Michael slammed back his third glass of whiskey in less than 10 minutes. He was pretty sure he had seen Trevor drinking from the bottle but at this point he didn't care. He just wanted to take the edge off. He'd probably throw up when he thought about it later he thought to himself with a laugh. This was NOT how he had seen this night going in his mind. Then again this night had been full of surprises all around. He had been surprised that Franklin was there, he had been REALLY surprised when Trevor had walked in, and he really didn't think that Amanda would be comfortable being at the house for Tracey's party. So naturally that had shocked him as well. He winced when he thought of Tracey, he had really screwed that up. He hadn't intended to lose his temper with her but he was so angry that he couldn't rein himself in. It wasn't even that he was angry at his daughter, not fully anyway. He was angry at a lot of different things and people. He was still angry at Trevor for his stupid comments earlier. He was angry with Franklin because he had assumed Franklin had known about all of this and hadn't warned him. He was angry at Jimmy because he had no doubt that he had been Tracey's sidekick. He was angry at Tracey for humiliating him and Amanda. He was angry at Amanda for taking off without even saying anything. If he admitted it he was still angry with her for cheating. Probably more than anything else though, he was angry at himself. He was angry that he had yelled at his daughter, he was angry that he hadn't said the things he had wanted to say to his wife, he was angry that he had screwed up with the stupid stripper, he was angry that his life had fallen apart. He was just...angry.

He tilted his head back and let the last gulp of whiskey trickle it's way down his throat as he closed his eyes.

"You hidin' in here feelin' sorry for yourself again?" Franklin's voice interrupted his moment.

Michael clenched his jaw as he turned towards his friend.

"And why would I be feeling sorry for myself Franklin? Couldn't be because I was the laughingstock of this whole party could it? Nah...that couldn't be it." he said sarcastically as he let out a humorless laugh. "Oh wait...maybe it's because my wife took off and probably thinks I set this whole thing up to make her looks stupid! Is that it?"

Franklin rolled his eyes as Michael waved his arms in dramatic gestures as he spoke.

"If you're that worried about it, then why don't you just drive over to her place and tell her that you had nothin' to do with it" he said as he grabbed the bottle of whiskey from Michael's hand, convinced that he'd had enough.

"Hey! What're you doin'" Michael exclaimed with only a slight slur of his words as he reached for the bottle again.

"I'm savin' you from makin a fool out of yourself when you go talk to your wife" Franklin replied calmly as he put the whiskey back in the cupboard.

"Who said I'm going anywhere?" Michael asked.

Franklin simply turned his head to look at him with a skeptical look on his face.

"Ahhh fine..." Michael said, his voice raspy. He reached for his car keys on the counter.

"Ohh no...no no...that ain't happenin'" Franklin said as he snatched the keys from Michael's hand.

"What the...what are you doin' F? I thought you just told me to go talk to Amanda?" Michael said, now getting irritated.

"I did and you are...but I'm drivin you there." Franklin replied as he led the way towards the door.

"Oh come on F...you can't be serious. I haven't had THAT much to drink" Michael laughed as he followed.

"You ain't drunk, but you definitely ain't sober man" Franklin said as he shook his head.

Michael rolled his eyes as he walked to the passenger side of his car and climbed in.

Silence fell in the car as Franklin drove out onto the street. Michael content with not talking and just letting his head rest against the seat with his eyes closed. Franklin unsure if he wanted to open the can of worms that would be a discussion about what had happened tonight.

"So uh...you know your daughter didn't mean nothin' by tonight right man?" he hesitantly approached the subject. "She thought she was helping is all."

"Yeah yeah...I know," Michael replied with a sigh, his eyes still closed.

"So you just got mad for the fun of it then?" Franklin asked sarcastically.

"It does have a certain appeal to it" Michael let a slight smile escape before turning serious. "Look F...I know she was trying to help. I know she wants everyone to be together again. But tonight...it..." he sighed again in frustration. "You can't just snap your fingers and everything changes. These are people's lives and hearts at play here. MY life...MY heart. I can appreciate what you guys were trying to do, but do me a favor and don't do me any favors like that anymore. You can't fix my mistakes."

