His Return

11~

The next morning, in the first one awaken. At least that's what I thought, but by the time I make it downstairs, ready for the day at six fifteen, Michael was sitting in the kitchen.

He's deep in thought, staring at his wedding band and he suddenly looks like the young man I married.

"You're up early." I finish walking down the stairs as Michael looks up from his hand. "You never really needed much sleep." I mutter, walking into the kitchen. "Coffee?" I grab a mug for myself, reaching for another when he nods.

"Please."

Wordlessly, I hand him the black coffee before taking the seat across the table from him.

"The kids will be up for school soon." I mutter, sipping my coffee, watching as he stares down at his. "We can drop them off if you want and then we can talk? There's a lot to discuss I guess."

We sit in silence and I'm transported to years ago, just after we married.

"The quiet mornings are nice." Michael mutters, kissing my free hand.

We're sitting on the porch swing watching g the sunrise while having our morning coffee together. Decaf for me, but he doesn't know that yet. I'm comfortably curled up against my husband

"I could go for some crazy mornings too." I softly say, moving his hand that's holding mine to my stomach, that almost unnoticeably distended.

"Soon, hopefully." He kisses my cheek, completely missing my point. "We'll keep trying. I can feel it's going to be soon."

"Seven months." I tell him, looking up a. "I think." I'm able to mutter as his cups my jaw, looking down at me with absolute awe.

"Did we- Are you-" His grip on my face tightens, pinching my cheeks so I look like a fish, and his brilliant smile, the one I fall for over and over again, crosses his face. His lips fall down on my open mouth as he bends his head down. His lips communicate excitement, passion, and love. I can feel it radiating off of him. "I can't even tell you how excited I am." He breathes, his lips brushing mine as he speaks. "You've just made me the happiest I've ever been."

"Kate," Michael's hand touches mine. "Where'd you go?" He frowns when I pull my hand away.

"Just thinking," I tell him quietly, bringing my mug up to my lips. "What did you say? I'm sorry."

"I asked where Sam went." The words leave his mouth and I set the mug down a little harder than I mean to.

"Um." Michael's eyes move from the empty couch to my face, which, no doubt, looks startled. I have no idea how to answer the question without angering him or hurting his feelings. "Upstairs." Be honest and keep it short. I tell myself.

Michael's eyes narrow slightly and and green eyes seem to darken. "Where?" He as the audacity to ask and my jaw drops agape. I'm trying to stay nice and neutral but memories or no memories, he needs to realize we are divorced. He doesn't get to ask those questions.

"Does it matter?"

Michael's jaw flexes and and his fists clenched in anger when another voice joins.

"No, it doesn't." He responds to Sam, who walks over to grab another cup of coffee.

Ignoring Michael, Sam sits down at the chair next to me. "What are you doing with Mikey today?" He asks and I feel like slamming my head on the table.

"Shit." I mutter, with all that's happened in the past twenty four hours, I've completely forgotten about Mikey's suspension.

"What's wrong with Mikey?" Michael questions, looking between Sam and I.

I don't mean to ignore him, but my mind focuses more on Sam.

"He'll just have to stay here again." I shrug, looking at Sam who's frowning.

"Can I hang out with Sam today?" Another voice appears, and I'm turn around in the chair to my son still in his pajamas. His twin stand next to him with their little sister right behind them. Arianna pokes her head around from the side of Mikey's leg.

"That's up to Sam." I open my arms up for Arianna to come sit in my lap and, not taking her eyes off her father, comes to sit in the seat next to me.

Micheal's face is unreadable as his eyes dart around the room, before landing on mine.

There's hurt clear as day when Sam agrees to let Mikey spend the day with him. His sad eyes then watch as Sam checks Sofia's ankle. Sofia suddenly gasps in pain when he bends it down.

"Gentle with her!" Michael shouts, standing for the chair and I'm able to see his whole body tense.

"I want you to ice this when you get home from school and in the nurse's office at your lunch break if you can." Sam mutters, flexing Sofia's foot in a different direction, completely

"It's okay, Dad," Sofia, nudges her father to sit back down with a small wince. "I have to stretch the muscle so it doesn't stiffen too much."

"Luca," I say to Sam referring to the doctor who wrapped her ankle. "Forgot to give her a note to miss dance; can you write her one to give to the instructor."

"Yeah." He replies, stating to rewrap my daughter's ankle. "My prescription pad is in my bag upstairs."

"Can Daddy take us to school today?" Arianna whispers into my ear.

"Why don't you ask him." I tell her, catching Michael's gaze. He's in absolute awe, looking at the dark haired little girl.

"Daddy," Our girl's small voice whispers quietly. "Will you take us to school, today?"

"Of course, Piccola." He tried to hide his smile but I can see it, the wetness in his eyes too. "I'd love to."

"On that note," I look at the girls. "Go get ready for school. And no special treatment today." I tell Sam, motioning to Mikey. "He's suspended, I want him mowing your lawn of something."

"Suspended?" Michael decided its a good idea to speak up and give a fatherly look of disapproval to the brooding teenager at the table.

"For sticking up for you." Mikey says standing firm the his seat. "I punched a kid for saying that you left. Oops."

"Michael Brooks, upstairs!" I shout at him as Michael looks at his son in stunned silence.

"Good morning, Dad." Sofia puts her hand on her fathers gently and I silently watch as she tries to smile at him.

"Buongiorno, mia dolce fragola." (Good morning, my sweet strawberry) He sadly smiles back. "Go get ready for school."

***
Leave comments please please please!!!

And go check out my new story - "Cowboy, Take Me Away"

Also 'Guard Me' is going to be updated tomorrow night!