Kennedy ^

"Ready to go?" I looked up at the sound of Riley's voice and nodded with a smiled zipping up my bag. I was finally discharged after being here for three weeks after waking up from my coma.

"Yeah, I just need to grab my toothbrush and toothpaste from the bathroom and then we can go" I said and he nodded before walking to the bathroom and returning a second later with the items I mentioned and I smiled taking it from him when he handed it to me.

"Thank you, now I'm ready to go" I said and he shield leaning down and grabbing my duffle bag for me before lacing our fingers together and leading me out of the room. His mom had stopped by a few minutes ago to check everything. My parents and brothers had things to do so they couldn't come get me which I found strange since Ryder had said that he'd be here to pick me up but I don't mind. I get to spend more time with Riley.

"Do you know why my parents or brothers for that matter closing come get me?" I asked but he shook his head

"I asked them the same thing but they didn't say. My mom even told me to not go home after I pick you" he replied and I furrowed my brows. What the hell?

"Why would she ask that?" I asked thanking him as he held the car door open for me, I didn't even realize we had left the hospital until now

"Beats me. She did give me an address though and said to go there instead" he replied once he climbed in himself after putting my duffle bag in the trunk and I nodded. Once we were both buckled in, Riley pulled out of the parking lot and I closed my eyes as I felt my heart begin to hammer in my chest. Fuck. I could feel my theist clogging as fear erupted through my body.

"Alex? Hey, shh, you're okay" Riley's voice said as his hands cupped my face and I opened my eyes to find us parked on the side of the road. Tears welled up in my eyes as I launched myself at him and broke down

"Shh, I've got you. You're okay" he murmured as his arms wrapped around me and rubbed my back to calm me down.

"Sorry" I murmured but he only shook his head and held me closer kissing the top of my head as my breathing slowed and I had control of my emotions.

"Don't be. You have every right to be afraid. You've never been in a traumatic incident as this before" he said wiping the tears away

"But I was. Back in October when you were shot" I said with a sniffle and he just smiled

"Yes but that's not the same as this. He was a psycho shooting everyone and anyone that crossed him unlike Justin. He was the cause of the accident. He didn't want to hurt anyone but you. He wanted to kill you just because he was jealous of us being together. He knew exactly who he wanted to harm and didn't give a fuck about the consequence" he said wiping the tears away and I bit my bottom lip as it began quivering

"I don't want to be afraid, Riley. I don't want to be this way. I don't want to get like this every time I get in a car" I whimpered

"I know baby, we'll get through this together. Okay? We're in this together" he murmured and I nodded swallowing the lump in my throat,"Why don't you rest. I'll wake you when we get to your place"

