#candiceriley

The past weeks have made Roane happier that he had been since he stole lollies on the fateful that changed his life. Pushing thoughts about the imminent threat to the depths of his mind was a good decision, no matter how temporary it might have been --- it allowed him to truly live. Made him see the life he could have, and he wanted it more than anything. To go on dates with the love of his life, family trips to the beach, to actually hold and get to know his son, he was a sucker for that domestic life. A life free of crime, life had been craving since he was a child. He could have it. It wasn't a pipe dream anymore. He even had thoughts of extending his stay. The danger he had anticipated had not appeared yet, giving him much wanted time with his family. But reality was quick to remind him how foolish dreaming was. And just like that, intangible was back in his dictionary. 

What was meant to be a fun picnic, turned into him checking over their shoulders at any, and every sign of movement. He hated the world.

Putting Ayden down for his nap, Roane offered Candice a small smile as he closed the door slowly, and lead them outside. “These past few weeks have been every bit wonderful, love,” he spoke, but broke off with a shake of his head, unable to find the words to say what he needs to say. “Can you read my mind, or do I have to say this?”

An equal mix of excitement and trepidation pooled in the base of his gut, and each step he took was to the rhythm of will she, won’t she. It had been over four months since he saw her last, four months since the birth of his son. Roane had no doubt that she still loved him, but the question that plagued him now was; did she want to see him? Logically, he knew the answer to that was a resounding yes. The talks they shared over burner phones told him as much but try as he might, he could not erase the time that formed between them nor could he silence the underlying worry of the what-if. Silly little fears, the man had bigger fish to fry but he caust those concers aside for the time being. Roane had made sure this would run smoothly, it made his blood boil that he couldn't rush to her side the second the ferry docked but the romantic halted to make way for the calculated --- safety took precedence.

As the sun began to set over the crystal blue waters, Roane perched on her condos door step, foot-tapping a nervous tempo as he waited. He hated this, the anticipation might kill if the rival mob can't get to him first; a thought that made him chuckle to himself because they did get to him. It was on brand that he showed on her doorstep like this. Flowers in one hand, and the other in a sling while sporting a week old shiner --- oh the memories that brought back. But that would have to wait as footsteps pulled him out of his head.

“A mhuirnín,” he whispered at the sight of her, “Candice, I...” A million words rehearsed and re-rehearsed; all forgotten at the mention of her name, wasn’t that to be expected? “You look beautiful as ever.”