Teigann’s POV

I woke up to Gerard kissing my forehead before sliding out from under me. I must have fallen asleep curled up against him during the movie.

“What time is it?” I whispered, noticing the quietness of the room.
“It’s about 3am.” He smiled at me. “I’ll be right back.”

He left the room, and I noticed that October and Mikey were curled up together on the other end of the couch, sleeping peacefully. Not wanting to wake them, I got up as gently as I could and followed after Gerard.
“Hey sugar, want some water?” He asked seeing me enter the kitchen.
I tried to wipe the sleep from my eyes. “Yes please.”
“You know, I would have been right back. I would have brought some out to you.” He spoke softly as he filled a glass and handed it to me.
“I just didn’t want to wake them. They both deserve a good sleep after the night they had.” I took a small sip, trying to hide a chill that ran over my body.
“Cold? Come on, we’ll go upstairs.” He pulled me close and kissed my forehead again before releasing me.

I made my way up the stairs after him, wanting nothing more than to crawl under the covers of his bed and sleep more. “I’m probably going to pass out again.” I whispered to him. “I’m sorry, I’m just so tired.”

“No need to be sorry Teigs. I will probably pass out again too. I’d just rather us be comfortable, than all crunched up on the couch.” He turned and grinned at me. “Plus, my bed is so much better when you’re in it too.”

He laid down on the bed, pulling the covers back for me. When I crawled in beside him he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me in close.
“Your bed is much better than my bed at October’s.” I murmured into his shoulder. “And it’s almost as comfortable as my bed was at home.” I immediately regretted my words. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be, I know you miss home sugar.” he assured me before kissing my temple.

“I don’t really know why I do. I haven’t heard from my mom since I left. Home is wherever you and October and the others are now.” I smiled sadly up at him. “You’re my home now.”

We sat in comfortable silence a little while before Gerard spoke again. “I want to give you your present now.” He moved to get up.
“Do you have to? We’re so cozy right now.” I pouted.
“It won’t take long, I promise.” He laughed, smiling down at me. “I’ll be right back, try not to fall asleep on me okay?”
“I promise.” I smiled up sleepily at him. “Grab yours too? I want you to finally open it.”

He nodded before exiting the room, and I took the opportunity to change into the clothes that I wore when I slept over. I let my hair down, and climbed back onto the bed, this time sitting up to guarantee that I wouldn’t fall asleep. A moment later, Gerard reentered the room, my gift to him in one hand, and a small bag in the other.

“I want you to go first.” He smiled, handing me the bag. “That way if you hate it, I can have a few seconds to think of how to fix it.” He laughed nervously.
“You know I won’t hate it Gee.” I looked him straight in the eye. “I don’t have to promise that, you know it’s true.”
“I’m still allowed to be nervous though.” He sat down on the edge of the bed in front of me.

Once I’d opened the bag, I pulled out a small envelope. It was black, with a silver design all over one side of it. I looked up to him, trying to get a hint of what it was that I held in my hands and he just looked back at me, anxious and excited all the same.
I flipped it over, and carefully opened the envelope, making sure not to tear it too much as it was pretty and I wanted to save it. I pulled out the card first, but was quickly redirected by Gerard.
“Empty the envelope before you read the card.” He was acting so nervous now, he had me worried.
I tipped the envelope and a key fell into my hands. It was an antique skeleton key, the kind I loved. A wide smile spread across my face, before a look of wonder came over me. What on earth could this be about?
“Can I read it now?” I asked, a lot more quietly than I’d meant to.
He nodded in response.
I recognized the quote inside immediately. I was surprised to see it there, in Gerard’s hand writing. I was even more surprised that he had found this quote.

“I want to wake up with you beside me in the mornings. I want to spend my evenings looking at you across the dinner table. I want to share every mundane detail of my day with you and hear every detail of yours. I want to laugh with you and fall asleep with you in my arms.” ~Nicholas Sparks, The Best of Me

I looked up, unsure of what was happening.
“I know it’s one of your favorite books.” He smiled sadly. I’m sure he thought that this had all gone very wrong, when really I was just so surprised that I was confused. “ I know that it hasn’t been very long, but everything is so different with you. I want you to feel like you have a home again. I want there to be one place that you can go to no matter what, and feel safe there. I know that you’re okay at October’s, but I also know that it’s not the same. I’ve kept it quiet for a bit now, but in a few days our parents are going away again, this time on a more permanent basis. My grandma needs more help, and my dad really wants to take care of her. While the key isn’t actually one to the house, I assure you there is one. I want you to move in. You can have your own room if you want it. The main thing is that I want you to have a home. I want it to be with me.” He paused to take hold of my hand. “I’m sorry if it’s not something you want.”

With a smile on my face, “My gift is so going to suck now.” was all I managed to say before I kissed him deeply. “I’m home.” I breathed into his neck.