a christmas miracle

seven

Both Nick and Charlie's live start to become busy once the festive feeling of Christmas and the New year passes but they still manage to have a few mini dates with Nick bringing Charlie coffee after work or Charlie meeting Nick in a Cafe for lunch. They message each other every day and spend an hour or so on the phone with each other on weekends.

It's so wonderful, and Charlie feels like he's living in a fantasy that his teenage self thought up.

But as January ends and February starts, Charlie's mind turns to Valentine's Day. He's not sure if he and Nick are at the stage to make a big deal about the day, but he also doesn't want to just ignore it. During a conversation with Tori, she advises him to just ask Nick what he's expecting.

So, during one of their phone calls, Charlie managed to get up the courage to ask, "Um, I know we're taking things slow, but I've been thinking about Valentine's Day. I just wanted to get your thoughts on what we should do."

"Oh. Um, I don't really know, to be honest." Nick admitted and Charlie could practically see him rubbing the back of his neck the way he always did when he was feeling awkward or embarrassed.

"We don't have to do anything at all, if you don't want to. I just wanted to get your thoughts, you know, since we have been kind of seeing each other. I didn't want to ignore it and then it become an issue later, if there is a later.  Maybe bringing it up was a bad idea, I'm sorry, I-"

"Charlie!" Nick was laughing a little as he cut off Charlie's rambling, "I have to admit, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it at all. I've enjoyed spending time with you and I think it might be nice to do something small for Valentine's Day."

Charlie let out a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding and allowed himself to relax a little, "Yeah. It would be nice. Do you have something in mind?"

"We could maybe go out for an actual dinner maybe?" Nick suggested and Charlie could hear the hope in his voice.

"That sounds lovely. I know a lot of places get booked out quick for Valentine's Day, but there's a little place not far from my apartment that is never busy but has the most amazing food."

"Perfect. We can have our first real date." Nick sounded excited.

"What about Èlodie?" 

"Oh, she and my mum have a girls week planned then anyway. It's something mum's done with her every few months since we moved back to England. Élodie loves it."

"That's so sweet." Charlie loved how Nick had obviously tried his best to create the best life for his little girl, using the resources available to him. Part of him wondered where Èlodie's mum was, what the story behind that relationship was, but he knew it wasn't his place to ask just yet.

"She's been talking about it non-stop since we got back from visiting over New Year's."

"Your mum sounds like the best grandmother in the world." Charlie said, hearing a small laugh from Nick in response.

"Don't let her hear you call her a grandmother. She's 'too young' to be called that, apparently. Élodie calls her nan-nan."

Charlie laughed too, "I can only imagine what my parents would insist on being called if they become grandparents one day." He didn't mention that his sister, Tori, had once tried to insist that they were grandparents to her sullen black cat, an idea that was met with stony silence from both Spring parents.

"As much as she complains that I made her a grandmother too young, she loves Élodie almost more than she ever loved me. I'm so lucky to have her around, especially after what happened with my..." Nick trailed off suddenly and seemed lost for words

"So, um, dinner on Valentine's Day? I'm working in the morning but we close early since most people aren't wanting to buy books later in the evening on Valentine's Day." Charlie changed the subject, hoping Nick hadn't changed his mind.

"Sounds good. Um, I'll pick you up around 5? Is that okay?"

Charlie frowned, Nick was definitely distracted now, his mind clearly not on the conversation, "We can plan out the details later, okay?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Charlie, I have to go."

"Okay. Bye Nick. Have a good sleep." Charlie had barely finished speaking when the call clicked off. He pulled the phone away from his ear and frowned at it. So far, Nick was usually the last to hang up their calls, wanting to stay talking to Charlie for as long as possible. 

The only thing Charlie could think of to that might have upset Nick was whatever it was he'd trailed off from saying. Something about his past that he clearly wasn't ready to share just yet. It made Charlie curious but he also understood trauma and fear of sharing things better than most people so he wasn't going to push Nick to reveal whatever secrets he was hiding.