Summer Nights (RE-WRITTEN)

17

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

I hug the letters that have been exchanged throughout the past few weeks closely to my chest. Just having his written word made me feel like Rocky was sitting here with me.

I've been aimlessly packing over the past few days, in preparation for moving over to Rocky's apartment. My dad and Brooke insisted that they're more then happy for me to stay with them but I knew it for the best to have my own space.

I've currently just finished my third shift back at the nursing home, my feet were exhausted. I forgot how demanding it was to constantly be stood up all day.

I yawn loudly as I collapse onto my desk chair, I wrap my chunky cardigan further around my body. Rocky informed me that there was a chance he could video call tonight, so I was gluing myself to my laptop until I hear otherwise.

I blink in surprise when I hear a ringing sound without a beat of hesitation I answer the call.

My heart flutters when a familiar tanned face pops onto the screen, I feel a slight bit of relief when he doesn't look as completely exhausted as I expected him to be.

"Hey angel!" I chirp happily as I find a new surge of energy.

"Hey. You look fucking exhausted."

I roll my eyes, "You know exactly what to say to girls and for your information, I've just finished a twelve hour shift."

His expression changes, "Twelve hours? That sounds like a lot."

"Babies are surprisingly expensive, Autumn and I went browsing the other day. I might change my career plans and go into stroller design."

He gives me a look, "You know I'll help with anything like that."

"I know but I also want to be able to do some of it myself, plus I love working at the home."

"Just look after yourself, okay?"

"Of course, I will. Speaking of looking after myself, Claudia is thrilled with my progress, I've been keeping up to date with my food diary and everything."

His lips twitch, "Well done sunshine."

My heart flips dramatically, "How are you?"

"Tired. It's been a long few days, I can't wait for this ceremony, so I can have three days of normality."

I perk up, "About that! I may have delayed the gender appointment to the day before the ceremony, so you can attend."

He blinks, "Wait, seriously?"

"Yeah!"

"I thought you wanted to find out as soon as possible."

"I did but I'd much rather us be able to find out together."

His lips twitch even further, "That means a lot, thank you."

I wave my hand dismissively, "Don't thank me for silly things. I still need to be thanking you, I'm in the process of packing up my things ready to move to the new apartment."

He raises an eyebrow, "But you won't be the one lifting anything heavy will you?"

"No, don't worry. I've got Luke and Sammy on the case. Mainly Luke, Sammy has no upper body strength."

He rubs his hands over his face, "I'm sorry, I don't have a lot of conversation in me. I feel drained."

My heart sinks, "Don't be daft, you're going through a lot right now. Just having a little bit of conversation is more then enough. Plus, we both know that I can do enough talking for the both of us."

"That is true."

"You can totally tell that I'm pregnant now by the way, I've officially moved past the bloated stage and there's like a tiny bump now."

Rocky's expression shifts, "Really?"

I nod as I stand up and showcase my stomach, something which I never thought I'd have the courage to do. I've always hated showing anyone any part of my body. But I've been having back to back sessions with Claudia, she's helped me process the fact that the changes in my body should be celebrated. They're what are helping me create a strong little human.

"I'm sorry I'm not there to see all of the changes."

I shake my head as I sit down, "Stop apologizing for things that are out of your control, I'm not showing you to make you feel guilty."

"I know you're not but that doesn't change it."

"Please stop beating yourself up over this."

"I'll try."

"You better or I'll get Sammy to kick your ass."

He snorts loudly, "Sammy wouldn't kick my ass, the man loves me."

I nod thoughtfully, "Yeah he does."

"Have you heard back from New York yet?"

I let out a small sigh, "I have, they accepted me. But I've decided to wait until next year, there's still a lot I need to prepare for the baby."

"Are you okay with that?"

I nod, "Surprisingly I am, I would have felt too flustered to go back now. Plus I'm hoping my ADHD and autism assessments will have been done by then, so if I do have them, I'll get the proper support."

"Please don't make a big deal out of me for saying this but I'm proud of you."

My heart soars dramatically, "Somebody pinch me because I must be dreaming."

"Don't make it weird."

"I can't help myself!"

"I know you can't, you big dork. How's the sickness, is it still being a bitch?"

I grimace, "Yeah, I can officially never eat meatballs ever again. They're fine on the way down but on the way back up, not so much."

"A simple yes would have been fine."

I laugh at his reaction, "You're the one who asked."

"I know, I should have known better, this is all my fault."

I smile fondly at him, "It really is."

"It's actually not completely awful seeing your smiling face, you know?"

Butterflies erupt in my stomach, "I'm one hundred percent dreaming."

He rolls his eyes, "I just mean, it's been a long day and it doesn't hurt seeing the most positive person I've ever met before."

"Well, seeing your face has completely made my week."