Unconditional

Chapter 15

 We drove home in silence and I changed into pajamas and got into his bed. I felt really bad for Taylor and his family; I just didn't know how to help him. When he got into bed I moved closer to him and he wrapped his arms around me. I laid my head on his chest, and rested there for a minute not saying anything.

"Taylor, are you ok," I asked him lifting my head to look at his face.

There wasn't really much to look at in the dark.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little overwhelmed."

 "Did your parents decide when the funeral is going to be?"

 "No." He was shaky in his voice.

 "Like I told you earlier, hun', you don't have to be brave for me."

I normally didn't call him hun, or sweetie, or honey, or anything like that, but something inside me said it was ok to do it now.

 "Carmen, I'm not being brave for you. I just don't know what to do, emotionally. Whether I should cry, or scream or what."

I kissed his cheek and said "whatever way you want to deal with it, just do it, no judgment."

He laughed and squeezed me closer to him, and I fell asleep in his arms.

When I woke up in the morning I was the only one in the bed. I got out of his bed and walked out into the hallway. It felt like this was my home; and hopefully one day it will be. Taylor was downstairs watching T.V. and I came down and sat with him on the couch. He was watching the news when I remembered something.

"Oh crap, I forgot to call my parents last night to make sure I got in ok."

I rushed up the stairs and grabbed my phone and called my mom. She wasn't to upset about it, given what went on last night. My dad was a little edgy, though, but once I explained he softened up. I came back downstairs and Taylor was sitting there. His phone buzzed and he answered it.

"Hello."

There was a lot of listening for awhile then he said "ok, what time?"

Then continued "sounds great. Alright love you too mom, bye."

He ended the call and turned towards me.

"Funeral's at ten-thirty tomorrow morning."

I nodded "so we have to whole day to do whatever we want."

"Yes, we do," he leaned over and kissed me. I leaned back till I was resting on the arm of the couch and didn't break the kiss. I stopped and said "we can't do this all day."

"Then for half of the day?"

I shook my head "no."