Page 83 of Rider Forbidden
I’m doing my best . . . to prove it to her. I think we're getting there. Have we had issues? Of course we have - I’m far from perfect even though I like to believe I am. Plus, I’ve had to get used to being around the little man all the time. I mean it's 24/7, she’s literally at his beck and call 24/7, I mean I knew that’s what being a parent was, but I’ve never seen it, she’s so selfless. But helping her do that, give him everything he wants, keeping him happy, is a lot easier than I ever thought it would be. Makes me happy even. Fuck. Whoever in a million years thought I would ever say that?
I smile to myself as I think about the swear jar she brought out last night. It's so hard curbing my language when every other word out of my mouth has always been ‘fuck’. I’m working on it. She’s strict about my language when Eli is around. She’s the best mother – he’s a lucky kid. I can't wait for her to have my babies, so she can be a perfect mother to my spawns.
“You happy Jack?” she asks, bringing me back to the now.
“So happy. You happy I’ve moved in?”
She smiles. “Yeah I am. About that - people will be here in a couple of hours. We need to get things ready for this barbecue.”
I moved in a few days ago. It’s something we talked about and planned, and we decided if I moved in here, then we could buy a place together later on, but there’s no rush while it’s just the three of us. I do want kids, not yet, but eventually - but for now it's just the three of us.
I don’t want to move. I’m in my favourite place. “It's you, Danish, you keep teasing me with this perfect pussy of yours. How am I supposed to resist it?” I reluctantly slide out of her and she makes a mewing sound – she makes it every time I withdraw - I love that sound.
I push myself off her and get in the shower - we need to get moving to sort the garden out for the party. We’ve invited everyone we know and love, all together in the same place. I’ve got a surprise for her she knows nothing about.
*****
Luckily, we have a sunny day for this barbecue, the house isn’t that big, we have a canopy up and Denny and I are manning the barbecue.
Mum and dad have shown up early to help with a few things, as have Robyn’s mum and dad, Sophie has just arrived too. Greg, Robyn’s dad has done his absolute best in these last three months to make things up to Robyn and me, to be honest, I’ve been a lot more forgiving than Robyn has - I couldn’t care less, it all worked out. I have Robyn, I have my racing. But she still has an issue with him, but I’m letting her work it out in her own time.
All the guys from the pit are coming, Sophie and her friends - who are now Robyn’s friends - are coming. Should be good, especially with the surprise I have planned.
With the help of Sophie, I picked out a ring. My stomach lurches at the thought of proposing in front of everyone, but as Robyn keeps telling me, I like being centre of attention anyway so I might as well just enjoy it. There’s a small part, only a small part, that is worried she’ll say no. I mean it's only been four months or so since we first met. But I know. I fucking know with no doubt whatsoever that she’s the one, I just hope she feels the same way.
I’m just getting everything together when I hear a voice from around the side of the house. “Hello, are you guys out back?” Its Bobby.
Eli comes running around the corner. “Hey Mummy!” he shouts as he runs past her, when he gets to me he looks up. “Hey, Jack!”
I bend down to speak to him and give him a high five. “Hey, little man. How was the sleepover?”
“It was good, we went bowling.”
I see Robyn chat to Bobby and know she’ll be asking about their night. Bobby is grinning, Robyn is smiling so it must be all good.
I’m happy it's going so well. It’s been hard for Robyn to let Eli go a little, let him get to know his dad. He seems ok, he’s proved that he’s serious about having Eli in his life and we eased Eli into it little by little. He knows he’s his dad now and he’s spent a lot of time with him. Robyn was around for all those visits at first but around a month ago she let him spend time with him on his own - last week he slept over for the first time and he was great, so he stayed over again last night. She’s getting better with it, but it's still hard for her I can see it’s a battle, she’s not used to sharing him, I get it. But he’s happy, that’s the main thing.
The barbecue is a great success, everyone is happy for us that we’ve moved in together. Robyn says that all the females in the village are probably heartbroken, the ones I’ve been with, knowing they won't get another go and the ones that thought they’d have me in the future. She couldn’t have it more wrong, it’s the men that are gutted. I’ve got the most beautiful girl and she’s all mine.
But yeah, everyone is enjoying themselves, it gets louder and louder.
It's around 7 pm when I feel like its time. Everyone is relaxed, it's now or never, I look over at Denny and as if reading my mind, he gives me a small nod.
I feel in my pocket for the box and taking a deep breath I stand up.
I clink my bottle of beer with my bottle opener. “Time for a speech I think.”
I see Robyn sigh and grin at me. She thinks I just want to be the centre of attention as usual.
Everyone quietens down, waiting for me to speak. I clear my throat. Shit, I’m more nervous than I thought I would be. My pre-race nerves are nothing compared to this.
“Thank you guys for coming. I’m happy that you all could make it to see me in my new habitat. For those of you that are worried about my wellbeing, Robyn has promised to look after me and mum, she has even said she’ll cook me the odd meal now and then, so don’t worry.”
Everyone laughs, Robyn sticks her tongue out at me.
Time to get serious. “Seriously though, most of you guys have known me for a long time, and the ones that know me the best would have been most surprised that I’ve settled down into a life of domestic bliss like I have. But honestly, I never knew I could be this happy. I owe it all to Robyn, and Eli of course.” I try to keep my voice level as I turn to Robyn, “But Jesus you make me happy. So fu . . . so happy.” I check myself. I reach in my pocket for the jewellery box, trying to pretend that my hand isn't shaking.
I turn and get down on one knee. Might as well do this properly. Everyone gasps. The only people that know about this are Sophie, Denny, and Robyn’s dad. I did ask him for permission – I’d have proposed even if he’d said no, but he’s trying to make up to Robyn big time so I didn’t think he would. Wouldn’t have fuckin’ mattered. I’m only gonna do this once though so thought I’d do it properly.
