forever // m.c (book 3)

09 - pain is just a consequence of love

song for the chapter: my everything by ariana grande

{unedited}

Summer's POV

A few days had passed and Michael had still not mentioned anything about playing a show at the fundraiser. Actually, I had barely even spoken to him. We had exchanged a few texts here and there, him asking how Hope was, but that was it. I was beginning to wonder if this was how it was going to be, that our brief reunion was all we were ever going to have. 

On a Friday, while Hope was in school, I called him. I wanted to discuss the fact that our daughter wanted to spend the night over at his place. I knew that Luke and Rachel were staying there, so I wanted to see if this weekend would be a good time or if we should wait. 

"Summer, hey," he answered, out of breath.

"Are you alright?" I asked. 

"Yeah, yeah. I'm just walking out of the gym. Luke and I wanted to get a work out in. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to discuss something with you, but it can wait." I didn't want to bother him while he was spending time with Luke since they didn't see each other very often anymore. 

"What is it?" He sounded more in check of his breathing now and interested in what I wanted to talk about. "Maybe we can meet up at the coffee shop by your apartment to discuss? I just have to drop Luke back off at my place." 

"Ok," I squeaked out. It was still weird to think of him having his own place because he hadn't ever owned his own place. He went from his parents' house to tour to mine and back to tour and now he had his own apartment. It felt wrong in a way because I felt that we should still be together. Even though we've been apart for over two years, I don't think it's sunk in that we're apart. Since I still talk to him, it feels that we're still connected and it will always be that way because of Hope. 

"Alright," Michael said, interrupting my thoughts. "I'll see you in a bit."

I hung up and went to my closet, trying to find something to wear. I pulled out a pair of distressed skinny jeans and a solid gray long sleeve shirt. I tugged on my jeans, trying to get them to button. They seemed tight, yet when I wore them not too long ago they fit fine. I finally got them buttoned, even though they felt suffocating. I figured thoughout the day they would stretch out and become more comfortable. After I finished getting ready, I slipped my feet into white sneakers. 

I ordered my usual coffee and found a seat. Michael burst through the door a few minutes later, not worrying about being loud and obnoxious as he made his way to me. He had almost knocked down a display of coffee mugs and ran into a woman who almost spilled her coffee down her shirt. He slid into the wooden chair across from me, his hair wet and wild, his clean scent wafting into my nostrils. I couldn't help but admit that he looked extremely attractive right then. 

"So what's up?" he asked, his thick Aussie accent still present. 

I fiddled with my coffee cup, nervous. I didn't know why I was nervous, but I felt like I was giving something up if I let Hope stay with him. I felt that if she were to stay over at Michael's that she would eventually want to stay there and she would forget about me. I would never admit this to Michael, that I believed he was the favored parent. 

"Seriously, Summer. What is it?" Michael huffed, becoming frustrated with me. 

"Alright, so I know that Luke and Rachel are staying with you and I don't want to overstep any bounds or take away your time with them," I started, not making eye contact. "But Hope would like to spend the night over at your apartment. If tomorrow night doesn't work, I totally understand and I'll tell her that we'll have to do it a different time." 

"Why would I say no to that!" he exclaimed, his red lips forming into a smile. "I bought her a bed and spiderman sheets and everything! I just can't believe you're in support of this, Sum. This is great." He rambled on a bit more about how excited he was. 

"So tomorrow works?" I clarified.

"Yeah! Luke and Rachel love her too so it'll be great for them to spend some time with her. I've noticed Rachel has been dropping hints about wanting to get married and start a family. I think Lukey boy is just nervous," he chuckled. 

I smiled awkwardly, thinking about how my life would be different if I hadn't have been pregnant when he asked me to marry him. I shook my head of these thoughts because then I wouldn't have Hope. I might be living happily with Michael but I would have nothing without that little girl.

I began to feel queasy as the scent of my coffee entered my nostrils when I went to take a drink. I set the cup down without drinking. I pressed my fingertips to my temples to try and calm the splitting headache that just came on. 

"Sum, are you ok?" Michael asked, but my vision blurred and the last thing I noticed before blacking out was him struggling to get out of his chair to catch me before I hit the floor. 

Michael's POV

It was like deja vu sitting in the emergency room waiting for Summer to wake up. I hated hospital rooms with all of my heart. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to tell her what the doctor told me or have the doctor tell her. I couldn't believe it myself and I was scared about how she would react. 

I leaned back in my chair with a sigh. I had texted Luke asking him to pick Hope up from school since Summer wasn't going to be able to. They had given her some medicine that made her tired, so she had yet to wake up. I took out my phone and had a text from Luke. Attached was a picture of him, Hope and Rachel with ice cream cones. I had no doubt in my mind that she talked Luke into taking her there. I smiled at the picture. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Summer's fingers start to twitch. I tore my eyes away from my phone and noticed her eyelids start to flutter. 

"What happened?" she murmured, her voice hoarse. She tried to sit up, but I stopped her.

"Just take it easy. You fainted at the coffee shop, so I brought you here to get checked out. Luke picked up Hope from school. Look, she got ice cream," I said, showing her the picture. 

Summer laughed, "she's got it all over her face."

"She always does," I smiled back, happy for her to be awake. 

"Did they say what was wrong? Why I fainted?" Summer asked.

I hesitated, still not sure if I should tell her what I knew and she didn't because it was going to change both of our lives forever.

oh my god, sorry for taking so long. I've been so busy and i've literally had no time to write. hope you like this chapter, please vote and comment xx zoe