Chereads / The Writer and the Artist / Chapter 21 - Relationship goals with a cat named Malcom.

Chapter 21 - Relationship goals with a cat named Malcom.

"You know, my mom loved you so much, I don't even know if I'm the child she has." Austin grumbles as he washes the dishes. A smile spreads across my face as I dry the dishes, shaking my head in amusement.

Dinner with the Henderson's turned out to be one of the most fun I've had in a while. Nova, his mom is one creepy mastermind, and one hell of a cook. I couldn't help but ask for two more dishes. I know I sound like a glutton but hey, it's free food when I don't cook it, at least it wasn't Austin trying to poison me.

Marc, well Marc seemed more like the wife in the marriage, he's funny and so cute, even Layla has a tough time not pinching his cheeks. We'd gotten here about three hours ago and it's almost like I've been living with them all my life.

Nova has already made arrangements for when we'd be alone so she could show me some of Austin's baby pictures. That, I am very much looking forward to.

"What can I say? I am very loveable." I reply with a teasing tone.

"Well, I am proof of that!" He laughs and winks at me causing my heart to flutter. He licks his lips and sprays water on my face, causing my mouth to hang open in surprise I glare at him and turn my face, not giving into the temptation of splashing him back.

"Wimp." He mutters and I narrow my eyes at him before shaking my head and placing the last plate back on the rack.

"Nope, I will not let you have the satisfaction! I would rather have a lovely chat with your mom and probably bring up the topic of baby pictures." I say and he gasps, placing a wet hand to his chest.

"You wouldn't dare!" He gasps and I pass him a sly smirk.

"Oh Nova! Austin here keeps bragging about how much of a cute-" I don't finish before he places his large hands on my mouth, stopping me form finishing my sentence.

"Cute? Ha!" Is all she replies and making Austin shake his head and groan.

"The love my parents have for me." He says and I laugh as he pulls his hands away from my mouth, wiping off the water. I unconsciously let it a yawn and he grins, tugging my arm.

"Come on, go shower, I'll have something for you to wear to bed." He says and leads me upstairs to a typical boyish room and I roll my eyes at him when I see a Captain America poster on his wall.

"What? I love the guy!" He says when he sees me eyeing him. He goes to the drawers and pulls out a towel and holds up a smaller one but I shake my head, making him put it back. He hands it to me and follows me into the bathroom, showing me the spare toothbrush and I nod, shooing him out.

"Wait! How do I get the extra clothes?" I ask and he smirks, his eyes lighting up in amusement.

"It'll be on the bed, unless you want me to come in and hand it to you myself?" My eyes widen and I smack his hand.

"Ew, perv!" I yell and he chuckles, walking out of the bathroom. I slam the door and close my eyes, ignoring the fact that I'm using his bathroom.

If already called my parents to tell them that if be staying over, with adult supervision, because to them, that only implies a parent they don't care that over eighteen, or maybe not.

I turn on the water, and step under, making sure to avoid it getting to my hair. I domy have what I need to get it cleaned.

When I'm done, I wrap the towel around my body and open the door, peeping to see if Austin is in the room but sigh when I don't see anything other than some clothes on the bed, neatly folded.

I walk to the bed with slightly wet feet, picking up the sweatpants first, I tug it on and notice how big it is. I shrug and take the shirt, pulling it over my head. It dropped down to below my knee and I immediately know that it's for Austin, well apart from that sweet scent I'm getting addicted to.

I walk back into the bathroom and hang the towel on the rack, turning to walk out and nearly jump out of my body when I see that Austin is sitting on the bed with a smirk on his face.

Oh, I so want to slap it off right now.

"You look hot in my clothes." He blurts, looking me up and down making me hot. I try to find words and when I can't come up with anything, I just growl and walk up to him, grabbing the pillow and smacking him with it.

He chuckles lightly and blocks the hits while laughing hysterically. I get angrier and start smacking him harder causing him to grab the pillow and chuck it behind him. He grabs my arms and pulls me to him, causing us to fall on the bed. I stare wide eyed at him and his smile slowly drops as his gaze flickers between my lips and my eyes.

