Bad Dreams //mgc

28.

*Michael's POV*

"She sure does look like Trish doesn't she?"

Ahhh that's the sound of Cara's sweet grandmother. She intimidated me when I first met her. Its funny how a little old lady less than 5' tall can scare someone 15" taller than her, but she manages it quite well. But then after hanging around and hearing her tell stories, I must say I like that woman! Even in her late 80s she's so energetic and full of sass! Between Cara's uncle, Calum and her, my sides hurt from laughing so hard.

"Yeah she does, and acts like her too!" her dad said. I could tell by the change in Cara's breathing that she was awake, but she just wanted to listen to what they were saying so she kept her eyes closed like I was.

"You did a good job raising her Matty. She's growing into such a beautiful young woman." Cara carefully laced our hands together under the blanket without them noticing. I swear I'll never get over this feeling.

"I've tried mom. I really have. I just don't know sometimes," her dad started saying and I squeezed her hand to remind her I'm here for her. "She's been having these nightmares again and I don't know why. It's been 4 years since she had any, but they've started again." Cara tensed up slightly so I started rubbing my thumb against hers. "But I have to tell you mom, through all the nightmares she's had over the years, I've never seen her calm down and return to normal as quickly and easily as she does for Michael. There's something really special there. It scares me but I love seeing her so happy."

"Do you think this has anything to do with Chris? Her nightmares, I mean?" Cara's hands grew instantly cold at this name I've never heard before.

"I doubt it. They started about 5 years after Trish and I told her about him. You know though, part of me hopes that she can find him and forgive him one day. But the other part of me is scared and angry. Angry for what he did to them, yet scared of losing her too. She's all I have left of Trish." Now I know what they're talking about.

"Oh Matty. You'll never lose her. She's your daughter. And she knows that. You can never be replaced. One day she's going to go marry Michael and they'll have a family of their own, but she'll always be Daddy's Little Girl!"

"Thanks mom.'

"You bet! Now go make me that coffee before I throw my slipper at you!" They laughed as they left and shut the door behind them.

We laid in silence a few minutes until they were completely out of hearing range when Ashton asked, "Who else is awake?" Cara and I giggled and Ashton asked, "Are you okay after that Cara?"

Cara and Ashton have gotten much closer lately and he's the first one she goes to about her mom and biological father. It bothered me a little at first, til I realized that Ashton is really helping her in ways I couldn't. Ashton understands that situation, whereas I'm clueless.

"Yeah," she says. "But I do think I need to find him." Ashton nods and closes his eyes. Shortly after, he's snoring.

We remained silent for a little longer and we knew we weren't going back to sleep. I wanted to lighten the mood so I teased her, "So, we're getting married and having a family of our own, hu?" She started laughing. I love the sound of her laugh. I wanted to keep it going so I said, "Maybe we should get started on that now!" and wiggled my eyebrows at her. I knew it was risky after all that happened last night, but it worked. She rolled over on top of me and straddled me, kissing my neck until we heard Luke groan, "Ugh! Can you please not do that this early in the morning?" We both started howling as she climbed off of me.

"Oh relax Luke! I was just kidding!" Well damn! My disappointment must have shown on my face because she said, "Oh god Mikey! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that! I'm so sorry! Oh gosh! But I don't mean..."

"Cara, I get it. Okay? Its all good." She huffed and I pulled her in for a kiss. This time Calum said the same thing and Cara threw a pillow at him. He tried to throw one back but it hit Ashton and started a huge pillow fight between all 6 of us. But then Cara's aunt came in (not the one who actually lived here) and yelled at us so we had to stop.

We really enjoyed the rest of our day, and it was great to see Cara acting so happy after her dream last night. But I couldn't help but worry if that's what she was doing - acting.