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“I’m so so sorry to cancel last minute. You must probably hate me.”
“You kidding, aight? It’s impossible to hate you, Lexi Howard.”
Hearing her soft laugh on the other side of the phone makes Fez smile. He doesn’t like to seem like a desperately enamored fool but he can’t even try to act differently when it’s about Lexi and he’s perfectly aware of it.
“Ain’t a big fan of you being alone in your dorm when you not feeling well though, ma.” Fez eventually admits, worried about her.
“Oh, seriously, it’s going to be okay, don’t worry.” Lexi promptly says, sounding confident. “Maddy stopped by the pharmacy on the way back from classes to get me some painkillers and nothing bad can happen to me if I’m lying down in bed all evening, you know. Besides, it gives me an opportunity to read and finally finish the book that’s been gathering dust on my nightstand.”
“You still reading the one about the famous movie star who had, like, six husbands or something?”
“Seven.” Lexi corrects playfully. “And her name is Evelyn Hugo.”
“Right, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” Fez remembers out loud.
“I haven’t had time to read lately with midterms and everything.” Lexi sighs. “So that’s nice but I would much rather spend the night with you.”
“It’s okay shawty, we’ll do it next weekend.” Fez reassures her, even though he’s disappointed as well.
“But what if the weather’s shitty next weekend?” Lexi points out, a hint of sadness in her tone. “You planned such the perfect romantic date, we can’t have a picnic in the forest under the sunset if it’s raining buckets.”
“That’s a problem for next weekend.” Fez reminds her. “Right now, you rest and take care Lexi, aight? Drink water, read your book, and stuff.”
“That’s pretty much the plan for tonight, yep – oh fucking cramps, ugh!” Lexi interrupts herself, dragging on that last onomatopoeia as Fez can hear her breathing deepening.
Fez feels so helpless in that instant his heart sinks into his chest. He can’t even pretend to understand what Lexi is currently going through but he certainly empathizes enough with his girlfriend to be concerned about her pain. He wishes he could make it magically go away, Wizard of Oz style. Sadly, he’s just a mundane useless man when it comes to period cramps and Mother Nature.
“In the wise words of Jessica Day, I was sabotaged by my baby box.” Lexi eventually declares, breathing out slowly. “You know, this could almost make me reconsider my desire to have three children. Yeah, maybe I’m being too ambitious, right? The human species don’t need Lexi Howard to birth three additional people on this planet, I’m sure only a single contribution would be enough, especially in these uncertain times with climate change, food resources, and… Sorry, I’m rambling now.”
“You good, you cute when you do that, ma.” Fez assures her, his lips stretched into an amused smile.
She chuckles for a bit before briefly whining. “Babe, I love when you’re being sweet, but please don’t make me laugh right now, it physically hurts.”
“Sorry.” He winces. “Imma leave you alone, but keep me updated, aight?”
“Of course I will. So sorry again, I’m really bummed about not being able to go out with you tonight. But I wouldn’t be good company anyway so it’s probably for the best.”
“You know that ain’t true, anyone would be lucky as fuck to hang out with you.”
“Aww.” Lexi softly comments. “I love you, talk to you soon.”
“Love you too, call me if you need anything.”
When he hangs up the phone, Fez slowly breathes out, the flower arrangement he bought for Lexi taunting him from the corner of his eye. Staying home when he knows she is alone and unwell in her college dorm doesn’t sit right with him. Even though she assured him she’s used to it now and it wouldn’t be a problem, Fez hates the idea of her spending what was supposed to be a magical date night alone in her pajamas.
It doesn’t take him much reflection before he grabs the bouquet along with his car keys and prepares to exit the house, determined to support the girl he loves and cares for in person, not only from a distance.
***
When Fez steps on Lexi’s doormat, he remains still before knocking on the door. What if she’s not happy to see him? After all, they’re still only at the early stages of their relationship. They’re still experiencing the honeymoon phase, when you brush your teeth as soon as you wake up to avoid the embarrassment of morning breath or when you constantly pay close attention to the clothes and fragrance you wear to impress the other person. It’s been incredible and wonderful, but Fez knows unconditional and perfect comfort with a partner is earned over time. And maybe this time hasn’t arrived yet. Maybe Fez imposing himself when Lexi would probably rather be on her own is way too soon in their relationship. Maybe she’d rather be with Rue, Maddy, Ethan, or any of her other close friends that she’s known longer than him.
The young man knows he’s down bad for his girl whenever he’s feeling insecure or afraid to upset her. He usually wouldn’t bother with the internal turmoil, but when it comes to Lexi Howard, he’s not being rational anymore and the only thing that matters is her happiness.
Eventually, Fez acknowledges he might as well take his shot since he drove all the way there. Shyly, he softly knocks on the door, waiting patiently. From the other side of the room, he can hear muffled sounds such as bedsheets being thrown at the other side of the bed, annoyed grunts, and feet dragging on the floor. When the door opens and he faces Lexi, he can tell she’s genuinely surprised to see him. Pleasantly surprised, so it seems.
“Fez?” She exclaims, dumbfounded.
“Surprise.” He nervously says, holding out the colorful hyacinth bouquet in front of his face.
“Wh – what are you doing here?” Lexi asks.
“Well, since you couldn’t go on the date, I thought I’d bring the date to you.”
That was a fucking terrible idea, Fez thinks to himself as he silently watches Lexi staring at him, at a loss for words. He should’ve called first, surprising her when she’s not feeling well definitely wasn’t his best move.
However, quickly enough, Fez notices Lexi’s lips stretch into a weak smile. He then takes the opportunity to properly look at her – her chestnut hair usually freely waving on her shoulders is tied in a loose bun on the top of her head, her face is completely makeup-free, some acne barely visible around her chin. She’s wearing a dark green sweater with her university’s logo and name written in capital white letters along with grey sweatpants and pink socks. She looks utterly adorable and pretty, and Fez instantly wants to squeeze her into a tight hug and hold her in his arms all night long.
“I look like shit, you should’ve texted me or something.” Lexi immediately protests, as if she’s somehow read his mind.
“Fucking lie, don’t think I ever been more attracted to you than I am right now.” Fez teases her, putting his hand in her sweat pocket to bring her closer to him.
“Oh shut up.” She rolls her eyes but smiles regardless.
“You cool hanging out, even though we ain’t gonna do what we originally planned?” He then asks her seriously. “If you want me to fuck off, say the word.”
Lexi laughs, hiding the bottom half of her face behind her green sleeves. Fez couldn’t be more in love with her.
“What you got there?” She eventually asks, peeking at the paper bag in his other hand.
“Impromptu period first-aid kit.” He answers mischievously. “Stopped at a drugstore on the way and bought a bunch of random shit.”
“Hmm.” Lexi simply pouts, eyeing him curiously. “Well, I guess you may come and join my pity party, then. Fair warning, I’m probably going to grunt from time to time.”
“Hot.” He jokes as he follows her inside.
***
Fez definitely hadn’t pictured their one-month anniversary date this way, but as he silently admires Lexi curled up against him, her head resting against his chest, the hot water bottle he got her squeezed against her belly, munching on a chocolate bar and laughing from time to time at the jokes in Malcolm in the Middle, he smiles and understands he wouldn’t have it any other way. This is a perfect date with the girl he loves and he could cuddle with her for the rest of his life and never get tired of it.