Feather

Twenty One {Hold me, Pt. 1}

Michael said goodbye to Peyton's father as he walked him to the door. He couldn't control the smile on his face. He couldn't believe that he had just offered him a job at his company. He knew Michael wasn't qualified but he didn't care, he wanted to teach him all he knew while he could. He didn't have a son, and Peyton was always adamant that she wasn't interested in being part of the family business, so to him, Michael was the next best thing. At least he'd be 'keeping it in the family', that's what he told Michael, and Michael just couldn't say no.

He slowly washed up the tumblers they had used. Michael noticed her father liked to have a glass of whiskey in his hand whilst discussing business informally, he didn't mind, a little Dutch courage was good for him. Mr. Lanson was slightly intimidating for him still. He smiled to himself thinking about what he had planned for the evening, looking up at the clock on the wall. There were a couple of hours before Peyton was due home. The building for the charity was almost finished, so she got to come home a little earlier.

He had just taken the food out of the oven when she got home. A bright smile on her face as she bounced into the kitchen. "You look happy." He said, giving her a kiss on the cheek, and placed the tray down on the counter.

"I am happy." Peyton giggled, wrapping her arms around him.

"Okay, then. Why don't you go and change out of those stuffy clothes before dinner?"

Peyton nodded, and kissed him quickly before going into the bedroom. She pulled off her boots, and took off the dress she was wearing, but as she looked around the room, something felt odd. She furrowed her eyebrows because everything looked as if it was in it's place... but there was something.

She went over to the dresser, taking one of Michael's oversized sweatshirts, and putting it on. Hugging herself at the warmth it made her feel. Then she noticed it, the wardrobe door was partly open. Peyton went to close it but something caught her eye.

Peyton opened the door wider, and gasped when seeing the small red velvet box hanging from the rail on a black ribbon. A box she remembers looking at so many times when she was younger. A box she wanted but thought she'd never have. There was a note attached, which she took down to read before even touching the box.

'Do you mind if I hold you forever?'

She couldn't help the tears that came to her eyes as she read the note over and over. Slowly, with trembling hands, she pulled the box from the ribbon, and opened it. "Michael!" She called out loudly.

Michael quickly ran into the bedroom, "what? What happened?" He asked, then stopped noticing the item in her hand. "Oh..." he looked down shyly. "You found it then?"

Peyton didn't say anything. She silently moved towards him, and wrapped her arms around him tightly, "I love you." She whispered.

"Is that a yes?" He chuckled lightly.

"That's a 'don't you ever let go'." She giggled, as he wiped away the tears that escaped down her cheeks. He brought her arms forward, taking the box from her.

He carefully removed the ring from the cushion, and slid it onto her finger. "Don't worry, Peyton. I can guarantee that that is never going to happen." He smiled sweetly, running his thumb lightly along her jaw. "It looks good on you."

"You look good on me." She kissed him slowly. "We can heat up the food, right?" He nodded, mumbling a quiet 'yeah' against her lips. "Good!" She said, kissing him harder.

He moved her back, pushing her onto the bed. "You look so good in my clothes, baby." He said, groaning quietly.

"Should I keep it on then?" She smirked, lifting the sweatshirt to expose her stomach.

"No fucking way." He smiled, quickly grabbing the hem, and pulling it from her body, making her giggle.

"Do you want to try something different today?" She spoke sweetly, removing her bra and underwear.

He took off his shirt and jeans, slowly pushing down his boxers, and crawling onto the bed. Positioning himself over her, and kissing her tenderly. "What were you thinking of?"

Peyton flipped them over, straddling him. "Are you sure you want to let me take control?"

"I have to trust you sometime, right?" He chuckled lightly.

"You don't trust me?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

"I just asked you to marry me. I think it's okay to say I trust you." Michael laughed.

"Well, actually, you asked if you could hold me forever." She shrugged.

"Shut up." Michael said, flipping them over once again, and tickling her sides. She laughed loudly, only causing him to tickle her more.

"Okay, okay! Stop!" She breathed heavily, as he did as she said. She waited to catch her breath for a moment. Both of them just looking into each other's eyes, and smiling. "I love you."

"I love you." He said back, kissing her forehead lightly.

"Hey... how about we try something different?" She asked hesitantly.

"You've already asked me that." Michael laughed lightly, running his fingertips over her stomach. Watching as she flinched slightly at the touch.

"I was thinking something different to the thing I was thinking of before." She took his hand away from her, holding it, and lacing their fingers together.

"I'm listening." He said, looking deeply into her eyes. She bit her bottom lip, looking him up and down, then at his mouth. She could get lost for hours just looking at it. How red his lips were, how plump.

"I want to do more... like than we normally do." She told him quietly. Peyton let go of his hand. Carefully, she moved hers up his arm, feeling every contour from his muscles, the way they tensed as her skin touched his. Resting it on his shoulder as her thumb rubbed his collarbone.

Michael kissed her sweetly, "we can do that."