Franklin shook his head in amusement. "Man I don't know whether to be impressed that you want to fix things yourself or be disgusted that you're such a fool sometimes."

"Only sometimes eh? I must be making progress then," Michael smirked.

Franklin looked over and grinned as he pulled into Amanda's driveway.

"If you ain't out in a half hour, then I'm just gonna assume that either you're dead or you're making up for lost time. Either way...I'm gone in 30 minutes." Franklin said as he eyed the condo in front of him.

"Ah shut up F" Michael mumbled as he exited the vehicle.

Amanda had been home for about 20 minutes and hadn't made it very far. She had let herself collapse in tears as soon as she made it to her couch. She felt like such a fool. What had she been thinking going back to the house for the party? She wanted to be there to celebrate her daughter's birthday but she should have known that nothing good would come from going back to that house. She didn't know what hurt more...her pride or her heart. Her pride hurt when she thought of everyone at that party watching her and Michael...waiting to see if they would react to the master plan. It hurt when she wondered if it was truly her daughter's plan or if perhaps Michael had been the mastermind behind it. Maybe he had wanted to see her squirm under the microscope. Perhaps he wanted to remind her of what she had done and how much she had hurt him. Well screw him! He had hurt her too! He deserved to be under the microscope just as much as her! She couldn't help it though...her heart hurt because of the many things left unspoken between her and her husband. She knew he still had feelings for her...she could see it in his eyes when he looked at her. They must not have been strong enough to push him to say anything though because here they were...over two months later...still far apart and unyielding.

She got up to get herself a drink. She never drank whiskey when her and Michael were together, not unless she was desperate anyway. She had been honest with Michael back at the house...she drank it now because it reminded her of him. She drank it tonight because it numbed the pain from him. She had just poured her third glass when she heard a car pull up. She hesitated, wondering if maybe Jimmy had left the party early because she had left. She hoped not, she didn't want him to bring his night to an end just because she was being pathetic. She knew it wasn't him as soon as the heavy thumps of someone knocking on the door broke the silence.

Cautiously she opened the door a crack and peeked out to see who it was.

"Michael!" she said in surprise, completely shocked to see him standing on her doorstep.

"Hey Amanda..." he said as he gave an uncomfortable smile. "Can I uh...can I come in?" he asked after they had just stood there staring at each other for what seemed like minutes but was only seconds.

"Oh...of course...I'm sorry" she said as she backed away from the door. "Wh...what are you doing here?"

"Well you left in kind of a hurry and I didn't get the chance to talk to you..." his voice trailed off as he let his gaze roam around the living room.

"Yeah well...it was for the best," she replied as she took her glass out to the kitchen to leave it in the sink.

"Soooo...our daughter..." he said with a small smile, "quite the mastermind our girl."

Amanda looked at him with narrowed eyes, as if she was trying to tell if he was hiding something from her.

"You know I had nothing to do with that right? You have to know that," Michael said in disbelief as he looked at her. "I was just as blindsided as you were...it was humiliating!"

She finally looked away with a sigh, seemingly satisfied that he had indeed been as shocked as she had been.

"What are we going to do with her?" she asked with a smile.

"Lock her in her room for a month? Is that legal?" Michael replied with a laugh.

"Since when do you worry about legal?" she asked as a smirk worked it's way onto her face.

"Point taken," Michael said as he scratched his jaw where stubble had began to form again.

Silence fell for a few minutes this time as they watched each other.

"Michael..."

"Manda I..."

They both began at the same time and each abruptly stopped.

"Sorry, you go first," Michael said as he waved his arm, gesturing for her to proceed.

"No...you go ahead," Amanda replied as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

Michael sighed as he wiped a hand down his face and started to pace back and forth in her living room.

"Look...I screwed up Mandy. I know that now. I...I'm the one who's to blame for everything that's happened...everything fallin' apart. If I had been a better husband to you..."

