Summer Nights (RE-WRITTEN)

24

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 look down with slight panic as I feel Violet stir slightly against my chest, I rub tiny circles on her back in the hope of keeping her asleep.

Sammy looks at me with confusion, "Do we have to whisper the entire time?"

"Yes because this baby never sleeps therefore, I'll literally murder anyone who wakes her up."

He shudders, "You're a different person without any sleep."

I frown deeply, "I know I hate it."

"Where's your hunk of another half?"

I roll my eyes, "He isn't my other half and he's picking up his little brother Harry. He's coming over for dinner, so he can meet Violet."

"You two are practically living together and you've just had a baby. Pretty sure you he's your other half."

"Well, I'm pretty sure that he has absolutely no interest in me."

"Then you're stupid."

"You can't call me stupid, I've just gave birth."

"I can if you're being stupid which you are."

I flinch when I hear the door open, my heart warms massively when a small brunette boy races into the living room with a finger against his lips.

"Rocky said to be quiet." He whispers as he peeks at his baby niece with awe, "The baby is so small."

Rocky leans against the wall watching softly at the interaction folding out in-front of him.

"If you sit on the sofa, we can put a pillow in your lap so you can hold her. How does that sound?"

Harry's face lights up, "Really? I promise I'll be super careful."

"Of course angel."

Rocky's smile doesn't move an inch and seeing his smile is one of the most beautiful things I could ever lay my eyes on. He helps his brother sit up on the sofa before placing a pillow in his lap. He then gently peels Violet away from me and places her onto the pillow.

"Make sure you hold her head buddy." He whispers as he sits down next to him.

Harry nods, "She's a really cute baby. My friend said that his little sister looked like an alien when she was born."

I laugh, "I'm sure she didn't."

"No I saw pictures, she did."

I roll my eyes softly as I stand up and grab my camera, "Rocky move closer."

I ensure the flash is switched off before I capture a moment, I know I'm going to treasure forever. I click on one of the buttons so that I can look back at it.

"Again with the camera." Sammy mutters lowly.

Harry turns to look at him, "You're the man who stole Winters' crayons."

He rolls his eyes, "For the last time, I stole nothing."

"I saw you."

"You saw nothing."

Rocky rolls his eyes before turning his attention to his little brother, "So, what do you think? You're officially an Uncle."

"I think she's going to grow up to be one of my best friends."

Tears well in my eyes at how beautiful this moment is, I hold a hand against my chest.

...

I sneak a peek at a slumbering Violet in her basket as I begin to fold up the washing that has already begin to accumulate. Rocky yawns as he walks into the living room before mutely grabbing some of washing and folding it.

"Hey Rocky?"

"Yeah?"

"There was something you were telling me that the hospital but we got interrupted?"

That has been on the tip of my tongue for days and I physically couldn't wait any longer to bring it up.

He freezes, "We'll talk about it another day."

I frown, "Was it something bad?"

"I don't think it's bad no, I don't know how you'll feel about it"

"Tell me then, please."

"I will another day, I swear. Just not right now."

"I'm bored of folding, do you want to watch a movie with me?"

I prepare myself for a rejection but it never comes instead I'm met with a nod and him shuffling over to the sofa.

"The breakfast club?" I offer, remembering how he wrote about it in our letters.

His expression softens as he nods, "Yeah, sounds good."

I lean back happily as the movie begins to start, the longer it goes on, the droopier my eyelids feel. I didn't even realise that they had closed until I jolt slightly when I feel something warm wrap around me. I slowly peel one of my eyes open to see I now had a blanket draped over my body.

"Thank you." I murmur softly, "You're the best."

"And your drunk tired."

I shake my head, "No you are the best, I've always thought that you were one the best people I've ever met. I thought I made it pretty obvious."

He sighs quietly, "Yeah, you have."

"Why don't you go to bed? I'll do the first shift."

"You can barely keep your eyes open."

I wave my hand dismissively, "I'll be fine."

"Get your ass to bed, I'll take this shift."

"But I don't want to move, I'm super comfortable."

He rolls his eyes, "Then shuffle down, so I can sit properly."

"There's no room to shuffle down, you're going to have to either have my head or my feet, your choice?"

"Come again?"

"For your lap."

"Still not following here."

"I'll give you more room."

"It just seems like a ruse to touch me, if you ask me."

"Guilty as charged now, pick one."

I'm only teasing him because I know that there is no way in hell that he's going to let me snuggle up with him.

"Head, I don't want your feet near me."

I bolt up straight in surprise, "What?"

He wrinkles his nose, "Feet are gross."

My heart flips as my cheeks burn while I hesitantly rest my head onto his lap, I can't explain how giddy I feel at this moment.

...

I slowly flutter my eyes open, my brows furrow slightly when I feel a large hand stroking the side of my head. I attempt to twist my body in the most subtle way possible and when I do, I see Rocky completely engrossed in whatever he's watching. I bite down on my bottom lip to stop a gigantic grin from exploding on my face. I quickly shut my eyes again, so I can saviour this for even longer.

"I know you're awake."

Fuck.

My eyes open again as my entire body burns, "I've been caught. How's Vi?"

"She woke up about fifteen minutes ago, I changed her and gave her some of the bottle, she's sleeping again."

"Do you want to go to bed now? I'll take over."

"Nah, I'm fully invested in this, I may as well carry on."

"What is it?"

"It's a true crime documentary."

I turn around in his lap, painfully waiting for him to tell me to get off, "What's it about?"

"A savaged head appeared on this guys door steps, turns out they went on a date together two days before it happened."

"Shit."

"I know, I still can't weigh up whether I think he's innocent or not."