The Midnight Train

21:

The next morning, sunlight poured through the windows, casting a warm glow over the apartment. Lydia had woken up to the faint sound of the door clicking shut behind Nolan, but the coziness of the bed had kept her from getting up immediately. As the minutes ticked by, she rolled over to the empty side of the bed, stretching out her arm to feel the cool sheets. A flicker of unease grew in her chest—he hadn’t mentioned he was leaving. She kicked off the blanket and padded across the room, her bare feet cool against the hardwood floors.

By the time Nolan returned, bags of groceries in hand, Lydia was standing at the doorway, arms crossed, her eyes narrowing with a blend of annoyance and worry.

“You scared me,” Lydia said, her tone sharper than she intended. She leaned her shoulder against the doorframe, blocking his way inside. “You need to stop leaving without telling me where you’re going.”

Nolan stopped in his tracks, surprised by her stance. He raised his eyebrows slightly, and after a beat, a chuckle escaped his lips. “Whoa, someone’s a little overprotective this morning.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips. Still, her concern remained. “Nolan, I’m serious.”

His face softened as he stepped closer, setting the bags down by the door. “Okay, okay. I didn’t mean to worry you. I just went out to get groceries and a few things for the house. I thought you could use the extra sleep, and it was just a quick trip.”

Lydia sighed, unfolding her arms but still holding onto that sense of unease. “A quick trip or not, you could’ve at least left a note. Next time… just let me know, alright?”

Nolan placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch familiar and comforting. “I promise, I’ll give you a heads-up next time.” His voice carried a warm sincerity that eased the tension between them. Then, with a boyish grin, he stepped past her into the apartment. “Now, come on. Let’s put these away.”

He returned to the kitchen, starting to unpack the groceries, placing items on the counter with practiced efficiency. Lydia, despite her annoyance, followed him, her curiosity getting the better of her. She leaned against the doorway, watching as Nolan moved around the kitchen. It struck her how comfortable he seemed, how at ease he was in this space, like he’d done this a thousand times before. The way he organized the fridge, lined up the cans, and grabbed a skillet without hesitation—there was something grounding about it.

“What’s for breakfast?” she asked, crossing her arms and resting her hip against the counter.

Nolan looked over his shoulder with a playful smirk. “How about pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon? That should keep us going for the morning.”

Lydia’s stomach growled at the mere mention of food, and she laughed, nodding in approval. “You read my mind.”

The smell of bacon soon filled the apartment, sizzling and popping in the pan. Nolan hummed softly to himself, a habit she found oddly comforting, as he whipped up a batch of pancake batter, flipping them with precision. Lydia grabbed plates from the cupboard and set the table while he finished up, the domesticity of it all settling over them like a soft blanket. For a moment, it felt like everything was simple, as if they were just a normal couple sharing a morning together without the weight of the world on their shoulders.

They sat down to breakfast, the table filled with the warmth of fresh pancakes, eggs, and crispy bacon. Nolan poured them both coffee, the steam curling from their mugs as they dug into the meal. Lydia was halfway through her pancakes when Nolan cleared his throat, breaking the comfortable silence.

“So,” he began, wiping his mouth with a napkin before pulling out his phone, “I got an email this morning from Dr. Harper. You know, about that form we filled out yesterday for physical therapy?”

Lydia’s fork paused mid-air, a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest. “Oh,” she muttered, her voice quiet.

Nolan caught the change in her expression. He could sense the uncertainty, the hesitation that had settled over her ever since they’d discussed starting therapy. He reached across the table and placed his hand on top of hers, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her skin.

“I know you’re not totally on board with this yet,” he said softly, his tone steady and calm. “But I think it’s worth trying. Just for the first week. If it doesn’t feel right, if you’re not comfortable, we can stop. No pressure.”

Lydia stared down at their hands, biting her lip as she considered his words. She wasn’t used to being vulnerable, especially not with Nolan. The idea of physical therapy—of facing her own limitations and allowing someone else to help her—felt overwhelming. But the way Nolan spoke to her, the calm reassurance in his voice, made it feel a little less daunting.

He squeezed her hand gently. “I’ll be with you the whole time. I’ll drop you off, and I’ll wait there until you’re done. You won’t have to do this alone.”

Her eyes flicked up to meet his, searching for any trace of doubt or hesitation, but there was none. Just quiet, unwavering support. Lydia let out a slow breath, nodding slightly. “You’ll really stay? Wait for me during the sessions?”

“Every time,” Nolan promised with a firm nod. “I won’t go anywhere until you’re ready.”

A small, tentative smile crossed her lips, and she nodded again, her heart feeling a little lighter. “Okay. I’ll try.”

Nolan smiled back, his relief evident. “Good.” He reached for his laptop, opening up the email from Dr. Harper. “Now, we’ve got a few options for scheduling. Dr. Harper sent over three days, and we just need to pick two that work best.”

He scrolled through the email, reading aloud the options. “Tuesdays and Thursdays seem like a good fit. It’ll give us some flexibility, and we’ll still have our weekends free. What do you think?”

Lydia considered it, then nodded. “Yeah, that works. Tuesdays and Thursdays it is.”

Nolan clicked through the email to confirm the schedule, then closed his laptop with a satisfied smile. “It’s set then. First session starts next Tuesday.”

Lydia let out a slow exhale, feeling a mixture of relief and nervousness. The road ahead felt uncertain, but with Nolan beside her, it felt a little less overwhelming. She gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks for… everything. For being here.”

Nolan’s expression softened, and he leaned over to brush a kiss on her hand. “Always,” he whispered, the single word carrying a promise that made her feel, for the first time in a long while, like she wasn’t facing this alone.

They finished their breakfast in a quiet, comfortable silence, the weight of the upcoming therapy now lighter between them. Though the future still held its challenges, for now, in this small moment, everything felt steady and secure.