Seeing Blind |NH|

Chapter Fifty

"Huh?"

"You know I'm planning to do some traveling after the new year.  Come with me.  A few friends and I were thinking of backpacking around Southeast Asia.  Vietnam was up on the list.  Come with me."

She sat up.  "Are you serious?"

"Yes!"

"Niall, I'm hopefully getting a job here soon at Patrick's office.  I can't just start and then disappear.  That would go against the plan of not being so irresponsible."

"You don't have to come for the whole trip.  But, if nothing else, at least join us for Vietnam."

She looked at me.  "I'll have to talk with Patrick about it.  If I get the job."

"Oh, he's going to make sure you do.  You can talk with him tomorrow, and I'll get you the dates as soon as I know so you can make sure you get those dates off.  And I'll pay for your ticket."

"No.  If I come along, I pay for my own tickets.  I need - and want - to be more independent.  Plus, I have the money."

"So is that a yes?"

She looked at me before smiling, "Yes!"

She jumped into my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck.  I wrapped mine around her waist, hugging her tightly.

"This is going to be so much fun, Niall!  I know, for once, I will have a great time!"

"Of course, you will.  You'll be with me."

"Exactly."  She scooted off my lap and giddily clapped her hands like a child.  "I'm so excited now!"  I laughed at her enthusiasm.  "No way I'm going to be able to sleep now," she said, hopping up off the couch. 

"I don't think I can either."

"Oh!  Let's start planning what we want to do and see when we're there?"  She ran into her bedroom.  "C'mon, Niall, let's look in here," she called out.

I got up off the couch and made my way into her bedroom where I found her already under the covers with her laptop on her lap.

I laughed at her.  Climbing in next to her, I sat myself on top of her covers and scooted closer to her to see the screen as she pulled up things to do in Vietnam.  We spent the next hour looking at places and writing down what we thought might be interesting to see and do.

When I woke up several hours later, she had her head on my shoulder and her computer by her side, her pen was still in her hand.  I laughed at her before softly getting up out of the bed.  I went back to my place and washed up and got dressed.  Grabbing my suitcases, I left them in the hallway as I went back into her place to tell her goodbye.  I had debated letting her sleep but I knew she'd be mad at me for not letting her say goodbye.

I tenderly laid myself down next to her and watched her sleep a little before gently shaking her awake.

"Hey," I whispered.

"Hey," she hoarsely said back.

"It's time for me to go."

She started to sit up but I pushed her back down, shaking my head.  "You sleep."

"But I need to say goodbye."

"Why do you think I'm here?"

She looked at me, sleep still in her soft eyes.  "I'm gonna miss you, Nialler."

"I'm gonna miss you, too.  But, now we have a plan.  In a few weeks, you'll be joining me for an adventure.  A real one, that will end with good memories.  For us both."

She smiled at me.  "Can't wait."

She moved closer to me and wrapped her arms around me as she snuggled her face into my shoulder.  I held onto her as tightly as I could, momentarily afraid to let her go. 

"Love you, Niall."

"Love you, too, Esta."

I kissed the top of her head and her cheek before finally letting go.  I got up off the bed and quietly waved at her before leaving.  I locked her door on my way and out and headed to the elevator.  As I rode down the elevator and walked out towards the waiting cab, I smiled, knowing I'd see her again soon.