Beautiful Boy

with you

"Absolutely perfect."

~

For the last hour of the drive I was hit with a wave of tiredness.

Nic rested his arm on the centre console and I leaned over to hug it.

"Wake up, sleepy head," he said, pulling me from my half-conscious state.

I sat up, letting go of his arm and rubbed my eyes.

"What happened to my hyper Mara?" He asked with a chuckle.

"She died," I replied bluntly, trying to wake myself up.

He laughed, "Rest in peace."

He opened his door and I followed suite, both of us climbing out.

David and Karen walked out behind two excited little blonde kids.

Daisy and Jasper ran straight to Nic, jumping against him.

He affectionately rubbed both of their shoulders and hair, I could hear his voice but I couldn't make out the words.

I opened the back car door to grab Michael's carrier.

I walked around the back of the car with Michael.

I hugged David and Karen, and mussed Jasper and Daisy's hair to say hello.

"What's this?" Jasper asked, looking at the carrier in my hand.

"Well," I looked to Nic and giggled, he rolled his eyes, "We adopted a kitten."

"A kitten?" David questioned.

"Mhm," I nodded, "His name is Michael."

Karen chuckled.

"Where are my sisters?" I asked.

"They're at your place," David replied, "With one of your cousins, I believe."

"Oh," I said, "I'll have to go see them then."

"They're coming over for dinner tonight," he smiled.

"Oh, perfect," I grinned.

~

After plenty of talking, Nic and I were able to sneak away from Daisy and Jasper and into his room.

The bed still sat neatly made while the rest of the room appeared to have been turned into a play area.

He dropped his bag on the floor and I placed Michael down, dropping my own bag.

"You can stay in the guest room, if you don't want to share," Nic said.

"Kicking me out?" I teased.

"No, I just- oh shut up," he shook his head and grabbed out his laptop.

I ruffled his hair and started to unpack Michael's things.

I let him out and he jumped up onto the bed next to Nic while I organised his things, then my own.

By the time I had unpacked, Nic was still typing on his computer.

I climbed onto the bed behind him on my knees and slid my arms around his neck, placing my chin on his head.

"Whatcha doing?" I asked.

"Writing a paper for Uni," he replied.

I gently swayed us back and forth in an attempt to annoy him.

"Amara," he muttered.

"Hm?" I questioned, continuing to be annoying.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Trying to annoy you," I giggled.

"Trying?" He teased.

I waited for him to click save, then reached over and shut his laptop.

"Amara!" He exclaimed.

I broke into laughter, letting myself fall backwards onto the bed.

"You are so lucky I saved that," he muttered, placing his laptop on the desk.

"I waited for you to save it, duh," I giggled.

"You're delirious," he rolled his eyes.

"I know!" I exclaimed.

"Have a nap before dinner," he suggested.

"Only if you come here," I countered.

I wanted his warmth. I hated admitting it, but it was true. I wanted his warmth every time I fell asleep.

"Why?" He asked.

The very question I was hoping to avoid.

I shrugged.

He chuckled, "You're helpful."

He climbed onto the bed next to me with his sketchbook and a pencil, I cuddled up to his side while he dragged the pencil around the paper.

His warmth, his steady heartbeat and the sound of the pencil lulled me to sleep in no time.