Surprise

"Close your eyes," Nathan instructed, a hint of childlike glee in his voice.

"Nathan this is ridiculously corny."

"I know, I like corny."

"You've watched too many bad romantic comedies," Audrey deadpanned.

"I've been single for most of the last decade, I get to be corny."

"I've been single for most of the last decade and I still manage to hold onto my self-respect," Audrey remarked wirily.

"I have self-respect, you're just emotionally jaded and guarded and have a few intimacy issues, close your damn eyes Parker."

"Only if you promise to stop watching Dr Phil."

"I don't watch Dr Phil," Nathan laughed.

Audrey groaned and gave in.

"Okay walk this way."

"This is stupid and dangerous," Audrey complained bumping her knee against an ottoman.

"Only if you don't let me guide you. Relax Parker, that's an order."

"We're not at work, you can't order me around."

"Parker," Nathan warned.

"Okay." Audrey sighed, and gave into the odd sensation of shutting off one sense and letting Nathan guide her through his lounge room.

"Open."

Audrey almost cheered with success at being allowed to open her eyes again. But her relief was short lived as confusion took over. "Your cupboard?"

"No, your wardrobe."

"What?"

"My wardrobe is over there," Nathan gestured to the old fashioned antique wardrobe that held his collection of shirts and pants and such.

"This one matches."

"It does."

"You got a new wardrobe. A new old wardrobe." Audrey tried not to sound bored but antiques weren't really her thing. "It's, ah, nice."

"Why do you think I would do that Parker?"

"Because you ran out of space?" Audrey asked cluelessly.

"I have plenty of space."

"Then why do you need another wardrobe? Is it like a matching set or something? Sorry I'm not much of an antiquer, if that's a thing, but it sure looks nice."

"Parker for a smart woman you can be pretty dense."

"Uh, is it worth a lot of money?" Audrey asked vaguely.

"Not really."

"So it has sentimental value?"

"C'mon Parker, you have to get this. I have space. You have been complaining all week about running late to work because you don't have any clothes here."

Audrey stared at him blankly for a moment and then finally the penny dropped, "You bought be a wardrobe?" To describe her expression as shocked an understatement.

"Yes!" Nathan exclaimed, grinning with satisfaction. "So, what do you think?"

"It's… it's big….."

"It's too much? Okay it's big, but its practical."

"You could have just given me a draw or a hanger or I could have just kept bringing a bag."

"I don't want you to bring a bag. I don't want you to have a hanger. I want you here, with me, in my life. Audrey I want you to move in with me."

"Nathan,… I'm sorry but I… I like my place."

"I know. And I thought you'd probably say that. So I'm going to say this. Keep your place. Go home when you want. But make this place your home as well. Leave your stuff in the bathroom, keep as many clothes here as you want. Heck buy some new ones if you have too. I'll take you shopping myself. But I am ready, and I think with a little it of practice one day you might be too."

"You want me to practice living with you?" Audrey wasn't sure if she should be flattered or insulted.

"I want you to be as much a part of my life as you can be, and if you're not ready, I'll wait, the wardrobe will wait, it's a piece of furniture, you're not going to hurt its feelings."

"But what about your feelings?"

"I can be patient, I waited long enough before I let you know how I felt didn't I?"

"I guess."

Nathan picked up Audrey's hands and looked deeply into her eyes. "I know you're not used to this, I'm not used to this. It's new. But how I feel about you isn't. So forgive me if it seems like I'm rushing this, but I love you, so I'm not going to get angry if you don't use the damn thing. I walked into the shop on a whim and it looked so similar to mine, and I wanted to do something to make you feel more at home here. Don't worry about hurting my feelings if I hate it. I can take it back if its freaking you out."

"No don't. Keep it. I'm just… processing. You're really okay if I don't use it?"

"I'll live. But I would like you to feel like you could."

"I think I could. I mean I could put like a shirt and a pair of pants in there for work and a pair of pyjamas. Is that enough?"

"It's plenty. Baby steps Parker."

"Okay." Audrey felt oddly shy. She was the big city girl but he was Nathan Wuornos, Mr Small-town Stability, she was practically a gypsy compared to him. She wasn't ready to move in and she wasn't totally sure he was as okay with that as he said, but he was too kind not to try and be patient with her and she had to at least try to meet him half way. It was a darn big wardrobe but it would look slightly less frightening with a pair of shoes in the bottom and two or three of her things hanging up. Like Nathan said, the rest could wait. She'd grow into the idea, like she'd grown into the idea that he was more than her partner. Baby steps, Parker.

She smiled a little smile and Nathan's broad grin reassured her that he was more than okay with her somewhat timid acceptance of his gesture. His exuberance was a little daunting but it was also irresistible as he pulled her towards him and kissed her.

A/N: We all know Nathan has been a little shy about getting things started with Audrey but I tend to think that once they were together he'd want to get pretty serious. Anyway on a personal note – I'm pretty busy with work/uni/family at the moment so, I'm very sorry but updates will be pretty slow coming for the next few weeks at least I think. To anyone reading Forget Me Not I haven't abandoned that project – I have written other bits of it just not the big you're up too, I will get back to it eventually!