The night came quietly, the city lights outside casted a faint glow through Lila’s curtains.

She was already tucked into the blanket cocoon Ryan had fussed over when he dropped onto the floor beside her bed, dragging a pillow like he was moving in for the night.

She raised an eyebrow at him. “Seriously, Ryan, what are you doing?”

“Obviously, monitoring my patient,” he said matter-of-factly, fluffing the pillow before lying down dramatically.

“Can’t risk my wife sneaking out to work in her sleep. Consider me your guard dog.”

Lila gave him a look. “You’re ridiculous. You don’t have to babysit me. Go back to your room.”

He smirked, folding his arms behind his head. “Nope. I’m staying right here. Unless you’d rather I snore so loud it rattles the windows, then maybe I’ll reconsider.”

She groaned and pulled the blanket over her face. “Oh Ryan...”

His voice softened under the teasing. “Lila, I just don't want you to be sick alone.”

Lila froze for a moment under the blanket. He couldn’t see the way her lips curved into the tiniest smile.

Ryan leaned closer, tugging the blanket down just enough to see her eyes. “Hey,” he said gently, “how’s the headache now?”

She shrugged, embarrassed at the concern in his gaze. “Better, thanks to all the torture you put me through today.”

He grinned, relieved. “Good. Torture is my specialty.” Then, with no warning, he lightly tapped her forehead. “And now I prescribe rest.”

She swatted his hand away. “Stop calling everything a prescription, Nurse Ryan.”

“You’ll respect my medical degree when I save your life one day,” he puffed up dramatically.

She laughed so hard she nearly choked, then coughed into the blanket. Immediately Ryan sat up, patting her back, muttering, “Breathe, breathe, don’t die on me, patient! I haven’t billed you yet!”

When she finally caught her breath, tears of laughter in her eyes, she shook her head. “You’re the worst caretaker in history.”

“And yet...” Ryan tucked the blanket around her shoulders, his voice dropping low, almost tender, “...I’d do it again, every time.”

For a beat too long, silence lingered. Lila quickly turned her head, cheeks warm, pretending to adjust the covers.

Ryan masked the softness with his trademark grin. “Anyway, go to sleep. If you wake up at 3 a.m. craving fried chicken, don’t worry, I’ve got emergency delivery on speed dial.”

“Don’t you dare,” she muttered, already drifting.

“Sweet dreams, Lil’,” he whispered, watching her eyelids flutter shut. And though he swore he was only there as her “guard dog,” Ryan stayed awake longer than he’d ever admit, listening to the steady rhythm of her breathing, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.

Morning sunlight landed squarely on Ryan’s face. He stirred but didn’t move, sprawled on the floor beside Lila’s bed, one arm thrown dramatically over his stomach like a knight who had died in battle.

Lila’s eyes fluttered open. Her head felt lighter, the pounding duller, but the first thing she saw made her blink twice.

Ryan. Still there.

He was snoring softly, his hair sticking out in about six different directions, and, oh, heavens, he had drooled on the edge of his pillow.

Lila clapped a hand over her mouth to stop a laugh from bursting out. “Unbelievable...” she whispered.

Just then, Ryan shifted, mumbling something incoherent before jerking awake. His eyes flew open and landed on her staring down at him.

For a heartbeat, they just blinked at each other.

“...Morning,” Ryan croaked, his voice gravelly. Then, seeing her amused smirk, he added defensively, “Don’t look at me like that. Guard dogs don’t exactly get beauty sleep.”

She burst into laughter, clutching her blanket. “Guard dog? You look more like a bulldog that lost a fight.”

Ryan sat up, rubbing his hair into an even worse mess. “Excuse you. This is the face of a dedicated caretaker.”

“The face of a disaster, maybe,” she teased, her lips curving.

Ryan narrowed his eyes playfully and leaned closer to her bed. “Careful, patient, or I’ll revoke your treatment plan.”

She giggled, pushing his forehead back with one finger. “What treatment plan? You fell asleep on the floor!”

He grinned, catching her wrist before she could pull away. “Correction, I strategically placed myself here to catch you if you tried to sneak off to work again.”

Her cheeks warmed at the casual grip of his hand around hers, but she rolled her eyes to cover it. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously handsome, maybe,” he shot back instantly.

She groaned, throwing a pillow at him. “Ugh, why did I wake up to this clown?”

Ryan caught the pillow, smirked, and plopped it right back onto her lap. “Because this clown makes sure you actually wake up. You’re welcome.”

