Wherever You Are

Twenty Three: A Big Enough Day

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Jack opened the door to his apartment quickly, although I knew he was hesitant in doing it. I didn't understand why Lydia had to stay with Jack out of everyone, but like Jack said, him and I could make it work. It just took a lot of lying...

Rushing over to our bedroom, I changed into the short white dress and brushed out my hair to seem at least a bit more decent. Jack had went to exchange a few words with Dr. Macline in her bedroom where she unpacked still. I'm not sure if he went to tell her about me, but I'm presuming he'll introduce me again anyways.

"Dr. Macline," Jack stated, as I heard him walk out of her bedroom and towards ours where I sat and waited on our bed.

"Please, call me Lydia. That way it's more personal," a woman replied, making me realize that she was with him and coming to me; at least I presumed.

"Lydia," Jack started, "I wanted to introduce you to Charlotte, she's the one that's staying with me as well," Jack told, as I saw him come into the bedroom and lean up against the doorframe, motioning for me to come over to him. Listening, as I didn't know what to do really, I walked over to his side and immediately felt his hand wrap around my waist almost instinctively. I didn't know if he wanted Lydia knowing we were in a relationship or if he just wanted to make sure he had me under control. For some reason I was betting on the latter...

"Charlotte! How nice it is to meet you!" Lydia responded, making me look up to her standing in front of both Jack and I with a kind smile. She definitely was different than I thought, less scary I guess I would say. Her face was welcoming and warm as her body language came across in a very relaxed and calming way.

"It's nice to meet you as well. Jack has told me many great things about you," I responded fast, nervous that I wasn't speaking to her the right way. Jack and I really should have talked this over. I thought, looking up to Lydia as her tall height hovered over me like Jack's.

"So you're housing this citizen for what reason again? I don't believe we discussed that," Lydia asked, glancing back at Jack as he looked to her. Gripping onto the back of my waist like I was some sort of stress ball, I knew he didn't know what to say and was getting far too anxious.

"I fell terribly ill and needed to be watched closer by someone. Jack told me it was some sort of disease unknown to this underground world and that I really needed to be away from everyone else until things were figured out. Hence, here I am," I smiled in the end, proud that I just completely lied on the spot like that. Usually I wasn't the best liar, but today I was killing it.

"Exactly, she's exactly right. But don't worry, we can't get sick," Jack joked with Lydia, making her laugh in the end and tell me she hoped everything would be alright for me in the end.

"Where do you sleep Jack? I'm presuming you wouldn't be sharing a bed with Charlotte, she must have a family down in town?" Lydia asked again, making me close my eyes and wonder why on earth she kept asking so many questions!

"Actually my husband died, and we never had children so I'm all alone. Jack originally slept in your room, but is totally fine with sharing one with me for awhile," I stated fast, my eyes still closed.

"I am so sorry, Charlotte. I know how hard that is to lose the people you love without any say," she told me back caringly, making me open my eyes and smile to her. I felt guilty in a sense for lying so much, but I knew it was what we needed. "Are you sure it's alright for me to stay in your room? I could always take the couch," she noted once more, making Jack shake his head and say it was completely alright. Smiling to him, she nodded as Jack, Lydia and I all walked into the living room and kitchen.

"Have you had dinner yet, Lydia? I could make you something?" Jack asked, as he walked into the kitchen and both Dr. Macline and I sat down on a couch. Smiling over at me, she sure seemed to be a cheerful person.

"Is Jack always this kind?" she wondered, making me laugh and nod. Yes, my Jack was always this kind. I thought to myself, looking over to him and seeing him smiling. "Thank you, but I already ate," Lydia responded, taking her hair out of the bun she had formed and letting her brown locks sway to her shoulders. She might have been about twenty or thirty years older than Jack and I, but she definitely still looked young. 

"You're welcome," Jack noted, coming over and sitting down on a lone chair across from us. Yawning accidentally, I covered my mouth right away, looking around in hopes no one saw. For some reason it seemed wrong in the moment to do something like that and I panicked fast.

"That makes two of us," Lydia told me, getting up from the couch and smiling over at Jack. "Thank you for a wonderful greeting tonight, but I think I should be heading off to bed," she told, looking over to me in the next moment. "I think you should too," she laughed, making me giggle as I nodded.

"Well have a good night, in the morning I'll make some breakfast and then I can show you around to re-familiarize yourself before you go out on your own," Jack said, making her nod before saying goodnight and walking off to her room. 

Sitting as still as could be, I waited until I heard the click of her bedroom door shutting before I moved an inch. Exhaling out, I looked to see Jack relax back in his chair and close his eyes. If one night was this stressful, how are we supposed to get through a week? I thought to myself, getting up from the couch and going over to Jack. 

Sitting down in his lap, he opened his eyes to me and smiled, wrapping his arms around me as I set my head against his chest. His heart beated fast, but slowed drastically while I sat with him.

"Did I do alright?" I whispered to him, playing with his white shirt collar as I waited for his response.

"Of course, you were perfect with her," he responded, rubbing my back as I closed my eyes. I was glad to hear from him that he thought I did good at lying basically, because I honestly tried my best. 

"Why don't we try to get some sleep? I think we've had a big enough day already," he laughed quietly, helping me up from the chair and walking me to our bedroom. Closing the door behind us, the darkness was surely blinding in the moment, but once I felt Jack's hands on me I could see perfectly clear...