"Remember kids, use protection!" Marc suddenly says causing me to spring away from Austin to look at him. He smirks knowingly at us, lifting his mug to his lips.

"Dad? Are you drinking coffee this night?" Austin asks with narrowed eyes.

"Nope, tea!" He exclaims, his voice light and excited.

"Why? You sleep fine!" Austin explains and his dad nods.

"I know, I just want to be knocked out before Layla starts with her tantrums, so your mother will have to deal with it!" He says like it's a bright idea.

"Hey, I heard that!" Nova says and smacks the back of his head, dragging him away by the ear. I laugh and look to see Austin watching me.

"What? Is there something on my face?" I ask and he laughs, shaking his head.

"So, where are you sleeping?" I ask as I sit on the bed. He looks around and then looks at me with a confused expression.

"I believe this is my room so this is where I sleep?" He asks more than days and I go to grab the pillow again but he just laughs and grabs my hands, pulling me into his chest.

My palms lie flat against his pecks and I lick my lips, feeling the warmth of his body on my hands.

"And you're sleeping here, mi amor."

°•°|°•°

My eyes widen and his lips tug up into a full blown grin, his hand reaches up and he flicks my nose causing me to blink and sneeze. He scrunches up his face then laughs, running his fingers down my cheek. He licks his lips and his hands tighten on my waist, making me press into his figure.

His thumb runs across my jawline before running up into my hair and tugging it out of my scrunchie. My locks fall down my face, causing him to smile wider. He rolls a lock around his finger, eyeing the way it loosely falls and then he curls it again.

"I like your hair." He mumbles and looks into my eyes, grabbing another lock. "Really?" I ask and he arcs a brow.

"I just said that, or is your ego that big that your want me to say it again, just so your head can get bigger?" He teases and I smack his chest, glaring at him.

"Have a goodnight sleep young man, and don't even for one second think that I will forgive you for calling me a large head and egotistical." I say and he groans, reaching out to me. I scoot away and hug the pillow, tugging the sheets over my body I close my eyes and him out a goodnight.

He chuckles and pulls the sheets up into his body, "Goodnight, darling."

I glare at him and turn the other way, I bite my lip and stare at the window, sighing out when I find myself calming. Something climbs my leg on the bed. I shove it away, thinking that it's just Austin's leg but when something smacks my leg again, I shriek and jump out of the bed, landing hard on the bed that I believe I cracked my butt.

Can you break your butt more than once?

Austin turns on the light and laughs when he sees me on the floor. A cat comes up behind him, turning it's head and staring at me.

"Oh hey, babe, this is April, April, meet Malcom." Austin introduces and the cat sits, raising it's head like it's mocking me.

"Did you just call your male cat babe?" I ask and he grins at me.

"Unless you have a problem with me being in a very serious relationship with my cat, then I guess yes!" He beams and I roll my eyes, standing up. I get back into the bed and reach for the cat and surprisingly, he doesn't stop me.

"Hey Malcom, you have a pretty strong arm there." I say and he turns his head, studying me.

"Awn, he's so cute. I've always wanted a cat, but dad's terrified of them, so we didn't get one, or two, or ten." I smile and he chuckles beside me.

"Alright, come on, Malcom, go sleep in your bed, I love you but not tonight." He says and grabs Malcom, tugging the corners of his mouth up into a smile.

Malcom squirms out of his hands and jumps off the bed, going to the small area where there's a bean bag and lying down on it.

I lay back on the bed, tugging at my hair. "Don't go rolling over again April, I might just think you want to have an intimate relationship with the floor." He chuckles and I grab his shirt.

I roll to him and straddle him, fisting his shirt. His eyes widen as I lean in, my hair dropping down to frame my face.

"You sound like you're jealous?" I say with a sly smile, looking between his blues.

"April." He whispers and gulps, his tongue darts out to lick his lips, his warm breath fans my face and my lashes flutter. My fist loosens around his shirt and I find myself relaxing into him. His hands curve around my waist, holding me.

