PTSD | Sequel to Little Clifford

21

Michael's POV

I breathed out slowly, trying to rid myself of my nerves as I walked closer to Grace. We had agreed to meet at the beach so we could spend the day on the pier and near the ocean.

"Well if it isn't the one and only, Michael Clifford," Grace smiled as I approached her.

"Well if it isn't the amazing and absolutely fantabulous Gracelynn Corrigan."

She smiled and pulled me into one of her amazing hugs, "Ready for a day of fun?" I questioned.

"You have no idea!"

Our first stop was ice cream. It was already like 3 o'clock, so we figured ice cream now and dinner later.

"Which flavor are you going to get?" She asked as she looked between the bins of ice cream.

"One scoop of chocolate and one scoop of cookies and cream," I told her with a smile.

"Oh! That sounds good! I'm going to get-"

"Two scoops of mint chip in a cup with gummy bears on top," I said confidently, already knowing what she was going to order.

She looked at me with a pout, "How did you know?"

"Gracie, you've been ordering the exact same thing since you were 5," I laugh.

"Oh yeah," she mumbles, letting out a little giggle afterwards.

We ordered our ice cream and I paid (but of course Grace argued) before we walked further down the pier. We found a little bench where we sat and ate our ice cream. We talked about anything and everything ranging from hair colors to Arden and Parker to Jeff.

That was the thing about Gracie, she was a great listener as well as a great talker. She knew all of the right things to say and she kept the conversation going. There was really never a dull moment between the two of us.

When we finished our ice cream, we threw our cups away into the trash can right beside our little bench. The two of us then stood up and leaned against the railing, admiring the pretty blue ocean beneath us.

I took a deep breath, knowing this was the time to say what I needed to, "Grace I- I need to tell you something and I just can't wait another minute before telling you."

"What is it?" She laughs kind of nervously.

I turned towards her and she did the same as I grabbed both of her hands into mine.

"I know that I may sound completely insane in about 2 seconds but I can't wait any longer and I can't hide this. I know you are going through a rough time right now, but I just have to do this," I took another deep breath as she looked up at me with those star-filled eyes that I loved so much.

"Gracelynn Elizabeth Corrigan, I am absolutely and positively in love with you," I breath out with a huge smile, "I love everything about you. Your eyes put all stars in the sky to shame. You smile literally just makes me melt inside. The way your nose scrunches whenever you laugh puts butterflies in my stomach.

"I love that you are so dedicated and doing what you love to do in school. I love that you are so open minded and so open-hearted. You share your love to all people; those who deserve it and even those who don't. I am so incredibly blessed to have the pleasure of knowing you. The pleasure of loving you. I know that you have your doubts and insecurities about yourself, but you are absolutely flawless in my eyes."

I laughed a little bit as I continued, "I'm sorry that I'm so cheesy and that I am a complete and utter dork, but I am serious Gracie. I love you."

I could see a tear slowly make its way down her cheek as a huge smile spread across her face, "I am so in love with you Michael."

After hearing those words, I instantly crashed my lips into hers. Our kiss was short and sweet. We pulled away to look at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

I wiped the happy tears that had fallen onto her cheeks, "I've been waiting for you to do that forever," she giggles referring to the kiss and gently pulls my face down to her level so that our foreheads were touching.

I laugh and kiss the tip of her nose before kissing her lips again, "Well then, I guess it's about time I asked... Gracelynn Elizabeth Corrigan, will you be my girlfriend?"

She scrunched up her nose, acting as if she was thinking about it, "Yes, I think I'd like that very much."

-

I walked through the front door after my date with Grace and Calum walked around the corner with a very sleepy Arden on his hip. She held her bunny close to her chest and her head rested right near his collarbone as he lightly bounced her to try and lull her to sleep.

"Hi baby!" I said in a higher voice as I took her into my own arms. I gently brushed some hair out of her face as her head rested on my shoulder, "What are you doing awake miss? It's late!"

"She woke up with a nightmare not too long ago and I told her that she could just lay with me on the couch until you got home," Cal told me with a small smile.

"Poor baby," I frowned and ran my fingers gently through her hair, "Thank you so much for taking care of her, Cal."

"Oh it's always a fun time with Arden," he smiled at the little girl who was half asleep in my arms.

"I could tell after I found out that you two had been discussing my love life when I wasn't around," I laughed.

"Yeah well," He shrugged, "What are ya gonna do?"

His face immediately changed to excited though, "ANYWAYS speaking of love lives.... how did it go?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

"Amazing Cal. We made it official," I beamed.

"That's amazing. I'm so happy for you.... but now you have to help me," He pouts, only half joking.

I laugh, "Of course Calum."

"Ok I'm going to bed. I'm tired and we have recording tomorrow."

"Yeah we are going to bed too."

We said our 'goodnights' before heading upstairs and into our separate rooms. I laid Arden down on the bed before going into the bathroom to change into night clothes. I went back into the bedroom and laid down next to Arden, who looked slightly more awake now.

"Did you have a fun day with Calum?

"Yeah, we played dress up with Luke and they tried to make me look punk rock," she smiles and I can't help but let out a laugh at this. Knowing Calum and Luke, they had pictures and I couldn't wait to see.

"Is Gracie your girlfriend now?" She giggled, driving straight down to the date questions.

"Yes."

Arden squealed a bit in excitement, "I love Grace!"

"I'm glad, Baby," I smiled, "But I need to tell you something."

She nods, allowing me to continue, "Although I am dating, you are still my number one girl, ok?"

"You don't have to put us into numbers," she said softly.

I felt my heart swell up with pride at how my little sister thought, "You are so incredible, did you know that? I just really want you to know that nothing will change between us. You will always be my Princess and I will always love you more than any words can explain. I will never love you any less because I bring another girl into our lives, ok?"

She giggles, "Ok. I love you Mikey."

I chuckle as well, "I love you too, baby girl."

A/N

Guyyyyyssssssssssssss I'm starting a partner project on Wattpad with my best friend Maybe__Baby soon!!!!

Also for this story.... Expect the unexpected :)

Love you!

Red