"It wasn't just you," she interrupted. "I messed up too Michael. I'm not going to lie to you and pretend that finding out that you had been with that stripper didn't break me and motivate my actions, but they were still choices that I made. Wrong choices."

"I...I know I hurt you. I don't know what I was thinkin'. I wish I could give you an explanation but I can't. It was just plain stupidity and letting myself get way more drunk than I should have and...it doesn't matter. It was stupid and it didn't mean anything. I know it's a lot to ask...but can you forgive me Manda? Not just for that...for...everything." Michael had stopped pacing and was staring at her.

Amanda didn't know what to say. She had never thought that Michael would EVER apologize, let alone ask for her forgiveness. She must have waited a moment too long because his eyes left her face and sank to the floor as he reached up and began to rub the back of his neck.

"It...it's me that should be asking for forgiveness Michael. I said horrible things and did horrible things and blamed all of my actions on you. I should have found another way to get your attention...I should have tried...I don't know...something...anything. Instead I convinced myself that I hated you and that you deserved it. I think because it made me feel better about my actions to think that you caused it," she couldn't even look him in the eye. "I want you to know that the things that I said...they weren't true Michael. I...I don't hate you...I couldn't. I was definitely angry, and there were moments where I really disliked you...but I never hated you. I never wanted a divorce. I...I just wanted your attention. I wanted you to look at me the way you had when we were first married. I wanted you to want me like you did then. I..." she hadn't even realized that she had begun pacing herself until then.

When she turned and finally met Michael's eyes, she found him staring at her with such an intensity that she couldn't look away.

Her mouth went dry. Her eyes never left Michael's and he suddenly started walking towards her.

Her hands shakily found the wall behind her and she backed up until she was against it. She took a deep breath to try to settle down the emotions that were swirling around her, making her feel dizzy and unsteady. He didn't stop until he was inches away from her.

"Amanda..." he breathed out her name as his eyes focused on her lips.

"Michael I..." they were so close that her breath grazed his lips when she said his name.

That was all it took...the next thing she knew Michael had pinned her against the wall and his lips had claimed hers. Her knees went weak and buckled slightly underneath her but Michael's strong arms went around her and lifted her up, still pinning her against the wall. She couldn't stop the groan that escaped her lips and she wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms grabbing hold of the back of his head as she pulled him closer, unable to get enough of him. They both pulled away slightly, breathing heavily.

"I've missed this Manda...I've missed you," he murmured softly...his breath a whisper across her skin.

"I've missed you too Michael...so much. I...I'm so sorry for everything. I was so stupid...I..."

"shhh..." he interrupted her, "It's done...it's in the past. We've both made mistakes. I...I just want to start over...move on."

Amanda's eyes filled with tears as she put a hand on each side of his face, her thumbs gently stroking his skin.

"I want that too" she replied

Michael couldn't take it...everything was messing with his senses. He felt completely disoriented and thrown off balance. He was completely aware of her legs wrapped around him. One of his hands on the bare skin of her thigh where her dress had ridden up, the other arm wrapped around her waist supporting her. He watched her eyes wander towards the hallway where he assumed her bedroom was before coming back to meet his. That was all the encouragement he needed as he pushed away from the wall and made his way up the steps as his lips found the side of her neck. The fact that she moaned his name only made him hurry faster down the hall.

She had his shirt unbuttoned before he had even closed the door behind him and he made short work of her dress. He had missed the touch of her hands, the smoothness of her skin. He lost himself in re-discovering her body.

She breathed him in like it was her last breath. She had missed everything about him...the touch of his hands...the way he always kissed the spot just below her ear and made her lose control...his scent...she inhaled deeply as he laid her gently on the bed.

They were both breathing heavily when they finally fell apart and laid there trying to catch their breath. Amanda rolled on to her side, her hand moving to rest on Michael's chest as her eyes took inventory of his body...taking notice of each scar that had taken up residence there. She relished in the goosebumps that appeared on his skin as her hand gently moved over each mark, smiling at the thought that she still had that effect on him.

His head turned towards her and he moved to gently kiss her forehead.

