𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐎𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 // (𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫)

Part 56

That night when Jere and me fall asleep together, I dream of Conrad.

We are young, around 10 or 11, playing and running around my backyard.

After hours of playing I ask him, "Isn't Susannah wondering where you are?"

His face turns sad, like it did that time his dad told him off for not telling anyone about his broken arm.

"I think she wants me home, but I don't know how to get there."

Now I'm sad.

"I don't know how either, but I can try and help."

We aren't in my backyard anymore, we are at the beach, I can hear the waves, and in the complete darkness the only thing I can see is him.

"I can't make it home to Susannah." He cries a little.

"Why not?"

"She's not there."

I wake up.

I have tears streaming down my face and that horrible feeling you have after a sad dream.

Jeremiah is asleep next to me.

His presence makes me feel a bit better, and I realise that he's real, not just some childhood dream.

I go back to sleep.

It's Saturday, I've been home for one day, and Jere and me are going out for lunch with my dad today, and we're planning on telling him about the engagement.

Everyday that passes the idea of marrying Jeremiah becomes even better, and I feel more content with it.

As I drive, I have a slight shakiness to me, I don't know if it's breaking the news to my dad or that terrible dream I had, anyway, Jere notices.

"You okay?"

I nod.

"Nervous?"

I nod once more.

"You sure?"

Again.

"Okay, girly." He says in a sweet tone, which makes me giggle and lose some of my fear.

At noon we meet my dad outside of a restaurant close by, I don't wear my ring.

"Hey, dad!" I hug him.

"Hey M&M, haven't seen you in ages," He smiles. "Hello, Jeremiah."

"Hi, John." They shake hands.

"Let's go inside, yeah?" I say starting to walk in.

We find a table and make chatter, the waiter comes over and asks for our orders.

I know more about my dads financial situation than he thinks, so I order the cheapest thing on the menu, so does he.

When it's Jeremiah's turn, he orders the most expensive thing on the menu, and it pisses me off, he doesn't even think about the price.

I get less angry as we wait for our food to come, he is being quite charming towards my father.

Our meals arrive and just before we all tuck in I clear my throat.

"Dad, we have an announcement."

My father looks up from his plate.

"Yes?"

"Y/N and me are,"

Before Jere can finish speaking, I get a horrible feeling of dread and cut him off.

"We are thinking about getting a house together next year, just a small student one."

Jeremiah gives me the evil eyes, which I don't get from him often.

"Oh, that's cool." My dad smiles and then we start eating our meals.

For the rest of lunch Jere doesn't speak much, it's mostly my dad and me.

We part ways with him at 3.

In the car, I know what's coming, I know that's he's going to say something.

"What was that about?" He asks, clearly annoyed.

"I just, it doesn't feel right telling my Dad before Laurel." I tell him.

"I mean, I get that but, why wouldn't you just tell me that before then?"

"I wasn't sure, I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

~~

In the evening, my back hurts a lot less, so I decide to get up and grab the dinner Conrad left for me on the kitchen island, lamb tagine.

I stand up, forgetting that I also hit my head, so I walk very dizzily to the kitchen.

When I'm in the door way, I feel myself falling, I can't keep myself up, and when I am just about to hit the floor, I feel two arms wrap around me, and catch me.

He sits me on the floor with my back against the wall and crouches down In front of me.

"I thought you were out." I say.

"Well, I just got home, perfect timing."

I chuckle slightly and hold my head.

"I'm gonna get you some water."

I nod and wait for him to come back.

"Do you feel alright?" He asks as he hands me the drink. "Do you feel sick or anything?"

"No, just dizzy."

"Okay." He whispers, sitting fully down.

He reaches his hand out and strokes my hair, it's the most perfect thing he could do in this moment.

"Conrad," I look him right in the eyes.

"Yeah?"

I almost say it, the words are on the tip of my tongue, but instead, I just say,

"Thanks for taking care of me."

He gives me his famous Conrad half smile, before helping me up, taking me to the couch again, and bringing me my dinner.

"Thank you, really." I say once more.

"Anything for you."

'I would do anything you want me to, I would do anything for you'