BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN

Chapter 9: I am beautiful no matter what they say

Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, I saw debris
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed

I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today

NO ONE'S POV

"Let's go out for dinner tonight," Nick said as he walked Miley to their room for her nap. Her chemotherapy isn't that big of a burden to them anymore, since she has gotten used to it already, and her medications helped to get rid of side effects. Miley's been feeling well today, so Nick thought that they could go out.

Miley's smile faded, "What? Why? I mean. Why out?"

"It's our second monthsary, Miles. We should celebrate and be happy," Nick said, holding Miley's hands as they stood near the door in their room.

Miley sighed. "I am happy. It's just that, I don't wanna go out. Look at me! They'll laugh at me!" she said, pointing to her head with teary eyes and quivering lip.

Nick shook his head and placed his hands on her cheeks to comfort her.

"We won't mind them. I'll kill them if they'll make fun of you. I promise," Nick said slowly, emphasizing almost every word. He kissed her forehead, and Miley closed her eyes; granting her tranquility.

"I just want to make this night special. Please?" Nick asked.

Miley shrugged. She had no choice but to give in to his charms. "Fine... "

Nick smiled and hugged her; thanking her for the nice opportunity.

Miley went down from the stairs with a scarf covering her head and a pretty short spaghetti strap dress which hugged her curves, and she got a coat over her dress. Sure, she lost weight but she still has the beautiful body. He noticed her bite her lip consciously and he chuckled.

"I should've not worn this, I'm ugly," she said sadly.

Nick took her in his arms and brought his lips to her ear and whispered, "You're beautiful." She blushed and he kissed her gently on the lips, wanting her to feel better.

They went to a fancy restaurant and ate dinner. There are people who are staring at her and it seems like they're staring at a freak. He wanted to shout at them so that they'll leave them alone and his Miley won't feel bad about herself. She became somehow bothered, but she didn't mind it that much, so he just dropped it. They pretended that they are in their own little world, not caring about what people would think.

They walked hand in hand to the mall afterwards, and went in a jewelry shop. Her eyes shined as she looked through the glass shelves that showcased brilliant jewelries.

"You want something?" Nick asked.

"I don't wanna buy anything. They are too good for me," Miley said softly.

Nick shook his head and held her right hand, as they peered over the glass shelves. "Hmmm. Do you see something you like?" he asked.

Miley smiled slightly. "I like that one, but it's too perfect for someone like me. "

Nick saw a necklace with a pendant of heart. When Miley went to see other jewelries, he asked for the necklace and asked the sales person for its price.

"300 dollars; it's very expensive. To whom is it for?" the saleslady asked with a fake smile on her face.

"My girlfriend, " Nick said proudly with a smile.

He called Miley and then he heard the personnel gasp, as if shocked or something.

"Oh," the saleslady said awkwardly, "This necklace chooses a person or outfit for it to look good on it. It's very sophisticated. You know what? I have some other necklaces here that might good on this girl."

"Are you telling me that this necklace won't look good on my girlfriend?" Nick asked with such anger and hurt in his voice. He knew how Miley is, with her self-consciousness. He doesn't want her to feel or think that she isn't pretty.

Unfortunately, with the great help of the saleslady, Miley ran off and Nick slammed the necklace on top of the glass. He ran to catch her and he is happy that he was able to pull her.

"Miles! Don't listen to her!" Nick said as he pulled her arm gently.

"It's true. That necklace is too good for me. You're too good to me," Miley said, emphasizing on "you're".

Nick sighed and caressed her face. "You're beautiful. She's just mean and don't let her get to you."

"I am not! Okay? I'm bald! I'm pale! Just leave me alone!" Miley yelled after she pushed away Nick's hand, and before she ran off.

"Miley!" Nick said as she tried to follow her, but she got away quickly for a sick girl who's having chemotherapy.

Nick shrugged. He got in his car and went to look for her but he didn't find her on any place he thought she might be. He went back to the house hoping that she's there and he found Miley in her room, asleep.

