Plans to Make & Hearts to Break

"Are you sure you're gonna be able to fit all your stuff into this house?" Danny asked, looking between our overstuffed cars and the front of the tiny, pastel yellow house I was now calling my own... kinda. The rent was a little more than some of the apartments I'd looked at, but I couldn't pass up the chance to get away from inner-Chicago apartment life at least for a while.

I nudged my boyfriend's side. "It all fit into boxes, it'll all fit into the house. I'll make it fit." I teased.

He leaned down and gave me a quick peck on the forehead. "Whatever you say, dear," Danny laughed. I couldn't help but return the smile - Danny was basically the best thing in my life; finally living on my own was a very close second. This was a big day. "Let's get you settled in, then."

Now came the rough part of the day - getting all my junk belongings into the house. For the most part, boxes were labeled by room. Until I got to the boxes I'd thrown together in a hurry, victim to my beautiful habit of procrastination. Danny, thank god, carried most of the boxes into the house while I attempted to sort them out as quickly as possible.

----

"One car done," Danny announced as he set down a large cardboard box labeled Kitchen - sorta. on the island that separated the kitchen from the living room and served as the dining table. He slumped into one of the stools, face red and blonde hair pushed back to reveal a line of sweat building at his hairline.

I walked over and gave him a quick kiss. "Sit down for a few and get some water," I smiled. "I made sure to bring a few bottles and put them in the fridge when I came a few days ago to bring in the furniture. My car has mostly small stuff, I'll bring some in now."

"Are you sure?" He questioned. "I'm alright, I can help! Just gotta catch my breath."

All I could do was shake my head. "You look like you're about to pass out, Danny. I'll get some stuff. Enjoy the air conditioning," I grinned at him.

"Oh, I totally will," He smirked. He stood and pulled me into a tight hug, planting a kiss in my hair, before moving to the fridge and getting some water.

After a moment I walked outside, car keys in hand. As I popped the trunk of the ranger, I noticed that a neighbor was leaving his house as well. I looked over long enough to notice that the tall man had a large guitar case in hand, and before I could look away, he noticed me. "Moving in?" He questioned loudly, stopping in the middle of his walkway to look at me.

"Yeah," I moved towards the car as I responded, opening the trunk and pulling out a few bags that held my bedding. "Finally."

"Need any help?" He asked. I grinned towards him; it was hard to make out any details of his features - the sun was directly behind him and I was squinting to avoid going blind.

"No, no, I'm alright," I responded quickly. "There isn't much left. Thanks, though."

"Oh, no problem," He said coolly. "Well, welcome to the neighborhood, I guess."

"You too!" I said, all too eagerly. "I mean - um - thanks. Yeah. Thank you." I pursed my lips and mentally hit myself very roughly in the forehead.

My new neighbor let out an audible laugh. "I'll see ya around," He said finally, turning and walking towards what I assumed was his car, parked by the curb. He stopped in his tracks and turned towards me once again, "I'm William, by the way."

"Nicole," I returned the introduction halfheartedly. I hadn't even been at the house for an entire day and my neighbors already think I'm an idiot. Hooray.

---

"I'm sorry I can't stay and help longer, hun," Danny said, exaggerating a pout.

"I mean, you totally could..." I smirked.

Danny showed off his goofy grin, that I couldn't help but return. "I've gotta leave at the asscrack of dawn," He groaned. "And I would love to stay with you and help you unpack all night, but I would also love to not fall asleep driving to the airport, or while I'm working..."

I let out a long sigh and leaned towards him, resting my head on his chest. His arms wrapped around me and there was a peaceful quiet for a moment. "I'm just gonna miss you. When will you be back again?"

"It's just three days this time. I'm going from here to Georgia, staying a night there and going to New York, staying a night, and then coming back late the next day. I'll miss you too, Nicole."

Of course, I knew that plan wasn't set in stone - Danny was a young business consultant, working with a few partners at large businesses around the country to help solve problems they were having. Usually, the things he faced were problems in a business's technology - anything from locating and correcting flaws in security systems to helping remodel and update the computers or phone systems used in a firm. While the travel was usually on a solid schedule, problems did arise and sometimes extend his stays away from Chicago. It sometimes got rough to be away from him so often, but the boy had loved to travel since I met him four years ago, and I wasn't going to let our relationship of two years make him feel held back from doing what he loved.

"Be safe, Danny," I whispered. Him constantly being in the air made me nervous, and he knew it.

His arms tightened around me and I felt the weight of my worries lift from my shoulders. "Of course. I'll call you as often as I can. I love you," He punctuated the statement with a deep kiss.

I smiled softly as we pulled apart. "I love you, too."