Chapter 13
Julie and Nick fell asleep in Reggie’s room when they were taken for an x-ray, everyone else went on a dinner run. Reggie was exhausted when they got back to their room, listening to the doctor explain they had two broken bones in their arm, they wouldn’t be allowed to play their bass or guitar until it healed. Willie’s mom came to check in, waking Nick and Julie. “I’m sorry I didn’t get there sooner, Reggie.” She said quietly. “I’m sorry about your mom, too. I understand she wasn’t much of a mom, but you still have my condolences.”
“What exactly is gonna happen with her since you arrested Robert?” Reggie asked softly, voice wavering like the words would break them.
“Well, she has life insurance that named you and your father as the beneficiaries. The judge ruled that you would become the sole beneficiary, so you can take the money and move on, take it and give her a burial, or neither and the city will fund a cremation.”
“Oh.” Reggie turned their gaze down to their hands.
“You don’t have to think about that right now, Reg.” Nick offered. “You don’t have to think about it at all if you don’t want to.”
“I think I want to bury her.” They muttered quietly, turning their casted wrist slowly.
“Are you sure, Reg?” Julie asked, her voice laced with concern, “No one would blame you if you wanted to move on.”
“It’s not really moving on if I just ignore it happened.” Reggie huffed a humorless laugh, “Besides, I have an aunt that would want her buried.”
“Okay.” Nick said. “If that’s what you want, we’re with you.” Nick carded his fingers through Reggie’s hair and they leaned into the touch, “Are you tired, babe?” Reggie nodded. “Okay, let’s get you some sleep.” Julie turned the lights off as Nick carefully tucked the blankets around Reggie. Missus Stewart muttered a quiet goodbye before leaving.
“Nick? Jules?” Reggie called.
“Yeah, babe?”
“Can you guys-can you lay with me?” Julie grinned.
“Of course we can, silly.” Julie climbed in on the side with Reggie’s IV, while Nick took the side with the cast. Nick trailed his fingertips over Reggie’s skin, reaching up to continue petting their hair.
“Go to sleep, baby. We’ll be right here the whole time.” It only took a few minutes before Reggie fell asleep. The others were back with food, but no one spoke so they wouldn’t wake them up.
When Reggie woke up, Luke pulled out a marker and everyone signed their cast. They insisted Nick and Julie went first, Julie signed it where they could easily read the neatly written phrase “You’ll always have a family with us.” And Nick signed a little more to the side, Reggie couldn’t really read it, but Nick flushed when he was done, everyone sharing knowing grins. Before anyone else wrote anything, Flynn snapped a picture, showing Reggie the simple words written in black on the pink tape, “I love you. - Nick” They flushed on their own, and everyone stepped out, agreeing to give them a minute before they finished.
“Sorry.” Nick muttered. “Too soon?”
“Do you mean it the way I think you do?” Reggie chose their words carefully. “You love me?”
“Of course I love you, Reg.” Nick huffed a laugh, “How could I not? You are the sweetest person I’ve ever met. You’re funny and make people laugh no matter what’s happening, you’re so adorably awkward. I’ve never met anyone like you before, and I don’t think I ever could again, even if I looked all over world for the rest of my life. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Reggie wiped at their eyes with a smile. “How could I not? You’re perfect.”
Nick laughed louder, pressing a kiss to Reggie’s lips, “If anyone is perfect, it’s you. You’re perfect for me.”