Dreaming By The Fire

I felt ready to die. My head was throbbing, my stomach ached, and my body was tired. I doubt that I could move, if I wanted to that is.

“Nattie, time to wake up,” Nick said, shaking my shoulder. I muttered profanities at him, turning my head to face the opposite side. “But it’s Christmas!” I shrugged and closed my eyes. “Are you okay?” A cool hand touched my face. “You’re burning up!”

“You’re not funny,” I told him. I felt bile rise in my throat and jumped out of bed and straight to my bathroom. I fell on my knees in front the toilet. Nick rubbed my back for me. “Can you get Mommy?”

“Sure, but first let’s get you back in bed,” Nick replied, helping me up. I held up a finger, telling him to wait a minute. Nick waited for me to brush my teeth and kept an arm around my waist. He led me back into my room and to my bed. “I’ll be back in a minute.” I nodded while lying down on my bed. I took slow breaths through my mouth, counting each one so I wouldn’t think about being sick again.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong?” Mommy asked, walking into my bedroom with Nick and Mama J following her. Mommy put her hand against my forehead and let out a sigh. She rested her hand on my cheeks and cupped my throat. “You have a fever. You look sick. I think you got the flu, sweetheart”

“I would,” I muttered. Mama J laughed and patted my head. “You can go open presents with everyone. I honestly just want to stay here. And I know Joe’s probably dying to find out what everyone bought him. I’ll open later if I feel up to it. Oh, and call Erika and tell her she has to perform tonight.”

“Are you sure?” Mama J asked, glancing at Mommy.

“We can do that,” Mommy replied. The two mothers kissed my forehead and left the room. Nick walked to the other side of my bed and got in.

“What’re you doing?” I mumbled.

“I’m staying with you. We can open our presents later,” Nick said, sliding his arm over my side. I turned and snuggled against his chest. He pressed his lips gently against my temple. “Feel better.”

“I’m staying with you. We can open our presents later,” Nick said, sliding his arm over my side. I turned and snuggled against his chest. He pressed his lips gently against my temple. “Feel better.”

“Are they here yet?” I whined, sitting on the stairs. Esme let out a laugh, patting my head as she walked by me. “But, I want them to be here!”

“They’ll be here soon. Now, you behave while I go to the store,” Esme instructed. I nodded and she slid on her coat. “Tell your mom that if the timer goes off in the kitchen to reset it for another hour.” I nodded again. She buttoned up her coat and walked out the door. I stood up and ran down the rest of the stairs.

“Mommy!” I yelled.

“In Daddy’s office,” she called back. I ran into Daddy’s office and saw paperwork scattered all over his desk. I frowned at the papers, sending a glare to each of my parents. “We’re not working, we’re just looking for a file. Promise!” I huffed and sat on Daddy’s lap.

“I just need to check if I remembered a file about Nick’s contract,” Daddy told me.

“Fine, but just ‘cause it’s for Nick,” I said. He let out a chuckle and kissed my head. “Esme said if the timer goes off to set it for an hour.” She nodded and started looking through the armoire on the opposite side of the room. I glanced down at the files on Daddy’s desk. I picked one up and saw ‘Nicholas Jerry Jonas’. “Daddy?”

“Yes, baby girl?” Daddy asked.

“This is?” I giggled, handing it to him.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” He and Mommy exclaimed, Daddy taking the portfolio folder from me.

“Can we celebrate Christmas now?” I begged. Both my parents nodded. The doorbell rang, causing me to let out a squeal. I jumped off Daddy’s lap and ran across my house to the front door. I squeezed the doorknob with both my hands, giving it a twist while pulling it towards me.

“She’s so puny,” Joe snickered as Nick helped me up. I glared at my best friend’s older brother before giving Nick a hug. I clung onto him, letting out a giggle as he lifted me up. Once he set me down, Joe scooped me up and spun me around. “Squirt!”

“Put me down!” I squealed, giggling. Joe did as I said, and Kevin picked me up. “Why do you guys have to always do this?”

“Because the only one younger than us is Nick, and he isn’t as cute,” Kevin replied, flipping me so I ended up on his bag.

“Hey!” Nick shouted, crossing his arms with a pout. I slid down Kevin’s back and gave Nick a hug.

“Don’t worry, you’re still cute,” I giggled, giving his cheek a kiss. There was a flash of light and we both groaned.

“Sorry,” Mommy said, “but you two are too cute!”

“Guess we’ll be family soon enough,” Mama J giggled.

I opened my eyes, a smile spread across my lips. Nick’s arm was still over me, gently holding my side. I rolled over to face him, and saw him sleeping peacefully. I leaned up and gently kissed his cheek before sliding out from his under his arm and getting off the bed. I pulled on a pair of slippers and my robe.

The house was mostly quiet, though there were conversations going on. The Jonas’ and my family were probably keeping it down while Nick and I slept. Under the Christmas tree, there were still presents for me and Nick. I walked quietly throughout my house and out into the night.

The lights that were hanging on the trees and bushes glowed. Snow was falling, very delicately, onto the ground. I walked to the end of the deck and watched as it fell all around me. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh.

“You shouldn’t be out here,” Nick mumbled, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. “You’ll get even more sick.”

“I wanted some fresh air,” I mumbled, turning and nuzzling my face into his chest. “Nick?”

“Hmm?” He asked.

“What are we?” I asked him.

“Open this,” Nick told me, handing me an envelope. Confused, I opened the top and saw a plane ticket, to California; Los Angeles to be exact. “I want you to come to California with me. We have a break, you have a break. I want us to be together. Natalie, I love you.”

“Y-You do?” I asked, looking up at him with a smile across my lips. He nodded and smiled down at me. “I love you, to, Nick.” I threw my arms around his neck and connected our lips. Nick pulled my closer by the waist as our lips molded together. I smiled against Nick; this was right. We loved each other, and we were best friends. This time, we could stay that way. It was all going to work out.