Miami

Maya was awake, but Ryan wasn't. She wanted to stay laying the way they were. Ryan held her tightly from behind, and Maya smiled.

She thought drunk Ryan would've been hard to deal with again, but for obvious reasons, she didn't mind it. She loved her girl no matter what, and she obviously knew Ryan felt the same. She sighed, turned over, and scooted closer to Ryan, pushing her head into Ryan's neck. She closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep again. Soon enough, she did.

She was startled awake, sometime later to someone beating on her door.

"We need to start telling people not to come over unless they call first." Ryan mumbled getting up. Maya agreed, but she stretched.

"You got it?" She asked her.

"Yeah." Ryan walked to the door and Maya stood up too. She pulled some shorts on and went to the bathroom. "Maya, it's your mom." She heard as she flushed the toilet. She sighed and washed her hands before going to the living room.

Ryan was standing there slightly agitated and Maya's mother stared at Ryan.

"What-" She stooped. "Did I interrupt something?" She asked, sounding polite. Maya knew her mother was asking if they'd had sex.

"No, we just woke up." Her mother nodded, glancing at Ryan again. Ryan sighed. She walked over and kissed Maya's cheek.

"I'll let you two talk. I'll go make breakfast." Maya nodded. "Have a good day Ms. Slaughter. Ryan disappeared to the kitchen.

"Why are you looking at her like that?" Maya asked her mother, tiredly.

"I'm just surprised you're still with her is all." Maya raised her eyebrow.

"Why's that?"

"She's just so young and... nothing you've ever dated."

"You just don't want me with a girl, Mom. I'm tired of this."

"No, honey please don't kick me out. I'm so sorry I've been that way to you. I just want the best for you, I love you so much." Maya stared at her and frowned.

"You've always had something bad to say about everything I did."

"I didn't agree with what you've done, but I understand now that I can't control you. You're a grown woman and even though the girl seems a little... off, I guess I can accept it." Maya sighed and nodded. It was honestly the best apology her mother could ever make and she knew it.

"I forgive you Mom." She smiled in relief and opened her arms for Maya to hug her. Maya hugged her back and her mother sighed.

"Thank you honey. I'll do better from now on."

"I know, Mom. I'm counting on it."

"I do love her, you know? You don't have to worry about me hurting her." Ryan said, standing in the doorway. Maya could only guess she gave up on cooking because it didn't taste as good.

She smiled at Ryan as her mother sighed.

"It's just that I don't know you and-"

"You can get to know me." Ryan told her, walking fully into the room. She held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Ryan. Nice to meet you." Ms. Slaughter stared at her hand, confused. "You shake my hand next and tell me your name. Or what I can call you." Ryan whispered. Maya giggled, but God, she loved that girl. No one had ever done this to her mother or talked to her like that.

People were usually intimidated by Maya's parents, but Ryan treated them as they treated her until she saw a chance to make a change.

"Hello... uhh, I'm Sandra. You can call me Ms. Slaughter?" She shook Ryan's hand and she smiled.

"We're already off to a good start Ms. Slaughter. I'm dating your daughter, who I am totally in love with. I'll always treat her like she deserves to be treated and I won't ever leave her side." Ryan looked at Maya and smiled. Maya looked away but smiled a little, embarrassed.

"Is that right?"

"One hundred percent." Ryan grabbed Maya's hand. "That's my girl." Maya smiled and walked closer to Ryan. "Maybe I can take the two of you out for lunch?" Ryan asked.

"I have a lunch date today, I honestly would." Ryan shrugged.

"That's fine. One day when we come back from Florida then? I want to make an honest effort to get to know you and vice verse Ms. Slaughter." She looked at Ryan surprised and nodded.

"Okay. I'll be in touch with Maya about it." Ryan smiled.

"Great." Maya's mother looked at her.

"Well honey, have a nice trip tomorrow." Maya hugged her tightly. "I love you so much."

