The Wolf

Ch. 50: Wake up, Nico!

~Nico~

I open my eyes to golden sunlight filtering through ivory curtains. The fabric makes a slight rustling sound as a warm breeze slips in through the window. Before my eyes, Alex is laying in front of me, sound asleep. I listen to the gentle rise and fall of his breathing, finding comfort in the simple rhythm. His blond hair catches the morning rays and turns it into pure gold. I watch on in contentment, the ambiance of the room is more like a fairy tale than reality. I wish I could stay forever in this moment.

Gently, carefully, I reach out a tentative hand and run it through Alex's slight curls, reveling in the soft feeling. Mine. He is finally mine. I sink into an ocean of blue as Alex opens his eyes slowly. The sight takes my breath away. He's beautiful.

"Good mornin'," He mumbles. An arm snakes around my waist, pulling me closer toward his warm chest.

Hot tears pool behind my eyes as I snuggle against him. This warmth, this safety. It's something I never could have dreamed of. I'm so unworthy to be enjoying myself right now, but I can't help but be a little greedy. Even if this is a dream, I'll enjoy every second of it.

A telephone rings in the other room, breaking up the cadence of our breathing and my pounding heart. Alex sits up groggily, eyes squinted open. I run a hand through his hair quickly before I get out of the warm security of the blankets.

"Don't worry, I'll get it. Just go back to sleep." Without further prompting, Alex immediately plops his head down on the pillows.

I jog to the home phone set in the wall. I wonder who could be calling. Will it be someone from this world who I don't know? What if they start talking about something I know nothing about? Will they figure out I'm just an imposter, a wolf in sheeps' clothing? Nervously, I pick up the slick phone and set it against my ear.

"Hello?" I say, tapping my foot.

"Nico, is that you?" A nostalgic voice asks.

I gasp and drop the phone as if it burnt my fingers. My heart is screaming and my hands are trembling as I dive for the phone. "Y-Yes, it's me..." I whisper urgently, as though the person on the other end might disappear if I talk any louder.

"Are you OK? I heard the phone drop." My mother's voice contains a hint of concern.

"Ah, I'm fine. Totally," I stammer. It's her. It's really her voice. I thought I had forgotten it after years of being unable to hear it. It was the first thing to go from my memory.

"You're acting quite strangely," She chuckles, "well, anyway, I just wanted to call to tell you, your father and I are returning from vacation on Wednesday. I thought we could meet up and have lunch together. How about that?"

I open and close my mouth. I'll get to see her again? Is that even a possibility? If I could just see her face one more time, it would be enough. "That sounds great, I can't wait."

"Okay then, I have to go, I'll call you on Wednesday to make arrangements. Bye, Nico."

"Wait!" I call out before she can hang up.

"What's wrong?"

"I love you, mom," I whisper into the phone, forcing the words out as I hold back the sobs that threaten to overtake me.

I can hear the smile in her voice as she says, "I love you too, Nico."

The line dies and I'm left holding a beeping phone. I hold it against my chest as thick tears roll down my cheeks. It was really her and she gave no sign of having been missing for years. She was totally normal. She's alright.