He let out a sigh of relief. He got so worried! A lot of things ran into his mind; he thought that what if she got tired of running and just faint? What if someone might attack her and take advantage of her weakness? What if she hurts herself? He got so thankful that she came here instead of any place outside, she's safer here. He sat on the bed, caressed her cheek, and kissed her forehead lovingly.

"I thought I'm not gonna find you, my baby girl," Nick whispered softly in her ear as he leaned down and rested his cheek on top of her forehead.

Tears fell from his eyes. He lied down beside her and held her in his arms; filling her with his undying love.

"Nicky..." Miley whispered as she snuggled closer to his buff chest.

Nick held her close to him. "Miles..."

Miley wrapped her arms around Nick's waist and cried. "I'm sorry I ruined our night. I'm sorry I ran off. "

Nick caressed her back. "I'm worried, sick looking for you. I thought I'm not going to find you," he said, his voice nearly cracking.

"I'm sorry. Don't be mad. Please?" Miley said softly as she looked up to her.

Nick tightened his grip and pecked her lips softly. "I love you, Mi. Forget about what happened at the jewelry shop."

Miley nodded her head and Nick continued rubbing her back.

"I bought something for you," Nick said softly in her ear.

He took out a small box from his pocket and pulled out a necklace from it. He was supposed to buy that expensive heart necklace at the jewelry shop but the saleslady pissed him off. He found this beautiful necklace at another store and it's perfect.

Flashback:

"You like this one, sir?" the saleslady asked Nick. Before he left the mall, he did a quick necklace shopping; he went to another jewelry shop and found a different necklace that looked better on her.

Nick smiled at the saleslady. "Yes, that one," he said while pointing at the necklace.

"It must be for your girlfriend, sir," the saleslady said as she took out the necklace from the glass shelf.

"Yeah. She has cancer and I wanted her to feel special," Nick said honestly.

"Oh. It must be hard for her, and for you too. She's doing treatment, right?" the saleslady said kindly.

Nick smiled wider; this saleslady is definitely more respectful than the previous one. "Yes, she's a strong girl. I'll take this necklace. It's perfect for her."

"Would you like her name to be engraved on the back? It would make it much special. I could do that for you. "

"Yes please. Miley is her name."

"I'll be back, sir."

After few moments, the necklace was finished and Nick bought it.

"Thank you, sir. Please make sure you'll come again for your engagement ring and wedding bands," the saleslady teased nicely.

Nick grinned from ear to ear when he thought about marrying Miley. He certainly wants her to be his wife. "I will, thanks to you, too."

Present:

Nick bought the necklace with a pendant of an angel, and he got Miley's name engraved on the back. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled wide when she saw it.

"It's beautiful," Miley whispered.

"I know you'll love it."

Miley slowly sat up on the bed. Nick helped her wear the necklace and there, it lies on her neck. She touched it and looked at it with a big smile on her face.

"It's perfect for you," Nick whispered as he kissed her cheek.

Miley smiled at Nick. That beautiful smile got him melting on his spot.

"You're my angel. I love you, baby," Nick said before kissing her lips.

"I love you too. Thank you so much," Miley said happily. She felt so alive, so special, and so loved. All of it because of Nick, her amazing boyfriend she loves the most. He's the reason behind her smiles. He's the reason why she's living.

Several months of chemotherapy brought Miley to remission. They stopped chemo but her check-ups and medications is continuous. Her hair started to grow back and she is happy as you ever can imagine. Her relationship with Nick grew stronger, her cancer brought them close together, and she certainly can't imagine what could have happened to her without him.

Nick is preparing lunch when Miley went out of their room. His back is turned around from her and she happily walked towards him. She wrapped her small arms around his waist and buried her face on his back. Nick smiled, stopped whatever he's doing, and turned around to hug his Miley.

"You okay?" Nick asked as he ran his hand along her shoulder-length hair. It's been four months since Miley got into remission and her hair grew back. She's fine, although they are still scared she might have a relapse; everything's great so far. Nick has a part-time job and Miley's doing well.