"I love you too Mom." She smiled and nodded. She left the house and Maya pulled Ryan into her quickly. "How do you always manage to make everything right?" Ryan was still surprised at Maya pulling her.

"Babe, I don't know how, but I always forget how fucking strong you are. Anyway, I don't know. I only came in here because I made a sandwich but it was nasty. I needed your help. But I just think she doubts me, so if she gets to know me, she'll see how serious I am about you. She doesn't like you with girls but if she just kinda likes me, it'll be easier." Maya smiled and kissed her.

"I already knew that's why you came in here. But thank you for trying. Just when I think you've outdone yourself, you do something again that surprises me."

"It's all for you baby. Just trying to help."

"Well, to pay you back how about we go make you something to eat?"

"Please. I also made us coffee. That's about all I can do. And do you have medicine for this hangover? It's crazy." Maya smiled, feeling overly satisfied. Thank you Ryan.

~

"No, I have everything in my luggage Mom, please just let us leave." Ryan whined to her mom. Maya snickered and Ryan frowned at her.

"Honey, I'm just making sure. This is her first time being away from home without us Maya." Maya smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, she mentioned that. I'll take care of her, I promise. I'll have her call you everyday." Ryan's father laughed a little and Ryan glared at him.

"Can we leave now? Babe aren't we late?" Maya shrugged. They weren't, but she knew Ryan wanted to leave.

"You said your flight leaves at 2, it's only twelve now."

"Yeah but you've got to check in and crap too." Her mom frowned and hugged her tightly. Ryan sighed and hugged her.

"Fine, I'll let you leave. I love you, be safe."

"I will. You be safe at work." She told her softly. "I love you too." Maya knew Ryan was actually worried about leaving her mother. It had gotten to her that she hasn't ever went too far without them. She told Maya about it, but also said that she really wanted to go.

Maya's eyes softened as she watched her girlfriend hug her parents tightly. Ryan walked over to Maya when she was done and took her hand.

"Okay guys, I'll call. Bye." Ryan said, waving. Her mom waved furiously and her dad laughed.

"Stop being so dramatic and go." He said, winking at her. She laughed and nodded. They left the house and Ryan took a deep breath.

"You okay?" Maya asked her worriedly.

"Yeah baby. I'm so excited for this." Maya looked at her to see if she was telling the truth and Ryan had a huge smile on her face. Maya laughed and kissed her.

"You're the cutest, Ry." They got in Maya's truck and began the drive to the airport. Ryan held Maya's hand and looked out the window as things passed by.

"How long do you think it'll be before you get this job out there?"

"I don't know, it'll probably depend on how the interview goes." Ryan nodded. Maya wondered how things would be when she got the job. Where would Ryan be? Would she come with Maya?

Maya didn't expect Ryan to just follow her where ever. But she hoped that Ryan would like Florida enough to go to college there.

"Baby?" Ryan said.

"Yeah?" Maya answered with a slight smile.

"Do you think we could tour some colleges near wherever you'll live?" Ryan asked quietly, nervously almost.

"That'd be great Ryan." She pulled Ryan's hand up to her lips and kissed it. Ryan smiled and let out a breath.

"Good, I guess we'll be scoping out our future."

"Together." Maya added. Ryan grinned.

"God Maya, you're getting really good at the sappy things, you know." Maya laughed and shrugged.

"It's all your fault." Ryan shrugged and looked in her bag, getting gummy worms.

"I'll take the blame. I like it." Maya shook her head.

"Give me some." Ryan nodded and held them up to Maya's mouth.

"Open up my little baby." Maya laughed and Ryan stuffed the worms in her mouth. "That's my girl." Maya laughed again, wiping her mouth.

"Thanks babe. Helped a lot."

~

Maya slept the whole flight. As Maya slept, Ryan watched the view, out of the window.

"Have you ever even flew on a plane before?" Maya asked as they walked through the airport. Ryan nodded.

"Once. When we moved away from my hometown." Maya knew that Ryan was from Dallas, Texas.

