Summer Nights (RE-WRITTEN)

6

A:N This story includes themes of mental health and eating disorders, please only read if you feel ready too, you are beautiful always x

Rocky had been back in Paris for over twenty-four hours and it's been nearly twelve since he accidentally found out that I was pregnant. I was try my best to respect his wishes for space and time whilst also being there to support him.

I yelp loudly as I sit on my balcony painting aimlessly as I overwatch the city of love be lit with a golden hue. The reason behind my yelping was because of the exaggerated coughing behind me. I whip my head around to see Rocky standing there his face contorted in pain as he wobbles slightly on his crutches.

I quickly stand up, "Do you need any help?"

He shakes his head, "No. Can you just move the table slightly though? Just make sure you push it and you don't lift. You shouldn't be lifting heavy things."

I blink at the choice of his words, this is the first time he's remotely mentioned anything to do with the news. I push the table closer towards me and watch as he hobbles over to the chair across from me and sits down.

"Look. I know I didn't react in the best way but I'm in a fuck ton of pain right now and it just threw me off."

"You reacted fine, don't be silly. You just received life changing news."

"I'm guessing we need to talk."

I give him a soft smile, "Only if you're ready to talk."

"I don't think I'll ever be ready for this conversation to be honest."

I gnaw down on my bottom lip, "I know that we've got options and I'm an advocate of any option, I believe in the notion of pro-choice."

"So do I. Your body, your rights."

"But I can't help but shake the feeling off, if I don't go through with this pregnancy then I'll regret it for the rest of my life. I know it's not the logical choice, I'm eighteen and a thousand miles away from home. And you work away and I don't know when I'll ever see you but...I still have this feeling in my gut."

Rocky closes his eyes and nods slowly, "I'll support you. I'll step up in whatever way you want me too. It takes two to tango, so I'm not going to leave you alone in this."

I give him a sad smile, "But you will. And I promise you faithfully, I'm not saying this to make you feel bad but you're going to be going back soon and then I'll have to deal with this on my own."

His expression falls, "I don't want that to be the case and I wish I could fucking change it but I honestly don't know if I can. There's certain rules and regulations about how and when I serve."

My heart clenches, "I know that there is and I'd never feel resentment or blame you for that. I just know that we need to be realistic which is surprising coming from me because I love living in delusion land."

"I'll speak to my commanding officers and see what they can suggest or find out if there's anything I can do. What's going to happen with you then? Are you staying in Paris or are you going home?"

I falter as I feel a lump growing in my throat, "I don't know. Art school is my dream and being able to do it in a city like Paris makes it even more worthwhile but I don't know if I can care for a newborn on my own without a single person supporting me."

Rocky flinches at my words and it pains me when I see the inner conflict between his eyes, I know him well enough to know that he's beating himself up over something which is out of his control.

"You know, if you do decide to go home, there's no saying that you can't come back here when the baby is older."

"I feel like a toddler on my own in Paris sounds even scarier than a newborn."

He hesitates before speaking, "I'd come with you both. I mean, if I can."

"You'd come and stay in Paris for a year, just so I can complete my course?"

He shrugs awkwardly, "I like the French wine, sue me."

"There's so many things I need to get sorted, I need to register at a doctors office, make an appointment, tell my parents and speak to academic board."

"You've been living here for a month and you don't have a doctor's office?"

I flash him a sheepish smile, "No. I forgot, I've just been so busy and everything has been so hectic that I forgot."

"Jesus Christ. First thing in the morning, you're getting that sorted and I don't want to hear any excuses."

I pause as I look at him with tear filled eyes, "So, we're really doing this?"

"It fucking looks like it."

"We're going to have a baby."

"Fucking Luke is going to murder me."

I attempt to joke with him in the hopes of brightening the situation, "Or we could just hide and wait until the baby is old enough to tell him? He's a total softie when it comes to kids."

Rocky's mouth twitches slightly and it makes me feel as if I've just won an award.

"Have you ate any dinner?" He asks, his tone slightly hard.

"Not yet."

"Scarlett."

I hold my hands up as guilt consumes me, "I know. And I promise I'm going to be even more extra mindful about following my recovery plan."

"I'll make you a deal. I won't be constantly on your ass about food, if you promise you'll talk to me if you're starting to feel overwhelmed about something."

My heart flutters at his words because despite his tough and hard exterior Rocky James was someone who really cared about the people around him.

"I promise. I really, really promise. I won't let you down."

Rocky shakes his head, "If you have stumbles or relapses, you wouldn't be letting me down. You wouldn't be letting anyone down, these things just happen. The only way you'd ever let me down is if you lied to me. I promise, I won't get pissed as long as your always honest."

"I'll be honest. I promise."

"You deserve to eat, sunshine."