Page 41 of Psychotic Nightmares

Change of plan, Julian

said I’m not allowed to

be alone,eye roll emoji

can you pick me up from

my apartment?

Me:

Sure, we’ll be there soon.

Pulling up outside Natalie's apartment building, I see her standing with Julian, he has his arms crossed and looking pretty pissed. Not like I blame him. From his point of view I am taking his woman out on a ‘date’. Even though she was mine first - technically. Nat looks fucking stunning in the pale green knee length dress she wears, the same one she wore on our first date, her hair falls aroundher face with her natural waves - I always loved her natural hair, and I’m not afraid to admit I begged her not to straighten it again after seeing them the first morning after sending the night together.

“Hey.” She smiles at Nico who's waving at her from the back seat.

“New auntie.” He beams back. “Hurry, I’m hungry.” He starts jumping up and down in his seat. My boy gets so excited when it comes to his food.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come?” Julian mumbles.

“Youweren't invited.Iwas.” She jests back. “Worried I’m going to run away?” I swear his whole body shakes with frustration at her attempt at a joke. “Geez, I swear I’m not going to run away, Julian.” She rolls her eyes.

Brave.

“That’s not funny.” He grumbles under his breath.

I feel a little bad for the guy, but she’s right. It’s not like she is moving to the other side of the country, she is going out for breakfast with friends. Before an argument ensues, I open the door and step out, walking around to the passenger side and opening the door for Natalie. “Milady.” I bow. Nico chuckles from the back seat.

“What are you doing?” Julian huffs.

“Following my boss’ orders.” I glare up at him. “My son is in charge this morning as the new king of pranks so…” I shrug.

Natalie plays along with Nicos playing, probably feeling all the angry tension in the air and wanting to distract us from starting a fight in the middle of the street. “Why thank you kind sir.” She curtseys, lifting her dress a little as she bows her head, her pretty waves fall like curtains around her face before she looks up and grins at me. “Your majesty.” She looks toward Nico. “Thank you for your generous invitation to breakfast.”

Nico pokes his head out of the window along with Jerry-Lee, “you are most welcome, princess. Now please get in the carriage so we can go and dine on some fabulous food.” He puts on a posh voice and I can’t help but laugh. Even Julian breaks his grumpy composure and chuckles lightly. Natalie climbs into the car and I close the door.

“Keep her safe.” Julian says quietly. “Please, brother.”

I exhale. “Of course.” I put a hand on his shoulder. “I promise. Nothing will happen, she seems to be doing better. She still has a long way to go but look.”We both look toward the car where Natalie and Nico are still acting like royalty and fussing over Jerry-Lee. “As long as you don’t fuck up again, she’ll be fine.”

I’m glad they managed to talk, and they mostly made up. But I still need to find out what her decision is. I need to hear it fromher that she has chosen Julian.

“Ha. You’re right. Thanks mate.” He pats my shoulder and heads back to his own car. “Don’t be late for the meeting.” He calls before driving away.

Looking back at Nico, she notices he has his headphones back on. Nico gets antsy whenever we go for a drive, so he likes to wear his headphones and watch a movie - whether it be a quick drive around the corner or a six hour road trip. He gets so nervous in a car that we found the only way to keep him calm is distraction. He’s quick to take them off as soon as we get to our destination though.

“Soooo, I have a confession.” she admits quietly when I get back into the driver's seat. I give her a look of concern. “Nothing bad I swear.” She smiles. “I remembered something, and when Julianfinallylet me be alone in my apartment I went to grab them.” She pulls a gift bag from her bag. “I got them the night of the accident. I found them in my purse when I got home and was so confused on why I got them, I put them into my jewellery box and kept them there all this time,” she starts pulling out the items, I look toward her when we hit a red light. In her hand she holds three braided cords. One has a kitten dangling from it, another has a heart and the third has a puppy. “I remember you told me how much Nico loved dogs.” She reaches her hand behind my chair and gets Nico'sattention before asking for his arm.. She connects the cord around his wrist, “they’re friendship bracelets. I got one for each of us.” I can’t speak as she wraps the one with the heart around my wrist then the one with the kitten around her own.

“Thank you, new auntie!” Nico calls from the back as he inspects his new gift. I inspect mine quickly before the light turns green.

“Thank you, Nat.” I smile. “It’s cute.” Definitely not something I would have worn myself, but coming from her I will gladly show it off. “I see you have agattinaon yours.”

“Well, you do call me kitten.”

“Papa, she is asignoranot a kitten!” Natalie bites her lip to stop herself from laughing as I get berated by my seven year old. “Now correct yourself!”

“Yes sir. You are correct. Natalie is asignora.A very special one.” I wink and she looks out the window to try to hide her blush but fails as I can see her reddening skin in the reflection.