"I'm alright, Nicky," Miley said before leaning in for a hot searing kiss. Nick grabbed her by the back of her legs and lifted her to the kitchen counter. Miley wrapped her arms around Nick's Neck, while he rested his one hand on the side of her face, and the other on her waist, keeping her close. They made out for a while, just enjoying the kiss they are both sharing.

They pulled apart when oxygen was much needed, and Nick tucked some loose strands of her hair beneath her ear.

"Hmmm, I love kissing you, Nicky," Miley whispered softly.

Nick smiled and leaned his forehead on hers. "I do, too."

"What's for lunch?" she asked.

"Fettuccine Alfredo," he said before walking back to the stove.

"Yum!" she said as she jumped off the counter. She walked towards him, facing his back, and she wrapped her arms around Nick's waist. "Can I taste?"

Nick nodded and scooped a bit of the creamy white sauce with the wooden spatula and made Miley taste it. She moaned in delight and smiled at him. "It's delicious."

Nick leaned sideways so he could give her lips a nice peck. "How about you sit there and wait for me," he said, pointing to the chair beside the kitchen island. She nodded and made her way there.

"Have you ever thought of going back to the army?" Miley asked curiously.

"Of course I do, but taking care of you is my number one priority right now," he said while placing the pasta in a big platter before taking it to the kitchen isle.

"I'm not that sick anymore. I just thought that you made me happy, so you deserve to be happy too."

Nick sighed as he placed two plates, two pairs of spoon and fork, and two glasses in front of the two of them. He sat down beside Miley's chair and took her hands in his own. "I'm happy with you, Mi."

"I know that, but I also know that being a soldier is your dream. I don't want to be the one holding you back."

"Let's just eat before our meal gets cold," Nick said, obviously ignoring everything she just said.

Miley sighed deeply. "Just think about it, Nick."

"Okay, I will consider and think about it," Nick gave up, and he kissed Miley's forehead.

"Hey, I'm home," Nick said as he entered their house. He just got back from work and Miley's sitting on the couch in the living room, writing something on her journal. He walked towards Miley and leaned down to kiss her as he made it to the back of the couch.

"How's your work?" Miley asked as she smiled at him.

"It was a tough day, but I'm okay," Nick said, making his way to their bedroom so he could change his clothes.

He went back to the living room after changing clothes and sat beside Miley on the couch. "What are you writing, Mi?"

"Oh, just trying to write a nice story," Miley said.

Nick wrapped an arm around Miley's shoulder. "So, you're into story-writing now?"

"Kinda."

"You could use my laptop if you need to type it," he said as he placed sweet kisses on her neck.

"Thanks," she said while giggling from the kisses.

"I thought about joining the army again," he said; his voice suddenly became serious.

"Well, do you want to? I'm not going to hold you back. I'll be fine. We'll send letters to each other, and I'll update you with everything that has to do with my health."

"Okay, I really thought about it and maybe I should give it a try again. But promise me that you'll take care of yourself, you won't miss any medication and check-ups, and you'll be fine until I go back," he said while caressing the side of her face.

"I promise. We'll figure things out, and we'll make it work. We're gonna be fine, and if something bad happens, I'll tell you immediately," she said, stating a promise.

"Alright, we'll give it a try," he said before pulling her in his arms to give her a tight and warm hug filled with love.

AN: Hello guys! I'm back! Sorry, I'm pretty occupied with pretty little liars. I went to the mall, planning to buy PLL: Wanted book of the series, and ended up buying all of the books. WTH. Haha I still don't have the first one, though. Three malls near me don't have the first book anymore, so I still have to hunt it down. LOL

Anyway, who's got UNBROKEN ALREADY? We still don't have one here in the Philippines, but the album launch will be on Saturday. =] Hopefully, I'll be able to have one on Sunday. =]

NILEY are so cute right? Better stay tuned because we're in for a roller coaster ride with them =]

XoXSweetestXoX, amyl0awrence – Thank you so much! Yeah, I did a lot of research about cancer and chemotherapy. LOL. freaky. Haha I'm so excited for the Halloween special. I heard it would be EPIC. LOL =]

Simar, arubagirl0926, NickJisoffmychain2828 – Thank you so much! =]

xonileylooover