Under The Surface [Editing]

Chapter ThirtyOne Christmas

Nathan’s POV

Waking up Christmas morning, I instantly looked at the little Christmas tree Dawn had gotten. The new gift was there. I smiled; Greg certainly knew how to help a guy out. She had no idea.

Looking over to her usual spot in the hospital room she was fast asleep still. She has gone home a couple of times to freshen up but I was concerned, she was getting circles under her eyes from sleeping here and uncomfortably in those awful chairs. I told her to go home last night but she refused.

I was able to move around on my own now and the pain had lessened. The bandage on my cheek was less pronounced. The doctor was pleased with how well I was healing. I think it had everything to do with my happiness and good spirits. Plus having the woman I love by my side so unconditionally helped.

I was a coward, and had not said so yet. I almost did on Saturday but her dad called interrupting and I chickened out. He had called asking something about the present I asked him to get her for me which had me smiling again as I got up shuffling to the bathroom. I would have to do something nice for her since she was spending so many uncomfortable nights here in the hospital for my mistake.

I took a slow shower in the ugly hospital bathroom wincing as I tried to stretch. I was sick of being here. I wanted to go home. Home, it was nice to think I had one now, and one of my best friends was going to be there too. For awhile I was able to forget about my father and the threat still hanging over us.

With just a towel around my waist as I went back into the room to find some regular clothes that Greg has been bringing me from home, Dawn has woken up. Since I was stuck here a few more days I asked if I could have some regular clothes instead of the god awful open backed hospital gowns, though I would not mind if it was just Dawn.

The thought made me smirk and she looked up just then and instantly diverted her gaze assuming I was being flirtatious, I obliged her assumption.

“Morning darling,” I went right up to her and kissed her cheek.

“Put some clothes on,” she muttered, I chuckled. Still she was so shy sometimes with me I dressed quickly and when I was out of the bathroom again breakfast had arrived. Darren the friendly cafeteria guy had become a regular fixture and pleasant acquaintance at the hospital with the both of us. He was the nicest person we talked to here of the staff since I arrived.

“Ah I missed Darren,”

“Sure did he was busy though,” she was already eating. The hospital really wasn’t supposed to bring food to non-patients but Darren always brought her a tray despite the assortment of snacks that were piling up in our room with what Greg and our friends kept bringing.

“Merry Christmas,” she said when I sat down and began to eat.

“Can I touch them now?” I ask chastising her.

“No eat first I kind of asked my dad to wait and let us open them privately,” she glanced at the tree and it must have been for the first time today because her brow furrowed and I grinned.

“What’s that little blue one it wasn’t there before,” she looked at me expectantly.

“That’s for you, from me,” I said casually.

“How did you manage that…,” she trailed off, “my dad and his last minute shopping,” she shook her head scoffing and smiles continuing to eat her breakfast. I watched her a few more minutes feeling the odd twitch in my heart that told me how much I loved her. Would I never be able to take my eyes off her anymore? I continued eating and turned on the TV. The Christmas parade was on so I left it there for background noise.