In Case You Didn't Know

Chapter 34

"Why are you so nervous?" Nathaniel's thumb traces patterns on my back, between my shoulder blades, as we wait for someone to open the door.

"Amelia was friends with Lauren, wasn't she?"

"I can assure you that Amelia is going to love you." It was an easy 'yes' when he asked me if I'd like to come along to have dinner with Roger and Amelia, but once the day arrived my anxiety sky-rocketed. Despite Nathaniel's many attempts of reassurance, the feeling of alarm had just been growing the closer the hours drew by. "And you already know Roger."

"But not like this." This is too official, but then again we're, uhm, living together. "This is like...like meeting your parents."

"Which you haven't done properly, so we'll have t–"

"Oh, fuck me."

"Eventually." Saved by the bell, the door is swung open in that precise moment, and any comedic banter dies right away.

"Hi, you two." A lively Amelia cladded in a yellow knitted jumper receives us. "Come on in." She greets Nathaniel with a kiss on the cheek, and then pulls me into a sweet embrace.

"We brought wine." I hand her the bottle we got at Perman earlier today.

"Thank you, it'll go perfect with the lamb. I'll put it to chill." She disappears sporting a broad smile. Nathaniel hangs our coats on the hook behind the door. Roger appears shortly after, cradling Mika in his arms.

"There is my man." Nathaniel comments as he trots towards Roger, but instead of shaking the hand that his friend offers, he blatantly ignores him and instead takes the baby from his arms. Roger rolls his eyes annoyingly, muttering something I can't comprehend. Mika giggles as Nathaniel raises him above his head, and it's impossible for me to not smile at the display.

"He just ate, so unless you want him to empty his stomach on you, I'd suggest you stop shaking him like a maraca." Nathaniel's smile fades, immediately lowering Mika to chest level before carefully putting him down on his play mat.

"Hi, Alex." Just as his wife did, the previously annoyed Roger pulls me into a one-arm hug.

"Thanks for having us tonight."

"I wasn't exactly left with many options with Nathaniel refusing to go anywhere without you." My cheeks heat up at his comment.

"I went to that game with you just this weekend." Nathan complains, shooting him a glare.

"I'm kidding." Roger ruffles Nathaniel's hair, which he responds with a punch to his ribs. Soon enough they're wrestling, like they six years old they are, across the living room. Mika waves his tiny fists in the air, cheerful sounds coming from his mouth as he looks at the pair. Part of me wants to laugh at their theatrics, but I've honestly never gotten what's so funny of these boys games.

"Welcome to my world." A half-sigh leaves Amelia's lips as she looks at my expression. "I'm raising more than one kid, as you can see." I laugh.

"Heard that." Roger barks over his shoulder, and Nathaniel and him finally put an end to their show.

"Mika's gotten so big." I walk towards him, crouching down for a moment to shake the mobile attached to the play mat and to tickle his tummy.

"Oh, that's true." Amelia remembers, muttering behind me. "You met him that time at the park with Nathan." That afternoon seems like a lifetime ago now, but at the same time it reminisces greatly just how Nathaniel and I truly are with each other; the wry banter, stolen glances, fuzzy looks, mundane talk.

Rising back to my feet, I join Nathaniel on the sofa, Roger and Amelia occupying the one closer to where Mika is.

"Oh, sorry, do you guys want something to drink? A beer?" Roger offers.