I can feel my heart pounding against my chest and I let out shaky breaths, my plans flatten onto his chest and I can feel his racing heart.

His body vibrates and my lips tug up, I bite the edge of my lip to keep me from smiling.

"Well, it seems like we might have a goodnight sleep after all."

°•°•°|°•°•°

I wake up, feeling something cold on my fingers. My eyes slowly open and I stare at Layla, painting my nails bright blue, and to perfection! I smile a little and let her finish what she was doing, When she screws on the cap, I pick up my hand causing her to shriek like a child caught on Christmas Eve trying to snoop at everyone's presents.

"Wow, this is beautiful." I say and smile at her, sitting up and being careful not to smudge the paint. She beams like she's proud of herself and raises her head high.

"Really? Anytime I painted Luke's toes he always scrunches up his face and grumbles." She says and I laugh, imagining Austin's toes painted pink.

"That's cause he doesn't know fashion! Come on, where's everyone?" I ask and carry her, holding my fingers out.

"Luke and dad went to the store to get some things, mom is in the kitchen and I was bored." She says and I laugh, shaking my head at the little girl.

I put her down and walk into the kitchen to see Nova frying something. "Good morning Nova." I greet and she looks at me over her shoulder and smiles.

"Good morning darling, how was your night here?" She asks and turns to face me.

"It was awesome, at least my siblings didn't barge in asking for covers." I joke and she throws her head back and laughs, exactly the way Austin would.

I smile and she turns back, taking the food from the oil and my brows shoot up when I see that it's plantain.

"Woah, you fry plantain too?" I ask as she puts another set into the oil.

"Yep, honestly, their like the best friend things, after potatoes." She says and I nod in agreement.

"Awn, look at you two bonding." I hear Austin's voice and turn around to see him holding grocery bags.

"It's only a matter of time before I start posting your baby pictures and tagging you." I sing and he narrows his eyes on me, causing Marc and Nova to howl in laughter.

"You wouldn't."

"I would and I will." I say and he pouts, dropping the bags on the counter and stealing a plantain. Nova just watches as he puts it in his mouth with a sly smile.

His eyes widen and he starts fanning his mouth his his hand while blowing the plantain.

"Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!" He jumps and rushes out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

Marc chuckles and kisses Nova's head while stealing two plantains. I laugh as she tries to smack him but he scurries away.

This is one family.

°•°|°•°

"Layla, what have I said about leaving your toys all over the floor?" Nova booms and Layla smiles sheepishly at her.

"That I shouldn't leave them all over the floor?" She asks in a sweet voice and I try to stop myself from laughing.

"And where are they?" She asks with a perfectly arched brow, her eyes trained on Layla.

"All over the floor?" Nova sighs and I chuckle lightly, looking at the little girl.

"Layla, pack up your toys, and take them to your room, and if I get there and I see even a little piece of paper on the floor, I will hang you from the fan and spank you until you're red all over." She says in an awkwardly calm voice and I widen my eyes.

Layla just smiles like she knows it's not possible but when she looks at her toys, her face contorts.

"I don't like how you guys are always making me take actions for my responsibilities!" She whines and Austin groans and rolls his eyes.

"Honey, don't you mean responsibilities for your actions?"

"Nope!" She sings and grabs all the stuffed animals, she carefully places the cheetah I'd bought for her on the couch and runs to dump the rest of them in her room before coming back to take the cheetah.

"Now that that's done with, baby pictures." Nova smirks and cackles evilly causing Austin to shoot up.

"No! Because I'm taking her out to see that store down the road, it's already been planned and all so, bye!" Austin rambles as he pulls me up and drags me out of the house.

"Yeah, right. You just don't want me to see how you looked like when you were a wittle baby." I laugh and he grumbles, walking to the car.

I open the passenger door and sit down, reaching for the radio when Austin starts driving.

"No, short people don't have the right to operate the radio!" He says as he smacks my hand away.

"Are you calling me short?" I gasp and he looks over at me.

"Well, from way down there at your little five feet five inches self, yes, you are short." He says and that's all it takes for me to lunge at him.

