Demons (An AU Nathan Gardner Story)

Chapter 26 - Unconventional

The Christmas tree gave the only remaining light in the family room. Nathan was still seated at the piano, Sydney by his side, her head on his shoulder. She had no idea he could play and when he did, she melted. Maureen decided to make a big deal of it, telling Sydney how Nathan excelled at both piano and guitar all throughout his school career. The guitar she spotted in Nathan's home now made much more sense. Susan sang along with her father's playing, both of the younger girls then desperate for the spotlight. Nathan appeased them with "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph." After a couple of hours, and Maureen passing out matching Christmas pajamas for everyone, nearly all of them went to their rooms.

"A man of so many talents," Sydney whispered. "One more before bed?"

"I don't know, Syd, what if the monsters are already asleep in their coffins? Or Justin is trying really hard to get Kelly to...do absolutely anything?"

Sydney lifted her head and kissed his cheek. "Pretty please?"

And so he played. The song was soft, sad, and familiar. Joni Mitchell's words came from Nathan's lips and Sydney was speechless. As Nathan sang "River" to her, she let silent tears fall from her eyes and felt some sort of cosmic weight lift from her shoulders. When she heard his voice break near the end of his serenade, she saw that he, too, was crying. His hands left the keys and they sat for a moment, the silence and twinkling lights comforting them both.

"Will you ever kiss me again?" Sydney asked, her eyes closed.

Nathan turned to her. "What?"

"I understand that it's only been a few days, I do...but as scared as I've been when I close my eyes and see him, and as much as it makes me ill to look at myself..." She sniffled as she wiped away her eyes. "...what terrifies me most is that you'll never look at me the way that you did; that you'll only see me as broken."

"Oh, Syd." He put both of his hands on her face, his touch warm and gentle. "Honey, look at me." She let her red eyes meet his. "You have to know..." No, words weren't going to say what he needed them to right now. He leaned in, slowly to give her the chance to pull back, but she didn't. He only meant to give her a soft kiss, but it turned into so much more. His arms enveloped her, their safety and strength making her feel protected and...

"I love you," she whispered, breaking from the contact she'd needed. "It's not fair to tell you like this, but I can't..."

"I love you, too." He kissed her again, making sure he was aware of her body and being so careful with her. "We both tried to hide from it, I know." Sydney nodded and went back to his lips, desperate for him. He felt her hands on his back, then one traveled up the back of his neck into his hair. "I love you," he repeated. "I'm so sorry, Syd. You're right, this isn't how it should have come out."

Sydney pulled back just a little and smiled at him through watery eyes. "Not a single day since I met you has been conventional, why break the streak?"

"Come with me." He stood, then helped her up as well. Her crutch was across the room, so he picked her up and delicately placed her on the floor in front of the tree. "I'll be right back." He ran into a chair as he sprinted out of the room, causing Sydney to giggle. The sound was music to him. When he returned a few moments later, he sat on the floor beside her. "When you were supposed to come home after the holidays, I had this grand plan. I was going to take you out and do my damndest to show you the time of your life." He took her hands in his. "I realized and I accepted that I was in love with you almost a month ago, Syd. Despite how hard I tried to deny it, or told myself I didn't want it - I was lying. I can tell you the exact day, place and time..."

"The art room." It wasn't a question.

He smiled at her, never feeling so light. "The art room. You said unconventional, Syd, and what we did there was just that. I know you know we weren't just having sex."