Downhill From Here (#1)

29. Touches

Nathan's POV

2:08 pm

I had to take a cold fucking shower.

And then I smacked myself in the back of the head twice for even thinking what I was thinking. Now was not the time.

I was a bit more forward with her this morning, pulling that hug from out of nowhere. The thing was, I hoped we'd wake up together but when I got up and didn't find her I was a bit disappointed. And coming into the kitchen watching them both say 'I love you', Lilo pressing her nose against Bowie's nose...I just wanted more of this...all of it.

Holly Jolly Christmas played from the speaker in the kitchen and the tree was already fully decorated. I hadn't even put one up last year.

Lilo had been living at my parent's place full time while I was on the road, so we did Christmas at their place. I brought the tree just in case but hadn't actually planned on decorating it until mid-December maybe.

The fireplace was crackling with fresh wood and fire, while the tv mounted on the wall played 'Charlie Brown: Its Christmas special'. Bowie said something about how her sisters watched it every year so I put it on.

I could hear the tv through the bathroom walls as I sat on the closed toilet. Bowie was probably making hot chocolate or another batch of cookies. She really went all out for the holiday stuff. It was cute and Lilo loved it.

"Stawp moving."

"Sorry," I sighed, closing my eyes slowly. Lilo leaned in closer, digging her little fingers into the side of my head as he held onto me. She was currently sitting on my lap, brush in hand, as she covered my eyes with something pink.

On the bathroom counter sat a few glitter containers, makeup for kids, and some brushes. Stevie had brought Lilo a kit last week and I was paying for it.

Like clockwork, she'd ask me for the same thing every day. "Can I put makeup on you?"

And I couldn't say no. I think she knew how to work me well by this point.

"Are we almost done?" I asked softly. She rubbed her thumb underneath my eye, putting some cream mixture there.

I didn't have to look in a mirror to know that probably looked like a clown. Last time, she gave me two black eyes.

"Oh-most."

I just needed her to be done with this. I didn't need Bowie coming into the bathroom right now. And it wasn't cause I cared that she'd see me with makeup. It was because I knew she'd---

"Oh my gosh...." Bowie held the door open with her hand on the knob. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened, amusement slowly creeping on her face.

Then it started. The small laugh turned it an evil villain kind of laugh that had her doubling over and placing a hand on her chest. "Yo-Your f-face."

I sighed. I knew it.

She kept laughing and laughing, her face taking on a comical expression. Lilo climbed down and placed her brush on the counter. "Do you wike it?"

Bowie was snorting now, tears forming in the corner of her eyes as she slowly fell to the ground. Her laughs were like a hyena and horse together.

Despite the fact that I rolled my eyes at her, she was a sight for sure. Her hair was up in a curly mess, flour on one of her cheeks, and an apron over her pajama pants. Her face was bare of any makeup, making her freckles more prominent and her light pink lips were wide as she laughed. She was perfection.