Miserably Delightful

chapter 13

warning: this a long ASS chapter. lol enjoy.

We had decided on a sandwich place for lunch, for North's sake. We all ate something relatively healthy, much to Luke's disappointment. On the way out, I stopped and bought us each a chocolate chip cookie, and as we walked back to the hotel, I gestured for Luke to join me in the back. He slowed his pace and I slipped him the cookie, a bright smile forming on his face as soon as I did. He wrapped me in tight hug and pressed a bunch of kisses to my face.

When we arrived back at the hotel, I was dragged into the room that Luke and Gabriel had been staying in. Before I completely disappeared into what I affectionately referred to as the Twilight Zone, North called out to them to be careful with me, but they completely disregarded it. This resulted in North sending Nathan in after us.

I sat on the bed, bouncing slightly, a giggle bubbling out of my mouth from the movement.

Nathan looked at me, a fond expression on his face. "You are absolutely precious and adorable," he said, causing a blush to spread over my cheeks.

Nathan took a seat beside me and I slumped into him, the two of us watching Gabriel rifle through my bag while Luke laid on the floor, typing something out on his phone. Mindlessly, I reached up and ran my fingers through Nathan's hair, humming in contentment. It was so nice to be away from the horrific people I was forced to acknowledge as my family, and spend time with the boys I was quickly begin to consider as my real family.

"What are we doing?" I asked Nathan, looking up at him wide eyed. I knew that, technically, I wasn't supposed to know, but I hoped that he would cave and give me something at least.

"I won't tell you everything," he brought his mouth close to my ear to whisper so the other boys wouldn't hear. "But I will tell you that we're about to go to the beach. The North Shore to be specific. North is... rather fond of it. We think he might like it."

I squirmed, once again excited. I couldn't recall the last time I had been to the beach, and I was overjoyed that now that that I was going again, it was with people I cared about and had fun with. Usually, in the past, when my family used to go on vacations, it wasn't all that fun. Mostly, our family vacations consisted of a lot of appearances for events and a lot of yelling. I hated to say it, but I was glad that our family no longer participated in taking vacations together.

Nathan studied my face, tilting his head, obviously confused by the wistful look that passed over my face. "What are you thinking about, Peanut?"

"I think the last time I went to the beach was with my family," I confessed, my voice coming out softer and sadder than I intended it too. "I'm pretty certain we were happy, then too. Lauren actually liked me, Zain wasn't an alcoholic, and my dad spent time with me."

Nathan's blue eyes flashed with sympathy for me and he pulled me into a tight hug, rubbing my back soothingly. I clung to him, squeezing my eyes shut. I hadn't meant to dig up old, painful memories, but somehow they had just surfaced and they hurt. I was thankful for Nathan's support.

"You won't have to deal with them much longer," he quietly promised me, and I nodded, believing him. I was going to figure out a way to handle my family soon enough, and when I did, I would be free to spend all the time that I wanted with the boys.

"Oy!" Gabriel exclaimed, interrupting my moment with Nathan. "Let her go so that she can get changed."

I pulled away from Nathan and stood, catching the bundle of clothing that Gabriel tossed my way. I shuffled into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I set the clothes on the counter and looked through them, shocked to see that there was a black bikini that I had not packed. I figured Gabriel must have brought it for me, and decided that I might as well put it on in case I decided to go into the water.