Cherry Bomb (A Michael Fassbender Fanfic)

22: Dancing Fools

Four months later

"Bean!  Bean!  I can't get it up!"

I snickered inappropriately and stopped the second Rae glared at my reaction.

Bobby pins in my mouth, I shuffled over to Rae and held the bottom of her dress down as I tugged the zipper up.  She inhaled deeply, sucking everything in as best as she could.  Finally, it went up completely and she turned around, looking a bit purple in the face.

"Breathe, Rae... It's important that you breathe," I chuckled as the bobby pins fell from my lips.  I caught them against my chest and returned to the mirror to finish pinning my hair up.

Slowly, Rae exhaled, and I watched her subtle round belly push out a bit against the tight fabric of her gown. 

I eyed her carefully as I pinned back my last curl.  "All good?"

"Yep.  I think.  God, I look like a whale."

I frowned and shook my head.  "You look beautiful and Carl is going to have a hard time containing his excitement when he sees you.  You are not a whale.  You look like a beautiful woman, happily pregnant, and happily in love.  That's what everyone wants.  To be happy.  It doesn't matter what you look like, it's how you feel.  And how you feel is far more visible.  It's blinding, even."

Rae slowly smiled and then glared.  "That was cheesy as hell, Bean.  But thank you."

Rae walked down the aisle with both Mom and our uncle.  I wanted to comment on how awkward and wrong it seemed, having a brother and sister give away their daughter, but I kept it to myself.  I was just glad that Mom and Rae were able to clear the air. 

I was surprised at how forgiving Rae had been.  I guess being so angry for most of your life, it has to be refreshing to feel a different emotion finally.  We're still working through our differences, but for the most part, we've become friendly.  I only wished our grandmother could have been around to witness it.  Mom did have a bit of a breakdown after realizing she should have sorted this out years ago.

Standing at the alter with the rest of the bridesmaids, I loved seeing how anxious Carl was.  He couldn't stop fidgeting with his tie, his cuff links, even his hair.  Rae had to take his hands in her own to get him to chill. 

I looked back at the guests and caught Michael's eyes on me.  He slowly smiled and I felt myself clench.  I hadn't seen him in months.  We spoke on the phone now and then, but we remained friends.  I hated it, to be honest.  I missed him like crazy.

Frank and I dated here and there, but it never became serious.  He dated other women and as much as I wished I could, I just couldn't see other men.  Frank was a friend I dated.  Michael had a big piece of my heart and I wasn't ready to share it with anyone else.  Not yet.  Maybe not ever.

I tried not to keep up with his love life.  But as it happens, it's part of the territory when you're a star like Michael is.  I've turned away from many tabloid rags at the grocery store with his face and a pretty blonde plastered over the covers.  It's hard to pretend you don't care.  Because once upon a time, that man was mine and I was his. 

After the lovely ceremony, the other bridesmaids and I helped fan out the train of Rae's gown for pictures.  I stepped back out of the shot and bumped into Michael.

"Hey," I smiled as we hugged.  "You look great."

"Me?" He pulled me back and ran his eyes up and down my length.  "Bean, you look bloody incredible.  I thought it was a no-no to distract from the bride."  He smirked and stuck his hands into his pockets.

Fuh.  I could feel my toes wanting to curl in the confines of my pumps.  It will never make a difference how much time passes between us.  He will always have this effect on me.

The photographer waved me over to join the rest of the wedding party.

"I'm needed," I gestured.  "See you at the reception."

"I'll save you a dance, yeah?"

"Deal."

I could feel his eyes on my ass as I turned towards everyone else so I definitely walked like he was watching.  I stood in the long line of bridesmaids and smiled for the photographer, genuinely happy, not just to be flirting with Michael, but for Rae. 

Rae, once the enemy, now the somewhat frenemy turned sister.  Her vibrant and fiery red hair contrasted greatly to her stunning white gown. 

I think back to the day I learned we weren't cousins.  That was quite a bomb of a secret for my mom to keep to herself.  I decided then and there to be as truthful as I could possibly be.  Especially when it came to people I cared about.

At the reception, after being announced by the DJ and dancing the obligatory wedding party dance, I found Michael by the bar, because duh, where else?

"You." I poked a finger into his chest.

Michael smirked.  "Me?" He took a swig of his beer and set it down.

"Dance with me."

"Yes ma'am," he purred.

Maroon 5's "Sugar" blared across the reception hall and nearly every single guest and family member was on the dance floor.  Carl awkwardly grinded against his pregnant bride and I let out a boisterous laugh, seeing poor Rae's stunned expression.  She heard me and laughed with me.

Michael took my hand and pulled me to him.  His other hand gently pressed against the small of my back.  He leaned his mouth to my ear and kissed it before loudly whispering, "I've really missed you."

"Good," I pushed him back and we danced.

Michael couldn't take his eyes off of me.  Why did I always feel empowered by his stare?

The song ended and a ballad began.  Michael took my hand and I thought we were leaving the dance floor to get a drink, but he pulled me to him and kissed me.  My palms pressed against his chest and he held me tight.  We swayed, even after our kiss broke.

"I'm sorry I fucked up." Michael said.

I scoffed and smirked.  "You did.  Big time."

"I can't stop thinking about you."

"Just how drunk are you right now, Michael?" I teased him, tugging on the collar of his dress shirt.

I felt a growl rumble deep in his chest and he held me tighter.  "Trust me, Bean, I'm sober."

"Well you're quite talkative."

"Can you forgive me?"

I stopped moving and we stood still, his arms around me, his hands cupped above my ass.  He stared down into my eyes, no hints of playfulness to be seen. 

My lips parted and his eyes darted to them. 

"Forgive you?"

"I want you back, Frankie.  I love you."

What is air?

My heart pounded so hard, I nearly felt sick.  I'd dreamed of this moment for so long.  I always felt that the reality would be me hanging on his leg, begging him to love me again.

I laughed and kissed him, taking him by surprise.

"You idiot.  Of course I forgive you.  I've always loved you and I always will."

Michael pressed his forehead to mine and he laughed, relief washing over him.  "Fuck, I've never been so nervous before."

I scrunched my nose at him.  "That was you nervous?"  I shook my head and kissed him again.

He lifted me off the floor and squeezed me tight.  "I'm never letting you go again."

The End