"I've missed you so much sweetheart," he whispered.

"I've missed you too," she said as she rested her head on his shoulder and her fingers began to play with the soft hair on his chest that was beginning to gray.

"Will you come back to the house with me tomorrow? It's not a home without you." he said softly.

She just nodded against his chest, thankful for the chance to be a family again.

"We're going to make it this time Manda, things are going to be different."

She just hugged him tighter and they fell asleep holding each other tightly as if they were afraid they would wake up and it was a dream.

Franklin had arrived back at the De Santa house and couldn't help the smile on his face. Contrary to what he had told Michael, he actually waited for 45 minutes...just in case. When he hadn't heard any yelling or gunshots and Michael hadn't reappeared...he had decided it was time for him to leave.

By the time he had arrived back at the party, there was only a couple of people left at the house that were just finishing cleaning up. Tracey had rejoined the party after Jimmy had told her that their parents were both gone. When Franklin found her inside he must have had a bigger grin on his face than he realized because she looked at him suspiciously when he walked up.

"What?" she asked him.

"What do you mean what?" he replied.

"You've got a ridiculous grin on your face...that means you're up to something."

"Well let's just say I know somethin' you don't know," he teased with a laugh.

She just raised an eyebrow and waited expectantly.

"Guess where I just got back from" he said...drawing out his teasing a little longer.

"Umm...how would I know?" she said with light irritation. She was still in a bit of a bad mood after her exchange with her father.

"Your mother's house...where I dropped off your father." he said as his grin grew even bigger.

"Are you sure they didn't kill each other?!" she said as her jaw dropped.

"Well I didn't go knock on the door and check if that's what you're askin', but there was a light on and judging from the shadows movin' around in there...they definitely weren't killing each other," he said with a laugh. "unless that's what the kids are callin' it these days."

"No way! I don't know whether to be super pumped or be super grossed out!" she said as she jumped up and down in excitement.

"Umm no...no way," she said with a big smile still on her face.

She filled Jimmy in on the conversation as he walked up to join them.

"Boom goes the dynamite" Jimmy said and high fived his sister.

Tracey frowned at him..."I don't even know what that means but ok."

"Finally! Maybe now the man can quit bein' so dang depressin to be around" Franklin said with a smile as he bumped Jimmy's fist. "I'm glad it all worked out dog. It's late man, Tavell and I are goin to head out."

"Alright bro, thanks for all your help" Jimmy said with a wave as he walked back into the house.

Tracey waved from the door as the car backed down the driveway and disappeared from sight.

"I can't believe we pulled this off" she said with a smile after their last guest had left.

"Me either and without Dad killing Trevor or Trevor killing Dad or Mom killing both of them or..."

"Alright Jimmy, I get the point."

"Night sis" Jimmy laughed as he walked into his room.

"Night Jimmy" she said before disappearing into her room and collapsing on her bed with a smile and sigh of happiness.

This had been the best birthday ever. Well...except for the fight with her Dad. She understood where he was coming from though. She had gotten her feelings hurt in the moment, but after having some time to think about it she realized how it must have looked to her parents. She was sure that he would try talking to her about it tomorrow and probably apologize. She would probably do the same. The best thing she could have gotten for a present was the gift of her parents getting back together. She knew they had a long road ahead and it wouldn't be smooth, but she had a good feeling about it this time. For the first time in a long time, everything felt right with the world.

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Well guys...that's a wrap! :) I seriously cannot say thank you enough for all of the amazing reviews you guys posted and the messages you sent! I really wasn't sure where I was going with this story or if it was even any good and if anyone would read it. You've been SO awesome and encouraging and I hope it ended on the note you were hoping for and that the ending didn't disappoint. Michael and Amanda's relationship is an interesting one and obviously one night wouldn't fix everything for them. That's why I ended it where I did. It ended on the note of them re-discovering each other and their love. The process of healing their relationship after that could go on and on and I just wanted to kind of leave that open with the obvious hint that they were getting back together and going to make it work. Thanks again for reading!
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