Begin Again 2: RESET || Nate Maloley

{ nineteen }

I woke up in the same clothes I wore yesterday. Last night had me so worried that I didn't even think about anything but Nate and if he was okay. There was a moment of panic as soon as my eyes opened and I realized he wasn't there beside me. I wondered if last night was a dream. I wondered if perhaps I drank and smoked too much to the point I just hallucinated he actually came home. And even...if I hallucinated Swazz's phone call.

But then I heard the snapping & popping of something cooking in the kitchen and realized how thick the air was with the smell of bacon. I sprung out of bed and walked out of my room with haste only to find a shirtless Nate with a towel draped over his left shoulder and a spatula in his right hand. A smile grew across my face and I sighed with relief.

"You're here," I spoke, catching his attention.

"Of course I'm here lil mama," he laughed. "Get that ass back in bed, though. I'm bringin' the breakfast to you."

"I'm gonna shower first," I bit my lip. "A quick shower. I'm still...wearing yesterday's clothes."

He put the spatula down and walked his barefooted self over to me, kissing me on the cheek.

"Let me know when you're out," he said. "I'll help put on your bandages."

"Okay," I smiled. "Just the one on my back though, I can handle the front."

"You got it."

. . .

After my shower, I threw on a tank top & sweatpants. I called Nate into the bedroom and he helped with the bandage on my back. I was taking longer to heal than I imagined but as long as everything was kept clean, I should be alright. He had me get back into my cozy bed and soon brought in the tray of breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, a side of buttered toast with strawberry jam, and a glass of cranberry juice. He kissed me before I got the chance to dig in, afterwards reaching for the TV remote.

"This is so good," I say with a mouthful. "You know how to season things."

"That's how I do," he grinned, changing the channels. "I just wanna thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything." 

He turned the TV off once he saw there was nothing on and laid back to stare up at the rotating ceiling fan.

"For loving me," he continued. "For bein' my ride or die. And...because of you, I got to talk to my mom this morning and hear her laugh again. No arguments, no nothing. I love you so much. I don't even know how to return all the favors."

"They weren't favors, baby. I just love you too, that's all. Want some?" I held out the toast and he leaned forward to take a giant bite.

"I'm a good cook," he said, spewing small pieces of toast everywhere.

"You just about bit the whole thing! Jesus."

He smiled as he chewed and I couldn't help but poke one of his cute dimples.

"Babe," he said.

"Hmm?" I pushed the last bit of scrambled eggs onto my fork with my finger.

"Last Christmas we spent it with your fam," he went on. "What do you say this holiday season you spend it with me & mine in Laguna Beach?"

I smiled wide. "I would love that. I would absolutely love that!"

"I can't wait for you to meet them. They told me they wanna meet you especially after they talked to you."

"I can't wait either." I drank some of my juice and had a quick thought. "Do you wanna..."

"Wanna what?"