With his family around him, Michael started to feel better. Luke was in his arms, cuddling up close to his chest. Calum had chosen to cuddle up with his dad instead. The big king sized bed had enough room for the four of them.
Michael wrapped his arms tighter around Luke, kissing the top of his head before exiting the room. He needed to clear his head. Writing would help him do just that. The younger adult slipped on a fair of socks, trying to be silent as he made his way to the kitchen. Coffee was needed, along with a jelly coated danish.
He set up camp on the kitchen table, his notebook and pen in hand. Michael use to write songs. He was proud of his works. When Ashton sung him the song he wrote yesterday, it was hard not to burst into tears. It was such a sweet gesture, and everything else around him was falling apart.
Without much thought, Michael began writing a story that would help him escape from reality. The walls around him were slipping into nothingness. The windows soon turned into the bright horizon. His faucet turned into a water fall. The ex-singer found himself staring into a bright new world. One without pain, suffering, sadness. His world was colorful, and anything but plain. When Michael dropped his pen he felt lost.
But he also felt hungry. He quickly went in search for the desired foods. His stomach grumbled loudly, against his "shhh!" The fridge didn't fail to give him the food he wanted. However, the toaster proved to be quite the prude. That was until Michael realized it wasn't plugged in. He mumbled something under his breath at the device, watching as it toasted his bagel extra slow for revenge.
At least the coffee maker proved to be decent for once. It didn't spit out a bunch of bitter grounds. For once, a perfectly brewed cup of coffee awaited Michael's lips. For once, the kitchen seemed quiet and peaceful. The red-head kept picturing his fantasy world. And maybe, just maybe, his mum and Ashton were there, cheering him on as he continued through the hardships of life.
Maybe, Ashton could see his beloved husband falling to pieces right in front of his eyes. "Breakfast?" Ashton asked, stirring Michael from his thoughts. He blinked.
"There's bagels in the fridge," Michael muttered.
"Lovely. You know," Ashton scratched his chin, "I'm surprised you're eating. Usually when you're upset you... struggle."
"It's... I'm fine. It's not a big deal, I guess. I'm over it..." Michael sighed.
"Mikey, don't say that. I know you're trying. I'm so proud of you, but you don't have to be over it yet, you can be sad for a while, and I'll take care of you." Ashton's eyes were wide, honest, loving.
"I know," Michael croaked. His meal suddenly smelled unappealing. He left his food for Ashton, going back to his room.
Ashton shook his head. "I never say the right things."
***
"She left her savings for your family. There's also some furniture that her sisters are taking, but all the money was left for you," the insurance agent looked down at his notes.
Ashton looked at the number he had written down and showed them. It was nearly a million dollars. They could do a lot with that. The boys college would be paid for. Calum and Luke would have stable lives. Michael could enroll in an art school. Ashton could start a business.
"Wow," Ashton breathed.
"I don't want it," Michael hissed. He didn't need to accept his deceased mother's cash.
"Michael- Don't think about right now. Think about the future, the kids can go to college."
"My mom's dead, do you even care?!"
"Mikey, I do. I just also know that you'll get over it slowly, and you'll wish you hadn't turned down the money."
"Can I call you with a final answer tonight?" Michael asked the agent.
He nodded, "of course. I just need to know within a weeks time."
At that, Michael walked out. Ashton followed behind, thanking their insurance agent.
"Ashton. I can't take that money. I didn't earn it," Michael spoke when they were in the parking lot. Ashton nodded, not saying anything. "I want our kids to be happy though. We've had such a rough year... Could it help?"
"It has potential. It's up to you. I don't care either way," Ashton was half lying. He would love to have that money, make life a little easier.
"I just wanna see my boys," Michael groaned. So Ashton drove the couple home.
Much to both parents dismay, the boys were fighting again. Luke was about to knee Calum in the groin when Ashton scooped him up and threw him over his shoulder like he was weightless.
"What is going on here?" He growled as he set Luke on the couch. "What did I say about the fighting?"
Michael helped Calum up, who clung to his side. "Luke took something from me."
"What did he take?" Michael snapped. Calum whimpered.
"Calum has cigarettes!" Luke admitted. He originally planned to keep his brother's secret, but then again, the idea of his older brother smoking scared him. He had to tell. He would feel guilty if anything happened to his older brother.
"YOU WHAT!?" Ashton screamed. Calum held onto Michael's shirt tighter, wishing he could hide. Why did Luke always have to snitch him out? It pissed him off.
"I-I have cigarettes."
"Why? The f*ck do you mean you have cigarettes!?" Ashton banged his fist against the stair railing, causing a loud thud to be heard.
"I don't use them! Not often anyways! I only smoke around Liam!" Calum cried. Michael loosened his grip on the boy. Ashton moved closer to him, continuing to scream.
"You better never use them again! I don't care how old you are. If I find you using cigarettes I will put a stop to it then and there!"
"I'm sorry! I don't have an addiction though. I just do them to be doing them!"
Ashton grabbed Calum up by the shoulder of his shirt. "That was definitely NOT the right thing to say to me! I'm not too happy with you right now! Go up to your room!"
Calum cringed at the shouting. Ashton landed ten smacks to his bum before shoving him in the direction of the stairs.
The kiwi boy wasted no time getting up to his room. He closed the door and sat on his bed, trying hard to fight the tears that were falling down his face. It wasn't long before he was sobbing. He pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them as he cried.
"It's not fair! I didn't do anything wrong! This is crap!" Calum pouted, "I hate this family!"
