Only You

Chapter 62: Disappearing for a Bit

As Nick started walking back into the hospital, Molly bumped into him in the lobby. Her hand took his and she guided him outside.

Her eyes were watering, her nose was red. When they reached the outside sitting area, she stopped, turned to him, and leaned against his chest.

His arms came around her; he couldn't breathe, though. Words of comfort did not form in his mind, so nothing left his mouth. He squeezed her tighter.

"Nick, I want to disappear for a bit. Can we disappear for a bit?"

He kissed her head. "Yeah, love."

She pulled back to wipe her eyes.

His arm came around her shoulder, pulling her to his side as they walked together to the car.

He drove. He headed in the direction of home but had his eyes on the lookout for a place to stop. He drove in and out of a few side streets until he found one he liked.

They drove past open farmland, but, at an available spot, he pulled over on the side of the road.

He reached for her hand; she didn't take it. Instead, flipping his armrest up, she scooted into the middle seat between them. Her body leaned against his.

"Hey, there are chickens, Molsie. You want chickens like that?"

She looked out in the distance. "Yes, hon. Maybe."

He rested his head on hers.

"I want two dogs as well."

"What kind?"

"Saint Bernards."

He chuckled. "You know how much they drool?"

"Don't even pretend like you didn't know this. I've always wanted a Saint Bernard."

"Yeah, but now you want two."

"And?"

"Sounds like a lot."

"Deal."

He put his hand on her leg. "I will."

She put her hand on his. "I'm kidding. If you don't want two Saint Bernards, we can talk about it."

"For what? So you can win the argument, and somehow we'll end up with three massive dogs."

She turned her head and bit his shoulder lightly.

"You get a say; I can't help it if I'm persuasive."

"I know; it must be a heavy burden you carry."

She brought her hand to his chest. "I like talking about the future with you."

He took her hand off his chest and intertwined it with his. "As do I."

"You want to be a father one day, right?"

He smiled. "Yes, I do. You want to be a mother one day?"

"Yes. One day."

"How many?"

"Kids?"

"Yes."

"Don't know. Whatever we end up with."

"Really? Something so important and you, Molsie, have no such plan?"

She laughed. "I feel like it's an in-the-moment thing. You decide to have your first kid and then figure out how many others you want to carry for nine months, go through painful labor for, and then stay up endless nights with."