'Cause I'd Find You In Any World (Nick and Charlie - Alternate Universe)

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen.

[THE NEXT DAY]

Charlie:
Waking up today, I feel lighter. I can't believe that last night played out as well as it did. There's a knock on my door and I see it open slowly.

"Hey," Dad says. "Mum had a morning meeting for work, so I was thinking maybe you, me and James could go get breakfast together?"

I smile at him.

"Sounds like fun, I'll get ready now."
"I'll go wake up James," he says as he walks away. "Oh, Charlie, feel free to invite Nick if you want."

I smile as he walks away and take out my phone.

Charlie: Hey you xx
Nick: Good morning :)
Charlie: How do you feel about breakfast with me, my Dad and James?
Nick: Are you sure you don't want to spend time with him alone now that he knows?
Charlie: Anything I'd say to him, I'd say to you
Charlie: Plus, it's really nice that my dad is so interested in my relationship :)
Nick: In that case, I'll be at your house in 20? :)
Nick: See you soon xx

I put down my phone and get ready. I walk over to James' room and knock on the door.

"Nick coming?" James asks.
"Yep. I can't believe I'm about to have breakfast with you, Dad and my boyfriend."
"Crazy twenty four hours, right?" He asks with a smile.
"Crazy is an understatement; but I'm so happy," I say.

There's a knock at the door and before I can reach the stairs, I hear my Dad open the door.

"Nick, I'm glad you could join us," I hear him say.
"Thank you for inviting me," he says as he walks in.

They both sit down and I am trying to decide if I want to go down there but half of me wants to see how the rest of their conversation goes. There is a bit of silence before my Dad starts to speak again.

"So I really wanted to thank you for being a safe space for Charlie. He must obviously really trust you if he opened up to you so quickly."
"I'm sure James also had something to do with it; once I told Charlie I was gay anyways," he said with a chuckle.
"Can I ask you, if, um, if both your parents were immediately supportive?"

Dad must be really worried about how Mum is going to take this news.

"Um, my dad actually passed away before I came out. I would assume he would have been wonderful about it, though. My Mum was amazing and immediately supportive; like you were with Charlie."
"I'm so sorry to hear about your father, Nick. But that's great, I'm glad you had support. I'm just really happy you and Charlie found each other. I'm happy that he is becoming more confident in himself."
"Thanks, but I really don't think I can take all the credit. James was probably his biggest ally and now, to have you on his side? I don't think he's ever been happier."
"Stop being nosey," James whispers as he walks down the stairs.
"You're literally the king of being nosey," I say as I follow him.
"Exactly. And no one will ever dethrone me!"

We reach the bottom of the stairs and I look at Nick and smile.

"Hi," he says with a smile.
"Hi," I say with a smile; unsure if I should just hug him or if I should kiss him in front of my Dad.

Nick stand up from the couch and hugs me. 

"Oh right," Dad says. "Nick, if you hurt my son ---"

James bursts into laughter.

"Dad please do not embarrass Charlie," he says.
"Yeah, you do that enough," I tease.
"Plus, I don't think you have anything to worry about. They're obsessed with each other."

I feel my cheeks turn red and see Nick turn a similar shade.

"Good, that's how it should be," Dad says with a smile.

I look at him and smile back. We've all been in the same room for less than five minutes but I have never felt happier; complete in a way. We all get in the car and Dad drives us to a diner I've never been to before; out of town. I wonder if he did this because he's not sure how "out" I am.

"I eat at this diner sometimes if I have to go into work early, they have the best breakfast. Plus, it's far away enough from anywhere Mum or anyone else you're hesitant to find out. I didn't want you boys to feel like you need to hide your relationship when you're out with me," Dad says before opening his car door.

I open my door and walk over to him and hug him. I can't get over how much my life has changed in the past couple of months. James was right, telling people, the right people anyways, would be okay.

Nick:
We sit down at the diner and I am just realizing this is actually the first time I have ever had a meal with, or just a chat with, a parent of my significant other. I obviously never did that with Tyler; and to be honest, I didn't know if this day would come with Charlie either, but here we are. I feel Charlie grab my hand from under the table; I look at him and smile. His Dad looks at us and smiles.

"So how long have you two been dating?"
"Officially? A week. I asked him to be my boyfriend at his birthday party," Charlie says.
"During a game of truth or dare, in front of everyone," James adds.
"Wow. It seems like you've been becoming really confident lately," Sebastian says.
"Yeah. It just sort of happened the day I met Nick," he says as he looks at me.
"You're not ready for their level of being obnoxiously cute," James says as he rolls his eyes.
"Actually, I love it. I'm just so happy that you're happy and that I get to be included in watching you be happy," Sebastian says as he looks at Charlie, then at me. "Maybe we can go out to dinner sometime with your Mum, I'd love to meet her."

I smile at him. This is something I always yearned for. 

"That sounds amazing," I say. "I'm sure my Mum would love to meet you."

The waiter brings us our food and we begin to eat.

"Dad, am I officially allowed to be offended? You haven't asked me about my date at all and I know Charlie's news was obviously more important but it's a new day! YOU TOO NICK!"

"James, I'm so sorry. I'm assuming if you want to talk about it, you didn't mess it up," Sebastian teases.
"Also, I saw Erin after your date so I know all about it; but if you want to tell me things from your point of --"
"WHAT DID SHE SAY?!" James screams.

We all erupt into laughter.

"Can you be a little less enthusiastic?" Sebastian says with a chuckle.
"She had a great time. She said she thinks she'll keep you around," I say with a smirk.
"Keep you around? I like this girl," Sebastian says.
"Literally that's an amazing response," Charlie adds.

We finish eating and start to head back to Charlie's. 

"Nick, do you want to come over or do you want me to bring you home? Sandra will be out for a couple of more hours, she's going food shopping after her meeting."

I look at Charlie who smiles at me.

"I'll come over, thank you."

We get to his house and get out of the car. As we walk over to the door, I feel a tap on my shoulder.

"Nick, I just wanted to tell you that as long as you are with Charlie, and friends with James, you are family. I know you lost your father, and I just wanted to let you know that I am here for you if you need anything. I know you have your Mum but sometimes, boys just want to talk about certain things with, not necessarily a Dad, but a male figure."

I feel a lump in my throat and swallow through it.

"Wow, um, thank you. I really appreciate it."

He smiles and pulls me into a hug. I know this has been a huge twenty four hours for Charlie, but I never imagined it being such a good day for me. To be accepted into his family; minus his Mum for now, I'm just so happy. I miss my Dad so much and Sebastian reminds me a lot of him with the way he treats everyone. I'm just feeling really lucky today; to have Charlie, and now his family, in my life.