Rock With You: A Love Story

welcome 2 the family

The Empire Hotel, New York
8:48am

Belle's POV

"Yes mom....yes....I know....mom!....ok..." I say monotonously in the phone, sat on a kitchen stool.
Michael walks into the kitchen wearing just a towel around his waist. His wet curls were free and loose, he looked his best this way. He looks up to see my on the phone and mouths "sorry" while walking backwards reversing out the kitchen.
"I can't promise anything...because....I'll ask....ok....bye mom." I say, hanging up and rolling my eyes. I adore this woman but she has a lot to say, a lot of the time. It was only 8 in the morning, I don't have the energy.
Michael cracks the door open, revealing just one of his large, dark eyes in the gap. He then swings open the door, "Oh you're off the phone." He walks in, looking the same as before, his curls a little dryer.
"Yes I am." I say sighing. I walk up to Michael, "Good morning baby."
"Morning, my love. Are you ok? You seem stressed?" He responds, looking sympathetic and caring as he wraps his hands behind my back, us stood chest to chest.
"Yeah I'm fine, my mom just keeps...it's nothing, really." I say smiling.
"No, tell me. You have to tell me!" He says, still with his brows creased.
I sigh in defeat. "My mom keeps asking me to come home because she claims she hasn't seen for ages. Apparently, her and Lex miss me and I never said I was going for this long, but I don't wanna leave." I say looking up into his dreamy eyes with sadness.
"That's great!" Michael says, enthusiastically.
I frown and sneer my lips.
"Huh?" I say, my voice getting higher throughout.
"I can meet you're family!" He says, beaming.
"Michael, I don't wanna leave! New York is beautiful, and you're beautiful and I don't want this dream to end." I say smiling at my him, a slight nag in my tone.
"It won't! It'll just carry on somewhere else! It'll be like a road trip! Please?" He begs, like a little kid in a candy shop.
I roll my eyes look down in though, while Michael doesn't stop staring at me waiting for a response.
This could be fun, right? The adventure doesn't really have to end, does it? And I guess it would be fun to see my family and introduce them to Michael. They don't even know we're dating! I mentally decide to agree.
I look up at Mike, still staring at me, and smirk.
"Yes! I'll go pack!" He shouts running into the bedroom. He runs like some sort of chicken, but it's my favourite thing in the world.
I throw my hair into a messy ponytail and do my dressing gown up in a tight bow, my slippers scooting round this kitchen on my feet.
I get up and start to make us both some toast for breakfast.

Quite a few minutes later, I walk into the bedroom, and it's immaculate. All of mine and Michael's stuff is gone. Apart from two medium sized black suitcases stood by the door, and some bags around them.
"That was quick." I scoff.
"I'm excited! I get to finally meet the parents of the girl I love. I've never met a girlfriends parents before, you know. Ooo, I can't wait to see Lexi. She'll be so cute! I hope they like me." Michael titters around the room scanning for anything he may have left behind. He was speaking his thoughts aloud, not taking a moment to breathe.
"Michael, they'll love you, don't even worry about that." I say, slightly laughing at his sweet concerns.
He sighs and runs over to me and hugs me, tight.
"What's this for?" I say smiling, hugging him back.
"For making me so happy. For being so good to me. I love you." He speaks quietly.
I exhale, what did I do to deserve this angel?
"Michael, I love you so much more. I am so glad we met, you've made me realise how much better life is when you have Michael Jackson in it." I smile, trying not to cry. I'm so damn emotional all the time.
We grab each other's hand and begin to walk out the hotel room, Benjamin and Simon taking our heaps of luggage.
I look over my shoulder, to have one last look at our beloved suite. I will miss this, so much. But I can't wait for the future, with Michael. I see he's also looking behind him, probably thinking the same thing as me. One last glance at the beautiful bed, couches, window view...
I rest my head on his shoulder as we continue to leave.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
5:53pm