"Did you guys ever go back there?" Maya asked quietly.

"I haven't. I've wanted to. I have friends there, but Mom and Dad are too scared to go." Ryan answered, looking around. Maya knew she was looking for one of those small food vendors. God, her girlfriend was addicted to food.

"Maybe we can go one day." Maya told her. Ryan looked at her with a huge smile.

"Okay baby, that sounds great." Ryan kissed Maya's cheek and kept walking. It seemed she periodically forgot about food and Maya laughed.

"You passed up like three food places babe." Ryan's eyes widened and she turned around.

"Aw shit. Do you think I should just wait?" Maya knew how Ryan was. She'd be hungry within the next thirty minutes.

"Do you really think you'll last?" Ryan pondered and shrugged.

"Maybe I should just get something small."

"I think so." Ryan nodded and walked to a vendor.

"You want something?" She asked Maya. Maya shrugged.

"Maybe a hot dog." Ryan ordered the food as Maya listened, shaking her head. Something small. This wasn't small.

"Thank you." Ryan told him and paid. Maya picked up her hot dog and stared at the two hot dogs and fries Ryan tried to hold.

"That wasn't a snack Ryan."

"I know, I was just so tempted." Maya shook her head and held her hand out.

"I'll hold one thing as we go to baggage claim."

"Babe, I'll be done eating by then." Maya shrugged, she didn't doubt it. Ryan should vacuum all of that in less than five minutes.

"I don't doubt it." She said, laughing a little. Ryan had already began eating, and they started to walk. Maya was eating her hot dog, watching how quickly Ryan would eat her food. It didn't take long at all, and Maya smiled to herself as she watched her. Yep, this is the girl I fell in love with. What a piece of work. "And I wouldn't trade it for anything." She mumbled.

Ryan turned and looked at her, taking the last bite of her last hot dog.

"What?" She asked, her mouth full. "You talking about me?" She said with a small grin.

"Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't." Ryan laughed and swallowed her food.

"Well, what the hell else could you be talking about at this point? You wouldn't trade me for anything." Ryan told her smugly.

"I said it." Ryan shrugged.

"Well, you wouldn't trade having me for anything. Better?" Maya smiled and grabbed Ryan's hand.

"Actually, yes." Ryan smiled widely and kissed Maya's cheek. "Did you get hot dog grease on my cheek?" Maya asked her. Ryan laughed sheepishly and wiped Maya's cheek. Maya shook her head and wiped it on her sleeve.

"I didn't mean to, I just wanted to show you some love."

"Ryan what am I going to do with you?"

"Fuck me." Maya tried not to laugh, but she did. Ryan smiled and shook her head. "I'm kidding, kinda. Is your brother picking us up?"

"Yeah, he said it'd be easier that way."

"Are you excited to see him again?" Maya nodded.

"I am, it's been years. He and I were extremely close before Mom pushed him away. I'm just glad he's okay with me moving here." Ryan squeezed her hand.

"I'm sure he loves you and misses you too babe. Probably just apprehensive about your Mom." Maya nodded.

"No doubt about the Mom part." She mumbled. "I'm just really glad you came with me baby." She sighed and threw her arm around Ryan's shoulder, pulling her closer.

"I am too pumpkin." Ryan said winking. Maya rolled her eyes with a big smile and they made their way to baggage claim.

The more Maya thought about it, the more nervous she got about seeing her brother. It'd been so long, she didn't really know what he was like anymore. She could tell Ryan knew, but Ryan didn't say anything. She just held onto Maya tighter, which was perfect.

They got their bags from the baggage claim and made their way outside.

"Is he here yet?"

"He said he was, I don't see him." All of a sudden a sleek black car sped towards the sidewalk. It braked in from of them and Ryan grinned.

"Woah, that's awesome!" She mumbled. Maya's eyes were wide. Any officer would've stopped him and questioned him. The man stepped out of the car and pulled his sunglasses off.

