Amy had continued venting and Nicole just held her hand as she did, squeezing it when she would slow down and look to her for permission to continue talking. It was now eleven o'clock and Amy was yawning, an indicator to Nicole that it was probably time for the two to go to sleep. She released Amy's hand and went to turn off the desk light she had turned on. "It's late, but you'll be back tomorrow night anyway. So please don't close up again." She moved back to the bed and pulled the blanket over her and Amy. She faced away from Amy to prevent the situation from becoming awkward.
By the time Nicole had gotten to sleep Amy was barely drifting off. She shifted away from Nicole in the bed, hoping that would help her sleep more. The only thing on her mind was the fact that she'd have to go to her house to get some of her personal items. Just as the thoughts ceased and something came up behind her. Nicole's arm began moving across and under Amy's arms. Nicole pulled her closer and held her against her chest. She groaned as Amy got warm under her. Amy's heart beat increased, she could practically hear it in her ears. She panicked but remained perfectly still. Not wanting to scare or wake Nicole, so instead she let Nicole's warmth absorb her fears and thoughts. And she too peacefully drifted off to sleep.
When Nicole woke up the next morning it was early, way earlier than she'd normally get up. But her face felt warm and damp as if condensation was building on it. When she opened her eyes she saw Amy before her, very close. Their noses were practically touching and Amy was breathing heavily on her face. It was then that Nicole looked down and noticed her arm coiled around Amy's waist. She pulled away and fell out of the bed causing a thud. She steadied herself on the floor, hoping not to wake anyone. Amy turned slightly in the bed but settled and went on with her heavy breathing.
Nicole moved away from the bed and looked at her clock;Five twenty-three? God it's so early, but I can't go back to bed. Nicole decided instead of going back to sleep she'd do something productive like make lunch for Amy. She walked drowsily out to the kitchen where she saw Chris drinking some tea.
"Early morning Nicky?" She nodded. "If it's too crowded in that room we could set up the cot in my office."
"No, that'll make Amy feel like her stay is limited. Did you guys hear me offer her to stay here?" She was nervous about his reaction. Though she was fairly certain that he'd be fine with it.
"Of course, I have no problem with it. But you really should ask your mom." Nicole went to the hallway and was about to go to her mothers room. "Maybe not now, she's sleeping. And she hasn't had her coffee, she's more likely to say yes if she's caffeinated."
"You're right, she's grumpy otherwise. But if I prepare her breakfast she'll be suspicious. Chris…" She looked at him as he sipped his tea. She was silently asking him to cook breakfast for her. "Just so she's in a good mood when I ask, please."
"Yeah, I kinda planned on doing it anyway. Will Amy be up anytime soon?" Nicole shook her head, Amy appreciated sleep and she'd probably have a similar reaction as Juliana if she was woken early. Nicole got to work in the kitchen, cooking Amy some grilled cheese. Sure it wasn't much but it was better than nothing.
By the time Nicole had finished her simple grilled cheese Chris had already made an entire breakfast spread for Juliana. Cream of Wheat with a side of fruit and toast. It looked like heaven, but unfortunately Nicole had not yet mastered Cream of Wheat. Not to mention the fact that Chris had a secret to his recipe that he'd never told anyone. Nicole moved towards the sauce pan which still had some Cream of Wheat left in it. She got a spatula and scraped it into a bowl to try. It was sweet, but otherwise it tasted like fine oatmeal, something about it made it so amazing.
"Want some Nicole, it's good right? I added some special stuff this time." Nicole nodded eagerly.
"And when Amy wakes, can you make some more? It's always best fresh from the pan."
"Sure, but could you take this to your mom while I cook? I wouldn't want my secret revealed to you. And I saw her stirring when I went in to check on her." Nicole gladly took the plate and bowl to her mom. Juliana was still mostly asleep, she was mindlessly staring at her kindle reading something. She yawned when she saw Nicole opening the door.
"For me? You shouldn't have. What do you want, Nicky?"
"Oh, actually Chris made it. I'm just the delivery boy." She shrugged, not yet wanting to ask her mom.
"Come on, just ask. I'm awake now." Nicole sucked in her lips and looked at her mom.
"Can Amy stay...indefinitely. She's just having a hard time commuting from her house." Juliana sighed and looked into Nicole's eyes.
"Sure, will she be staying in your bedroom?" Nicole nodded. "Is her mom okay with it?"
"We're going to her house today to ask actually." Juliana took a bite of the toast on her plate. She nodded and shooed Nicole away. Now that Juliana had agreed all she had to do was wake her sleeping dragon.
Amy was surprisingly easy to wake up, only needing a small tap on the shoulder to stir her from her sleep. "Mm, is it morning mom?"
"Do I look like your mother? Wakey-wakey Amy, Chris is making us breakfast." Amy's eyes opened wide as she blushed.
"I didn't mean to call you mom. Sorry." She swung her legs out of the bed, almost completely forgetting about the cuddling that had taken place the previous night. "Can we talk while we bike to school, please?"
"Sure, I don't see why not. Now let's go eat breakfast before it gets cold." Nicole pulled Amy's arms and dragged her to the kitchen as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.