"Kay" I murmured moving back so I could sit back and Riley leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my lips before sitting back making me smile. I laid on my side with the belt in place and grabbed his hand and laced our fingers while he got back on the road. I closed my eyes and let sleep take over.

~~~~~~~

"Alex? Baby, wake up" a voice called while they shook me and I groaned moving away from the hand and the person chuckled,"Come on love, were here"

"Five more minutes" I mumbled before yelping when I felt myself getting picked up. My eyes flew open and I came face to face with Riley who grinned before pecking my lips and I rolled my eyes with a smile

"Uh, this is not my house" I said looking over his shoulder at the restaurant and he hummed placing me back on my feet

"I know. Ryder texted me and said to meet here. Guess we're all having dinner together" he said and I nodded lacing our fingers together and walked up the steps with Riley locking the car behind us.

"Why do you think they wanted us to meet here instead at your place or mine?" I asked and he shrugged, he looked just as clueless as I was and that's a first. He always knew something but not tonight it seems.

"Good evening, welcome to Union Oyster, table for two?" The hostess asked

"No, were actually here with family. It's either under Cordelli or Gallagher" Riley said and the lady nodded before grabbing two menus and leading us towards the back of the restaurant making me look at Riley who was confused

"Uh, where are you taking us?" I asked and she turned towards us with a smile

"To the VIP lounge. Mr. Gallagher rented it for the evening" she said and I blinked surprised but said nothing," Oh and before you enter, your parents gave me these for you to change into"

Riley and I exchanged looks as she handed us each garment bags before we were shown to the men's bathroom

"Once you've changed, I'll show you to the lounge" she said and we nodded before heading inside

"What the fuck is going on?" I asked and he shook his head

"Babe, if I knew what our parents were up to I would've told you or at least hinted something but I have absolutely no clue what's going on" he repelled and I sighed before getting undressing and redressing in the black suit that matched Riley's. I sighed, our parents are officially insane.

"ready?" I asked and he nodded, we out our clothes inside the bags before exiting the bathroom and meeting with the hostess who smiled and showed us the way to the VIP area.

"Enjoy your evening" she stated handing us our menus and we nodded thanking her before entering the room.

"Took you guys long enough" a voice said and we looked up and I watch Riley's body freeze as his eyes landed on a guy with cropped blonde hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a black suit like most of the guys were.

"Kenny" Riley whispered and the guy gave a small smirk with a raised brow holding his arms out for him and Riley practically ran to him and jumped into his arms and I smiled. So this is the famous Kennedy Cordelli that Riley spoke about. He's not that bad looking if I say so myself.

"Am I going to have to hug you or are you gonna do it?" A familiar voice said and I looked up to find Brian standing with his arms open and I felt my eyes grow wide before I ran and jumped into his arms, my arms wrapping around his neck as my legs went around his waist.

"What are you doing here? not that I'm happy to have you home or anything" I said looking at him and he chuckled placing me back on my feet

"I couldn't miss you're welcome home party now could I?" He asked and I bit my bottom lip before grinning

"No, no you couldn't" I said and he smiled before diving and cupping my face in his hand and looked down at me

"God I was fucking terrified" he said and I swallowed the knot in my throat as his eyes gleamed with tears,"When I got the call from Mom telling me you were in an accident I thought the worst. I thought I lost my baby brother"

"But I'm okay now big brother" I murmured with a sniffle and he nodded

"I know" he replied before we were interrupted by Riley. I looked at up and saw that he and Kennedy were joined by another guy, this one with black hair and crystal blue eyes.

"Babe," he called and I hummed Brian throwing his arm over my shoulder, his eyes locked on Kennedy making me raise a brow.

"Yeah?" I asked focusing back on Riley who was smiling

"I want you to officially meet my older brothers, Kennedy and Matthew Cordelli" he said before turning to his brothers," Kenny, Mattie I want you to meet my boyfriend, Alex and his older brother Brian"

"It's nice to meet you Alex. Riley has told us a lot about you. And it's also a pleasure to meet you too Brian," Kennedy said as we exchange handshakes

"It's nice to meet you as well. Riley has told me a lot about you as well" I said and they smiled

"Now that you've all have met, let's welcome the guest of honors. Riley and Alex" my dad's voice cut in and we looked at our brothers who just smiled motioning us to join them.

"What's going on dad?" I questioned as we stood side by side and he just smiled

"We're celebrating not only your welcome home but also your brother's engagement" he relies and I furrowed my news because as far as I was concerned, Casey, Matt,and Andrew haven't thought about getting married, I mean they're still in school so that's far out of the question. Ryder and Brian I'd understand, well Ryder more so since I don't know about Brian having a girlfriend or boyfriend.

"Which one?" I asked making the guests laugh and I noticed that it was just our family and friends and no one else not even my parents or Riley's parents co-workers were among them.

"That'd be me" Ryder said and I grinned

"Seriously?" I asked and he nodded and his partner, Ethan, walked over showing off the ring. Ethan is an attractive guy with shaggy black hair and green eyes. He was the complete apposite of Ryder. While Ryder liked working out and was outgoing, Ethan enjoyed cooking and being a lazy ass. They balanced each other. While Ryder was obnoxious Ethan was the more reserved and always thought things through before doing anything unlike Ryder who beat someone up first before asking questions.

"That's amazing, congrats" Riley said and Ryder and Riley exchanged hugs while I did the same with Ethan who smiled

"I'm so happy for you both. I know you'll make each other extremely happy." I told Ethan who beamed. Ryder and Ethan had met about 3 years ago at the gym of all places and hit it off straight away. They began as friends before it developed into a relationship. They've been together for 2 years now and this was the enemy step to their relationship, even if it's a big one.

"Thank you Alex, Im beyond happy to spend my life with him. He's been incredible" Ethan gushed and I smiled. I hoe that one day I get to experience this with Riley.

Or was that to soon to think about? We've been together for half a year and here I am thinking about getting married to Riley while I'm still in high school. Geez. Don't get to ahead of yourself Alex, take it day by day.

"You alright?" Riley asked looking down at me a few hours later after all the celebrations have slowed. I nodded leaning my head on his shoulder and looked around the room. Jason, Cory, Anna and Bethan h were off to the side talking with Molly, Jared, Jensen and Allie while my brothers; Casey, Andrew, Brian and Matt were off at another side taking with Riley's brothers Kennedy and Mattie. Our parents were taking with Ryder and Ethan in a different corner.

"Yeah,everything's perfect" I said looking up at him with a smile," can you believe Ryder of all people is getting married?"

"I always thought he wasn't the type to settle down but he proved me wrong" he said and I chuckled. I remember a few years ago, I was maybe around 9 or 10 and I asked Ryder if he wood ever get married and he was so against it that he made a disgusted face at the mere thought and now 7 years later he was marrying his boyfriend. Life has a mysterious way of working, Ryder is an example of that.

"He was against it when we were younger but I get love changes you" I replied and he nodded

"I couldn't agree more"