Bad Dreams //mgc

63.

*Cara's POV*

The week flew by. Dad came down Monday with James. I made up the guest room for them, cleaning the mattress as best as I knew how. God knows what all Michael has done on that bed before I met him. I don't even want to know. Dad loves our little house, especially the yard. He's an outdoor guy anyway. I took off work Monday for his visit and dad took me shopping for other necessities for the house, mostly kitchen stuff. I wanted to tell him it was okay because we pretty much live off of pizza, but that wouldn't go over too well. For James' sake, since we're not married, I had a "sleepover" in the living room with James. They left Tuesday morning when I left for school. The rest of the week has been pretty uneventful. I get to sleep in Michael's arms every night and wake up to his gorgeous face ever morning. I can't complain!

Alex and Jason left on Wednesday from California. They said they'd drive my car out if I paid for their plane tickets back. It's a hell of a lot cheaper than shipping the car out! Why didn't I drive it out in December when I moved here? Simple. I didn't feel comfortable driving across country by myself in winter. So it's Friday night, I just got off work and Michael's driving us home. Alex and Jason are about an hour away so it all is working out. I'm excited to see Alex again, but that also means the trial starts in a few days.

Once we get home, I take a quick shower and change into sweatpants and one of Michael's tee shirts. That's become my usual since we moved in together. Michael's playing Xbox when I come out, but as soon as he sees me, he shuts it off. That's not normal. Something must be up. He sits next to me on the couch and pulls me in to his side.

"Are you okay, angel? You were really fidgety in the car." Oh. That's why. Michael loves his Xbox, but everything takes a backseat when he thinks there's something wrong with me.

"I'm just really nervous about the trial." I told him. He pulled me into his lap and I cuddled in closer to him. "I know you are angel. To be honest, I am too. But everything will work itself out. You'll be okay. I'll be right there with you." I hold onto him tightly until I hear a knock at the door. Alex!! I give Michael a quick kiss then hop out of his lap and we go answer the door.

"Alex! Jason! I've missed you guys! Come on in!" I say, opening the door wider for them to pass through. I shut the door behind them and go to Michael's side, lacing our fingers together. Guys THIS is Michael! Mikey - Alex, Jason"

"Nice to meet you guys. I've heard a lot about you." Michael says. Michael can be quite obnoxious and carefree most of the time, but he definitely has manners and knows when to use them.

"Oh, we've heard allllll about you too, Michael," Alex says. Have I mentioned before that Alex can be quite overly dramatic sometimes? He just laughs at her and tells them to make themselves at home.

We show them around our place, taking their bags to the guest room and Michael and Jason head to the living room. I hear the all too familiar sound of the Xbox starting up and Alex and I both roll our eyes. We know what that means! But that gives us girl time for the first time in 4 months.

We sit cross legged on the bed facing each other and Alex blurts out, "I cant get a handle on Michael yet. His demeanor and looks don't match, and neither of those match your type." My type?

"You have one reference as my 'type' Alex! And that's TJ. I don't go for lying cheaters anymore! Plus, Mikey's on his best behavior right now. Just wait!" I tell her laughing.

"What I don't get is you were with TJ for what? 3 years? And you guys never lived together, even when he was at USC before he transferred. Yet you've known Michael four months and you're living together? Do you think that's smart?" Leave it Alex to be the voice of reason.

I took a deep breath before I began. "It's hard to explain, Alex. It's really different with him. There was a connection the day I met him. I fought it. I really did. But it was too strong. I have never felt this way about anyone before. Even in three years with TJ, I didn't feel this connected, this pull. Not only do I feel safe and comfortable with Mikey, but I am happier than I've ever been. The love I feel for him is not just a surface feeling built through time, it is so deeply rooted that there's no way out of loving him."

"Wow. Okay, I take back all my doubt's then!"

All of a sudden, I hear car doors banging and Alex and I look at each other confused. Until I hear a very familiar giggle. "Was that a giggle?" Alex asks. "Oh shit!" I laugh. I lead her out of the guestroom, "You're about to meet the band. And the real Michael Clifford!"