"Hello sister." Maya studied her brother. He had on an a black and white suit with no tie. The first few buttons were unbottoned and he held the sunglasses in his hand. He smirked confidently, making Maya smile.

"You haven't changed one bit Dyl." Maya said, meeting him around and hugging him tightly.

"Of course not." He pulled back and studied her. "You've gotten so much more beautiful as you aged. I'll have to keep you away from my friends." Maya sighed, knowing what friends he spoke of. "Hmm, but your girlfriend...." Dylan muttered.

"Hey, don't even try it!" Maya told him. He laughed and shook his head.

"I was kidding. Hey Ryan, I'm Dylan." Maya stepped back and they shook hands.

"Hey." Ryan told him. "That's a nice ride you have." Dylan smirked.

"Thank you. What I do is quite easy, actually. I have two jobs and no family, which saves you lots of money. I can tell you about it later." Maya looked up at him, frowning. "Not that I mean you shouldn't have a family or a wife... or do what I'm doing at all.That's fine too." Ryan laughed at him. He literally had not changed one bit.

"Okay man, looking forward to talking to you." Maya wasn't. Her brother's job was quite wreckless and it wasn't something she approved of. She didn't want Ryan getting into that type of thing. Yes, she'd be perfect for it, Maya had to admit. But no. She would have to talk to her brother about leaving Ryan alone.

"Dylan." Maya said, looking at him seriously. Ryan looked at the two confused, but shrugged. Maya walked to her and grabbed her hand. "I'll talk to you about it later." She said kissing Ryan softly. Ryan smiled and nodded. "Ready?" Maya asked Dylan.

"Yeah, we can go to mine." They got in the car and Ryan sat in the back seat looking around, amazed.

"How much did this cost?" Ryan asked him, excitedly.

"Around seventy-five thousand. Pretty nice right? There's more where that came from." Maya knew her brother was probably trying to get Ryan to work with him. But Maya didn't want that, she was sure Ryan wouldn't either.

"Woah, that's crazy." Ryan whispered, amazed. "It'd be nice to have that much money."

"It is nice... being able to buy whatever you want to whenever you want." Ryan nodded and looked out of the window, in thought.

"I guess that means life is treating you right here?" Maya asked him.

"Yeah Maya, I'm beyond happy. You'll love it here. You have your own freedom, you don't have to worry about parents nagging you. Not to mention it is beautiful." Maya nodded and stared outside at the passing trees.

"I'm loving it already." Ryan mumbled. "Hey babe, how far away is the agency from here?"

"It's right here in Miami, baby." Ryan grinned.

"Sweet."

"Sweet indeed. Miami is the best, and it holds only the best. I think you two are going to fit right in." Dylan told them, glancing at the both of them. "Do you like it Maya? Think you'll stay?" Dylan asked hopefully. Maya smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, I am liking it a lot. Just need to see the agency first." Dylan nodded.

"Amazing. I've missed you, but we'll have so much fun together. The three of us, along with my friends. I'll show you two all of the hot spots around here. Just not tonight." Maya had somewhat of an idea of what her brother would be doing, but it was none of her business. She was just happy he was happy to have her here. She couldn't wait to hang out with her brother and her favorite girl.

"I can't wait. Just know that Monday morning I have my interview, so I'll just chill the night before."

"Of course. For today though, I'll just let you two have your own time. Get some rest, because starting tomorrow, you'll have a full tour of the city."

"Thank you Dylan."

"No problem Maya. You know I'd still do anything for you. I remember how close we used to be, before the incident. Besides, how's Mom doing?" Maya remembered it also. She always thought back to how things were, wanting things to be go back to then.

"She's doing fine actually. Still mostly how she always was, but she's trying to make amends with me. Ryan asked her to lunch when we come back, I'm hoping she agrees." Dylan nodded.

"Cool." She knew Dylan wanted to know more, but she'd tell him when it was just the two of them. On the other hand, she loved the way Miami looked. She hoped things went well while here, she wanted more than anything for Ryan to like it too.