Lighter Nights with Niall Horan

“Wake up.”

Niall said.

“You, yeah you. Get up.”

He was trying to wake me up.

“Franklin wake yourself.”

“Get out of bed you lazy bum!”

He grabbed my ankles and pulled me out of the bed.

“Niall!!! That isn’t funny!”

He was laughing his butt off. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Yes it was!”

He yelled.

“You wake me up in the weirdest ways Niall James.”

“It’s because I want you to get up. I want to hang out with my beautiful fi- girlfriend.”

He laughed nervously. I smirked at him.

“You’re adorable.”

We went downstairs and found Thor and Loca laying on Loca’s dog bed with their heads on each others bums.

“Oh! Look how cute!!! Niall!”

He took a picture.

“You guys are cute.”

Thor bounced over to the door and poked it with his nose once.

“Good boy.”

Loca followed him outside.

“So Niall. What is the plan for today?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“You know how I feel about that Niall Horan.”

“Yep I do. But I don’t care how you feel about that. It’s the first birthday party I’ve thrown for you so it’s going to be a surprise.”

He hugged me and kissed me.

“You’re annoying but yet so cute.”

He giggled and my heart skipped a beat. I’ve forgotten how much I really do love him. He’s so cute and always makes the things that could be minor into a major thing. He’s sweet.

“Do you want to go out for breakfast?”

“You don’t want to make it today?”

“Franklin do you really want me to spoil this one?”

“No I want pancakes lets go.”

He grabbed my wrist.

“You’re not allowed to get dressed if we’re going out for breakfast.”

“What?”

“It’ll take you almost an hour to find a cute outfit and put on your makeup and curl your hair and do all the lady stuff you need to. So today we’re going to be daring and go unmasked. Plus I hate it when you wear makeup. You look pretty all the time.”

I smiled. I hate not wearing makeup but I guess I’ll make an exception.

“Okay.. Just this once. Because you’re so excited about my birthday. Just this once. Okay Niall?”

He kissed me again.

“Okay.”

We hopped in the car and I forced him to let me fix my hair. He didn’t hesitate on that one.

“I don’t want to look ghetto!”

“You’re not going to look ghetto.”

He laughed.

“Um.. If I don’t fix my hair it’ll be a rats nest and it’ll seem like I don’t take care of myself and I’ll look ghetto!”

“Okay you can fix your hair.”

We got to the little restaurant and went inside. I got a couple dirty looks. I just gave them right back.

“I told you. I look ghetto.”

“You don’t look ghetto Franklin you look comfortable.”

“Ghetto Niall. Ghetto.”

He giggled and we sat down. The lady came up and we got food. Of course Niall ordered for me being the gentleman that he is. Vanilla coke zero and pancakes with a mountain of whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

“My butt is going to expand like crazy Niall Horan.”

“I like big butts.”

I smirked and faked a gasp.

“You don’t want my butt to be big trust me.”

He laughed. We went to grab a few more things so that we could start cooking at home. It’s summer so Niall did tell me that we were having my birthday at a park. We made snicker salad, tacos, sloppy joes, I made ceaser dressing for the salads, Niall wanted to make this thing with eggs or some weird thing like that… I made the cake from scratch, Niall wanted to frost it so I let him. And naturally he spread frosting on my face… Like my whole face. Chin to forehead and across the cheeks and the nose. I bent over and let Thor and Loca lick it off. Then I washed my face.

“If I get zits now Niall I’m not giving you any more of this.”

I poked my butt and giggled. He widened his eyes.

“I’ll go get you facial wash.”

I laughed. He kissed my cheek.

“Okay! Go get dressed, there’s something in the closet for you. I want you to wear it.”

I went upstairs and looked in the closet. It was a pinkish salmonie orange color eyelet lace dress. I smiled. He really knows how to shop for me. I noticed a little note on the hanger.

“Pretty dresses need pretty shoes. ↓”

“Hmm…”

I picked up the same colored shoes with a brown strap at the toes. I smiled. I curled my hair and went back downstairs. Niall was hard at work focused intensely on the little frosting flowers. I stood on the staircase. He turned around and looked at me with a big smile on his face.

“You look pretty!”

He said. I smiled.

“Thank you.”

He came over and kissed me.

“I love you.”

He said.

