Chapter 8
Reggie was sleeping with Nick again every night. But one day, three months after the festival, he tells Nick he’s going out of town with Julie to go visit Ray. Nick had just come home from visiting his own dads. Reggie told him Luke is taking over at the bookstore til he gets back, and Nick offered to close the gym for a while, go with him. But Reggie said no.
“I’ll be back in three days, love. I promise, I’ll come back to you.” The second part was something Reggie started saying after Caleb tried to get between them again, two months before the trip to see Ray, one month after they started saying I love you again. Caleb tried to play on Reggie’s insecurities to get him back, the ones that Caleb perpetually preyed on when they were together, to convince him that Nick couldn’t love him. But Nick had loved Reggie so much that those insecurities didn’t really exist anymore. So Reggie started promising Nick whenever he left the house that he would come back to him, come back to the love of his life. And Nick would promise right back that he’d be there waiting for him.
Nick and Flynn saw Reggie and Julie off at the airport, as they headed home to visit Ray. Except, they were going to visit Ray. Julie was going with Reggie to visit Nick’s dads. Again.
When Reggie knocked on the big blue door of the big white house, he was worried they would change their answer. When Ryan opened the door, the smile on his face couldn’t have been any bigger, or any more full of love. Reggie remembered meeting them a few times over the course of his relationship with Nick. They were the most welcoming dads he’d ever met, other than his own- the one he shared with Julie. “Reggie! Julie! Amazing to see you again.” He ushered them into the house, calling his husband. “What’s the occasion?” He asked, turning to face them as Chad entered, grinning at the two twenty-six year olds.
“Do you remember my last visit?” Reggie blurted.
Ryan’s smiled died in intensity, and Chad instantly wrapped his arm around him. Chad spoke up, “Yes, Reggie. Nick told us you’ve been having trouble remembering everything, so we can-“
“No, I remember.” Reggie said quickly, Julie took his hand as it started to shake, “I just- I wanted to ask you again? For your blessing?”
Chad laughed wholeheartedly as Ryan’s grin brightened, “You have it, Reggie. You are so good with him, there is no one we would rather give it to.”
“Thank you.” Reggie rushed forward, pulling them into a hug. He and Julie joined them for dinner that night before flying out to actually visit Ray. Who kept pacing around like he couldn’t sit still.
When Reggie got home, Nick wasn’t there. And when Reggie called the gym, it was closed, and Nick didn’t answer his cell. Then suddenly, he got a call from Luke, asking him to hurry to the store. Reggie did, planning to ask his best friend where his boyfriend was, but when he got there, the lights were off. There were candles on various empty shelves and on top of bookcases, and Nick stood in front of the counter in the center of it all, wearing the same t shirt and jeans he did on their first date. Reggie happily noted the t shirt still hugged Nick’s muscles. Luke and Carrie were in the corner, Luke had his acoustic and Carrie was harmonizing a love song with him. “What-“ The breath caught in Reggie’s throat.
“Hey, baby.” Nick grinned, stepping over to Reggie and offering his hand.
Reggie took it with a soft smile, “Hey, love.” Nick led Reggie in a slow dance, guiding him in the open space at the front of the store. “Love, what is all this?”
“Baby, I missed you. And I realized something. I know how you feel about the subject, but I figured I should still try.” Nick took a deep breath, still guiding Reggie around. “You are the greatest thing to ever happen to me. And even though you forgot who I was, you were still willing to give me a chance to show you that I love you. You make me feel like I’m worthy of love, even before you fell in love with me again. In everything you do, you put so much care and affection into whatever it is. And I don’t know what I would do without you in my life.” Nick spun Reggie, but when Reggie completed the circle, Nick was down on one knee. Reggie covered his mouth as tears sprang to his eyes. “When I went to visit my dads last week, I swung by Ray’s on the way. I asked him for permission to do this, because I know how important he is to you. Reggie, will you marry me?” Carrie held out a ring, and Nick took it for a second before he blinked at her, “Carrie, this isn’t it.” But Carrie was handing Reggie one, too.
“It’s the one he was going to give you.” She answered softly, returning to Luke.
Reggie knelt in front of Nick. “I just visited your dads on my way to Ray’s. It’s actually the second time I’ve seen them.” Nick looked confused, but tears still pooled in his eyes, “Before my accident, I went to see them. I asked them for their blessing to marry you. I never thought I’d change my mind about marriage, but you changed it. I love you so much, Nick. So I’ll marry you if you marry me, too.” Nick laughed out a yes before pulling Reggie into a kiss.