A/N: Ok so two things, I'm falling behind a bit with this fic because I'm lacking in ideas of where to take it. Since it's supposed to roughly follow the storylines of the show, I'm a bit worried it won't fit in once the fall-out happens. However, I did have the idea of bringing Ali into this fic so if people do want me to continue it, that's a route I could go down. Also, I'm not keen on how the show seem to have miraculously made Carla better following major surgery, there's been no real mention of follow up appointments, medication etc, so I'm trying to incorporate it into this, hence the first scene. I did want to adapt the Sally house viewing scene though, but don't want to make it seem like I've forgotten about the operation or storyline, there will be a lot more about that and (yay...) another hospital scene in the next chapter for the follow up appointment mentioned in this one. Thanks to all those still reviewing, I really appreciate it!
Chapter 14:
Michelle
"Morning." I feel Carla stir in my chest, lowering my phone as I look at her. "You feeling alright?"
"...No." She groans, resting her face against me as I move my fingers comfortingly in my hair. "Painkillers."
"Here you go." I pass them to her along with a glass of water as she sits herself up.
"I feel exhausted." She sighs, swallowing them back and reaching for her medication. "What time did I go to bed?"
"Like ten, sweetheart, you were shattered."
"I've slept for a solid ten hours and I'm still knackered." She lowers the glass of water after taking her medication and slips back under the covers. "Mm I don't want to move."
"Well it's normal, after your nature of operation." I try to soothe her. "You're not going to be up to running around the cobbles just yet."
"I feel sick."
"It's your meds." I read the back of the packet. "You almost forgot to take these last night babe, it's really important you remember."
"I know I know." She closes her eyes, mumbling to herself and beginning to recite the back of the packet. "'You should never stop taking your anti-rejection medication no matter how good you feel and even if you think your transplanted kidney is working well'."
"Ok." I stop her.
"Well I don't feel good today." She sits herself up. "I'm going to be sick."
"Bathroom." I tell her, as she's already out the door, stating the plainly obvious as if she wasn't aware. I kneel down beside her as she heaves into the toilet bowl, gathering her hair and holding it back behind her.
"Sorry." She finally mutters, as I stroke a finger up and down her arm supportively. "Sorry."
"Stop apologising." I sigh, moving my hand to rub her back as she spits into the basin. "It's a common side effect. Your body is battling the kidney and the medication is trying to stop that. It's going to have these kinds of impacts."
"You've done your research." She sits back against the bath, her skin pale and clammy as I raise a hand to her forehead, flushing the toilet.
"Yeah well, I care too much, guilty as charged."
"I don't think there's such thing as caring too much." She closes her eyes. "Michelle I feel awful."
"Did you expect everything to go back to normal?" I ask her gently and she shakes her head. "It's going to take getting used to. You'll have good days and you'll have bad days but, Carla, your body is under a massive strain, don't try to push it to do too much."
"I just don't like lazing around doing nothing all the time."
"I know, sweetheart." I sigh, reaching for her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "But it will be worth it. It's better to take care of yourself now, than need to further down the line."
"Can I have a hug?"
"Hm." I tilt my head to the side before pulling her in, her head falling onto my shoulder. "Like you need to ask."
"Can we stay in today?" She muffles into my shoulder as I run my fingers through her hair.
"Well I'm supposed to be seeing a client about their wedding on Tuesday." I tell her. "Considering it's the only job I've got left. But I can call it off for you."
"Oh, no. If you have to work-"
"You're my top priority." I whisper soothingly and she settles again. "I told you. Anything you need, I'm there."
Carla
"Michelle Connor I'll go back to men if it takes you this long to get ready." I shout, leaning against the wall outside the flat, as an old man I hadn't seen pacing the corridor turns to stare at me. "...Hello." I mutter, as he walks off, leaving me to cough awkwardly.
"You do realise I heard that from my floor?" Aidan rounds the corner and I raise an eyebrow at him.
"Well she's taking forever."
"I would have warned you." He shrugs. "If you'd have asked."
"I don't need your advice on women, thank you." I elbow him gently. "Michelle?"
