The Love You Save {The Girl is Mine Sequel}

Surprise, Surprise

"Mom? Dad?" I called out, the moment I stepped foot into the all too familiar house that I grew up in.
I glanced around to find that everything was exactly the way it was before I...... Was gone.
I strode slowly through the living room and into the kitchen, since that's the room my family normally hung around in the most.
"Desiree, Stella?" I yelled, a bit louder. There was still no response.
I walked around the ceramic island and peered out of the sliding glass door.
On the deck, I saw my father with his back turned to me, attempting to light our 1982 charcoal grill. On the grass below him my mother was basking out on the poolside, and my sisters were splashing treading water in the pool conversing with each other. It made me smile to see them all so happy. I just couldn't wait to get out there and join them.
I reached my hand up and gripped the metal handle and pulled it aside, not bothering to shut it again once I was out.
I inhaled deeply, satisfied that I could finally breathe without worry.
"Ah, Adam! You brought back the meat, eh?" My father asked, without turning around. I shook my head, though he could not see me. Ah, how I missed his comforting voice.
"It's not Adam, Papa...... It's Kelly," I said quietly.
He stopped cold. He immediately dropped the rocks and spun around and his heels. His eyes widened as he scanned me up and down silently.
The grin on my face widened when I noticed that he had finally came back down from cloud nine. I stepped closer to him just as he opened his arms lovingly. I easily feel into his embrace and he began stroking my hair, "oh Nina! My beautiful, amazing baby girl! You're finally home! I missed you so much! Oh, you're home! I love you....." He trailed off. I began sobbing into his shirt, "Papa.... I missed you so much. I love you too," I told him in a cracked, but distinguishable voice. He gripped me tighter in his arms and lifted his head, "Olga, Stella, Desiree! Come, come! Our Kelly has finally returned home!" He exclaimed off the deck. All of their eyes instantly flickered up to us, so I waved. Their eyes bugged out exactly how my father's had when he saw me. And in an instant, they were ascending the stairs as fast as humanly possible.
As soon as they made it on the platform they attached themselves onto me in a loving embrace.
It felt amazing to finally have my life back. It is indescribable, what I'm feeling inside. There's only one thing that could make this moment better, but I know that it's not going to happen, any time soon, so there's no point in even mentioning it.
Though I didn't have the exact missing piece to my life, it didn't ruin my blissful moment one bit. It was all still perfect in my eyes.

Midnight

For the rest of the afternoon I was welcomed back warmly by my family, who somehow alerted many others, who alerted even more others, who stopped by frequently throughout the day. I'm surprised that they didn't have my return broad casted on the channel five news, though I'm sure if I brought it up they would've.
But no matter, they were just excited, I guess. I can't blame them either, I was just as excited as they were to be back. Possibly even more so, but I doubt that.

Later on the excitement finally died down enough for me to slip away going (somewhat) unnoticed. Britney was the only one who asked me where I was going, and I just told her that I was going upstairs to shower so nobody would bother me.
When I was done talking to her I did exactly as I said and climbed up the stairs slowly, taking each step with care since my legs hurt so much from standing around all day.
I trudged down the hallway, eventually reaching the last door. The one that led to my room.
With a small smile on my face, I quickly turned the knob and pushed the door open. Once inside I flicked on the light to see someone sitting on my bed.
My hand immediately flew to my heart, that was now fluttering like a hummingbirds.
I suddenly realized who was lying in my bed.

None other than Michael himself.

His hands were behind his head and his body was totally relaxed on top of my bedspread. He had a smug smile plastered across his wonderful face, "hi," he greeted me, stifling a laugh. My hand dropped to my side as I walked over to him and sat down on the bed, "you scared me!" I scolded him as he let out the laughter he could no longer hold back. He sat up straight and cocked his head to the side, leaning it on his shoulder, "did I?" He questioned me. I shoved his shoulder gently, "yes, you did. And for that you have to face the consequences," I threatened.
He gave me a skeptical look, "what consequences?"
"These!" I shouted, moving my hands to his stomach and tickling him.
"No, no!" He screamed, attempting to get away from me, though I wasn't allowing him to. He let out a string of laughter that was terribly contagious.
We laughed together as I continued to 'torture' him until he was breathless.
By the time I finished, Michael was backed into the corner of my bed with most of his hair covering his face, and flashing me a very toothy grin.
"Had enough?" I asked him. He nodded his head and took a deep breath, releasing it out along with more laughter.
"Good. I'm gonna go get in the shower. I feel disgusting," I said, scrunching my nose. He snickered, "can I come?" He asked me, biting his lip.
Huh. He's never asked me anything like that before. I wonder.....
I didn't want to hurt his feelings, so I reached out and caressed his soft face with a small smile on mine, "not this time, okay?"
His lip jutted out a bit, "okay," he sounded upset, but I knew he was only trying to get me to agree to it.
"Another time, I promise. Don't be sad," I told him. I leaned in and gave him a small peck on the cheek, which brightened his expression somewhat.
I climbed off of the bed and slowly walked towards to my bathroom, taking my shirt of and tossing it on the floor before entering. I wasn't going to let him get too happy.....
I slipped out of the rest of my clothes and started my shower, making sure the water was nice and hot before getting in.
I hopped into the burning water and stood extremely still, letting it wash over me. For the first time in years I was finally getting cleansed. I could literally feel Seth's touches washing off of me as I stood under the water, thinking about the new life ahead of me.
I shut the water off as it began to get cold. I quickly stepped out and dried off my body, wrapping myself in a towel in the process.
Since the mirror in the bathroom was steamy, I decided to brush my hair in my room. Before leaving I turned on the fan and shut the light off.
I opened the door and fled the humid bathroom in a hurry.
As I walked into my room, I noticed Michael still sitting on my bed, reading a random book intently.
I strode over to my vanity and sat down, pulling out my brush from my drawer.
"Whatcha got there?" I asked him as I began brushing out the tangles in my hair.
I watched him in the mirror as he glanced over at me with his big brown eyes.
He smiled when he noticed me there, and closed the book, "Romeo and Juliet," he admitted quietly, chuckling to himself. He rose off of my bed and came over to stand next to me.
I moved over and patted the seat next to me on the bench, which he quickly took.
As he sat down, I leaned my head on his shoulder and stared into the mirror.
He stared into the mirror as well, but he kept his eyes on mine the entire time we sat there.
"I like your hair," he said suddenly. I lifted my head off of his shoulder and turned to look at him, "what's so fab about it? It looks terrible...." I trailed off as I began to brush it once more.
He gave a me laugh and gently took the brush from me and began brushing it out himself, "don't be silly, it looks beautiful," I smiled brightly as he continued, "this is your natural hair color, isn't it?" He asked me.
"Yes, it is." I said quietly as he continued to untangle my hair.
"You shouldn't dye it anymore. It looks much prettier this way....." He trailed off.
I giggled, "you really know how to treat a woman, Michael. You know that?" I asked him. A small smile formed on his lips, "it makes me happy to see you happy. That's really all there is to it," he replied simply. He brushed through my hair one last time before setting down the brush on the counter and looking into my eyes once more.
"Thank you," I told him, leaning onto his chest.
"Anytime." He replied, rubbing my back in small circles.