Delectable Benefits

Sixteen

Nick stepped out of the room for a while and immediately spotted his mother. He wrapped himself in her arms and let him be comforted. And it felt good being in his mother's arms, he felt protected and loved. He wondered if Anya felt the same whenever she's in his arms.

"How is she?" his mother asked.

"She's holding on, mom." He liked it that his mother was tall as he was.

Ann nodded and released her son. "Her results tell us she can never have children."

Nick stiffened, sorrow and anger were once again clouding his vision. He would have wanted a replica of Anya running around underfoot and calling him 'daddy'. "I know, mom."

"So, what are you going to do now?" Ann asked.

"As long as she will have me, mother, it will be enough," Nick said sadly.

Ann knew her son was letting go.

Anya was surprised to see her skin returned to normal and her scars gone once her bandages were taken off at home. She was now sharing a room with Nick back in their apartment. He said he didn't want to her out of his sight and putting her in his room was the right thing to do.

Anya didn't argue, she felt safe with Nick. He kept the monsters at bay. She loved the warmth his arms gave her, the way he kissed and touched her hair when he thought she was sleeping.

She stepped out of their bedroom dressed in tiny shorts and one of his shirts. It had become a habit since his shirts gave her more room to move. She found Nick asleep on one of the chairs, he looked exhausted with all the books scattered about him. She smiled and tidied up his work area. When she was done, she waved a cup of coffee underneath his nose.

Nick woke up slowly he smiled when he saw Anya up and about. "Hey," he said.

She waited for him to take a proper seat and handed him the cup. "Why don't you rest in the bedroom?"

He sighed as he drank the beverage. "I was working," he said dryly. He looked around and saw his books closed and his papers neatly arranged in a pile. "Are you hungry?"

She shook her head and handed him a plate of pancakes. "Here, you look like you need this."

He gratefully accepted the plate and began to eat. "Have you seen the kitchen?"

She smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Yes and I cleaned it too."

He groaned his cheeks turning pink. "I can't cook."

She nodded, "I'm aware." She placed a hand over his, her eyes were solemn as she looked at him. "Nick."

"Hmm?" he replied his mouth full of pancakes.

"You guys also signed me up for skin surgery?"

He nodded, "My cousin did it pro bono. And since I am your legal guardian, I gave the go signal. Like it?" his eyes roamed over body and he saw she was wearing his shirt. "That is mine."

"Do you mind? I'll wash it. Besides it's more comfortable than my usual shirt," she asked and bit hdr kip thinking that she might have overstepped some boundaries.

Nick swallowed, "Usually, I sleep with the woman before she gets to wear my shirt. But since we have been doing everything else backwards and you look hot in my shirt. Do you intend to go outside wearing that?" his eyes were narrowed at her.

She shook her head, "No, I have some studying to do today. I'll just stay in my apartment."

He nodded and finished his pancake, "Are we going out today?"