Beautiful With You (Norman Reedus)

Chapter 25

Author's Note:

Well we are on Chapter 25 and I want to say thank you to Theycallmerae for commenting and voting for the last chapter. Thank you to _samalmightyx for voting for my chapter. It means a lot to me! Here is the chapter!

The party was in full swing and I could see Norman's cast mates milling about the room. Most of them brought their kids which was good because Mingus needed people to hang out with that were more his age. I took a sip of my drink as the music filtered through the room as more people decided to come and join and I couldn't believe how many there were. The room was packed and I could feel the heat rising. I sipped at my drink and tried to get my body temperature down. I was trying to not let my anxiety get the best of me but there were too many people and the room was starting to close in on me. I looked for the window with a balcony and pushed them open, stepping out into the cold which I instantly regretted. I wrapped my arms around me and shivered a bit, watching as the snowflakes fall silently to the ground and then melt. It was supposed to be like this for most of the night but none of it would be sticking, for that I was grateful. I felt a pair of arms wrap around me and the familiar smell of cologne filled my senses. I smiled and leaned back into his chest. I felt his chin lay on top of my head and I closed my eyes, feeling myself relax. My anxiety flew out the window and I felt the calmness cloak me like a warm blanket on a cold night.

"You okay?" He whispered as he ran his hands up and down my arms, the bare skin cold to the touch. I shook my head, wanting to be honest with him because I really wasn't okay. I was trying to be for him, "My anxiety." Those were the only words I had to tell him before his arms wrapped tightly around me and turned me around. I buried my face into his chest and felt broken. I didn't want to be like this because I wanted to enjoy the time with Norman's friends. I knew he had a lot being in the business, but with how many people were in there it was petrifying. Although I had forgot to take my medicine this morning and that could be another reason why my anxiety was high right now. I clung to him though as I looked up at him, my lips meeting his in a soft but needy kiss. I needed him, even though he was right there, I still felt like we were too far apart. I clutched at him as if he was going to be lost at sea and I would never see him again, my actions desperate. I just needed that validity that he was still there and I could feel him holding me closer and tighter. I couldn't help but smile into the kiss and loved how he could read me.

"I'm right here," he whispered against my lips, "I am not going anywhere." His words soothed me and I felt myself calming down as he rubbed his hand up and down my back. I leaned my ear to his chest so that I could hear his heart beating and I found that soothing also. My lips kissed his again before pulling away, "Thank you." My voice was low and kiss his cheek before grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the party. "Are you sure?" I nodded my head and gave him a confident smile. We both walked into the party, Andy coming up and wrapping me into his arms. I laughed at how close he and I had become and I was grateful for him. If it wasn't for him, I don't think Norman and I would be where we were. I would still be doing my normal routine but with less enthusiasm. I would say that Norman had left his mark on me and I was grateful. Gael was next and I hugged her close to me, she had became my quick confidant, someone that I could talk to; especially when it was girl talk. I smile softly as I pull away and hug the children. Ever since meeting Norman's friends I had become a hugger.

I rubbed my face and sipped my drink as we all talked to one another, Mingus coming up and informing us that the ball was about to drop. Everyone gathered around as the ball was projected onto the wall. I watched as the countdown began, everyone joining in, the adults putting their arms around their significant others while the kids held their little flutes full of sparkling juice. I smiled getting lost into everything, a pair of lips meeting mine as I heard cheering all around me, but it all seemed to die away and it was only Norman and I. My heart raced with the passionate kiss, my arms wrapping around his neck and tangling into his nice and soft hair. Someone must have bumped into us because we were jostled apart, a big smile spreading across my face. I ran my fingers through his hair and looked into his eyes. For once I wasn't embarrassed about staring at someone because they were looking back at me. He didn't look away and neither did I. He pulled me close and leaned his head down, his lips coming to rest by my ear, "I love you." I could hear the deep meaning behind those words and they hit me hard. They wrapped themselves around me as I looked to him, "I love you too. So much." I added the last part, to show him just how much although it is hard to put into words just how much.