Promise ring^

"I'm so proud of you baby" I murmured looking down at Alex who smiled. We were driving to his house for a celebratory dinner his parents were having but what he didn't know was that Brian was back from his tour and was going to surprise him since Alex thought Brian would be back in in August.

"Do you think Avery was watching?" He asked as we drove to his house. His parents and brothers asked me to keep Alex occupied after the graduation ceremony so he won't figure out the plan. As we neared his house though, my wart began raising and my hands began to clam. Not only was Brian one of the surprises Alex had but I was actually planning to ask him to move in with me and maybe one day once we're both ready, ask him to marry me.

Over the course of our relationship we've had our ups and downs but we always worked through them and get back on top. We almost broke up a couple months ago due to a misunderstanding but in the end we worked it out and I honestly can't picture myself with anyone else but him.

"Riley?" His voice broken me out of my thoughts and I hummed,"Are you alright?"

"Yeah," I replied looking over at him and he raised a brow

"You sure? You've been quiet the whole ride" he said and I smiled rechifla over and grabbing his hand and lacing ours fingers and raising his hand to press a kiss to his knuckles

"I'm sure. Just thinking" I murmured and he nodded

"Well don't forget to make a turn here" he chuckled making me smile and turn onto his street before driving down the road a few minutes before pulling into his driveway and parking the car beside my dad's car.

"Come on, don't want to keep the family waiting" I said and he nodded before placing a kiss on my lips and I smiled pecking him one last time before we both got out once I turned the car off.

"So I was th-" Alex began as I opened the front door of his Blake and everyone inside yelled 'CONGRATULATIONS ALEX!' At top of their lungs cutting Alex off mid sentence. His eyes bugged out and he let out a soft gasp as his eyes scanned every familiar face in the group before they landed on one specific person making me smile. He let my hand go before he ran and jumped in Brian's arms, his arms and legs wrapped around Brian's neck and waist making the oldest Gallagher brother laugh as he hugged him.

"You really out did yourself,son" Dad said after I greeted everyone and I smiled

"He's been talking about missing him, besides Brian had called earlier in the week saying that he was allowed to come home earlier than planned." I replied with a shrug as I watched Alex go around the room greeting everyone before he went back to talking with Brian who rolled his eyes and laughed while shaking his head at whatever it was that boyfriend was saying.

"Did he say how long he'll be home for? I know Kenny would have loved to be here but he wasn't given the clear by his commander" Dad said and I nodded with a sigh

"I know, we talked last night via Skype and he said he wished he could be here to witness the big moment" I said making Dad laugh

"I'm sure he'll be happy for you as your mother, Mattie and the girls are. You're making one of the biggest choices in life and we couldn't more proud of you, son" he said and I smiled

