Summer Nights (RE-WRITTEN)

12

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

Ever since I caught a glimpse of my unborn child, everything around me has shifted. It's made me realise that I'm no longer living for me, I've got a tiny human to think about now. Which is why I'm currently stood in the middle of my apartment with moving boxes scattered around me.

Rocky raises an eyebrow as he hobbles inside of the apartment from his physical therapy appointment, "Something looks different in here, I can't quite put my finger on it."

I roll my eyes warmly, "I've booked my flight for next week, so I need to start packing. How did your appointment go?"

His eyes widen, "For next week? Thanks for the heads up on your pretty big life event."

"I only booked it this morning and I haven't had the chance to see you. I'm sorry if you feel a little in the dark."

"Well, I've got to say it's a bit of a relief to feel this because I've been told that I can go back and continue my physical therapy in one of the military bases. I leave in five days."

My stomach drops dramatically, "Five days?"

"I'm sorry. I don't have much say in the matter, I feel so fucking shitty that I can't be here to help you with this."

My stomach twists when I hear guilt lacing his tone, "No don't be silly, it's not like you're leaving to get drunk at a bar, you're leaving to protect your country."

"Still doesn't make it much better."

"There's nothing to make better, I completely understand. I promise. And I'd also like to quickly add that I'm so proud of your recovery, you're doing amazing."

"I've spoken to my supervisor by the way, I've been told as long as I'm not deployed then I will be entitled to twenty-one days leave."

My heart lifts the smallest ounce of hope, "Really?"

"Really. I'm hoping to schedule it a few days before your due-date."

"That makes me feel so much lighter already." I murmur softly as I collapse back onto the olive green sofa.

He rubs the back of his neck, "They also told me that I'm going to be awarded a bronze star medal for getting hurt in action whilst protecting another solider."

Pride swells up in my heart and tears as I'm back on my feet and wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Oh god." I croak out, "I know you don't like hugs but I couldn't resist. I don't think I've ever been this proud of another human. This is extraordinary."

He awkwardly pats my back before gently peeling me away, "Anyway, there's an award ceremony in just over four months at my base."

"Oh?"

"I was going to invite everyone, you know Luke, Brooke, Sammy, probably Autumn as well."

"And me?"

He rolls his eyes, "We all know even if I didn't invite you that you'd just turn up anyway."

"You've got to allow me a picture this time! For the baby, they need to know that their dad is a hero."

Rocky's expression shifts into one I've not seen before, his lips twitch slightly and it makes me feel as if I'm the one getting a medal.

"I'm going to be clapping like a crazy woman, I want to get their early so that I can have a front row seat."

"You mean clapping and crying?"

"The crying was a given. I'm so proud of you Rocky."

He shifts uncomfortable, "What should we have for dinner?"

"Anything you want! Tonight we can celebrate you, I'll even play that game you like, you know the one with the guns."

He raises an eyebrow, "Call of Duty?"

I clap my hands together, "That's the one!"

"You hate that game."

"But you love it and I'm stupidly proud of you in-case I didn't mention that before."

"But we've got all of this packing to do."

"The packing can wait until tomorrow, it's not important right now. You are."

...

I huff loudly as I lose yet again on this stupid game, I gently throw the controller to the other side of the sofa.

"I can't do it! I feel motion sickness whenever I look around the map."

Rocky turns to me with a small grin, "You're such a pussy."

I narrow my eyes at him as I playfully hit him with a pillow, "I'm pregnant!"

"All I'm hearing here is excuses."

"You're so mean to me."

"Well you're uncomfortably kind to me, so we're even."

I shrug, "I can't help it."

"I know you can't that's what makes it worse. Also, are you moving back in with your parents?"

"Yeah, I've got my old job back at the nursing home but I still don't have nearly enough money to afford a deposit anywhere."

"You know I've got an apartment there which is now practically abandoned."

My eyes widen massively, "Wait, what? You have an apartment there?"

"I do."

"But you still come to stay at our house."

He shrugs, "I like the company, Brooke always makes a special fuss whenever I come back into town and it's nice...you know to have that maternal figure in my life."

My heart squeezes because it pains me dramatically that Rocky doesn't have the family life that he deserves. I know better than to divulge deeper into his feelings, so instead I change the subject slightly.

"Are you offering me your apartment?"

"I am. I mean it makes sense anyway doesn't it?"

"I guess it does. But I still feel like it's entirely too much to accept."

He gives me a look, "You're literally carrying me child and I'll sleep better at night knowing the two of you have a space of your own. It's not being used anyway, so it's no big deal."

Tears roll down my cheeks yet again, "You're so kind."

"God. Your hormones are making you even more soppy, I didn't know that this was even possible."

"It's probably going to get even worse as the months progress. I need to make sure, I wear waterproof mascara for your award ceremony otherwise I'll transform into a raccoon."

He tilts his head teasingly, "You kind of look like a raccoon."

"I do not."

"You totally do."