Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 39

Calum thinks a little before saying "Maybe a feather.  On my other collarbone." "Why a feather?" "Sorta like the feather that they use for the All Blacks.  I guess so I can remind myself how well you did at rugby."  I laugh and say "Well what else could you get?" "Maybe my parents initials.  Or my sister's name.  Family stuff I guess." he says.

"Well as long as it's not completely hideous then I guess you should go for it." I said leaning over him, my hair cascading at the sides as it seemed to shelter us in our own private window.  Calum suddenly has a smile emerging at his lips before he whispers "You're so beautiful."  His hand reaches up and his rough fingers trace my cheekbones.  

"You shouldn't be talking handsome." I joked as I lean forward and give Calum a kiss, even though it's gentle and lingering.  When I pull away Calum then says "You know we'd make some pretty cute kids." "Hm?" I say as Calum's hand reaches up and is gently rubbing the back of his hand against my cheek.  "I think we'd make some pretty cute kids.  I mean I think if we had a girl she'd be gorgeous and I think the little man would just be as cute as a button don't ya think?" 

I feel something tighten in my chest and I then choke out "Ki-kids?" "Yeah ya know the ones who run around and cause mayhem?" he jokes and I try to smile but Calum suddenly gets concerned and says "Is something wrong Nat?" "What?  No I'm fine-" "Natalie." Calum says sitting up, avoiding hitting my face before continuing "Listen if we want us to work out we gotta make sure we're talking.  No secrets alright babe?" 

I shuffle in my seat and say "You mentioned something about kids ya know and I guess I just....I didn't know.....you even wanted that, let alone with me!"  I feel tears welling up in my eyes and I look away before Calum says "Natalie just look at me, please!"  I shake my head biting my lip so I don't begin to sob but Calum isn't having it and forces me to look at him, holding my face in his hands.

"Please darling if it upset you just tell me!  I won't bring it up if it makes you uncomfortable." Calum begs and I swallow back a sob and say "I'm just scared alright?  I mean….I moved to LA just a few months ago, started university, started figuring things out…..I'm getting scared cause it's like I'm still a kid myself I mean, I know I'm not, I'm 18, but it's still the FUTURE and the future is just so fucking terrifying and I'm not ready for it, I'm really not."  

Calum listens and he leans in close and says "Darling, if you don't wanna talk about kids right now we don't have to."  I take in a deep breath, before saying "But when DO we talk about it then Cal?" "Whenever you're ready." he whispers and I relax, closing my eyes before laying down on the bed, my face mushed into a pillow.

Calum is silent before I can hear him shuffle a little, and suddenly the fan in the bathroom is turned on and I can hear some running water.  I poke my head up and a couple minutes later Calum walks over to me, sitting down on the edge of the bed by the headboard before he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.  

There's still a silence between us and Calum then gently puts his left arm below my shoulder blades and his other arm under my knees as he gently lifts me up, and I nuzzle against his chest.  He walks into the bathroom and I see that he's run a bath for me and that the water is filled with bubbles and rose petals decorating the water and around the bathroom with a couple candles as well.  

I look up at Calum and he then whispers "You need it darling."  I then gently put my hand his hand on his cheek and whisper "I think we both do."  Calum presses a kiss to my temple as he sets me down, and I attempt to get my blue dress off, without any luck.  I don't even need to ask Calum, because he instantly is zipping the dress off, and I shrug it off before I step into the tub, throwing my hair into a bun, just to keep it out of the way.

Calum steps in a couple seconds and I lie back against his chest before I ask "How do you do it?" "Do what?" he questions chin resting gently on my shoulder.  "Deal with me.  Know what to do to make it all better." I say and Calum is quiet before he then whispers "To be honest I just do whatever I think might work." "Well you seem to be quite lucky then." I joke as Calum chuckles a little.

"Maybe instead of the feather you should get a horseshoe." "A horseshoe?" "It's lucky right?  It'll remind you how lucky you are when it comes to guessing." I said and Calum thinks about it and says "Who knows.  Maybe instead of me getting a tattoo you should get one." "Me?  A tattoo?" "Yeah." "What would I get then?" I ask and we're silent and he then said "Well you always told me you wanted a rose tat."  I shrug and say "I've always wanted a dreamcatcher or maybe a quote."

Calum nods before I say "I just want piercings to be honest." "Piercings?" Calum questions and I then say "Yeah!  I always wanted a cartillage piercing, and a belly button piercing.  Maybe even a few ear piercings...." "Are any nipple piercings on that list?" Calum asks cheekily and I giggle a bit and say "You wish.  But who knows, I could consider it."

Eventually we both get out of the bath, and Calum carries me over to the bed before tucking me into the sheets.  He then turns off the lights before coming in beside me, wrapping his arms around me and before he whispered "I love you."  I smiled a little before replying "I love you too."