“I love you too. Now its your turn to get dressed.”

Shorts it is.

“Nuh uh. Jeans.”

“What? It’s summer.”

“Yeah, I’m wearing a dress. You’re wearing jeans. We need to look cute together duh.”

“Oh fine. But I’m bringing shorts just in case I get hot.”

“I’m bringing shorts and a t-shirt incase I don’t feel like being dressy anymore.”

“You don’t look that dressy. You look like its summer time.”

“Dresses are dressy.”

“Only if you want them to be.”

“Get changed flour boy.”

He kissed my cheek and tapped my butt.

“Quit it.”

I giggled. I looked at my phone. No messages yet. I decided he would forget unless I messaged him.

“Hey you.”

“Happy Birthday little lady.”

“I’m twenty.”

“You’re old.”

“You’re twenty four!”

“I’m not old in my soul though.”

“So I’m an old lady at heart?”

“Yep.”

“Hey now. I’m fun.”

“Yeah with alcohol in you I bet you are.”

“Don’t go there David.”

“I’ve got a surprise that will make you happy.”

“What is it?”

“Okay let us remember the meaning of surprise Frank.”

“You know how I feel about surprises.”

“Yeah I do. And I don’t care.”

“Rude.”

“I’ll call you later okay? I’ve got work to do. Love you.”

“Love you David.”

“Hey Frank!”

“What?”

“Which shirt should I wear?”

“Wear your praying tanktop!”

“Why? That’s not dressy.”

“Cause you would look cute in it.”

“I don’t want to look cute Franklin I want to look like its your birthday.”

“Great, and I like that shirt, so go put it on.”

“I don’t want to!”

“Do it anyway!”

He came down wearing the hands shirt and smiled at me.

“Hey there good lookin.”

“Oh shush.”

He joked. We grabbed up the puppies and went to the park where everyone was supposed to meet. Ellie and Harry pulled up next to us and helped set stuff up. Liam came up with Daniel. She hugged me and I pretended to like her. She dumped Liam and left him to love himself. I don’t appreciate her very much. We all had fun and the guys enjoyed their drinks and it was very nice. Until Niall started shouting. I looked around and seen him yelling at a guy with black hair and black clothes and black everything. I recognized him… The guy that I was kissing in that picture on the magazine Niall showed me!

“Niall!”

I ran up to him and stood between the guy and Niall.

“What do you want?”

“You.”

The guy said. Niall started yelling again.

“Niall stop yelling you’re going to cause a seen and pictures will be taken.”

I shot Liam a look. He nodded once and took one step closer. See Liam and I, we have an agreement. When Niall is doing something stupid, he’ll come save the day. When he feels like he needs somebody to be there for him. I’ll be with him.

“How do I know you?”

I asked. The guy put his hand over his heart.

“That hurts Franky.”

“Don’t call me that and answer my question.”

“Just as demanding as you always were. Come on. You know my name. Dig deep in that brilliant brain of yours and tell me my name. Say it Franklin. Come on.”

“I don’t know your dang name so if you could help me out here we can all figure things out and you can leave.”

“What has made you so bitter my sweet?”

“Don’t be cheesy and don’t call me your sweet. That’s what creepy old guys say in london movies when they creep on a girl so knock it off.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“Ouch. That hurt girl.”

“Tell me what you want and then you can leave.”

“I want you.”

“Well I’m taken and the answer would be no anyway.”

I grabbed Niall’s hand and pulled him away. Liam said something that I couldn’t hear. I stopped when we were far enough away so that the others couldn’t hear us.

“Niall. This is my birthday. I don’t want fighting on my birthday okay? If you don’t want him here then don’t make it fun for the guy to piss you off.”

“And how do you suppose I do that hm?”

“Kill him with kindness. Be as nice as possible to him and he’ll see that he can’t get to you.”

I kissed him and smiled at him.

“I love you okay?”

He nodded.

“Okay.. I’ll try.”

We went  back over to the guys and John left. I went over to Liam.

“What on earth did you say?”

He smiled and shrugged.

“I don’t know. Insulting stuff.”

I giggled a little.

“Liam Payne saying insulting things? You sure that you don’t have short term memory loss now?”

