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Six

Present

Nikki jolts awake when she feels the bed shift beside her. Lucas laughs as he watches her sit up, pulling the blanket up over her chest, pushing her hair out of her face. "What the fuck, Luke! I don't see you for weeks and you just show up here in my bedroom?! I want my key back!"

He sighs, hanging his head for a moment before looking back at her. "First of all, it's after 10 am. And can we talk first? Before you decide that?"

"Fine." She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest as he moves closer to her on the bed. She moves away slightly before letting him tuck some of her hair behind her ear. She brushes his hand away as he frowns, resting it on the bed beside her. "I assume you're the one that left me that apple pie on what would have been Thanksgiving?"

"I did," he responds with a smile, "did you like it? I made it myself. A little taste of home."

"I loved it. Apple pie is my favorite. Thank you, Luke. You won't talk to me, but you'll make me pie?"

He clears his throat, blushing slightly. "You know the saying, eating humble pie."

"Meaning?" She smirks as he chuckles, letting out a deep breath.

"I shouldn't have walked away from you the way I did. Choosing her over you. I'm sorry."

"You couldn't have said that to my face weeks ago?"

"I left right after I put the pie in your apartment. I'm really sorry, Nik. We've never really gone this long without talking. I miss you." He smiles and he brings his hand up to her cheek as she leans into his touch.

"I miss you too, Luke. But what about your girlfriend?"

"She's gone. In Portugal, and then apparently to the US for a few weeks. I don't want to talk about her. I have a train to catch in a bit."

"You're leaving again..." She sighs, pushing him back as she crawls out of bed. Lucas averts his attention to the ground as she pulls on sweatpants over her panties. "For Christmas? Going home?"

"Yes, and..." he stands up and grabs her hand with a smile, "I want you to come with me. I can't bear the thought of leaving you here all alone for Christmas."

She scoffs, yanking her hand away. "I'll be fine, Luke."

"I know you will be, but I would feel better if you came home with me. Please?"

"You want to take me home to meet your family?" She laughs, shaking her head and her hands at the same time. "No. I am not intruding on you and your family on Christmas, Luke!"

"Come on!" He grins, grabbing both her hands. "I already asked if I could bring my friend, and they're looking forward to meeting you. My parents will love you. I promise." He sighs as she hesitates, and he steps back from her. "Think about it? I'm leaving in two hours."

She doesn't say anything as she watches him hesitate before turning and leaving her alone in her apartment.

***

After showering and packing a few day's worth of clothes, Nikki paces the floor of her apartment. She hears Lucas rustling outside in the hallway, obviously hesitating outside her door. She opens the apartment door to find him leaning against the railing with a smirk on his face. "Oh, you think you're so charming, don't you?"

He chuckles, raising his hands. "I do. Are you coming?" He pushes off the railing, brushing past her into her apartment to see a suitcase packed. "We should go." He grabs her coat, tossing it to her.

"I haven't decided yet." She scoffs as he rolls his eyes, grabbing her suitcase and setting it in the hallway with his own.

"Well, it's a good thing you already packed so I can decide for you. Let's go. Train leaves in an hour. We should make it to Nice just after dinner." He grabs her keys and bag off the counter, handing them both to her before pushing her out of the apartment.

***

Nikki slams her book down on the bench beside her, glaring at Lucas sitting across from her in their private cabin. "Why are you staring at me?"

"I'm not." He smirks as she scoffs, glaring at him for another minute before moving closer to the window to watch the scenery.

"Are you hungry? I brought some food, if you want..."

She watches him pull his backpack up on the bench beside him, opening it up and tossing her a water bottle. "I'm okay. Thank you."

He sighs, moving to sit beside her on the bench. "Close your eyes." She hesitates but does as he requests. Lucas moves her hair over one shoulder before she feels him wrap something around her neck gently, fastening it before leaning down to kiss her softly at the base of her neck. "Merry Christmas, Nik."

She opens her eyes, looking down at the long, thin chain with small diamonds scattered. "It's so beautiful, Lucas. But it's way too much. I can't accept it."

"You suck at accepting gifts, Nik."

"I know," she groans, running the thin strand through her fingers. "I just don't want you spending so much money on me, Luke."

"I didn't. I promise."

She sighs, dipping into her own bag and pulling out a box to hand to him. "Merry Christmas, Luke."

He grins, opening the small black box to find a new watch with a black leather band and square face. "I love it! Thank you, Nikki."

She watches him take it out of the box and put it on his left wrist before shoving the box into his backpack. He leans back against the bench, pulling her to his side as he wraps his arm around her shoulders.

***

"Nik... ma poupette..." Lucas chuckles as Nikki groans, stirring from her sleep as she laid with her head in his lap. "We're here. Come on."

"Oh!" She sits up abruptly, smoothing her hair. "I'm sorry. I fell asleep."

"Don't be. Allons-y." He grabs their suitcases as she pulls her coat back on and grabs her bag, following him. She climbs into the back of an Uber with him after he shoves the suitcases into the trunk. Lucas places his hand on her thigh as she bounces it nervously. "Don't be nervous. It'll be fine."

"Sure." She swallows hard, nausea coating her stomach as she sighs. "What does poupette mean? You still haven't told me."

Lucas laughs, squeezing her thigh. "You're right, I haven't. All this time, you could have looked it up."

"But I want you to tell me." She nudges his shoulder, placing her hand on his. He doesn't hesitate, linking his fingers through hers.

"I will." He leans toward her, wrapping a curl around his fingers. "For now, don't be nervous."