Serendipity

Chapter 30

Tyler

She practically forced me to go back to her Mom's, insisting I didn't have to stay the night with her.

She made all of us leave, and made everyone promise to make sure I eat.

Mom practically shoved food down my throat. I ate to keep them happy.

Mrs. Schuler asked Carmen and I a few days ago in a group call if it was fine if we shared a room. We both said yes, and now I'm in the room that used to be Carmen's. They had the house built the exact same. Same tile and everything.

It's three in the morning, and I've been tossing and turning for hours.

God, I seriously can't sleep.

I need Carmen. I need something of Carmen's or something.

I get up and wander the third floor, and then the second, and then the first.

I jump when I wander into the kitchen and find Dad standing there.

He eyes me.

"Why are you awake?"

"Can't sleep." I grumble.

He leans against the counter.

"It's Carmen, isn't it?"

"What if something happens to her when I'm not there, Dad?" I whisper. "I looked it up. If a vasovagal attack is prolonged, it can cause seizures. Dad, I can't live without her."

He stares at me, setting his glass of water on the counter.

"Tyler, son, if you can't live without her, why is she your girlfriend?"

I sigh.

"What kind of question is that?" I grumble.

"Why isn't she your fiancé? Or your wife?"

"Dad, we've only been together for a month."

"You've been together with a title for a month. You've technically been together for four months."

He's not wrong.

"That's not a long time."

"I was with your mother for a week before I proposed. We were married the next day. You were a shell of yourself when you got in that fight yesterday. The second she walked in the room, it was like you walked in with her. That girl is the end of your love life, I'm telling you son. She's it for you."

"Yeah, I know that Dad, but I'm not rushing her."

"Tyler, I don't think you're rushing her. I think she feels the same. As for her health, I doubt it was emotional stress that made her pass out. She hadn't eaten."

"She ate those brownies. I ate nothing. I didn't pass out."

"Well whatever. She's going to be just fine."

"I can't sleep when I'm not with her. She was gone for three weeks for work. I slept maybe two hours a night. Then I went to see her. We slept in her house, I was out like a light. Even if I'm in my bed and she's in hers, even if I know she's safe, if I'm not in the same house as her, I just can't fall asleep. It's impossible."

Dad sighs, downing the rest of his water. He puts it in the dishwasher.

"Marry her, Tyler."

He walks out.

<><>

I ditched sleeping all together. It's ten, and we're all in the elevator to go up to Carmen's floor.