Over the Phone

Chapter Twelve

Adam hefted Chloe's bag out of the trunk and slung it over his shoulder, taking her hand as they walked toward the apartment. His chest felt tight; yes, she'd spent the night before, but this was different... she was actually going to live with him now. He thought back to how this had come about and smiled to himself.

Chloe had been filling out her discharge papers when she stopped, pen poised above the paper.

"Adam, I don't want to go home." He'd stepped closer to her bed and rested his hands on the railing.

"Well, Chlo, you can't really stay here; you have to leave." She had shaken her head at his words.

"No, I know, but that's not what I meant. I don't want to go home... I don't want to be anywhere near Beck. Adam, what if she sent that guy after me?" Adam had held his breath while she spoke.

"My apartment is always available to you, but I understand if you don't want to go back there."

"You'd let me stay with you for a few weeks?" Adam scoffed.

"Chloe, you can stay forever if you want." Chloe bit her lip, feeling her cheeks go pink.

"You... want me to move in?" Adam had stared into her eyes before answering.

"Chloe, I'm crazy about you. I would love for you to move in with me. But only if you want to." Chloe went very red at those words.

"But, like, I mean... moving in together- sharing the room... the- the bed?" Adam chuckled at that.

"Chloe, I will sleep on the couch every night if it makes you feel more comfortable."

He smiled, thinking of how pretty she looked when she blushed and how easily she'd agreed to his suggestion. The idea of sharing the small apartment with Adam was one she definitely liked, even though it made her a little nervous. The only thing she was sure of was that there was no way she could look Beck in the eye right now, let alone share an apartment with her...

Adam unlocked the door and held her hand as she stepped inside. Strangely, she didn't feel afraid or panicked; she was still completely comfortable being here... maybe it was because Adam was with her. She looked up into his face and found him inspecting her, as if waiting for her to break down and ask to be taken home.

God, I love him, she thought to herself and had to giggle. Here she was, the innocent little girl, moving in with a man she'd only met a few months ago... over the phone, no less.

"What's so funny," he asked her.

"Nothing," she said, turning a brilliant smile on him. Adam held her gently to his chest and smiled.

"Welcome home," he said quietly and pressed his lips to hers.

Chloe placed the last stack of clothing into a dresser drawer beside Adam's clothes and closed the drawer, a huge smile on her face.

"There," she said, "Everything is put away." Adam looked around the room and saw her things everywhere blended in with his and couldn't help but smile... she was making her presence known all over the house and it made him feel like she really was his- like she was claiming a piece of him, too. He came to stand behind her, his hands on her shoulders.

"Good. How are you feeling?" She shrugged a little, a smile on her own face.

"I'm good; my pain meds kicked in a bit ago, so I'm fine. A bit tired, though." Adam kissed the top of her head.

"Why don't you go to sleep, then?" Chloe was already dressed in pajamas; the first thing she'd done when they'd finished eating was change into a camisole and shorts. She sighed and looked around the room again.

"Yeah, I guess I can go to bed... everything's put away and there's nothing left to do." He hugged her gently around the waist from where he stood behind her.

"Alright, I'll just grab a blanket real quick and you can get some peace." Chloe's cheeks went slightly pink and she bit her lip, turning to face him.

"Why don't... why don't you stay in here with me?" Adam's eyebrows came together, his expression concerned.

"Are you sure?" Chloe lifted a shoulder.

"Yeah. I mean, if it gets weird, we can make other arrangements tomorrow. But I live here now; this is our room..." Adam cupped her cheek in his palm, his fingers lost in the tresses of her hair.

"I love you, Chloe," he said softly and bent to kiss her, not bothering to wait for her response.