Falling Too Deep

Chapter 36

Andrea - POV:

5 months later

"Please sign in."

I listened to the nurses instruction, writing my name and the time down on the sign in sheet, and then she handed me a visitors pass.

"It's room 28B."

I wrapped the pass around my neck and smiled kindly at her. "Thank you."

Heading down the hall felt like prison. There were security and doctors on every corner I turned. When I reached hall B, I was stopped by a nurse.

"Pass?"

I flashed her my visitors pass and she smiled. "Which room?"

"Room 28."

"Follow me."

I followed her to a metal door with a big lock on it. There was a tiny window on the door where you could see inside. On the door was a small box and I watched as the nurse unlocked it.

"You have to put any sharp objects or cellar devices in here."

I tossed my keys, and my cell phone inside the box and she locked it back up. When she knocked on the door my heart started hammering in my chest.

I wondered what he would look like.

The nurse cracked the door and peeked her head inside. "Nick you have a visitor."

She turned and smiled at me while holding the door wider. "You can go in."

I stepped inside and she closed the door behind me. Leaving. I cleared my throat and slowly looked around the room. Nick was sitting in the corner, his feet propped up on the table and he was staring out the window. I noticed he had a sketch pad on his lap. His hair had grown out and his face was scruffy but other than that he looked the same...still very handsome.

"Hey." I said awkwardly.

He didn't look at me but he continued to sketch away on his paper. I slowly made my way over to the table and took a seat in front of him.

"What are you drawing?"

He gazed out of the window without response. I couldn't help but look at how his green eyes would glisten when the sun hit them.

"I missed you. I-I know...I should've visited you, but I knew you needed this time alone."

Suddenly, he closed the sketch pad and set it down in front of him. He moved his feet off the table and finally looked at me.

"You cut your hair."

My eyes widened in surprise. I was expecting some rude remark or sarcastic comment but instead he brought up my hair. Feeling a bit insecure I ran my fingers through it and nodded.

"I did it myself. I thought that it was time for a change. Do you like it?"

He nodded. "It suits you."

I smiled timidly. "Thank you."

We sat there in silence staring at each other so I quickly jumped up. "So, how have you been?"

He watched me as I walked around the room looking at his small sketches that were taped on the walls.

"Better. I feel better. What I really want to know is how are you? How is the shop...and Christie."

I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms, smiling. "Everything is wonderful. The shop is busy all the time and Christie and Aaron are still together. Can you believe it?"

He chuckled and played with his fingers. "I can believe it."

I took a seat on the bed and his smile suddenly faded. "What about my dad's company building...what happened to that."

"Believe it or not they turned it into an actual fashion business. I always see fashion designers walking in and out of it. I think it's the new headquarters for Prada or Chanel...one of those."

He grinned. "That's great."

I nodded. "It is."

Another silence fell upon us but this time it wasn't awkward. It felt nice. After a few minutes of dead silence Nick got up from his chair and took a seat next to me on the bed.

"I want to apologize."

I raised my eyebrows in curiosity. "For what?"

He sighed. "Everything I put you through. I just want to thank you for being the only one who cared about me and sent me to get help. I hate to say it but being here actually opened my eyes."

I smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way. I never wanted you to hate me."

He shook his head. "I don't hate you. I just wish we could start over."

"We can start over. I want to."

He looked at me in surprise. "You didn't-."

I cut him off. "Nope. I'm still single."

He showed a little smile and placed his hand on my knee. "That's great."

We were interrupted by one of the nurses informing Nick that it was his turn to come out his room. So instead of sitting inside Nick showed me around the place. He showed me the tennis courts, the pool, and the dining hall. Coming from Nick those were the only fun things there. He also had introduced me to a man named Earl. He was very old, but very sweet and a champ at chess.

Nick told me he hasn't yet beat him but one day he will. I laughed at this and watching them two play chess over and over made me realize why Nick loved Earl so much. I guess he was like a father figure to him, something that Nick felt like he didn't have.

In the evening I ate lunch with Nick and Earl and listened to them debate over turkey or ham.

"Ham has more flavor and looks better. I win, son." Earl took another bite of his ham sandwich and I snickered while Nick glared at him.

"Earl. Turkey is healthier and I'm pretty sure it tastes way better. So, I win."

Both of the boys looked at me and I froze. "What?"

Nick nudged me. "What do you think? Turkey or ham."

I shrugged and picked at my salad. "I don't know. Both?"

Earl groaned and waved his hand at me. "That's not an answer!"

I laughed and held up my hands. "Fine. Turkey."

Nick smirked and Earl rolled his eyes. "She just said that 'cause she's your girl."

Nick became quiet and my cheeks heated up. Earl noticed the tension between us so he brought up another topic and I quietly finished my salad. After lunch Nick and I said goodbye to Earl and we headed back into his room. We decided to watch a little TV and halfway during the show Nick cleared his throat.

"So I'm thinking about going back to school when I get out of here."

My eyes widened in surprise and I smiled at him. "That's wonderful! I'm glad you're already thinking ahead."

He scooted closer to me and nonchalantly shrugged. "So...about earlier...when you said you were single...you meant it?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Yeah. I'm still single, waiting on the right guy."

"Well what if I said I could be that guy? Would you be willing to try again with me?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I want to settle down. I'm getting older and I don't want to waste time."

He nodded in agreement. "Of course. I want to settle down too."

I grinned and kissed his cheek. "Let's talk about this more when you actually leave this place."

He smiled. "Deal."

After clearing the air we continued watching the television until a nurse came in hours later.

"Mrs. Huffman visiting times are over."

I nodded and looked at Nick feeling a little sad I had to go so soon.

"I guess I'll see you around?"

He pulled me into a hug. "Ya, see you around."

Before I walked out of his room I turned around and smirked at him. "You really need a haircut."

He scoffed and crossed his arms. "Goodnight Andrea."

I smiled. "Goodnight Nick."

I closed his door and after the nurse handed me back my possessions I made my way to my car. Before I actually left I sat in my car and stared out the window smiling. I realized that my love for Nick had never faded and by seeing him today just fueled it even more. I started the car and drove off with hope in my heart that this time everything was going to be alright and I wasn't worried because I knew that it would.

The End