Casey blocked her way to the computer, much to her surprise. She furrowed her brows, opening her mouth before she remembered.

"Casey. I'm not sick. I mean... I am. But, it's not what you think."

Summer reached for one of his hands, which was blocking the door. She pulled it closer to her, holding to close to her face. She was glad to see him standing up, looking better. Even if he didn't feel better.

"You're not going to lose me. Don't worry."

She decided to take him away from the study, back to the bedroom so she could lay down. She shed her clothing, pulling out something comfortable rather than the casual wear she had changed into since she couldn't sleep. She didn't like working in her pajamas.

"I have to tell you something. I wanted to tell you earlier, but I didn't think that a spooky mission in Fortree was the right place to do it."

Summer crawled onto the bed, patting for him to join her. And once he did, she scooted closer, grabbing his hands again. This time, perhaps a bit nervously. She usually didn't hesitate, but she wasn't sure exactly what his reaction would be.

"I think I'm pregnant, Casey. That night, when we saw each other again..."

Well, it wasn't as if they were really careful, right?

Casey Fincher

☉

"It's just nausea and a migraine. I just haven't been able to sleep is all," Summer insisted, rubbing her eyes.

"I promise, I won't heave over and die. It's hormones..."

Lots of them.

If this is what she wants... but what did Casey want? Summer looked over at him, a concerned look in her eyes as she situated her pillows so she would feel comfortable enough.

"What do you want, Casey? I know that you wanted a family before... do you still want it? Me and you?"

She closed her eyes as he kissed her forehead, leaning into him. She'd call her doctor in a while, to schedule the quickest appointment. Perhaps get some medicine to allow her to rest. But for now, she wanted to be smothered by Casey.

"I don't want to push you into something you don't want. I'll do anything for you. And I'm happy to have a family with you. But only if you want it too."

Casey Fincher

☉

Summer sighed softly, feeling as though she didn't deserve to be there by his side. Touching him, cuddling him. Acting like they were a normal couple. Because try as she might, she felt like the rift between them wasn't closing.

What could she do? She knew that she was the cause of the rift. The distress. The mistrust. But she was trying, she was trying so hard.

With the mix of her elevated hormones, Summer felt like she was going to burst into tears. Even though she was successful in changing so many things in her life, why did she feel like things were still falling apart?

"Then we'll do it. Me and you..."

Summer sat up quickly, shuddering with a wave of nausea and emotions. A terrible combination. She leaned to the side, where there was just floor, and dry heaved grossly. Luckily, it was nothing, and she got relief. Physically at least.

"I'm sorry, Casey. I'm trying so hard to redeem myself. But I just feel like... you don't trust me at all anymore," she sobbed, taken over by her flood of emotions.

Casey Fincher

☉

When did Summer Prescott get so weak? Pathetic, her father would call her. An easy target. Soft. She had been a deadly weapon, known for never giving a damn what happened to anyone or herself.

But when it came to Casey, she could easily shatter into thousands of pieces at his command or put herself back together.

Summer felt him take ahold of her, pulling her in. She wondered if it was reflex or genuine concern that drove him. However, it was what she needed, hiding her face in his muscular expanse of a chest. His skin grew slick with tears, as she was unable to truly calm herself down until she let it out.

"I want to be perfect for you. Strong and powerful for you. But I feel like my strength is gone."

The likelihood of this was from stress. Her father's death, her brother's rejection and argument... taking over the company. Worrying that one day, perhaps Casey would wake up and realize that Summer was no good for him. Especially now that she was with child.

"I want everything to stop. I want it to just be you and me, where we don't have to worry about anything anymore."

Now that she calmed down, Summer leaned back to wipe her face, though she kept one hand on his shoulder since she felt dizzy. She peered up at him, her eyes half-closed and shadowed by sleepiness as she looked at him.

"Meteor Falls...?" she echoed.

Casey Fincher

☉

Take it easy. Did she know how to do that? Of course, she knew the rich person way of taking it easy. But now, with her taking over the business, her failed relationship with her brother, and reuniting with her long lost lover... could she do that?

Summer had never felt so busy in her life.

"Will you take it easy with me?" she asked innocently.

It was her one condition. If she was going to laze about, trying to do nothing, she wanted to do it with Casey. To catch up on those six months they lost, especially now that they were not two, but three.

Summer finally eased up on her crying, calm against his chest as he cradled her gently. She even looked up when he wanted to look at her eyes. With her head resting on his chest, just beside his shoulder, she let out a soft sound.

"It sounds like you're telling me a bedtime story. Where dragons are born. But you had me at good for your hair and skin," she admitted, reaching to touch her own hair.

It was probably a mess, in her standards. She felt like one. Summer only separated from Casey long enough to lay down again before silently demanding that he keep her safe and warm.

"I want to go."

Casey Fincher

☉

Summer was happy with his answer. She felt herself relax, knowing that he wanted to be with her, spend time with her... waste away a day with her. She wondered what they would have been like, if he never got injured and none of this happened.

Would they already be so far ahead in their relationship? Happier and more carefree? Would Summer be expecting as well?

"It sounds relaxing. Do people go there a lot?"

She wondered if they'd have the place to themselves. It would make the experience better, in her mind. Just the two of them, enjoying each other's presence and relaxing.

She paused, giving him a look before bursting into a genuine laugh. It was a bit soft, given she was tired and her voice was hoarse from being sick. But it was still radiating a joy she held, just for him to see.

"You don't want me to go swimming naked?" she teased him, deciding to walk her fingers up his sternum over his shirt.

"I can bring my cutest swimsuit. This summer may be the last time I get to look hot and cute before I stretch out like a WAILORD..." she said jokingly, her hand hovering over her stomach.

Casey Fincher

☉