Passion's Instinct

Six

Natalie

Hayden drummed his fingers on the back of the couch as he waited for his mom to pick up. His arm was around me, and I leaned into him.

Luckily, his dad was the one to pick up instead. "Son?"

"Hey, Dad. How's it going?"

"I'm on my way over. I can't believe no one called me about the accident you had a few hours ago. Are you okay?"

"Yes, Dad, I'm fine, thank you."

"Thank God! We were so worried about you. I'll be at your house any minute, alright?"

"Alright, bye."

"Bye."

I looked up at him, and he gave me a small smile. "Hey, you don't have to worry about my dad, but... my mom, she can be embarrassing."

"It'll be fine. And, Hayden?"

"Yeah?" he asked as he struggled to get up.

"Can we not keep this so hushed anymore? I mean, at least with our friends?"

"Sure."

I helped him up, and we walked to the door together. His parents were right outside the door, and his mother already had tears in her eyes.

"Hayden!" she came into the house and embraced him. "Oh, your leg!"

Even his father had several tears falling. He hugged him too.

When all of the emotional feelings were over, they stood back and looked at us. I didn't even notice I was clinging onto Hayden by his side. I let go and smiled.

"Well, we finally can meet you, Natalie!" his mom exclaimed. "You're gorgeous!"

I blushed, laughing. "Thank you!"

"Of course! Really, I mean, look at you! Hayden, you picked a beautiful-"

"Mom."

"And Natalie, please, call me Alie."

"Nice to meet you, Alie," I said.

"You too, darling."

"I'm David, it's very nice to meet you, Natalie," his father said, shaking my hand.

"You too, David."

David laughed. "It's funny, I've heard a lot about you."

"Really?" I looked up at Hayden and grinned. His face turned red and he rubbed his chin awkwardly. "So, you and Hayden are close?"

"Yes. Ever since he was a little boy," David said. Alie laughed. "It's true," she added. "He used to follow his Daddy everywhere. It was so cute!"

"Where's Dakota?" his father asked.

"Oh, she's in her crate upstairs."

"How's your new leg?" he asked.

"Good, I mean, it's hard to walk around with ease, but they said it would be really easy in just a few months."

"Great!"

"Yeah." Hayden cleared his throat and skimmed his fingers over the small of my back.

"Stop!" I said, laughing. He knew that was my ticklish spot.

"What?" he asked, acting like he didn't know.

I smiled and shook my head.

He turned back to his parents. "Hey, we have something to tell you guys."