'Cause I'd Find You In Any World (Nick and Charlie - Alternate Universe)

Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Twenty Nine.

James:
We walk inside and see Dad sitting down on the couch drinking ... a cup of whiskey? In the early afternoon?

"Dad?" I say as we all walk over.
"Oh, you guys are here. Didn't think you'd get here so quickly," he says as he finishes his drink. 

He sighs.

"Sorry, I just needed that right now."
"So clearly things went GREAT with Mum, huh?" I ask sarcastically.
"Should I go?" Mia interjects.
"No, it's fine Mia. You obviously know what is going on and you're a part of this family too," Dad says.
"Do I even want to know what happened?" Charlie asks.
"Mum is going to spend some time at a hotel, probably a week or so."

Charlie scoffs.

"She's so fucking unbelievable," I say under my breath.
"I'm the one who told her to go," Dad says.
"But there was obviously a reason as to why you told her to go," Charlie says.

Dad walks up to Charlie and pulls him into a quick hug.

"I will always protect you, son. And I felt like it was in all of our best interests if for the time being, she is not here. Her and I are going to go talk to someone."
"She's in such denial over something that shouldn't even matter that you guys have to go to a fucking therapist?!" I scream.
"James, I'm trying to -- "
"I KNOW YOU'RE TRYING DAD. This is all her, why should we all keep trying when she's the one putting in NO effort to LOVE HER SON WHEN HE'S DONE NOTHING WRONG?!"
"James, it's okay. Really, I don't care," Charlie says.
"What?" Dad says, looking at Charlie confused.
"Dad, think about it. Every single person in my life that knows now, wanted me to know that they're proud of me, that they love me, and that it doesn't change anything. Then we have Mum. MY OWN MOTHER. Who is trying to punish me for who I am. I don't care anymore. You don't need to go to therapy if you don't want to. Don't go for me. If you want to go to repair your own relationship, that's fine, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive her for what she said to me."

Dad looks at Charlie.

"I'm sorry that you even had to come to this conclusion. I'm so disappointed that this is where we all are now."

Charlie pulls Dad into a hug and I join them.

"I'm sorry that the woman you're married to isn't exactly who you thought she was," Charlie says.
"Yeah Dad, I'm sorry Mum is turning out to be such a judgmental bitch. We were all fooled."

I feel Mia lightly smack the back on my head. She's right, he probably doesn't need to hear that from me, he knows already. Dad pulls away from the hug and smiles at us slightly.

"Whatever does happen, just know we are going to get through this together. You both are my priority and I will protect you from anything and anyone who would cause you harm," he says.
"We know Dad," I say.
"We love you," Charlie chimes in. 
"Why don't we have a fun dinner today? Charlie, you can invite Nick. James, call Erin and see if she's free. And Mia, you can invite ...Will? That's his name, right? I'll go pick them up if they  don't have a ride."
"Dad, if you're inviting Nick's two best friends can we also invite his other friend Michael? I don't want him to feel left out," Charlie says.

Dad smiles at me. 

"Of course. Whoever you want."

Charlie:
James goes to call Erin, and Mia calls Will. I take my phone and call Nick.

"Hey, I was wondering how everything was going," Nick says.

I smile.

"I know I just saw you, but damn it is good to hear your voice."
"Is everything okay?" 

I can hear the concern in his voice.

"Yeah, everything's okay. Mum and Dad are going to go to therapy. Not sure what it's going to solve, but after seeing Mia's parents and seeing how accepting they were with me, it just made me not care as much about her opinion. If she is the only one that has a problem with it, then maybe she is the problem."

The line is silent for a second.

"If that's how you feel," Nick says, unsure.
"Well, today that's how I feel. Ask me again tomorrow," I say with a slight chuckle. "But anyways, Dad wants to do a big dinner tonight. Are you free?"
"Yeah of course. Big dinner?"
"Yeah, he told James to invite Erin, Mia to invite Will. He also said Michael could come too and that he'd pick them up if they need a ride."
"Your Dad is pretty awesome," he says.

Dad opens my door slightly.

"Nick's Mum is welcome to join us too if she's free."

"Nick, is your Mum free? She is officially invited too," I say with a smile.
"I'll ask her! I'll call Michael too and ask if he can come."
"Perfect. I can't wait to see you," I say.
"Counting the hours," Nick says.

I see Dad smiling at me.

"What?" I ask.
"It's just really nice to see you so happy," he says as he walks away.

Nick texted me saying his Mum is coming to dinner and that she'll pick up Erin, Will and Michael and that he'll walk over here shortly. I smile to myself. Even though all this is going on, I still feel happier than I've ever felt.

Nick:
I finish getting ready and start heading to Charlie's. I look at my phone and see that Charlie texted me.

Charlie: Do you mind picking up a couple of bags of chips? xxx
Nick: Not a problem :)
Charlie: Love you.
Nick: Love you xxx

I walk into the store on my way and head over to the chip section. As I'm walking out of the store, I see a familiar face pulling into the parking lot. Is that Charlie's Mum? I start to silently panic. Should I run? Should I walk up to her? I decide to walk up to her as she is getting out of the car.

"Nick," she says, caught off guard.
"I just need to get something off of my chest," I say.