0.41

Nicholas

After two long weeks of not being able to see or contact William, he finally came back home from the facility.  I was more than excited, considering that my mom and I were going over for dinner.

It was hard dealing with him not being there. The first week was the worst, a lot of memories started to rush back and I just wanted William with me. Then I just kept reminding myself that if I got through a week, I can go through another.

He's been home for 3 days already, we didn't want to instantly come over the day he came back, even though he wanted us to.

"Mom, hurry!" I groan as she ran  a black stick with bristles through her lashes. "You don't need to put makeup on!"

Her eyes shifted to me as she continued to apply what I think is mascara to her long lashes. "Yes, I do."

"You're already pretty, where do you think I get my looks from? Let's go, it's already 5. I need to see Will!"

She laughs before screwing the wand into a tube, "let me put my shoes on, wrap the cookies for me."

I groan impatiently, going to the kitchen for the plate of cookies. Discretely eating one, I wrapped the plate with plastic wrap, shoving a fallen cookie into my mouth.

"Nicholas Reeves!"

I jump at the sound of my mom's voice, trying to swallow the hard mush in my mouth, "yes?"

"Those are for tonight!"

"It was just one!"

With an eye roll, she snatches the dessert from my hands, "ready?"

"I already was!"

"Don't get an attitude with me, we could just stay home." My mom threatens jokingly, grabbing her keys. My eyes widened at her empty threat, adding to the joke. "Let's go."

I was bouncing with joy and excitement the entire ride there, only thinking about my boyfriend. My mom laughs while driving, commenting on my antsiness.

I was quick to leave the vehicle once my mom pulled in, not even waiting for her to turn it off. She scolds me once she left the car, saying how dangerous it was.

I waved it off, darting up the porch, urging my mom to hurry. My finger pokes the doorbell, hearing a ring from inside the house.

There was a loud squeal in delight before the door opens, revealing a grinning Lucille. "You're here!" Her arms wrapped around me before I could speak. "William's so excited!"

"I am too."

After entering the house, William's mom stepped out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a cloth. She instantly smiles, "William is using the bathroom right now, he might be a while."

I furrow my brows, "is he sick?"

She shook her head with a laugh, "no, he's just getting used to eating regularly and was on an eating schedule. He's been having... tummy troubles since he got back."

I smirk in amusement, glad I learned something to tease him about.

"Mom! No I haven't!" My eyes shifted to the stairs, staring at my now grumpy boyfriend because of his mom's information.

William looked so much better.

His skin was practically glowing and wasn't a sickly pale shade. Even though he was still skinny, it seemed like he healthily gained some weight. Even though he warm scowling at his mom, he just looked a lot happier than the last time I saw him.

Even though it was summer, he was wearing a thin long sleeve shirt and jeans, hiding everything underneath. I wanted to frown but I completely understood.

"Sure." His mom commented as he walks down the stairs, his face brightening into a grin once our eyes met.

Once he was down the stairs, he rushed over to me, throwing his body at me with a giggle. I stumbled back at first from the impact but wrapped my arms around him, smiling.

I miss hugging him, seeing him smile so wide, and just everything about him. My lips grazed his cheek as I held him closer to me.

"You guys are acting like you haven't seen each other in months."

"Hush, they're adorable. Let them have their moment." Will's mom scolds at his sister, my mom leaving with her into the kitchen.

"I missed you." William beams, holding my face in his soft hands. "I missed your pretty face."

I chuckle, laying down on his bed, his legs instantly straddling me. "I missed you too." He squished my cheeks together, giggling at my puckered lips. "You seem happy."

William just hums as he continued to touch my face. He finally replies, "I started taking new meds, I think they're effecting my mood."

"In a good way?"

He nodded, "so far, yep!" His fingers traced my lips, "oh, and what my mom said wasn't true."

"You sure?" He quickly nodded, flashing a smile. "So if I go to the bathroom..."

His eyes widened, "uh, use Lucille's. I need to unclog it. I... Uhm... Accidently flushed down my pants."

I furrow my brows at his lie, "your pants?" William doesn't reply, his face growing red with embarrassment. "It's okay if you're having stomach problems, I'm just glad you're eating."

"I don't have stomach problems!" He insisted with a groan. I chuckled at his frustration, unconvinced. "Fine, if I have stomach issues, that means we can't do anything at all."

I gasped in fake shock, "no!" He smirks. "We can still do other stuff." William lowers his head, his face hovering above mine. "Kiss me."

He hums in denial, "since you asked, I'm not going to." Before he could sit back up, I pulled his face down, roughly smashing my lips against his. His fingers ran through my hair as his lips molded into mine.

William suddenly gasped, tearing our lips apart, "guess what!"

"I wanted to kiss you..."

"Guess what!" He repeated louder, hitting my chest. I hum for him to continue. "Guess!"

