Modern Love - A Collection of Romantic Shorts

Wrestling with Love - V (Conclusion)

The days passed and, sooner than Diana was ready, the boys were off to begin their new adventures. It was painful watching them leave, but she held it together until they were both out. She kept it in until the older of the twins, Drake, moved into his dorm, knowing that she couldn't let him see what it did to watch Ray get on the plane to basic training. She didn't want either one to give up their plans for her.

The day that she came back from WSU, though, she cracked.

Mike was unavailable that weekend, the school district requiring him to attend mandatory training before the year started back up. When he couldn't get Da on the phone hours after he was sure she'd have returned, he packed up anyway. Giving his principal a nod, he walked off campus and drove straight over to Da's. He'd make up the training eventually or take the dock to his first check. He had to see if she was okay.

Using the key she'd given him a few months prior, he slipped into the house and listened. No sounds were in the house, but her shoes were kicked off to the side near the door and her car was outside, so he was sure she was here. Padding down the hallway once he'd removed his boots, he found his tiny bundle of light curled in on herself in the middle of the bed.

Setting his bag down and tossing his sunglasses to the dresser, Mike crawled up the bed and pulled Da into his chest. She melted into him, her breath hiccuping with the remnants of her cry. Instead of talking, Mike just tightened his hold and shifted his leg between hers, wanting to wrap her up in him.

Half an hour passed before any words were spoken. Then, with a shaky breath and a rueful smile, Diana leaned back and chuckled a little. Mike's lips flickered as his hand came up to her cheek.

"I am happy for them," she whispered.

"I know, sweetheart," Mike replied.

He leaned forward and tagged her swollen lips, kissing her softly as he shifted to pull her onto him. Her hair created a curtain around their faces as she returned the kiss, her heart easing a little with Mike's presence. His super power had always been to make her feel better when she was down, and today was no exception. 

"I love you," she said when she raised her head.

Mike's hands came up to cup Da's face as he shifted once more, pressing her back into the mattress as he kissed her hard. He pulled up and nibbled at her bottom lip before he spoke. His voice was heavy, filled with the emotion that was threatening to overtake him.

"Love you, Da," he responded. "More than anything in this world," he continued as he bent his head deeper, sucking on her upper lip before lifting up once more.

"Marry me?" he asked. Diana's face flushed as her grin stretched, tears slipping out the corners of her eyes as she nodded.

"Yes," she answered, the word the last one uttered for hours as the two explored one another in the afternoon light, their hands and bodies saying more than enough.

A/N: There's the end to Mike and Diana.  -OQ