The Life I Want To Live With You

In The Sky Chapter 4

As they settled into their seats on the plane to Gary, Indiana, Michael's anxiety began to bubble up. Close to their destination, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the impending meeting. Restless, he started tapping his foot, causing the whole row to vibrate slightly. Lisa, who had dozed off with her head on his arm, groggily muttered, "Michael, can you not?"

He bit his lip, attempting to quell his nervous energy. "I'm sorry, but I'm really stressed," he confessed, his leg starting to twitch once more. Lisa, now more awake, reached out and firmly held his leg, forcing it to still. She sat up straight, with concern in her eyes, and said, "I understand that, but it's just a meeting. What could possibly go wrong?"

"Everything, actually," Michael admitted, his tone laced with worry. "Joseph could do something, or my brothers might say something, especially Jermaine and Tito." He sighed and looked at Lisa's hand on his leg. She gently squeezed his hand before turning her gaze to the window.

Lisa reassured him with a smile. "This time, nothing will happen. Besides, while I'm your new girlfriend, they'll probably ask me who the hell I am," she said playfully, and Michael couldn't help but chuckle. He leaned in to kiss her cheek.

"Still, it's going to be freaky," he mused, pulling a face. Lisa let out a giggle.

"Baby, please, calm down," she urged, though her laughter betrayed her. "After you told me some stuff, I'm scared even more." She burst into laughter. "Michael, can you just once calm down?"

He smirked. "No," he replied, clearly enjoying Lisa's playful frustration. She retaliated by lightly poking his rib, causing him to jump in his seat.

"Michael, don't shake the seat. We're going to crash!" she exclaimed with mock alarm.

He laughed heartily. "Then stop stabbing me!"

"I ain't doing anything, Michael," she protested, poking him again, causing him to jump once more. "Michael, if we're going to die, I'm going to kill you."

"It's going to be your fault, woman," he teased, unable to contain his laughter.

Lisa joined in, her laughter echoing through the plane. "No, it won't." The tension and anxiety that had gripped Michael began to dissipate as their playful banter continued, making the journey a bit more enjoyable.

****

As they arrived at the main door of Michael's family home, he pressed the doorbell, holding Lisa's hand tightly. His breathing seemed a bit unsteady, and he couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions. 

Katherine, his mother, soon opened the door, her face lighting up with joy as she exclaimed, "Michael! I missed you so much!" She engulfed him in a warm and affectionate mother hug. "Why weren't you picking up your sister's calls?"

Michael replied, "Well, Mother, it's complicated. Can we come in?" Katherine happily clapped her hands in excitement, making way for them to enter.

Lisa and Michael stepped into the cozy living room, where Katherine welcomed Lisa with a warm and friendly hug. She addressed Lisa, "I've heard quite a lot about you, of course from his sister, not Michael himself. You're Lisa Marie, right?"

Lisa smiled graciously, "Yes, ma'am. I wanted to thank you for inviting me along with Michael."

Katherine beamed, "Call me Katherine, or mom. We welcome you to our family!" Lisa couldn't help but notice the resemblance between Michael and his mother, particularly their smiles. They shared a similar warmth that was evident in their expressions.

They proceeded to the dining room, where Michael's siblings and Joseph were already seated at the table. They all greeted Lisa warmly, their faces filled with curiosity. Questions about her life and her relationship with Michael filled the air.

Joseph, in particular, smiled at them and remarked, "I'm happy that Michael met someone like you, Lisa. I hope he's treating you well." Michael remained silent, feeling a bit awkward.

Lisa responded with a smile, "Yes, sir, Michael is truly amazing," while stealing a glance at him. Michael responded with a small, appreciative smile, placing his hand on her lap.

The siblings around the table couldn't help but ask more questions. LaToya inquired, "Michael, how long have you two been together?"

They both replied simultaneously, "Five months," causing laughter to ripple through the room.

Katherine chimed in, "Michael, why didn't you tell us that you had a girlfriend? If Janet hadn't mentioned you, Lisa, I might have heard the news of your marriage after the fact!"

Michael began explaining, "Well, I was-"

Janet interrupted seeing what's happening, "He had work projects, and he was busy meeting with Lisa, so he didn't have the time to inform you. Let's respect that, Mother."

Katherine smiled warmly at Janet and didn't press the issue further.

After the dinner, Jermaine excused himself early as he needed to return to work. He had started a small company a few years back.

An hour later, Katherine and Joseph bid them goodbye, and Lisa and Michael returned to New York. It was already late night when they arrived.

As they settled into a cab, Michael turned to Lisa, asking, "Would you like to go to my place?"

She simply shrugged, the long day and dinner making her feel tired. Michael smiled and planted a soft kiss on her head. She nestled closer, resting her head on his arm, and he held her tightly.

After a little while, they arrived at their building, and Michael noticed that Lisa had fallen deeply asleep during the ride. He paid the driver, gently picked her up, and carried her to his apartment. Carefully, he removed her shoes, placed her under the covers, and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. He couldn't help but smile as he looked at her peacefully sleeping.

However, Michael found it difficult to sleep that night. He walked out of the room, wandering around his apartment. Lisa woke up in the middle of the night, hearing him moving about. She wrapped herself in a blanket and quietly made her way to the living room, squinting at the sudden light.

"Michael, what are you doing up so late?" she mumbled sleepily.

He glanced at her, his eyes weary. "I was working, and I was supposed to just go to sleep. And you?"

She sat at the table, her voice soft and understanding, "I heard you moving around. You couldn't sleep, or is it because of your mixed feelings about family meeting?"

He sighed. "Both, I guess. I wanted to ask you if you would want to live with me," he said, looking at her with a mix of hope and vulnerability, giving her the space to respond.

Lisa's smile was gentle. "Well, you've surprised me. Not gonna lie," she said with a chuckle.

Michael joined her laughter. "It's an open question. I know you're sleepy right now, and I want you to know there's no pressure from me."

"Promise me that you'll wait until tomorrow for my answer," she said, sitting on his lap and placing her hands on his shoulders.

He nodded, biting his lip as he agreed. He kissed her deeply and lifted her, carrying her to the bedroom, ready to put the topic aside for the night and let their love embrace them in the peaceful hours before dawn.