I nudged his arm a small bit and we all carried on. We stood around a picnic table as I started opening presents. I said oh my gosh, thank you so much, this means so much to me, oh thanks guys this is awesome. But I was so unprepared for the next present that snook up behind me. Slowly approaching my back was my number one most favorite person in the entire world. He spun me around by the shoulders and lifted me off of the ground in a massive hug I could hardly stand. Tears welled in my eyes and I began to cry.

“David! You’re here!”

He laughed and my feet down on the ground not letting me go.

“Yeah. Oh Frank I missed you so much.”

“What happened to America? I thought you were stuck there.”

“I was.. Until Niall called my ultimate boss, the guy who owns my company, and found me another job here.”

“You’re here to stay?”

I asked letting go and looking at his face.

“You bet I am. I am never leaving you ever again. I promise you that.”

The tears began to roll once again down my cheeks. I buried my face in his chest. I whipped my head back up.

“I’m not dreamin’ am I? ‘Cause if I’m dreamin’ I’m gonna be pissed.”

David laughed. That was to real to be a dream.

“Of course you ain’t dreamin’ Franklin. I don’t think I could do that to you.”

“Good.”

We laughed again. The rest of the day went perfectly well. David is going to stay a while so that he can find an apartment or another house. We went home and collapsed after a night of drinking with all of the boys and Ellie and Eleanore and whoever else was there. Over all it was actually an awesome twentieth birthday party. We went home and crashed. I’m happy. And by happy I mean ultra maximum super drunk elated happy. All in all it was pretty magnificent. My brother came home, my boyfriend and I most likely ‘did the deed’ and we have two fluffy puppies at the foot of our bed keeping our feet warm. I had a most definitely perfect day.

It’s been quite a few months since David left now. He left in January, it’s June.

“Franklin!!!”

Niall jumped on the bed.

“What?”

I asked in my morning groggy voice.

“We have to make plans.”

“For what?”

He played with my now blonde hair.

“It’s your birthday tomorrow. We’ve got to plan your party.”

“I don’t want to have a birthday party.”

He sat back up and looked at me with disbelief.

“Franklin. God as my witness you’re having a birthday party. You’re going to be twenty. This is happening.”

I sat up next to him.

“Niall. I don’t want a birthday party.”

“Well you’re having one and that’s the end of this conversation.”

He pulled me out of bed and hauled me down the stairs and sat me at the kitchen table.

“What do you want for breakfast?”

“A Risotto Patty with Prosciutto and Egg and Pesto Omelet.”

He stared at me for a second.

“I’ll make pancakes.”

I laughed at him. He didn’t let me stand up or get anything for myself.

“Niall.”

“Franklin.”

“You do realize that my birthday isn’t until tomorrow right?”

I smiled at him.

“Yes. I do.”

He glanced up at me. He looks so damned cute when he cooks. Even though he’s bad at it.

“Why are you pampering me already then?”

“I’m not pampering. I’m showing you my love.”

He kissed me from across the counter. I smiled.

“You’re sweet.”

“I know. You tell me every day Franklin. Go upstairs and get dressed.”

I went upstairs and checked the weather for today. I put my purple skirt on and curled my hair. I went back downstairs and Niall pretended to have a heart attack.

“Oh stop it.”

“I’m sorry… I thought I saw a gremlin coming down the stairs for a second.”

“Niall!”

“I’m just kidding!”

He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me.

“You know I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever layed my eyes on.”

I smiled.

“If you think gremlins are beautiful you might want to get those eyes checked.”

He laughed.

“You don’t look like a gremlin! Gremlins don’t have blonde hair or big blue eyes like you do.”

“Well… The lady gremlin does…”

I said.

“Do you seriously believe that you look like a gremlin?”

“No, I’m just tryin’ to make you feel bad.”

He smirked.

“Well it worked! Don’t do that!”

I laughed and kissed him again.

“I’ll make juice. Go get changed, you’re not wearing that in public.”

He came back downstairs wearing gray shorts bright red shoes and his praying hands tank top. I smirked.

“What? What’s wrong with this outfit?”

“Nothing… I’m just smiling at your clown shoes.”

“Oh come on Franklin!”

We laughed. He looked in the mirror.

“Don’t start getting insecure Niall you look cute.”

“Cute? Or sexy.”

He struck a pose with his hand on his hip and the other on the back of his head. I laughed.

“You look sexy Niall.”

