This Year's Love // Michael Clifford

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

Brittany Dawson

Three Years Later

"That's the last box," Luke says.

"Thanks," I huff, finally lifting the large crock pot into the top cabinet (which was a dumb place to put it since it'd be hard to get it back down).

"Where's Michael anyway?" Ashton questions.

I shrug, putting the silverware in their new, rightful place. "He said he had to run some errands."

"So he couldn't help on your moving day?" Calum snorts.
"He said it was important," I respond.

"Right," Luke sings.

"Hey!" his recently new girlfriend, Lacey, snaps. "As if it's any of you three's business. Leave the poor girl alone."

"Thanks, Lace." I smile gratefully.

Honestly, though, they were right to be curious. Even I didn't know the whereabouts of my boyfriend. All I know is that he said he had something very important to tend to. If you knew Michael (or even if you didn't), you'd think he was just being lazy and didn't want to help out in moving in boxes into our new house. But, somehow, I knew that wasn't the case.

"Hey, I've got to get going," Calum says, looking up from his new iPhone 8S (idk guys it's the future ok). "Becca is having problems with Ty."

Ty (short for Tyson) is Calum and Becca's son. He's about a year and three months now and cute as ever. I'm extremely ecstatic for the family, as they've just moved into a new house recently (like Michael and I), having ditched Calum's old condo. They're super cute and seem very happy.

"Yeah, we better get going, too," Luke agrees, wrapping his arm around Lacey. "Lacey's parents invited us over for dinner."

"Meeting the 'rents already?" I tease, putting plates into one of the designated cabinets.

Luke shrugs. "We've been together for a month now, why not?"

"True," I agree.

"I guess that's my cue as well," Ashton says. "Amanda is hormonal."

"She's pregnant!" I screech. "You better be nice to that girl and not give her any problems, Ashton."

"I'll try, I'll try."

I chuckle. "I'll see you all later."

"Bye," they each individually bid after congratulating Michael (even though he's not here) and I on our new house.

After they're gone, I'm left in the silent confines of the new home. I immediately plug my iPhone 7C (much to Calum's amusement) into the house's docking system. My spotify is put on and the home fills with throwback songs.

"Woah, are you having a party without me?"

I whip around, meeting the eyes of my lover. I hadn't expected him home so early. I was hoping to get things put together before he returned.

"Maybe," I snort, continuing to add the kitchenware into the places I've consciously assigned them.

"Well, I'll have you know that I have a wonderful evening planned for the two of us," he states.

"Is that so?" I ask, not bothering to turn around to speak.

"It is."

I hadn't realized how close Michael had gotten. When I turned around, he was standing right there in front of me. I was trapped against the countertop, but I didn't mind.

"Hey you." I grin.

"Hey," he replies softly.

"How was running errands?" I ask.

He shrugs. "Not as good as this."

"This?" I repeat.

"You, me, this house," he clarifies. "Us."

"It's pretty nice, isn't it?" I grin wider.

"It's perfect," Michael claims. "You're perfect. I love you so much."

"I love you, too," I reply.

He kisses me in that moment. It's not hard or lustful. It's sweet and long, soft and honest. I melt under his touch, as I always do. Pure bliss.

//////

"What was all this dinner for?" I ask after Michael and I were cleaning up the kitchen together.

He had made me dinner and poured my wine and everything. There was definitely something up and I was worried. What if he cheated on me and this was his sorry? What if he was breaking up with me and this was how he was doing it? But that wouldn't make sense. We just bought a house together.

"Just doing something nice for my beautiful girlfriend," he responds, kissing my cheek as I'm putting the last dry dish in the cabinet. "I'm gonna go use the washroom. Meet me in the bedroom."

I nod at him as he disappears to the bathroom. I finish wiping off the counters, then head towards our bedroom. I'm surprised to find our bed covered in rose petals and candles lit in every corner. It was cheesy, yet so unpredictable on Michael's part. What was this all for?

"Michael?" I yell.

"You don't need to shout. I'm right here."

I jump, turning around to face my boyfriend. My heart speeds up and my blood pulsates at the sight of him. He is kneeled down on one knee, looking up at me with beautiful green eyes. In his hands is a black box, opened and revealing a beautiful diamond ring.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Brittany," he begins, "we have known each other for nearly five years now."

"Yeah, I know. I was there," I nervously reply.

Michael chuckles. "The years we've spent together have been the best years of my life. Meeting Alex Gaskarth doesn't even top this."

It's my turn to laugh. I feel tears prickle at the corner of my eyes and a wide smile plastered on my face.

"That's why I want to ask you something," he continues. "I want to ask you a million things. But, for now, I have three questions to ask you."

I nod. "Uh-huh."

"One: Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?" he asks.

I snort. "Yes, Lana Del Rey."

He laughs, too. "Second: Will you grow old with me?"

I feel my stomach lurch (in a good way) and my smile expands. "Of course."

"And, lastly," he begins to conclude, "Will you marry me?"

////////

Sorry I haven't updated in forever. I've been super busy with school and my friends and my boyfriend and stuff. I hope this made up for it. The epilogue will come next.

So I get my ACT scores back on Tuesday (the 11th) and I feel for all of you who are also getting yours back. Good luck!

This is the house that Michael and Brittany buy: http://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/34-gilbert-cres-kings-langley/Property-Details-buy-residential-7707110.html

VOTE AND COMMENT!