Derek woke up late in the afternoon in an empty bed. Shawn wasn't there and her side of the bed felt cold, like she had been gone for a while. He rolled over onto his back and smiled. The previous night, Shawn told him she loved him and he knew he felt the same way. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he yawned. When he opened his eyes, he started to worry, "What if she doesn't remember?She'll remember." He rolled over again and swung his feet off the floor and wiggled his toes and cracked his knuckles before he sleepily stumbled across the room and into the bathroom. He quickly brushed his teeth and washed his face before he jumped into the a long shower full of thinking and life examination, he got out and threw on some random clothing. As he headed out the room, he grabbed his phone and shoved it into his baggy pocket.
He walked down the hallway and headed to the kitchen, making a beeline for the refrigerator. He rubbed his hands together with a mischievous grin on his face. His expression changed when he saw a stocked but seemingly empty fridge in front of closed the door and sighed. He walked to the pantry and scanned the various snacks on the top shelf when he noticed that they were all health snacks. Pushing them aside, he reached for a big bag of chips in the back when he felt his phone vibrated in his quickly grabbed the chips and pulled his phone from his pocket and flipped it right side up. Expecting to see a text from Shawn, it was from the last person he wanted to talk to. Sarah. "we need to talk." after he read the text, he scoffed and sat on a bar stool around the island counter.
He unclipped the magnet holding the seal on the chip bag closed and dug his hand into bag. He picked up his phone as he shoveled the broken Doritos into his mouth. He stared the screen and thought carefully about what he should reply with. Before he could text her back, he heard someone walk into the apartment, "Babe, I'm home! Where are you?" He smiled when he heard Shawn's cheerful voice yelling at him, "I'm in the kitchen!"
After a few seconds Shawn waddled into the kitchen, with Romie following behind her, and moved toward him. She leaned in to give him a quick she pulled away she stuck her hand in the chip bag and smiled, "You smell like Doritos." Derek rolled his eyes, "well hello to you too."
Shawn giggled and walked over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. "Did you just wake up?" Derek nodded and put his phone on the counter. "What have you been up to today?"
"I turned in some homework I had, then I took Romie to go get groomed then I went to eat lunch with Melissa and Sabrina, then I went to the breastfeeding class I told you about yesterday then I picked Romie up and here we are." she took a sip of her water and went to close the pantry door, "Have any plans for today?"
Derek pet Romie and watched as he ran off somewhere. "ummm… I actually wanted to tell you something." he leaned his elbows on the counter and waited for her to respond but she simply nodded a little. "Sarah texted me."
"and?" she crossed her arms and watched him. Derek ran his hand through his short hair and sighed, "She wants to meet up with me so we can talk."
"You're joking right?" when he said nothing to confirm what she wanted him to say, she gripped her water bottle. "I don't understand why she won't just go away. And why won't you just tell her to screw off!"
Derek sighed softly knowing they were going to argue about it again. But he brought it upon himself. "I'm not going to just let it go."
"why not?"
"Because I need closer. "Derek closed his eyes and placed his forehead on the cold marble counter top. Shawn scoffed and shook her head,"Derek, she's a liar! How much more closer do you need?!"
"as I recall, you weren't exactly the most forthcoming when it came to talking to me either. You lied too. " Derek yelled but she simply stood still, hurt. She couldn't believe he just said that to her. "You know what– Do whatever the hell you want."
Derek hung his head as she past by him. He pulled his phone from his pocket and replied to Sarah's text. "I'll meet you in an hour."
Derek walked to the bed room doors and knocked on them. "Shawn? Shawn? Baaaaabe?" she didn't answer the door so he opened the door and
walked in. "Are you sleeping?" he plopped down onto the bed and propped himself on his elbows.
"No, I'm mad at you." she pouted and turned away from him causing him to chuckle, "Again?"
"yes. But it's your own fault." she rolled onto her back and playfully scowled, "Don't go see her. Stay with me." Derek smiled and brushed a loose strand from her face and looked at her sadly, "I just want to talk to her. Just trust me."
"I do. I love you and I trust you. It's her I don't trust." she entwined their fingers and gripped his hand angrily. But he smiled at her. She looked at him confused, "what?"
"You said that you love me."he grinned and Shawn looked him with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah, and? Didn't I tell you that last night?"
"Yeah." he nodded, "I just thought you didn't remember." she laughed and held her stomach. "who forgets something like that?"
He shrugged and chuckled "You sometimes have pregnancy brain, add that to the fact that you were half sleeping half awake,i was sure that you forgot." he looked at the clock and jumped from the bed, "Oh hell, I'm going to be late!"
"I don't like her, so I don't care if she has to wait." Shawn stuck out her tongue and crossed her arms like a defiant child. Derek laughed and kissed her between words. "you. Are. Too. Much" I started out the door when he turned back and headed toward her, "I almost forgot."
"Forgot what?" she looked confused but he smiled. "I forgot to say it back."
"I love you. " Shawn smiled at his words as he leaned in to kiss her again. When they broke apart she looked at him again,."Aren't you going to be late?"
"she can wait a couple minutes."
