Please Remember Me

Chapter 22

As we pulled up to their house,  my eyes landed on the intimidating form of North settled on one of their porch swings. 

His eyes downcast, not once glancing up, even as we exited the car and made our way towards the porch. I realized that now was my chance to speak with North alone. Ignoring the pit growing in my stomach, and nausea swirling in my head, I paused outside of the front door. Briefly, I shot a glance towards Victor, before turning to face North's direction taking two steps closer to him. 

Victor remained silent, observing me for a moment, before making his way inside. 

North, noticing that a presence still remained outside, finally shifted his gaze up. When those wonderfully dark eyes landed on my face, cool and detached, I couldn't help but gulp nervously. Now was my turn to stare at the wooden floor. 

It was now, or never. 

"North, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insinuate anything during our boating trip or to upset you. Sometimes my curiosity, and mouth, get ahead of me but that's no excuse. I apologize for offending you and I hope you can forgive me. I have come to value your friendship and presence very much in my life." 

I stood waiting for a response counting the seconds. 

Ten seconds. 

Thirty. 

Forty-five. 

After a solid minute of silence, I assumed North would not be responding to, or forgiving, me at this moment. Without glancing at him, I swiftly turned on my heels towards the front door. The tension was cut just as my hand settled on the door knob.

"Come here, Tulip." 

My body responded to his voice automatically and I made my way towards the broody man. 

I awkwardly stood near his sitting form, still unwilling to look into his dark eyes and see the detachment still there. 

"Sit." Is all North states. 

Commands, is more like it. 

I stiffly settle on the swing next to him, as far as I can get, to ensure our body's don't accidentally touch. We gently sway back and forth; both of our gazes focused on the tree line in front of us. 

"I'm not offended or mad at you." 

I nearly scoff at his statement; there was no way it was true. I settle a speculative look on the man, an eyebrow raised. North continues speaking, still not looking at me, despite my eyes now being glued to his side-profile. 

"I'm going to confide in you something very personal, and I need you to promise me that you won't speak to any of my brothers about it yet, aside from Silas. Who's permission I have to share this with you." 

I consider his words for a moment realizing that this man was about to put massive amounts of trust into me. 

"I promise, North. Not a word." I softly tell him. 

He takes a deep breath, as if to settle his soul. 

I watch as he wraps his arms across his chest. It was most likely to comfort himself, and I frowned. I had a feeling about what North was going to say, and I wished he didn't seem so scared about putting it out in the open. 

"Silas and I are together. Romantically. We haven't told our family yet, mostly because I am...uncertain of their reactions to such a relationship. I don't want our family dynamic to change, just because of our emotions. On the boat, you're questions startled me and the fears I have broke through the surface once you asked about Silas." 

There's a pause. 

"I apologize for making you feel like I was upset with you. I wasn't, and I am not. I want to protect my relationship, but I don't want you to seclude yourself from me or Silas. We trust that you will keep this between us three." 

As he spoke, I watched his eyes nervously flick around their yard, never once looking at me until the very end. His body was incredibly stiff. The uncertainty, and frightened, undertones in his eyes slammed into my gut. 

I knew I had to choose my next words carefully. 

"North...I promise I won't say anything to the rest of your family. Thank you for trusting me with this information, and for confiding in me." 

I took a moment, watching as his body seemed to sag with relief at my words. 

"I suspected there may have been something more than a brotherly bond between the two of you...and I'm sorry I didn't go about asking in a better way. I just want to say one thing, before I go inside. If any of your brothers, especially Owen, are paying any attention to the family around them then I think they may be more aware of your situation than you give them credit for. I have seen the bonds, and love, you all have for each other...I don't think you have anything to fear." 

I give him an understanding smile, and pat his jean clad knee. 

North looked thoughtful and a little unsure. He needed time to think through what I said, so I stood and made my way to the front door. 

"Thank you, baby" 

North's voice travels to my ears, full of wonderment. 

Warmth settles into my soul once again. 

Everything felt right in the world, at this exact moment. 

"Thank you, North Star."  

A/N: This was supposed to be much longer, with other character interactions, but I ultimately wanted to let this live as its own little moment between North and Tulip. Hope you all enjoy! I plan to post again within the next week or two :)