Response || Malum || (Sequel to Reaction)

13

Michael's POV

Soapy dishwater lapped against my hands and wrists as I gave my best attempt at being a domestic. I hated doing the dishes almost as I much doing the laundry but I suppose I should try to help Mali out a little. My eyes watched the yellow of the sponge as I scrubbed a plate free of debris from the lasagna we had for dinner. The only sounds in the kitchen was the noise I was making with the water and the occasional opening of cabinets. Mali was drying plates and forks next to me but she's been quiet since Calum left us to go take a nap. Jet lag really messes with our sleeping schedule so I suppose it was best if he slept while he felt tired.

"So," I finally said in hopes of grabbing Mali's attention. "How are you feeling?" My question was lame and simple but I don't exactly know what to say. Calum took the news better than either of us suspected but he still has no idea I knew before he did.

"I feel fine. The morning sickness stopped, for now, and the doctor told me everything was good." She smiled, glancing between the plate she was drying and me.

"That's good. Cal took it better than I thought he would." I admitted and Mali reached up to place the now dry plate into the cabinet with the others. She closed it slowly, turning around to rest her back against the countertop.

"Yeah I was worried." She sighed. "But he still doesn't know that you knew." Mali's brown eyes looked at me, flashing briefly with worry.

"I don't have to tell him I guess." I shrugged while I dried my hands on the towel Mali had been using.

"I guess not." A trace of a smile met her lips again. I had forgotten how much she and Calum resemble one another.

There was a time where I felt threatened by Mali. It was way back when I first met Calum and she begged him to move in with her instead of living with me. That was one of the few times I felt genuinely scared of losing Calum. It must've been so odd for her brother not to be living with her and not being together like siblings should be. Calum seemed not so fond of his sister at that point but as the two of them have reconnected it's almost a textbook sibling relationship. That's something I've never had to ever understand. I was just grateful Calum had at least one piece of his family to rely on.

"Thanks for helping with the dishes." Mali's voice broke my thoughts and I hadn't even realized I had sat down at the table.

"Oh yeah, no problem." I smiled and she started tracing shapes in the wood of the table.

"Thanks for coming early Michael." Her voice was small.

"You're welcome." I smiled, playing with my bracelets on my wrist. That must've been the thousandth time she's thanked me for that.

"So are you guys okay? I mean I hear from you both occasionally and I know you're so busy, but does it put strain on your relationship?" She asked and I took a deep breath.

"Yeah it's pretty insane and we do fight sometimes but other than that, I think it's made us stronger." I smiled finally looking up to see Mali doing the same.

"Do you guys ever talk about the future? You know, marriage or kids." She subconsciously looked down at her body when she said kids. It was still weird to comprehend that Mali would be a mother in just a matter of months. But as I know very well, life can change in such a short amount of time.

"Actually," I said before standing to go in search of my backpack, leaving Mali at the table. I dug through my bag to find the ring and subconsciously checked the hallway for any sign of Calum. When the coast was clear I went back into the kitchen.

I stopped in the doorway when I didn't see Mali at the table but I noticed her standing in the freezer. The rustling of packages could be heard before she reappeared with a carton ice cream in her hand. I chuckled at her for a moment but she ignored me as she went in search of a spoon. Both of us took a seat at the table and she popped the lid off the ice cream to dig her spoon in.