Chapter ninety-five:

Becky stayed up late to watch the end of the movie Zac was watching.

In all honesty, she hated being alone upstairs. When she was by herself, especially at night, she mentally relived the night the house was vandalized, and it scared her. She decided she would wait for Zac, even though everyone else had gone to bed.

She was barely awake when the movie ended.

Zac clicked off the television, plunging the living room into complete darkness.

His arms circled her body, and Becky woke fully.

“Zac?” 

“You’re awake?” He smiled at her through the darkness. “I was just about to carry you off to bed.”

“No, I’m okay.”

“You’re tired.”

“I’m okay. I can walk.”

“Alright.” He pulled the afghan off her, and she stood with a stretch. She was barely awake, and tripped over the afghan.

He chuckled softly. “You are not awake. Not fully anyway.”

“Okay.” She leaned against him tiredly.

“Let me carry you.” He offered, holding out his arms.

Instead she took his hand tightly. “It’s okay. I can walk that far.”

“Alright.” He led the way to the stairs, but made sure to walk behind her up the stairs in case she fell.

“Are you sleeping in your bed tonight?” He asked softly, so he didn’t wake anyone else.

“No. Not after watching that movie.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

Zac grinned to himself and scooped her up, holding one arm beneath her knees and one around her back. He knew she was tired.

She didn’t protest, she simply fell asleep in his arms.

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Isaac was lying awake in bed, when Christy flip-flopped in the bed for what seemed like the millionth time. He moved across the space between them quickly and wrapped his arms around her body, pulling her body tightly against his chest.

He kissed her shoulder and gently stroked her hair back. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She replied.

“C, you’ve been tossing and turning for an hour now. For some reason you can’t sleep.”

“Am I keeping you awake? I’m sorry baby… maybe I’ll go sleep on the sofa.”

“No, you won’t.” He said firmly, but still with a smile on his lips. “You’ll stay right here, and you’ll tell me what’s wrong.”

She sighed heavily, and turned over in his arms. She laid on her back staring up at him through the darkness. “It’s just that… I love you so much, and I worry that if… when you meet my parents… you won’t… love me anymore.”

“Honey, that’s insane.” He chuckled. “You could have been raised by a pack of wolves and it wouldn’t matter to me.”

“Wolves? What about brain-dead apes who consume more alcohol than water?”

He laughed. “That too. But you turned out okay, right? I mean they raised you, and I love you.”

“Well, in all fairness, I’m not perfect.” She sighed.

“You are to me.” He gently kissed her forehead.

“You’re so sweet.” She smiled. “I guess I am over-reacting… I just… worry. I’ve never brought a boyfriend home to meet my parents, let alone the man I know I’m going to marry.”

“I should hope not.” He teased. “Come on, will you try to get some sleep now?”

She nodded. “I’ll try.”

“Good.” He grinned, and nestled in next to her, holding her close.

She sighed. “Why does your family have to be so normal? I wouldn’t feel so bad if you came from like… the Manson family.”

“Really? I guess I haven’t introduced you to Uncle Charles then, huh?”

She laughed. “You think that’s weird? Wait until you meet my dad and he feeds you squirrel for dinner.”

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