radicalducati Chapter 291
Chapter 291
Ryan sat at the kitchen counter with his laptop open, scrolling through wedding venue options. Avery was upstairs, taking a nap after another busy day of juggling work and baby Elliot. As much as Ryan loved seeing her thrive, he could tell the wedding planning was starting to overwhelm her.
“She does so much already,” Ryan muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. “It’s time to take something off her plate.”
Sunny, their golden retriever, wagged her tail from her spot by his feet, as if encouraging him.
“Alright, girl,” Ryan said, closing the laptop. “We’re going to make this wedding perfect without stressing Avery out.”
The next day, Ryan made a few phone calls. First, he reached out to a highly recommended wedding planner named Lily Crawford.
“Hi, Mr. Hayes,” Lily said, her voice warm and professional. “Congratulations on your engagement! I’d love to help plan your wedding.”
“Thank you,” Ryan replied. “Here’s the thing—I want to take as much off Avery’s plate as possible. She’s already got her hands full with work and our baby. Can you handle everything, from venues to vendors?”
“That’s exactly what I do,” Lily said confidently. “Let’s start with a consultation tomorrow. Bring any ideas you’ve already discussed with your fiancée, and we’ll go from there.”
“Perfect,” Ryan said, relieved. “This means a lot to me. Avery deserves the best.”
The following day, Ryan met Lily at a chic café downtown to discuss the vision for the wedding.
“I’ve seen Avery’s Pinterest boards,” Ryan admitted with a laugh. “She wants something romantic and elegant but not too over-the-top. Lots of greenery, soft lights, and maybe an outdoor option.”
Lily nodded, taking notes on her tablet. “Got it. I have a few venues in mind that fit that vibe. How about we visit them this afternoon?”
“Let’s do it,” Ryan said.
Their first stop was a sprawling vineyard just outside the city. Rows of grapevines stretched as far as the eye could see, and a cozy reception hall sat at the heart of the property.
“This place is incredible,” Ryan said, looking around. “Avery would love the view.”
“The sunset ceremonies here are breathtaking,” Lily added.
But something felt off. “It’s amazing,” Ryan said, “but it feels… too far from home. Avery’s parents and our friends might have a hard time getting here.”
“Fair point,” Lily said, jotting it down. “Let’s check out the next spot.”
The second venue was a historic estate with a lush garden and twinkling fairy lights strung between ancient oak trees. The smell of blooming flowers filled the air, and the soft sound of a fountain bubbled in the background.
Ryan stopped in his tracks. “This is it.”
Lily smiled. “I had a feeling you’d love it. The garden is perfect for a ceremony, and the indoor ballroom is a great backup in case of rain.”
Ryan walked around, picturing Avery walking down the aisle, her dress flowing behind her. “She’s going to love this,” he said, his voice filled with certainty.
That evening, Ryan returned home with takeout from Avery’s favorite Thai restaurant. She was in the living room, bouncing baby Elliot on her lap.
“You’re in a good mood,” Avery said as Ryan set the food down on the coffee table.
“I have a surprise,” Ryan said, sitting beside her.
“Oh?” Avery raised an eyebrow. “Do tell.”
“Well,” Ryan began, “I’ve been thinking. You’ve been doing so much between work, taking care of Elliot, and trying to plan the wedding. So, I decided to step in.”
“Step in how?” Avery asked, narrowing her eyes playfully.
“I hired a wedding planner,” Ryan said, grinning.
Avery’s mouth fell open. “You what?”
“And I may or may not have found the perfect venue,” Ryan added.
“Ryan!” Avery exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and gratitude. “You did all that without telling me?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” Ryan said, taking her hand. “You’ve done so much for our little family. I wanted to make this easier for you.”
Avery’s eyes filled with tears. “You’re incredible, you know that?”
“I try,” Ryan said, leaning in to kiss her.