A Nightmare's Fate

My Brightest Days

Chapter Forty-three: My Brightest Days

Snuggling next to Errik is probably the most comforting thing that can ever happen. He’s warm. I rest my head on his chest and I can hear his heartbeat. It’s smooth and nice to hear that he’s alive; very much alive.

            We slept on the couch from four in the morning to now, which seems to be about nine. Errik’s eyes slowly open and he smiles up at me. “Good mornin’ lad,” he says.

            “Top of the mornin’ to ya too,” I say, trying to sound Irish.

            He softly laughs. “That’s very good, Ray.”

            I nod in acknowledgement. “So what are the plans for the day?”

            “Well I don’t have to work today and I believe Periwinkle said to not come in today either, correct?”

            “Yes,” I assure him.

            “So I say today is either a fun day or a lazy day,” he suggests.

            “How ‘bout we do both?” I look into his gorgeous blue eyes and smile. He then stands and stretches, making odd sounds as he does so.

            “That’s a perfect idea,” he answers. “I’m gonna take a shower; wanna come with me?”

            I slyly smile at him, but as I get up, I walk over to the kitchen. “I’m gonna stick with making coffee.”

            “Suit yourself.” He shrugs with a cackle. As he leaves, I get up to go to the kitchen to make a fresh pot of coffee.

*~*~*~*~*

It’s a Tuesday afternoon in the fall and to us, there isn’t anything we can do that is fun. So Errik has the idea of us shopping or mingling around the city. That’s where we are right now; in one of the many clothing stores.

            “Oh no, take all the time you need ‘Rik,” I say as I wait for him to come out of the dressing room.

            “I think these pants are a bit too small,” he assures me and an annoyed sigh escapes my mouth.

            “That’s it, I’m coming in!” I announce, feeling like this scene can go on for many days and nights.

            “No!” he whines.

            “Errik, it isn’t like I haven’t seen you naked before, so come on. Open up!” I yell and from the corner of my eye, I see a woman who looks at me strangely like she doesn’t approve of what I just said. And then I catch a glimpse of her younger daughter and with the woman’s eyes widened, she rushes her and her child out of hearing range.

            “Fine!” He opens the door and I come in. He’s in boxers, so I still have no idea why he wants to keep his junk private even when he knows I’ve seen every single inch of his body before. It isn’t like I’m seventeen and just found out what a male’s private part is.

            “The key is to suck in your flab and pull it up,” I say.

            “I have no flab, Ray!” he points out. Looking at his abdominal, I nod in agreement.

            “What is your original size again?” I ask in sarcasm.

            “The hell should I know?” My eyebrows narrow and look at him strangely.

            “How can you not know your size in pants?”

            “Does it look like I keep track of everything?” His eyebrows rise.

            “Whatever . . .” I say in annoyance and let out a sigh. “Let me get you a bigger size.” Opening and closing the door, I walk out and head back to the men’s section. Looking for the next size or so up, I grab what I can find and walk back to the dressing room. When I walk back inside, he’s sitting on the bench with his arms crossed. “Try these on,” I order and he does so.

            The first pair that he tries on that is one size larger, fits but the second one that is two sizes more, doesn’t. “Do we also look for things for you?” he asks and I shake my head.

            “Nah, I don’t need stuff from here—I say we just head out of here and go somewhere else or do something else. Besides, my car is already full of stuff.” I take the jeans that didn’t fit and leave the small accommodation to put them on the rack as he changes into his original pants.

            As we get to the line at the front, he stares out into space. “I’ll be right back,” he says. “Stay here,” he demands and I do so, but being a little worried, I watch where he goes. A man with shaved brunette hair stands behind a long rack of clothing. They talk a little bit until Errik nods and the man leaves. As Errik walks back, he puts something that looks like an envelope inside his pocket.

            “What was that about?” I inquire, gazing up at him curiously.

            “Nothing.” I can tell he’s lying to me.

            “Then what’s with the letter?” I say.

            “It’s just something from work, that’s all Raven,” he confirms but I know it isn’t the truth. It’s something in his eyes that makes me believe that there is something wrong, something he’s not telling me.

            “All right . . .” I trail off and look back to the cashier.

*~*~*~*~*

Walking out of a small café shop, Errik grabs me and twirls me around. “Hey,” he says with his hands in my own. “I love you.”

            “I love you too.” I slightly smile and he shakes his head.

            “No . . .” he begins, coming closer to me. “Yer not sounding like yer happy to say that, so what’s wrong?” The fact that you’re hiding things from me, that’s what’s wrong.

            “Nothing,” I simply say.

            “Nothing is wrong?” he questions and I nod in confirmation. “I don’t believe ya.” He lets go of my hands as he comes closer to my face. My arms bend and try to stop him from coming, but he’s too strong. His lips puckers and he tries to kiss me and even though I don’t want to kiss him at this time, I can’t stop myself from laughing. “Come on!” he says and I keep giggling.

            “Stop it Errik!” I say and suddenly he stops. But just a moment later, our lips meet each other’s. I don’t want to stop loving him because every moment I spend with him is the best moment of my life. I love him deeply and I can’t stay mad at someone who brightens up my day. No matter what, he’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, excluding Kenton. But now, Kenton isn’t here anymore and I know I have to move on, so loving Errik is my only choice to stay out of the darkness. He’s my only way to fight the obscureness. “I love you,” I say and mean it.

            “That’s more like it.” He grins and kisses me again.