The familiar trees blow in the warm wind, gold leaves dropping gradually to the hard ground. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky, or my mind. My little red dress flows in the wind, along with my hair. I'm wearing it down, with my RayBan's tightly on my head. Michael's wearing an oversized red Kappa coat, a black tee and black skinny jeans. And of course a fedora.
Home looks the same, the exact same.
A sweet home perched in front of a small river, a river flowing with my childhood memories. I used to play with my friends and mom in there all the time. The cream and brown front door beckons me.
I feel Michael squeeze my hand tight. He was nervous, I could sense it. I look up at him. He's fixing his hair and hat, brushing down his clothes and checking his shoes for dirt.
"Michael, they'll love you." I whisper.
"Promise?" He responds, looking scared.
"I promise, Mike."
He smiles and tries to plaster on a confident face as I knock on the front door. My family have been expecting me so they're probably currently rushing to the door.
The door swings back.
"Belle!" Squeals Lexi, as she runs out the door and hugs my legs tight. She's only five, so she's still small. Her ponytails bounce up and down as she shows her excitement. I stroke the top of her hair and giggle.
My mom walks to the already open door. She wearing a sweet brown dress with some black boots.
"Belle! And Michael?" She says happily. She gives Michael a hug, then me.
She smiles at us both, still stood in the doorway with our luggage.
"Who's Michael?" Lex shouts, still smiling.
"I am! And hello Mrs Smith, so nice to meet you." Michael says, I can hear the nerves in his polite voice. "And you Lexi, you're so pretty!" He says kneeling down to her. She smiles sweetly and walks up to him.
"Thank you very much." She said twiddling her hands, suddenly acting shy. She gets nervous around new people sometimes.
"Come in, come in!" My mum says happily, opening the door wider.
We lug in our bags and plop them on the carpet in the family room.
"Michael, it's such a surprise to see you!" My mom says, mannerly. She's clearly confused but doesn't want to sound rude.
"Mom it's fine, I know you didn't know he was coming, it's ok." I say, saving Michael from an awkward response.
She giggles, "Shall I make some drinks?" She strides out the room into the kitchen at the back, Lexi following her. Me and Michael are left alone.
"Do they hate me?" Michael whispers.
I chuckle, he's too cute. "No! Calm down!".
He laughs, realising his over thinking. "You're moms beautiful. She looks just like you. So does Lexi, you're all so beautiful." He quietly says in awe.
I blush and smile at him, taking his big hand and stroking it.
My mom soon walks in and places drinks on the little wooden coffee table in front of where Michael and I are now sat. Mom and Lexi sit opposite us in separate couches, smiling.
I think what to say to break the silence.
"How was New York?" My mom blurts before I have the chance to say anything.
"Amazing. It's so stunning and unique. I love all the shops and the scenery it looks even better in real life." I respond. I feel so awkward that still neither of them know why Michael's here, and the small talk really isn't helping.
"Are you boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Lex shouts playfully.
Shit.
Michael's sipping his tea, looking around the room with just his eyes.
I guess I have to answer, thanks Michael.
"That's what I've been meaning to tell you. We are actually...dating" I gulp. I know my mom wouldn't say anything bad about it, but we never keep secrets so I know it could come as a surprise.
A huge smile comes across my moms face and she claps her hands together.
"That's wonderful! Welcome to the family, Michael." My mum exclaims.
Well, that went better than I thought...
She gets up and hugs him lightly, him still perched on the end of the leather brown couch.
"Thank you Mrs Smith! I'm so sorry we didn't tell you earlier. If it makes you feel any better, my family is clueless too." He laughs.
"Oh it's not a worry, Michael. Also, call me Charlotte. I know Belle was probably embarrassed. She's never had a proper boyfriend!" She says nonchalantly, smirking.
I blush and stare at the ground.
Michael chuckles, "Well, I'm in love with you're daughter and I would never do anything to hurt her, I swear. I come in peace!" Michael jokes, his hands up in the air.
I laugh, "Yeah, sorry we didn't tell you mom."
She shakes her head, "Not another word, I'm happy for you."
Lexi jumps off the couch and runs to Michael. She hops onto his lap and whispers something in his ear. They both laugh. I am utterly confused, but happy they got along so quickly.
I'm dating Michael, my family know and approve, and I'm home.
Everything's perfect.
We sit and all chat and laugh for a couple of hours, I have butterflies the whole time. This feels like a dream. Michael just lights up every aspect of my life. And I love my sweet family.
I gaze at Michael laughing and bonding with my mom and Lexi, a smile across my face. He seems so happy and relieved.
And so am I.