I joked. He came over and kissed me.

“Do I really?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

We climbed in the car and went to get some stuff for my birthday. I noticed a fluffy brown thing moving in the ditch. It was limping funny.

“Pull over.”

I said.

“What?”

“Niall pull over!”

He slammed on the breaks. I quickly got out of the car and went over to see a fluffy puppy around Loca’s age. I didn’t see a collar either.

“Niall come here!”

He came up to my side.

“What is it?”

“I found a puppy…”

“Another dog Franklin?”

“He could be a birthday present.”

I looked over and gave him my best pleading look.

“Please Niall?”

The dog limped out of the ditch and came up to sniff my foot. I bent over to pet him and he growled at me. Niall tried to pull me back.

“Niall he’s just scared.”

“He’s gonna bite you Franklin!”

I crouched down and coaxed the dog to come closer.

“Come here buddy. It’s okay.”

The dog whimpered and stumbled back over to my hand. I examined the injured foot and the dog sat down. Allowing me to pick up the leg. It was cut badly.

“He’s been left here Niall.”

“What should we do?”

“We could bring him to a vet to see if there’s a location chip in his neck.”

We got a number from the location chip and I went outside to call the previous owners.

“Hello?”

“Hi. My name is Franklin Johnson, me and my-“

“You’re the girl goin out with Niall Horan right?”

“Yes that’s me. Um-“

“You’re the one that cheated on him with that nasty lookin feller?”

“It was a misunderstanding, look, I found your dog on the side of the road-“

“I don’t have a dog. We never owned a stupid filthy dog.”

“There was a location chip found in his neck. You have owned a dog. And frankly your dog isn’t stupid. He’s badly hurt on his left fore leg and it’s probably all your fault for throwing him onto the side of the road. Now, are you going to come and collect your dog?”

“We don’t have a dog.”

The person hung up the phone. I went back inside and the dog was laying on the floor with his face layed across Niall’s feet. Niall looked up at me.

“They took the chip out. It was pretty quick. I figured they should do it while you were outside. Who was that on the phone?”

“The previous owner… Apparently they don’t have a dog.”

A tear ran down my cheek. Niall stood and hugged me. The dog limped over and licked my hand.

“It’s okay.”

Niall said.

“Why would anybody do that? He’s just a dog. A young one to. He’s just Loca’s age if not younger.”

“Franklin. Do you want to bring him home?”

“Well yeah but we already have Loca, what are we going to do with another dog?”

“Name him. Let him sleep on our bedroom floor, feed him every day. We can take care of him. It’s not like he’s a child.”

I looked at the dog and smiled.

“Do you want to come home with us?”

The dog barked and wagged his tail.

“Looks like he’s yours then?”

The vet asked coming out of the office. She smiled at us.

“I don’t see a lot of folks like you around here too often.”

I smiled.

“I just really like animals.”

“I can see that.”

She said.

“Well.. Since you guys are going to take him home why don’t you get him some shots?”

“We don’t have the money right now.”

I said. She smiled at me.

“You can buy the shots and dewormer here and treat him yourself.”

“Okay.”

We went to the pet store and bought another bag of food, a dog bed, toys, and treats.

“This is a dogs paradise.”

Niall said. The dog was just calmly walking next to us. I smiled at him.

“What should we name him?”

Niall asked. I went through my mind.

“What do you want to name him?”

I asked.

“Well you’re the one who saved him.”

Saved him.. Heroes.

“Thor.”

Niall looked at me funny.

“Thor?”

“Yeah. Thor. What’s wrong with that?”

He smiled and wrapped an arm around my waist.

“You’re just a geek.”

He said. I giggled.

“Hey now. I know.”

We went and bought more stuff for my birthday party that Niall is throwing tomorrow.

“We can have it at a park.”

He said. I nodded.

“That would be nice. Then the dogs can play and stuff.”

“Do you ever think of yourself?”

“All the time yeah. I’m pretty conceited.”

He laughed a little.

“You’re so strange Franklin.”

I nodded.

“I think you’ve said that before.. I’m not sure.”

We got done shopping and stuff. Niall dropped me off at home so he could get my present without me seeing. I sat at home and showed Thor around the house. Loca followed him licking his face the entire way throughout the house. I giggled at them.

“Look at that Thor, you’ve already got a fan.”