Despite herself, Lila smiled, shaking her head as she lay back down. And Ryan, watching her settle into the blanket again, felt a quiet relief in his chest, like just being there to see her smile was worth every second on that hard floor.

They were still in the middle of their ridiculous bickering when Ryan’s phone began buzzing on the nightstand. He grabbed it, glanced at the screen, then quickly pressed a finger to his lips.

“It’s Mom,” he mouthed, his eyes widening as if that explained everything.

Lila immediately clamped her mouth shut, though her expression screamed, Well, hurry up then.

Ryan answered. “Hey, Mom.” His tone shifted, soft and respectful, the exact opposite of the sarcastic clown she knew. He listened quietly, nodding every few seconds, then murmured, “Alright, we’ll be there,” before hanging up.

Lila leaned in, her curiosity bubbling. “Sooo... what did Mom say?”

Ryan sighed, tossing the phone onto the bed. “Apparently, it’s Grandpa’s birthday this weekend, and the entire family has already gathered at the main house. Our parents want us there immediately to... meet the extended family.” He mimicked air quotes at the last part, his face twisting. “According to Mom, we’re to get on our way now.”

“What?!” Lila nearly shot upright. “But it’s only Monday! His birthday isn’t until the weekend. Why would she want us lounging around over there like... like decorative plants?”

Ryan smirked. “Probably because you’d brighten up the house more than the actual decorations.”

She ignored his compliment, waving her hands in exasperation. “No. No way. We can’t just up and go like this. I have to call her back and give her a reasonable excuse. Something believable. We’ll just say we’re busy and come only for the actual birthday. That makes sense, right?”

When she turned to Ryan for backup, he was just standing there with his arms crossed, one brow arched high in amusement.

Her jaw dropped. “Don’t you dare_”

“Young woman,” he interrupted, his voice suddenly mock-stern, “no complaining. You are officially free this whole week, and guess what? So am I. Which means...” He leaned in closer, grinning wickedly. “...get your lazy butt up, pack your bags, because BFF-turned-wifey, we are going!”

He didn’t even give her a chance to argue. With dramatic flair, Ryan straightened, marched toward the door, and tossed back, “Move it, soldier!”

Lila stared after him, fuming, her hands twitching for the nearest pillow. “Ugh!” She launched one at his retreating back, but he ducked out the door just in time, laughing as it hit the frame instead.

Left behind, Lila flopped onto the bed, groaning. “Why did I marry this man again?”

From the hallway, Ryan’s voice came back, smug and loud: “Because destiny loves me more than you do!”

She buried her face in the pillow, torn between strangling him and laughing.

The Lopez main house was nothing short of intimidating, a sprawling mansion draped in ivy, with gates so tall Lila wondered if they were designed to keep out intruders or trap unsuspecting in-laws. As their car rolled up the driveway, her nerves started to spike.

“Ryan,” she whispered, clutching her handbag like a lifeline, “remind me again why we’re doing this now and not on Grandpa’s actual birthday?”

He shot her a sideways smirk. “Because Mom said so. And you don’t mess with Mom. Besides, you’ll love it. My extended family is, fun.”

The way he hesitated on fun didn’t inspire much confidence.

The moment they stepped through the massive double doors, the living room exploded with voices. Aunts, uncles, cousins, all talking at once. And then came the stares. Every single pair of eyes zeroed in on them, or more specifically, on her.

Well Lila knew most of the family members of his family, but she didn't have that much interactions with his aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces. She never had. But now, that cruel thing called marriage is bending her to fully accept Ryan's family as a whole.

“Ah, the newlyweds!” Ryan’s mother announced proudly, sweeping forward with her usual queenly aura. “Everyone, this is Lila.”

Lila smiled nervously, lifting her hand in a tiny wave. “H-Hi.”

Immediately, a barrage of questions flew at her. From familiar and strange faces all expected to be his family, some from his distance cousins, third cousins, and close family friends.

“So, how’s married life treating you?”

“When are we expecting babies?”

“Did Ryan behave at the wedding or was he his usual clown self?”

“Lila, dear, do you cook? Our Ryan eats like a horse.”

“I can't believe you guys really ends up as husband and wife”

“It's gonna be super fun” one said “Or super boring” another added. "They've know each other like forever, what's there to still show each other? Its probably gonna be boring" another added.

