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Nick felt a little guilty as he exited the bedroom he shared with Charlie and headed down to the kitchen to grab some toast before putting his shoes on to go and get his A-Level results. Nick was really nervous about this, what if he didn’t get the results he’d been wanting? What did he do then? “Morning, Nicky.”
“Morning, Mum.”
“I thought Charlie was going to go with you to get your results?” Sarah asked.
“He was but he’s still asleep and I don’t have the heart to go and wake him up. I know he’s been struggling with sleep throughout his pregnancy and I don’t want to be the reason he isn’t getting some when he could be.” Nick explained.
“You know he’s going to be upset when he finds out you’ve been without him.” Sarah pointed out.
“I know he is, trust me, I know. But I’m not changing my mind on this one. He’s asleep and he’s going to sleep for as long as he needs to.” Nick stated, decidedly.
~
“Mum?” Nick asked, wandering into the kitchen to go and find Sarah. She had just put the kettle on and grabbed an extra mug when her son entered the kitchen.
“Nick, baby, how did you do?” She asked, referring to the envelope in her son’s hands. It was A-Level results day and Nick had been nervous all morning. Charlie had intended to go with him to get the results but since his boyfriend was fast asleep when Nick got out of bed, he didn’t have the heart to wake him. Charlie had been so exhausted lately, what with growing another human, they usually tended to leave him to his sleep.
“I did well, I got all the results I wanted so that’s good.” Nick began.
“Well that’s great isn’t it? You got everything you needed to get into Leeds!” Sarah exclaimed, pulling her son into a tight hug. She pulled back and studied the look on her son’s face. “Nick, what’s wrong?”
“I’ve changed my mind, Mum. I don’t want to go to Leeds anymore. I know I put Kent down as my second choice but I don't want to be so far away from Charlie or our baby. It's not fair to him. I know he told me not to put my life on hold for him and the baby but this way, I can still go to uni but also be here for him. I would never forgive myself otherwise." Nick explained.
"I did wonder if you might change your mind when you told me about the baby." Sarah smiled.
“You’re not mad at me?” Nick checked.
“Of course not, Nicky. I am so proud of you. I know you didn’t plan on having a baby this early on in your life but I am so proud of the way you and Charlie are handling it because it’s a big thing. A lot is going to change. But you are handling it with such grace. Especially Charlie. I know things are going to be tough for the both of you but you have stuck by each other and that is the most important thing.” Sarah explained.
“A lot of people say we’re too codependent.” Nick frowned.
“And? Other people’s opinions don’t matter. If that is what works for the two of you then that is great, Nick. As long as you are both happy then nothing else matters.” Sarah assured him.
“Thanks, Mum. I’m going to submit my results to Kent and see if they’ll have me.” Nick smiled, feeling a lot better and a lot lighter since talking to his mum.
“I can’t see why they wouldn’t.”
It was another couple of hours later, well past noon, that Charlie stirred and went downstairs to join Nick and Sarah. “Why didn’t you wake me?” Charlie frowned. Nick held open his arms and Charlie collapsed beside him on the sofa.
“I didn’t want to disturb you. I know how important it is that you get your sleep right now.” Nick replied.
“Lunch is cooking but would you like a cup of tea while you wait, Charlie?” Sarah asked.
“Yes, please.” Charlie replied. He didn’t know that Sarah was saying this so that she could give the couple a chance to talk in private about the realisation Nick had come to that morning.
“How are you feeling?” Nick asked, pressing a kiss to Charlie’s hair.
“Is that really what you want to talk about?” Charlie replied.
“Well, yeah. You know I care about you. And that I worry.”
“I’m sorry.” Charlie sighed.
“You don’t have to apologise, you know.”
“I know but I wanted to go with you. I understand why you didn’t wake me up even though I asked you to but I’ll admit, I’m a little upset by it. I really wanted to be there with you when you got your results. I’m so proud of you.” Charlie explained. Nick pulled Charlie into a gentle kiss.
“Here’s my results.” Nick smiled. Charlie took them carefully and read them before putting them down on the coffee table and pulling Nick into a bone crushing hug, well, as much of one as the bump would allow, anyway.
“Nick, you did amazing. Is it enough to get into Leeds?”
“It should be but, uh, I was talking to my mum this morning and I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to go to Leeds.” Nick started.
“You don’t?”
“I can’t bear the thought of being so far away from you in case something happens with you and the baby so I’ve been in touch with Kent to see if I can go there instead. I haven’t heard back yet but I didn’t expect to. It’s been less than a day. That way I’ll be able to come home to you every night.” Nick explained.
“Are you sure? I don’t want me and the baby to be the reason you put your life on hold.” Charlie frowned.
“There is nothing in the world that is more important to me than you and our baby. I don’t want to miss a thing.” Nick assured him.
“I love you.”
“I love both of you. So very much.” Nick replied, pulling Charlie into another kiss.