He wagged his tail and I patted his head. He’s fluffy and brown, and when he’s fully grown he’ll probably look like a small bear. I layed on my bed and Thor and Loca layed across my feet. I listened to The Eagles.

“You don’t want to work, you want to live like a king. but the big bad world doesn’t owe you a thing.”

Niall walked in and smiled at me.

“What are you listening to?”

“The Eagles.”

“They sound old.”

“They are old.”

“Oh, that’s why.”

“Yeah, that’s why.”

He layed down next to me and I showed him all of the old school music that I like.

“When I look up to the skies
I see your eyes a funny kind of yellow
I rush home to bed I soak my head
I see your face underneath my pillow
I wake next morning, tired, still yawning
See your face come peeping through my window”

“What’s that one?”

Niall asked.

“Pictures of Matchstick Men by Status Quo.”

“You like weird music Franklin.”

“I know.”

I’ve been staying on the couch and in my bed for days. I feel sad all the time. I never feel like eating. I do because Niall doesn’t like to see me so depressed but I’m very reluctant. I’ve been doing a little more okay though. I can smile now. It’s already been a month. My memory still comes and goes. I never forget Niall any more though. That’s good. I went down to the kitchen table feeling happier today. I wrapped my arms around Niall’s shoulders and kissed his cheek.

“I miss you Franklin.”

“I know sweet boy.”

“You’ve been gone for a while.”

“I’m sorry. I’m trying to come back but it’s just so hard.”

“I understand. And you take as much time as you need.”

He played with my red velvet hair.

“I’m starting to miss your blonde hair gorgeous.”

I smiled.

“When this fades I’ll dye it back.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

He smiled.

“Gonna go to work today?”

He asked. I nodded.

“I really should. Arli has been covering for me. My ass would’ve been handed to me long ago if not for her. Plus, I haven’t spent any time with her hardly at all since you left for your tour. And that was quite some time ago.”

He smiled at me.

“You’re too sweet a girl love.”

He stood and kissed me.

“You’re already on your way back.”

He said wrapping his arms around my waist. I did my best to smile at him. His smile faded.

“You always look so sad now. I don’t like it.”

I looked at him and started up the stairs to get ready for work. I turned back around.

“Neither do I.”

At work Arli was berating me with questions.

“I don’t know Arli.. Okay? I don’t know when he’s coming back. He said he would try to find a new position so he could come back but nothing has come up okay?”

“I’m sorry Franklin. I really am…”

“I’ve never seen you this sad Arli… It really doesn’t help me out. I’m sure you’ve got it better than I do okay? My boyfriend is the happiest little F-er on the face of the planet and I can’t meet his needs anymore.”

“I’m supporting you Franklin, but you’ve got to cut me some slack. I’ve worked for weeks on end for you and I gave up my other friends because I love you. You’re my best friend and you’re in the roughest condition I’ve seen anyone in before. Worse than my mom when she was in her last days of cancer.”

I looked down at the dresses that yet needed to be hanged up.

“Why don’t you take the day off.”

I suggested. Arli looked up at me.

“No.”

“Arli, come one. You’ve been at it for days, weeks even. And it’s all on account of me. Take the day off please?”

“No. Tomorrow is both of our day off so I’ll relax then.”

“Arli, you may as well be telling me you’ll sleep when you’re dead. Which will be soon if you don’t chill out.”

“Franky, I’m fine. I’m working today, and I’ll get a whole day of sleep and rest tomorrow. I promise.”

I looked at her with sympathy.

“Okay…”

Work was boring and drawling… I’m so sick of being sad and angry. I got home and Niall was asleep on the couch. I sat next to his head and pulled him onto my lap. I played with his hair and waited for him to wake up. I called David.

“Hello?”

“Hey…”

“Frank… How are you holdin’ up?”

“Okay. I’m doing okay.”

“No accent… That’s bullshit Franklin don’t lie to me.”

“Sorry.”

“Why’re you bein’ so quiet?”

“Niall is sleeping on my lap. I’m trying not to wake him.”

“Oh I see… Well Franklin, try to call me later okay? I’ve got too much work to do right at this moment.”

“Fine.”

“Okay… Bye, love you.”

“Love you David.”

Well that worked out. I try to talk to my damn brother and he’s got to do this damned work. It’s annoying! Niall woke up a few minutes later and I ran my fingers through his hair.

