot up right beside me, trying to fill my head with doubt. I feel anxious now whenever he leaves the room..worried that she might say something that pushes me too far and I might actually believe it.

But I am only here for Papa..and hopefully he will get discharged in the next few days. We are looking into rehab facilities as an option to help him get his strength and mobility back. They are super expensive though..and the good ones don't seem to take Papa's insurance. I'm hoping something comes up soon because that will be one less thing to worry about.

"I think it's best if I just go back with Rylan. We will see you tomorrow morning." I whispered, not wanting to disturb Papa's rest.

"Mija please, you have to come home eventually. You cannot hide away with this man forever..and I'm sure he is ready to have his own privacy back as well. Being the bachelor he is."

I looked over at Mama before glancing towards Rylan again. The look on his face was serious as he stared at her intently.

Is he getting tired of me being there? If anything..he has shown the opposite. He even said we should stop by my old place and pick up a few of my things.

"Tilly, you need to rest and eat. Come on, the car is waiting for us out front." Rylan said, not letting me respond to Mama before he took my hand and held it firmly.

"We will be back tomorrow morning. If anything happens, please call us right away."

Rylan pulled me up, my eyes darting towards my mother's scowling face as she crossed her arms and nodded her head once. I could tell she was upset..really upset..but I didn't want to leave Rylan. He is the only thing keeping me sane right now.

I let Rylan drag me out of the room and towards the elevator. His touch was so gentle and sweet as he wrapped his arms around me before pulling me to his chest.

I couldn't help but cling to his shirt, my face burying against him as I inhaled deeply. This..this felt like home to me..he felt like home to me and the fact that I have already put so much trust into this man..it's terrifying because I won't lie..Rylan has the power to crush me completely. "I can't wait to be in our own bed and to just hold you." He whispered, his mouth pressing against the top of my head as he placed sweet kisses against me.

Our bed..he said our bed.

I pulled back, peering up at this Adonis of a man as I couldn't help but feel stunned. How am I so lucky? What are the chances that the one guy I have always secretly loved was so sweet, kind, and caring..he goes beyond anything I ever expected.

He is nothing like my mother says..nothing..

Rylan bent down, his mouth delicately pressing to mine as he began feathering kisses along the curve of my lips. "You are so beautiful." He breathed, those sweet words making my stomach twist into knots as I let out a rush of air.

"Promise me that you won't let them get between us..please Tilly..you can't believe what they say." He suddenly blurted, causing my eyes to widen as I pulled back and stared up at him.

"You understood what she said?" I asked, feeling my cheeks start to warm.

"I picked up on a few key words."

"I'm sorry..I think she is just weary because of my sis..my mom." I corrected myself, feeling embarrassed.

"Don't apologize for her..please..Tilly, I think after your dad moves to a facility..it might be best to limit contact..not with him, but the rest of your family. I see how much they tear you down..how they want to break you so you will do what they say." Rylan stated, his words firm and full of emotion.

"You are so fucking strong..way stronger than any of them give credit to you..and I won't let them break you..I won't let them break us."

I felt tears brimming as my heart clenched..his words effecting me so deeply as I couldn't help but crash into him once again and hug him tightly.

"I'm sorry Rylan."

I sobbed, feeling his hands stroke my back as the elevator doors opened. But we just stayed inside, not moving an inch.

"For what Angel? What could you possibly be sorry for?"

"For letting them get into my head..for doubting you for even a second." I whispered, confessing those feelings I have been drowning in all week.

"Tilly..there is nothing that can change the way I feel about you. Absolutely nothing..and if it were up to me..actually..no..I'm done holding back..maybe this will prove a point to them." Rylan rushed out, making my brow furrow in confusion. "What?"

"I want you to move in with me officially. I want us to live together Tilly."

I just stared up at Rylan in shock..I mean..I knew he didn't mind me staying for the time being..but for him to ask me to officially move in..I was not expecting that. "You..you do?"

Rylan smiled down at me brightly, his green eyes making my heart skip a beat as he bent down and cupped my face.

"Yes baby, I don't want to spend a single moment away from you. It's you and me against the world." He added playfully, causing me to smile as I nodded my head. "Wait..you want to? You are agreeing to move in officially?"

"Yes, I want to live with you Rylan." I squeaked, feeling like the past few weeks have been a complete whirlwind.

"Hell yeah!" Rylan shouted, surprising an older woman who was about to step onto the elevator.

"My apologies." He stated before dragging me behind him and leading us down the hallway quickly.

Then the next thing I knew, Rylan was pressing me up against the wall. His mouth fusing to mine as he began kissing me with wild abandon.

"I have never been this happy in my life..you have no idea how much you mean to me already Tilly..how you give me purpose." He gasped before dragging his lips down to my throat. His hands sliding up and down my body as the world around us simply disappeared. "Rylan.....I want you. I'm ready to give myself to you..all of myself." I rushed, keeping my eyes closed as he suddenly stopped.

"Are you sure Tilly? We can wait..we don't have to rush this."

I know it's in the heat of the moment..but I wanted to..I wanted to show Rylan that I trust him..that I am willing to give him all of me..and then, once we do this and he doesn't leave, I will prove to everyone that they are wrong. Rylan does care about me..Rylan does want me..and I want him too..I always have.