With the Lights Off...

(41): There's No Place I'd Rather Be

*OMG. Sorry, but I loved that last update. It was one of my favorites. I wanted to make it a little longer, but then I realized, it wouldn't have the same effect if it was longer. Anyways, here's another chapter for you guys. I know, I updated really late again. But that's because I've been really sick again. Who knew migraines and me did not mix well? Well, I do now. BTW, this has one of the scenes that a lot of people have been waiting for. Love you!*

Nina's POV

I folded the paper airplanes back to the way they were and tucked them back in the box. I covered the box and hugged it close to my chest. I just sat there and swung on the porch swing for a few minutes. Until I felt tired.

I stood up and made my way inside, carefully closing the door behind me. I looked around and saw that only a few lights were on now. Edna, Robyn and Robert were nowhere to be found in the kitchen or the living room.

Quietly, I made my way up the stairs and walked to Ian's room. The windows were still open and the wind was silently blowing through them.

I set the box down on the edge of the bed and made my way to the windows. Before I closed them, I looked around Ian's neighborhood. Everything was so quiet and still.

Until I saw a spark of a little glimmering light. 

I blinked once and looked again. There it was again! And, there's another one. 

Oh wow.

Fireflies dotted the sky and flew around the backyard. I could see them twinkling like Christmas lights against the leaves of trees.

I just stared out that window for what felt like hours. It was so magical, I felt like it didn't even matter that it wasn't a moment I wasn't sharing with Ian.

I smirked and finally brought myself to close the windows. I locked them tightly and tied my hair up in a bun. I sat down on the bed and pulled the box towards me. As soon as I did, the door opened and in stepped Edna.

"Hi," I sighed, fixing myself up.

"Hello dear," she said, closing the door behind her. She made her way to me and sat down on the edge of my bed. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, thank you," I said. "How about you? I thought you were asleep."

"I tried," she laughed. "But, I was waiting for Robert to give you the box. I couldn't sleep without making sure that you had the box."

I pointed at the box perched on my lap. "I read every single one," I sniffed. 

She looked at me and placed her hand on my lap. "Did you know that he'd just sit on his window seat and write those letters?" she asked. "He asked me to bring him all his meals up here too. What was weird though, he would just sit here and..."

She stood up and walked over to Ian's dresser. She pulled it open and grabbed something out of the drawer. She walked over to me and handed me a frame.

I flipped it over and saw a wacky photo of me, eating spaghetti like a kid. I was grinning straight at the camera. "He'd just put this photo opposite of him and well, he'd eat dinner with you."

I felt my heart drop a little bit. 

"He knew it was creepy and stalker-ish. God knows, I've told him that a lot of times," she said. "But, he didn't want to hear it. All he said was, 'She's the One'. No matter what the question."

I kept silent and looked at Edna. She was smiling that mom-smile I knew so well. "Losing you drove him insane," she said. "And I know, that right now, you two aren't in the best place."