“I’m surprised you haven’t had the boys over for a drink my Irish boy.”

He chuckled and smiled widely.

“They’re coming over in an hour or so.”

“You were sleeping.”

“Yeah… I fell asleep a while ago. I had a nice dream though.”

“What was it about?”

“You. You were happy again. We kept kissing and hugging and it was just a nice dream.”

I smiled. I bent and kissed him.

“I’m trying to be happy again Niall. I really am.”

He nodded.

“I know you are love. I’m trying to help you as much as I can.”

“I know. You’re my sweet boy Niall Horan.”

He smiled and we kissed again.

“I love you.”

He whispered.

“I love you too.”

I made dinner and the boys came over.

“Franklin! Hey!”

They all said walking in. I smiled and waved at them. Ellie came over and hugged me.

“Hey hon how are you doing?”

She asked. I swear Ellie is like my mother.

“I’m doing fine.”

She gave me one of those, ‘are you really, are you really doing fine’ kinds of looks. I widened my eyes.

“What?”

I asked playing dumb.

“Franky… Come one now. You don’t have to lie to me.”

I looked through the doorway and Niall was watching us. I shook my head at Ellie.

“Not right now El.”

“You shouldn’t be holding in feelings like this Franky. It’s not good for either of you.”

She nodded towards Niall. I nodded.

“I know…”

I felt my throat burn and I had to blink a lot and breathe to keep myself from crying. I looked over at Ellie and shook my head.

“It’s okay girlie.”

She said. She touched my shoulder and went to sit next to Harry in the living room with the rest of the guys. I looked at Niall. A tear escaped my eye and I went outside. I sat on the porch and cried silently. I didn’t want anybody to hear me. That failed.

“You’ll be okay. Why are you so upset about him leaving?”

Liam asked walking through the door. I shook my head.

“He’s been my life-line, Liam. He’s taken care of me pretty much my entire life. And now he’s been ripped away and I have to stay here with the most positive person I’ve ever met.”

“Niall isn’t always as positive as you think Franky. He’s called me quite a few times with complaints about you.”

I looked up at him.

“Really?”

I don’t know what happened. But just the fact that Niall gets annoyed with me makes me feel better. I looked at Liam and tried to smile.

“He really gets upset with me?”

“When you’re always sad like this yes he does.”

I smiled for real. Liam smirked and shook his head.

“The things that amuse you Franklin are so weird.”

I giggled and we went back inside. I sat on Niall’s lap and kissed him.

“Whoa!”

Louis teased.

“Let’s try to keep it PG in here okay Franklin?”

“No promises.”

Niall picked me up and ran us towards the stairs joking around. I laughed and he brought us back to the couch. Loca stumbled over to our feet. I picked her up and set her on my lap.

“Oi! You’re gonna crush me Franklin!”

“Hey! I am not that fat.”

We watched horror films for the rest of the night. Louis and Eleanore fell asleep on the floor, Zayn and Nora went home, Liam fell asleep in the chair, and Harry and Ellie kept awake with me and Niall.

“Liam needs a girlfriend.”

I said.

“I thought he had one.”

Harry said.

“I don’t remember.”

I said. I made myself laugh. Harry and Ellie looked at me.

“What’s so funny about that?”

Ellie asked.

“No duh I don’t remember, I have short term memory loss.”

I giggled even harder, then louder, then I woke Eleanore up and she yelled at us all. Harder and harder I laughed until Niall picked me up.

“Okay. Bed time for you.”

He said. I giggled as we went up the stairs. He set me on the bed, Loca made her fluffed spot at the top of our pillows and Niall lay next to me.

“You got happy today.”

He said, brushing hair out of my face.

“Yeah.. You know why?”

“Why?”

“Because I annoy you sometimes.”

He looked at me with a furrowed brow.

“Why on earth would that make you happy? Shouldn’t that make you upset?”

I nodded.

“Probably. But it’s nice to know that even you get upset sometimes. Other than when girls attack you in crowds.”

He giggled.

“You gorgeous, are a strange wonder you know that?”

“You sweet boy are cheesy do you know that?”

He laughed.

“You’ve said that before love.”

I smiled.

“I remember.”

“You’re getting better?”

“I’m getting better.”