Bad Dreams //mgc

70.

*Michael's POV*

"For the charge of rape, we the jury find the defendant, Trevor Jacobs, guilty."

I tune out everything else that happens after I hear those words. If I am so this relieved, I can just imagine how Cara's feeling. Suddenly she's in my arms and I don't even try to stop the tears from falling. As I look around at our friends, everyone is smiling. Regan is in tears too, as well as Ashton. Calum's eyes are glossy, but refusing to spill them, and Luke's pretending that he's not, but it's obvious that he is.

"Look around. You are loved by so many. Everyone loves you and is so proud of you." I whisper in her ear. She looks at everyone and cries.

"I love each and every one of you so much. Thank you for being here for me."

Calum puts his hand on her shoulder. "We're family," and leads us out of the courthouse.

****

Laughter surrounds us. We're all sitting around the fire pit in the backyard. Alex and Jason fly home tomorrow then we start recording at the studio on Monday. Everything feels so surreal. Not a word has been spoken about the trial since we walked out of the courthouse. It's as if the entire thing was a dream and never existed. And I'm totally okay with that. It's over. It's behind us now. No more looming over our heads and in the back of our minds.

I wrap my arms tighter around this strong, gorgeous woman on my lap, my angel. "I love you Cara Davidson," I say as I rest my chin on top of her head. "And I love you Michael Clifford!"

*****
*Cara's POV*

"Angel, it's time to wake up. You have to go to class and Ashton will be here any minute to head to the recording studio! And I ain't letting them see my girl in just my tank top and panties!"

"Luke has before," I remind him, "and we still need to pay Ashton back for walking in on us!"

"Errr don't remind me," he growls, "but it's not going to happen again! Now get up and get dressed!"

"Alright alright! I thought I looked pretty good though!" I say winking at him while putting on my skinny jeans.

"You looked hot as hell," he said pulling me into a hug, "but that view is for my eyes only!" I laugh as I throw on my bra and one of his tee shirts. It's finally getting warm enough outside to steal his shirts. "I love the way you look in my clothes," he says as there's a knock at the door. I tie the oversized shirt into a knot at my hip and follow him out to the living room.

"Hey mate! Hey Care Bear!" Ashton says when Michael let's him in. The past few days he's taken to call me Care Bear. "Hi Ash!" I say throwing on my shoes and grabbing a bagel, popping it in the toaster. "Excited for today?" I ask him. "Am I ever?! You know..." Why did I ask that? Stupid me! I knew that'd get him rambling! "...and just woah this is so awesome!" I chuckle and quickly butter my bagel.

"Bye angel, Love you!" Michael says kissing me goodbye.

"Bye babe! Text me the address and I'll try to stop by after class! Love you too!" I grab my bag and keys and head out after them.

It feels great driving my car again. No more public busses!

Classes drag by. I had talked to all my professors before the trial about what I'd be missing so I have no makeup work to do. So much has been happening that college algebra seems so mundane. English isn't as bad. I really like the professor. After class let out, though, TJ caught up to me.

"Hey!" He said.

"What?"

"Ummm when will our pictures be in?" He's fishing for things to talk about. I'm extra glad I'm wearing Mikey's shirt today!

"I don't know. I haven't been in lately."

"Oh yeah, you moved in with him."

"He has a name and it's Michael and yes we just moved into our new house." We reach my car, I unlock it and put my bag in the backseat.

"Does he make you happy?" Okay that stopped me in my tracks. I turn to him with an honest smile.

"You have no idea!! Goodbye TJ."

I get in my car and shut the door, waving as I drive away. I pull into the Starbucks down the street and shoot Michael a text.

To Mikey❤
Is it ok time to stop by?

I order my usual mocha frappacino and don't hear back so I text Ashton real quick. Maybe Mikey's recording solo. I've never been to a studio so I have no idea how it works.

To Ash
Is now an okay time to stop by?

To CareBear
Way too busy sorry

To Ash
No prob. Tell Mikey to stop by work after. Can't wait to hear abt it

To CareBear
Yup

Oh well. I head home and work on fine tuning my PowerPoint before heading to work. Its Monday, so all the printed packages arrive and I have to call everyone to let them know. TJs is one of them. Oh well, I keep to the scripted call and leave it on voicemail thankfully.

Around 6:30, Michael comes in with the biggest grin. I go over to him, "So how was it?"

"Oh my god angel," he says "It was so fucking awesome oh my gosh! He picks me up and spins me around until I'm laughing. I thought I saw someone walking in, but I can't quite tell. He sets me down and leans in to kiss me when someone clears their throat. Someone did come in, crap. TJ.

"Oh, sorry." I grab the package from behind the counter and hand it to him. "You can view them at the table over there if you like," and I turn back to Michael, pulling him behind the counter. I sit on my stool and he stands between my legs.

"So? Tell me about it!"

"It's a lot more tedious than it seems. We recorded Heartache On The Big Screen today, since that's the one we're most familiar with. It literally took us all day for that one song!"

"I am so" I peck him on the lips "proud" peck him again "of you!" another quick peck .

"These are fine, Thanks Care" Oops, I forgot TJ was here! "You're welcome. Have a good night!" I tell him, never looking away from Michael. We talk behind the counter a little longer and he heads home. Shortly after he leaves, TJ walks back in. I think he was waiting for Michael to leave.

"What was that Cara?" he asks.
"What was what? Talking to my boyfriend?"
"Were you trying to make me jealous?" If I had anything in my mouth right now, I would have just spit it out!
"Excuse me? I didn't know you were there at first! And then I actually forgot you were still there. But still, why would I want to make you jealous? I'm beyond happy! Why would you get jealous? You let me go, remember? You gave me no choice. Your life is a result of your choices, not mine. You forced me to move on. And honestly, I'm glad you did. Michael is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and in all honesty I'm happier now than I have ever been! And I'm happier with him than I ever was with you!" He stared at me for a minute and I could see the sadness in his eyes before he turned and walked out the door.

Only then did I notice a wide-eyed Michael. How much did he hear? I hope he heard me.

"I grabbed you dinner before I headed home," he said shyly, holding up a chick-fil-a bag.

"Thank you," I said. Neither of us moved. I can't tell his reaction. Finally he moved towards me and gave me the bag.

"Did you mean that? What you told him?" I took the bag, set it on the counter and placed my hand on his cheek and looked him in the eyes.

"Every word."