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

Chapter Thirty Nine

Chapter Thirty Nine.

[THE NEXT DAY]

Nick:
Yesterday was such a great day but I feel like today is going to be even better. I can't believe Charlie's Dad is letting him stay over at Will's. This is my first official sleepover with a boy that I like, ever. I pick up my phone and text Charlie.

Nick: Hi xxx
Charlie: Hii :) xxxxx
Nick: What time did you want to take the train today?
Charlie: Going to have lunch with Mum first, ugh but later this afternoon? Maybe like 4ish?
Nick: Oh.

I begin to type and delete what I was typing about five times. I don't really know what to say when it comes to Charlie's Mum.

Nick: Well, you said last time wasn't so bad. Maybe it's going to get better each time
Charlie: I appreciate your positivity :p so long as this sleepover isn't mentioned, I think we'll be okay.
Nick: You think she'll disapprove?
Charlie: Well she only just started to come around to the idea of me being gay and us dating so...
Charlie: Yeah pretty sure she'll lose her mind
Charlie: Which could also be fun
Nick: You sound like James haha
Nick: Let me know how it goes?
Charlie: Of course
Charlie: Also, if I need you to come down and give her another verbal smackdown, you'll do that too right? :p
Nick: Only for you xxx
Charlie: I'm more excited for tonight than I am for lunch
Nick: Oh really? Why is that?
Charlie: You...me.... together all night :p
Nick: Hm, after that intense make out session, can't really get me out of your head, can you? :p
Charlie: Nick!! 
Nick: You said something, not me haha
Charlie: Not like we can do that with everyone around but
Nick: But?
Charlie: I might pull you away to somewhere we can be alone for a bit
Nick: Oh yeah? Where's that? You've been to Will's house once :p
Charlie: Well, then you might pull me away to somewhere we can be alone for a bit
Nick: Why would I do that now
Charlie: Pull me away later tonight and I'll show you ;)
Nick: Maybe I will xxx

I feel my heart racing; no one I have ever been interested in can do to me what Charlie does. I think I wake up and go to sleep with millions of butterflies in my stomach. I put down my phone and smile. I walk downstairs and sit down next to Mum in the kitchen.

"It was such a lovely night at Charlie's yesterday. He's got a wonderful family," she says.
"Minus the one," I mumble.
"Sebastian said she's been making an effort. Maybe things will get better."
"I just get nervous, because of what happened with Tyler."
"Honey, Charlie's parents are nothing like Tyler's, and Charlie, well I think he's proven that he is nothing like Tyler."

I smile.

"You're right. I think I'm just overthinking things because of how happy I've been."
"It's okay to be happy, Nicky. No one deserves it more," she says as she places her hand on my hand.

I squeeze her hand and smile again.

"You have to say that though, you're my Mum."
"I know, and maybe I'm biased but you are such a good boy, Nicky. You went through a lot with your last relationship and you still managed to come out of it the same person. You really do deserve to have that happiness."

Charlie:
To be honest, I'm not that hungry at all. The thought of having a meal with my Mum right now isn't sitting with me well. But, all I have to do is get through this and then I get to hang out with Nick for the rest of the day and night. James pokes his head into my room.

"I'm not looking forward to this if I'm being honest," he says.
"Well, that makes two of us."
"You could have said no," he said.
"I'm just tired of feeling like I have to tiptoe around her; I'm tired of hiding who I am and we might as well see if she can deal with it sooner rather than later," I say with a shrug.
"In case I haven't said it lately, I'm really proud of you. The change in you these past couple of months, wow. I won't lie to you and maybe I've already told you; I was nervous about leaving you here when I left for college. But now? I'm not worried at all."

I walk over him and give him a quick hug.

"I know I've told you this before too, but I could have never gotten here without you."

He smiles at me and messes up my hair.

"Okay, lets go to this suck fest."

I laugh as we walk down the stairs.

"Dad are you sure having lunch at a public place is a smart idea?" James asks.
"What do you mean? I think it's going to be a nice meal, for the most part," he says.
"But what if Mum says something? I'm not going to hold back."
"Me either, but I want to have faith that she won't," Dad says.

We all look at each other trying to believe what Dad just said before getting into the car. It's nice to have us all on the same page. James was always in my corner and I knew Dad was too; I guess I didn't realize how much he really was until this happened. He gave up a lot in support of me and I'll never be able to fully express how grateful I am that he did that. We pull into the parking lot and I quickly text Nick before we get out of the car.

Charlie: Wish me luck haha
Nick: You don't need it but good luck anyways (: <3
Charlie: xxx

"Mum's inside and got us a table," Dad says.
"You ready Charlie?" James asks.

To be honest, I thought I'd be a little more nervous than this. Quite frankly, I just feel confident. Confident in myself and who I have grown into these past few months. I'm quite literally the happiest I have been and that's what every parent should want for their child. If she can't get passed her own fear or whatever it is to be present and there for her son, then that is her issue, not mine.

"Charlie?" Dad asks, breaking my thought.

I open the car door.

"Yeah, I'm ready."