Ryan leaned in and murmured under his breath, “Told you. Fun.” His grin was wicked, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

Lila elbowed him hard in the ribs, making him cough to cover his laugh.

Then Grandpa, the man of the hour, shuffled in with a cane but a bright sparkle in his eyes. “Ah, so this is the girl who tamed my grandson from childhood and still ends up his wife.” He looked Lila up and down, nodding approvingly. “Pretty and brave enough to still marry Ryan despite knowing everything about him. You’ve already earned my respect.”

The room erupted in laughter while Ryan dramatically clutched his chest. “Grandpa, you wound me.”

Lila couldn’t help it, she laughed too, tension easing slightly. But then came the cousins, circling her like hawks.

“So, is it true?” one whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear. “You two sleep in separate rooms?”

Lila nearly choked. “What_”

Ryan swooped in smoothly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Of course not. Who told you that nonsense?” He winked at her slyly, so only she could see.

“Then I guess we should start planning on welcoming grandchildren from them. The family would be expanding soon”

Her cheeks burned. He was enjoying this way too much, Lila thought of pranking him with another scary haunted-house game.

By the time they sat down for dinner, Lila felt like she’d been through an interrogation. Still, Ryan’s family was warm, loud, and utterly impossible to keep up with. Between nosy questions, Grandpa’s jokes, and Ryan sneaking her bites of food off his plate, she found herself, oddly comfortable.

It wasn’t perfect. It was chaotic, embarrassing, and overwhelming. But when Ryan caught her eye across the table, wiggling his brows like a child, Lila had to bite back a smile. Maybe, just maybe, this “main house ordeal” wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

Later on...

The cousins were sprawled on the living room floor, snacks and soda cans littered everywhere. The game had started lighthearted,“Who’s most likely to forget an anniversary?” and “What’s Ryan’s favorite midnight snack?” but soon enough, it became too easy. Ryan and Lila answered each other’s quirks with annoying precision, like they had been married for years instead of weeks.

“Ugh, you two are boring,” one cousin groaned dramatically, flopping onto the carpet.

“Yeah,” another chimed in, “we need spice. How about... truth or dare?”

The group roared their approval. Ryan arched a brow at Lila. “You in?”

She smirked, tucking her legs under her. “Always.”

“Okay, Lila first,” one cousin said, eyes glinting mischievously. “Truth or dare?”

“Dare.”

The cousin’s grin widened. “I dare Ryan…” he paused for suspense, “...to carry Lila bridal-style around the entire room. Twice.”

The room exploded in whistles and claps.

Lila’s eyes widened. “What? No way. I’m not”

Before she could finish, Ryan had already stood, sweeping her up effortlessly into his arms. She let out a startled squeak, smacking his shoulder. “Ryan!”

“Rules are rules,” he said smugly, striding forward as the cousins whooped and counted his laps.

Lila buried her face in her hands, half mortified, half fighting a laugh. “Put me down, you idiot.”

“Sorry, can’t hear you over the sound of my victory march,” he quipped, tightening his hold just enough to make her aware of the steady thump of his heartbeat against her side.

By the time he completed the second lap, the room was in hysterics. Ryan finally set her down with exaggerated care, bowing as though he’d just conquered an Olympic feat.

The cousins, still riding high, weren’t done.

“Okay, my turn again,” another piped up. “Lila… truth or dare?”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but she wasn’t one to back down. “Dare.”

The cousin leaned forward, voice dripping with mischief. “I dare you... to seduce Ryan. You’ve got one minute. Go.”

The room fell silent for half a beat, then erupted into scandalized laughter and gasps.

Ryan nearly choked on his soda. “Wait, what kind of family game is this?!”

Lila’s jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Oh no, rules are rules,” the cousin grinned wickedly. “Clock starts now!”

Ryan and Lila locked eyes, both equally horrified and amused. The cousins started a countdown chant, and Lila knew there was no escape.

She groaned, covering her face. “I hate all of you.”

Ryan smirked, leaning back lazily like he was waiting to be entertained. “Well, Mrs. Best-Friend-Turned-Wifey… show me what you’ve got.”

The countdown began.

“Sixty seconds! Go, Lila!”

Everyone was chanting, clapping, egging her on. Lila stood frozen in the middle of the room, staring at Ryan like a deer caught in headlights.

“I can’t do this,” she hissed under her breath.

Ryan lounged back on the couch, crossing his arms with the most infuriating smirk. “Oh, come on. Don’t quit now. Dazzle me, Mrs. Wifey.”