°•°•°|°•°•°

We didn't crash, but Austin is going to get something when we aren't where anyone can witness a murder.

He'd taken me to get ice cream, since we'll, he's stopped me from eating two everytime we met. I don't lick, I eat, I bite my ice cream, so yes, fear me all!

It's already evening and Austin and I are getting ready to leave, Layla is having a fit and cussing out at her dolls, Marc is eating chips and watching her while Nova is fussing about Austin.

"Drive safely okay?" She says the last time and I can see Austin refraining himself from rolling his eyes.

"Yes mom, I'll call you for every hour that passes." He says and she smiles at him before turning to me.

"I know he won't call, so take care of yourself okay? And don't hesitate to whack his head when he's being weird." She says and I smile inwardly.

If only she knew!

"Come on, let's get going before it gets too late." He says and I nod, kissing Layla's cheeks before hugging Nova, Marc just pats me on my back and slaps Austin on his back making him wince.

"Bye." I say and they wave at me. I walk to the car and open the door, seating in it. I tug at the shirt rubbing my arms as Austin opens his door.

My dress got stained, Layla had nail polish on it and Austin offered me a shirt, a pretty large one and his sweatpants. He has a lot of sweatpants.

"Are you cold?" He asks and I nod silently, causing him to turn up the heat. I sigh and watch as he drives off, the house running behind us. He reaches again and plugs his phone to the car, playing something of Dababy.

My shoulders shake and I feel my head nodding to the song. He looks over at me once in a while and I catch amusement in them.

"Why do I feel like you find me dancing funny?" I ask and he looks at me without saying anything, his lips break and he lets out a chuckle.

"Oh shut your face, you couldn't dance better than me to this song." I huff and he arcs a brow at me, stopping at a traffic light.

"Says the girl who's cold at six in the evening." He says and I glare at him.

"It's the middle of fall!"

"Yeah, in San Diego! It doesn't even get cold here." He counters and I cross my arms, my face puffed in annoyance.

"Oh come on, don't be like that, you know I don't mean it. I'm sorry." He pleads after a while of me giving him the silent treatment.

My phone starts ringing and I check it to see that it's Kira calling. I smile and slide the call button, pressing the phone to my ear.

"Hey, Kira." I say softly and hear screaming on the other side.

"You! I'm at home and they said you are with some dude called Run away Lover or something and when I'm scrolling through Instagram, I see a picture of you and Austin Henderson!" She shrieks and I have to pull the phone away from my ear.

"Yes, make me deaf while you're at it huh? I'm with Austin if that's what you're asking, I'll be home tomorrow to see you, and please don't kill Ethan, we still need him to name the baby." I say and she cackles evilly.

"Don't be surprised, I'll have him right his will and everything you need down." She says cooly and I roll my eyes.

"Alright Kira, I'll talk to you later." I say and pull the phone away before she yells.

"Tell handsome there that I'd like to have a shot with him." I choke on air and immediately hit end call.

"Some family huh?" Austin mutters after an uncomfortable silence.

I turn hot and red.

°•°•°|°•°•°

I feel myself being carried out of the car and with a slight slam, the door closes shut behind me. I clutch at the arm and sigh when we enter into a warmer room. Austin holds my head close to his chest and I breathe in his scent as he switched on the lights.

I squeeze my eyes shut and shuffle into him closer.

We walk into a different room and he places me on a soft bed, I recognize the scent to be Austin's and I know I'm in his bed. He pulls the covers over my body and places a soft kiss on my forehead.

I smile and let myself fall into the depths that is called sleep. Magic fairy that I really don't believe in, make this lead to better days.

°•°•°|°•°•°

I wake up when I hear shuffling in the room, my eyes open but I see that it's still dark. A body moves closer to mine, the room is thick dark but I can see from the small light that's reflecting into the room.

The bed side lamp switches on and I see the glistening body of Austin, those bright blues starting directly at the light, a serious expression on his face. I shut my eyes and pretend to be asleep

"I know you're awake April." He says, his voice rumbling.

Busted.