"You're pregnant?"

His eyes widened, looking down at his stomach, "I mean, I thought I was just gaining weight but... Maybe I am."  I poke his stomach earning a giggle from him. "Wait, guess what!?"

"Yes, baby?" I smile at his happiness. It was much better than him always upset or only being happy for a bit.

"My mom is letting me get a dog!" He beams, throwing his hands excitedly into the air. "The therapist at the mental center told her that an emotional support animal would be beneficial and my mom said I can get one! We're going to be parents, Nick!"

I laugh, rubbing my hand against his thighs, "that's amazing, love. When are you getting it?"

William's looks up in thought, swaying softly before snapping. "Oh, whenever Lucille moves out. Her and Gabby are getting an apartment this summer since Gabby is finishing up college and Lucille is planning on working near it. Then I can get it!"

I process all the information from the happy boy, unable to contain my smile. "That's amazing, I hope it helps you." He just grins in reply, his joy radiating against me. "I like it when you're happy, William."

He shifts slightly on my stomach with a small hum, "it's kinda weird. I haven't had a bad thought since I got back the other day, so I'm hoping it stays like that."

That was a relief to hear. "How... How's your cutting?" Will stiffened slightly, his eyes wandering to his arm with a guilty glint in his eyes. "Nevermind, if it's too much..."

He fumbled with the fabric of his sleeve before pulling it up. My eyes were wide at the scattered, healed scars on his arm. A long, vertical mark ran up it, small dots on it from where the stitches were.

A few others scars had the same dotting from his first hospital experience, but they appeared to be healing still.

"I haven't cut in 4 and a half weeks." He started, licking his lips nervously. "It... It's getting better, I guess. I'm a little scared too do it again because of what happened... But I've still felt the urge many times."

My thumb brushed over the white and red lines, reliefed that none seemed fresh. "I'm proud of you, Will. I'm so glad you're getting better."

He shrugs but smiles, "I'm getting there, sorta. Not that much, but..."

"This is progress, baby." I assured him, kissing the back of his hand. "You look healthier and you seem happier."

He lays his head against my chest, right above my heart. "Yeah, all thanks to you."

I furrow my brows, "I didn't do anything."

William lifts his head, his eyes meeting mine. "Nicholas, toy gave me a second chance. I could've died and you saved me. You helped convince me to go the mental place. Even before all that, you were always here for me. No matter how stressed or sad you were."

He crawled up, his face above mine again. "You have helped me with so much and helped fix me. Thank you, so much."

My face broke out into a smile as I reached my hands up to his face. Tears of pure joy formed in the corner of my eyes as I stared up at him. "You're welcome, baby boy."

Our lips met and it felt different than any other kiss. It was full of passion and glee as our mouthed moved against each other.

My tongue tangled into his, sighing gently at the warmth of him. Fireworks went off inside of me as my tongue moved with William's.

My stomach clenched as I held him closer to me.

"Boys! Dinners ready!"

"Damn it."

Like usual, William pushed and picked at the food, but not as much as before. He was eating a bit quicker but it was still a slow pace.

I noticed how Lucille was constantly glancing at him, eating slower and slower so he doesn't feel isolated. I found myself not inhaling the food and taking a few pauses between bites.

A few conversations flowed around the table, normally the moms would start them or chat amongst themselves, but for the most part it was quiet.

William's hand was squeezing onto mine the entire time, it slowly sweating as he grew  ate.

Most everyone was already finished while he still had over a quarter of his food left.

Then, he just stared at the rest of it, pushing it around his plate with pursed lips.

I squeezed his hand in encouragement, his eyes flickering to mine. "Almost there." I mouthed with a gentle smile, a smile growing on his face once he saw mine.

After another minute passed, he finally picked his fork back up, continuing to eat the rest. I rubbed his hand gently, watching as his plate soon cleared.

William flops down onto his bed, groaning softly into a pillow as his arms wrapped around his stomach. I laugh as I plopped down beside the full boy, rubbing his shoulder.

"I ate too much." He grumbled against the pillow, squirming uncomfortably. "I feel... Puffy."

"What?" I questioned, tilting my head at him. He nods. "Uh."

He turns onto his side, "I feel like I'm about to pop open. I feel all puffy and full." He patted his stomach, his eyes widening. He lifted up his sweatshirt, a small bump on his stomach. "I'm pregnant!"

I chuckled, laying beside him, "no, it's just all the food you ate. Just bloating." He poked at his stomach, his face twisting with disgust. "You just ate a big meal, don't worry."

He opens his mouth to speak, but only huffs frustratedly. "I guess. I just feel puffy."

"Puffy?"

"Puffy." He confirmed, lowering his shirt. William's blue eyes flickered to me, a smile appearing on his face. "I love you, Nicholas. So damn much."

Damn, how I missed those words.

"I love so much more, Wlliam."