Chapter 26 - Miles
I felt stiff as I stood in front of the house, trying to adjust the sling my arm was in. I was nervous, to say the least. I never expected an invite over, much less dinner and a movie.
But this was good. If they were inviting me over, it meant that Michael was okay with it, which was one step forward.
I swallowed as I knocked, fearing Laura would open the door and send me away. But the door opened, and Laura smiled at me. It quickly fell when her eyes landed on my sling. "Oh no, you're wearing that again?"
I nodded. "I might have ripped a ligament as well."
She scowled, pulling the door further out. "How is the burn doing? Are you healing up pretty well? The girls said you guys heal quicker than humans do."
"We do, but this was a pretty severe burn, so I'm healing a little slower." I stepped inside, taking the space in. I'd been inside before, but nothing like this. I'd never been invited to stay a while.
I then could smell food, and my stomach grumbled. Laura smirked as she shut the door. "Hungry?"
"Well, I haven't exactly gotten to do a lot of cooking with my arm like this. The girls have been nice enough to drop off a casserole or a pan of food, but I've been eating a lot of hot pockets."
She made a face. "That's not exactly a balanced diet."
"You try cooking with one arm," I countered, giving her a smirk.
She rolled her eyes. "You could have told me. I would have been more than happy to swing by."
I smirked. "Swing by with food or for other reasons?"
Her face went a deep shade of red as she looked at me. I chuckled. "I'm joking. I know that you're busy with Michael." I then scanned the room. "And where is he?"
"Outside. He is picking flowers for my vase in the kitchen."
"You're getting rather fancy for me," I said, sliding my shoes off.
She laughed, "Actually, it's all him. He was the one who suggested flowers because they make any meet and greet look nice."
She turned and headed into the kitchen, and I followed. The space was rather spacious, and she had pasta in a large pot. The smell almost made me drool.
"That looks like the orange sauce pasta you made in college."
"That's because it is," she said, smiling. "Michael and I went through my college box a few weeks ago, and I remembered I used to make this. So, I decided tonight would be a good night, too."
I took a seat in one of the chairs and watched her stir. She was wearing a more relaxed outfit: sweatpants and a pink sweater that looked a little worn.
"You look like a mom."
She turned, making a face. "What?"
I shrugged. "You do. You look like a mom."
She scowled, and I pulled my hand up. "It's a compliment. I just mean… you're always looking so professional, so put together at work. I haven't seen a relaxed version of you. You were dolled up even when we ran into each other at the farmers market."
She blushed, turning back to her pasta. "That's because I'm comfortable."
Knowing that made me smile. She moved, and I could see something sparkle around her neck.
"What's hanging around your neck?"
She paused, and her hand went up to it. She smiled. "You don't remember this?" She walked over, showing me a locket. I suddenly remembered buying it. It was just a couple of months before college was over. I bought it so she didn't miss me, with finals around the corner.
"I figured you got rid of all that stuff."
She shook her head. "No, I couldn't."
I was a little surprised. As much as she disliked me when we split up, I figured she would have burned everything I ever gave her. I never expected her to keep it all.
"And I'm sorry for all this," she said softer. "I wish I could change it."
After everything, I didn't care how we got here. I was just happy that we were.
"I don't know why you're apologizing. I'm the one that broke up with you."
"I should have told you." I could see tears building in her eyes.
"Please don't cry," I said, softening my words. "Mostly because if Michael sees it, he's going to think I did something and hate me even more."
She started to laugh, wiping at her eyes. "He's opened up a lot about the idea since our talk. I think he just needed time to understand."
"Did you just sit and praise me?" I smirked. "It's almost like you're secretly in love with me."
She rolled her eyes as she grabbed a few plates. "And it's almost like you're secretly in love with me."
I leaned forward. "It's not a secret, Laura. I am."
She blushed again, and I heard the back door open and shut. Laura quickly tried to pull herself together and smiled at Michael. He walked towards us, holding the flowers. "Here, mom."
I suddenly grew envious of the word. Mom. I ached for him to call me his dad, but I swallowed the emotion and smiled. "Nice."
Michael looked at me momentarily before he rounded the counter, pulling the flowers into the vase. Laura ruffled his hair, and he blushed, pushing her hand away. He looked at me. "We cooked pasta."
"I see, you helped?"
He nodded his head, and then his eyes went to my sling. "Does it hurt?"
"No, I'm feeling fine."
"Are you lying?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "You're not supposed to lie."
I looked at Laura, who was trying to hold back a smirk. I shook my head. "No, I'm not lying. I got some medication, so I feel good. The sling helps."
Michael walked over, placing his hands on the table. He drummed his fingers. "Are you going to have a scar?"
I nodded. "It's possible."
Michael suddenly smiled. "Cool."
"Michael, how about you go pick out a movie for us to watch after dinner."
Michael moved, eagerly running into the living room. Laura smiled, pointing towards the small table near the back door.
After she set everything up, we all sat down to eat. Michael took a bite of his food and then seemed to bounce in his seat. "Mom said you ride a bike."
Laura looked at Michael and raised an eyebrow. "Where are you going with that, Michael?"
Michael shrugged. "I know you said I couldn't ride, but you didn't say we couldn't go watch him."
"I won't be riding for a while," I said, smiling, happy that he was interested. “But when I do, you can come see. I can even get you a shift with my number on it."
Michael beamed, taking another bite of his pasta. Laura smiled, and I felt myself relax.
The meal went smoothly. Michael had questions about what I was like when I was younger and what sports I was interested in. He even expressed his interest and dislikes when I asked.
After we finished eating, Michael put on the movie he wanted to watch. Laura sat on one side of the couch while I sat on the other. Michael was wrapped up in a blanket, lying against Laura curled up.
I couldn't help but wonder if this is what it would be like if Laura and I were together. If this is what having a family was like. I enjoyed it. I wanted it badly.
After the movie was over, Michael started to get ready to head upstairs. Laura was putting the blankets back on the couch while I pulled my shoes on.
"Michael, come say goodbye," Laura said as he came around the corner. He looked at me. Bye…Miles." Michael then added, "I won't call you dad."
Laura scowled. "Miles, that's rude."
I quickly shook my head. "I don't expect you to," I said, knowing it wouldn't be that simple. It was going to take time.
"Good," Michael said, turning and heading up the stairs. Laura walked over, her eyes looking worried.
"You okay?" she asked.
As let down as I was, I was okay. Michael would come around. I could wait for as long as I had to. The fact he was talking to be was a good sign. And it meant I got to have Laura.
I nodded. "I am. I have both of you, and that's what matters. Not what he calls me."
She softly smiled, reaching a hand up and brushing some of my hair. "Well, to me, you will always be his dad."
"And who am I to you?" I asked, reaching a hand up and cupping his chin.
She raised an eyebrow, a small blush rolling over her cheeks. "What would you like to be?"
I smirked, leaning down and kissing her. "Your man."
She kissed me back softly and chuckled. "Is that all? Just my man?"
"I would love to be more, but I'm okay taking this all at a pace," I chirped, pulling back. "Because you're my woman."