Destiny

Part 7

Stevie returned home that night much later than she had anticipated. She thought, she and Lindsey would sit down, have a quick chat and she'd be on her way. That was until she found out about the massive change in his life of course. Once Will was sound asleep, it seemed like they had endless things to talk about. Stevie completely forgot about the argument she had with Michael before she left, she didn't even think about him until Lindsey announced it was almost midnight. She thought about her assistant, she guessed that Karen had to have been in bed already when she called, apologizing profusely. She could have asked Michael to come pick her up instead, but she didn't think that was very wise. 

All the lights were out when Stevie entered her home. She tried to be as quiet as possible as she crept up the stairs and turned towards the master bedroom. A dim light was coming from under the closed door, she gulped. She had hoped that Michael would be asleep.

With his reading glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, Michael only turned a page of the book he was reading when Stevie walked in. She stood by the door for a moment. He guessed, she was trying to come up with something to say, but she remained quiet. He caught her going into her closet with the corner of his eye and sighed. Michael put his book away, took off his glasses and rolled onto his side, pulling the covers up to his neck. 

Stevie took her time in the bathroom as she changed into her nightwear and washed her face. She hated the tension between them. Michael was no great love of her life, but she did love him. Just a week ago she couldn't wait to get married to him. Now? Now she was starting to have doubts. Michael, just like any other man that had come into her life after Lindsey, felt threatened by him. But there was no threat, was there? They were friends. He was going through a tough period and she wanted to help him any way she could. Nothing more. She would hate it if she had to justify any type of relationship with him for the rest of her life.

The bedroom was still illuminated by the lamp on Michael's side of the bed when Stevie returned from the bathroom. She wasn't sure if he wanted to look asleep or he actually was. She walked around the foot of the bed to turn off the light before getting in on her side. Turning her back to Michael, Stevie closed her eyes and hoped sleep would come quickly. It didn't. She rolled over and pressed herself up against Michael, she draped her arm over his middle and left a kiss on his shoulder blade, she lay her head on his pillow and shut her eyes again. It felt like only seconds passed, when Michael entwined their fingers together.

"You're awake?" Stevie asked, thinking that it was a dumb question. 

"Yeah." Michael said, his eyes wide open, staring into nothing.

"I'm sorry." Stevie propped herself up on her elbow and pressed her cheek against his back. 

"I don't want to talk about it." Michael shook his head slightly then turned around to face her. "I don't want to have to keep talking about it."

"But, Michael, we need to-"

"No." He silenced her and leaned in to kiss her instead. "It only causes problems between us and I hate that." He added and rolled her onto her back, hoping to gain some reassurance in a much more intimate way.