"Thanks, Dad"

~~~~~~~

"I have an announcement" I said as I stood from my seat beside Alex making him look up with a frown but I just smiled,"well its more of a question actually"

Our families and friends watched on with smiles waiting for me to continue, so I did, turning to Alex and getting on my knee making him widen his eyes and he was about to protest as we had both agreed to not get married for a few years, until we finished college.

"It's not an engagement ring" I said as I pulled the small black velvet box from my pocket while the others watched on with excitement.

"Alex, with this ring I want to make a promise to you," I said as I pulled the ring out and held it out to him as his eyes filled with tears,"I can't promise you that dark clouds will never hover over our lives or that the future will bring us many rainbows, I can't promise you that tomorrow will be perfect or that life will be easy,"

"Riley," he murmured and I smiled reaching to wipe the lone tear that fell down his cheek with the pad of my thumb

"I can promise you my everlasting devotion, my loyalty, my respect and my unconditional love for a life time. I can promise that I'll always be here for you, to listen and to hold your hand, and I'll always do my best to make you happy," I murmured putting the ring on his finger as the women in our lives awed and sniffled," and make you feel loved. I can promise that I'll see you through any crisis, and pray with you, dream with you, and encourage you."

"I hate you right now" Alex mumbled with a sniffle making me smile up at him as he looked down at the black ring with white diamonds that went down the center all around

"I can promise you to be your protector, your advisor, your counselor, your friend, your family, your everything. This I promise you because I love you more than anything in this world." I finished leaning up and pecking him on the lips and he wrapped his arms around my neck pulling me closer before burying his face in my neck as he sniffled.

"I love you" he murmured back pulling and staring at me and I smiled kissing him on the forehead

"But there's one thing I want to ask from you" I said and he furrowed his brows in confusion but nodded and I smiled,"would you move in with me?"

The conversations going around us stopped and I could feel their eyes burning holes on the side of my head as I waited for his reply. He bit the inside of his cheek as he looked up and to our staring family and friends, I looked over and saw them all waiting for Alex's reply as well.

"Well don't leave him without a reply" Casey said breaking the silent moment causing everyone to laugh and for Alex to fight back a grin before liking back at me

"There's nothing more, I want to do then share a home with you, Riley. So yes, I'll move in with you" he said and they all cheered while I smiled before pulling him for another kiss and hug

"I love you so fucking much" I murmured

"I love you too, so damn much" he whispered.

We pulled back and stood up to get hugged and patted on the back from everyone only to stop and look towards the front door and the last person I expected to walk through that door was my older brother Kennedy. He looked up and smirked with a raised brow

"Sorry I missed the celebrations," he said so casually making the room erupt in laughter while I stood frozen in shock. He held his arms open and cocked his head to the side,"Am I going to have to beg you to give me a hug or are you going to hug me?"

I shook my head before running towards him and nearly making him fall back but he caught his balance before we could topple over

"I thought you weren't coming until next month?"I said pulling back and looking up at him with a frown and he just shrugged

"I couldn't really miss my baby brother's big announcement now could I?" He questioned and I raised a brow

"You did though" I pointed out but he shook his head

"Lied, I was actually on my way here and Brian was FaceTiming with me the whole time and I saw everything. I'm happy for you kid, I know this was something you've been waiting to do since you and Alex got together" he said and I grinned shaking my head with a chuckle

"You always knew how to make an entrance" I said and he smirked before shrugging and ruffling my hair

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have someone to say hello to" he said before kissing me on the forehead and waking towards Brian who pulled him in for a hug and kiss. I smiled and looked to my side when I felt Alex stand beside me

"You think Brian will ask Kenny to marry him?" He whispered as we watched our brothers smiling at each other ignoring everyone and everything around them

"Possibly" I replied with a shrug even though I already knew Brian's plan and I gave him my blessings along with my parents and siblings who were static with the news of Brian proposing to Kenny.

"Oh my god," Alex whispered gasped l, I looked down raising a brow at him but his eyes were wide and staring across the room and I follow his gaze to see what caused him to rest that way only to find Brian down on one knee holding a small box open towards Kenny who had his hands over his mouth and nodding his head making me smile. The room erupted and claps, cheers and whistles as the two kisses and embraced each other.

We exchanged hugs before we turned back to the party and everyone congratulated Kenny and Brian's engagement and congratulated both Alex and I on moving in together. The night soon came to an end and we all bid our friends goodnight before turning to look at Alex.

"Tired?" I asked and he nodded before letting a yawn and I smile leaning down and kissing his temple

"Then come on, let's get you in bed" I murmured before standing up and reaching for his hand and he took it before standing up. Our parents and siblings looked up

"It's getting late, we've got a lot of searching to do tomorrow" I said and they nodded before wishing us a goodnight.

"Are we going house hunting tomorrow?" He asked as we changed clothes and I nodded

"Yes, we need a place to move in if we plan on living together" I replied and he nodded

"I can't believe we're actually doing this" he murmured as we climbed into his bed and cuddled up together

"Me neither but it's worth it" I commented and he nodded cuddling closer and resting his head on my chest before yawning again,"get some rest baby, we've got a long day tomorrow"

"Kay, goodnight Riley" he mumbled

"Night, Alex"