"Yes, I'm coming." She rolls her eyes, closing the door to the flat and I practically drag her down the corridor, following after Aidan. "Alright, I'm sure Roy won't sell out of coffee sweetheart."
"Oh is that where you're off to?" Aidan holds the door open for us as we exit, the breeze hitting us as we head towards Roy's, my hand linked with Michelle's. "Alright for the pair of you, isn't it?"
"Yeah and it got even better the other night." I hold my spare hand out in front of him. "Like my new ring?"
"Very classy." Aidan admires it, as a van pulls up next to us. "You did some celebrating then?"
"Well... Yeah if you want to put it that way."
"Ok, too much information thank you." He covers his ears and I laugh, as my eyes move to where Sally is running after the van that has parked up. "I've got to love you and leave you." Aidan kisses my cheek. "Take care."
"No, I said Coronation Street." Sally is shouting and I lean back against the wall, observing, after waving Aidan off. "Not Victoria Street, it's round there."
"Well I've only come to drop this off." The man chews on his gum, jotting something down on his notepad, not bothering to look at her as he hands her a 'for sale' sign.
"Oh I didn't realise you were moving, Sal." I narrow my eyes.
"You're turning into Norris." Michelle nudges me and I shoot her a look.
"Oh well it's all quite a spur of the moment thing really." She looks delighted I had started a conversation with her. "With Tim being promoted and my mayoral duties excelling, we thought maybe we'd make a fresh start."
"Promoted? He's a window cleaner... How do you get promoted?"
"Well yes but... Anyway, you're not looking for a new place are you?"
"Us? Oh, no." I shake my head abruptly, trying not to laugh at the idea. "We've just moved back into my old flat."
"Well actually." Michelle pulls the brochure from Sally's hand and I frown at her. "We were looking to branch out a little."
"Branch out?" I hiss. "Think we've done enough of that."
"Well you keep that, I've got plenty more." Sally preens and I raise my eyebrows, folding my arms. "I best... Take this." She holds up the sign. "Lovely to see you both looking so happy... And congratulations on your news. As a keen supporter of the Weatherfield LGBT community, I-"
"Bye, Sal." I push Michelle into Roy's and she erupts in laughter, throwing the brochure down on the counter. "What are you playing at? You must be bored."
"Oh come on, it'll be fun." She flicks through the pages, as Roy turns to us.
"What will?" I question her, as she taps the page with Sally's house on.
"Going to view it." She nudges me and I scoff, waving to Roy momentarily. "Come on, we've got nothing to do all day."
"I can think of better things to do than tour around Sally Metcalfe's home." I lower my voice slightly and she flashes me a seductive look. "Morning Roy. Get back okay?"
"It was a rather disconcerted journey back but I'm sure you don't wish me to relay it in such detail." He explains. "My mother on the other hand, will live to fight another day."
"Ah, never mind." I let out a small laugh, as Michelle throws her head back to look at me, hair falling down her back as I kiss her forehead. "Mm."
"You two seem very content." Roy observes, as I lean forwards on the counter. "I hear congratulations are in order."
"Ah, who told you?" I am slightly gutted that it had been revealed before I had the chance to see his expression myself.
"Shona." He replies. "And the ring on your finger."
"Ooh, do you like it?"
"Very nice." He seems slightly tense and my eyes dart across to connect with Michelle's momentarily.
"How does Shona know anyway?"
"Maria told David... But I'm not one to gossip." He stops himself, watching us intently. "I must say I'm rather surprised."
"Well, I think everyone is." I shrug. "Including us."
"Yeah I've had my doubts." Michelle adds, weighing up the food on the counter before her.
"It's all very... Progressive." He initiates and I try to ignore the fact he seemed cold on the idea.
"Yeah well, love her don't I?" I flick my head around to face Michelle, who smiles as I peck her on the lips. "We're not looking at making any plans anytime soon are we?"
"No just..." She trails off, pointing to a butty in the fridge. "What's in that?"
"Cheddar and sun-dried tomato." Roy responds, not alarmed by her change in subject.
"Not keen on sun-dried tomato." She screws her nose up and he opens his mouth to say something, before looking back at me.
"I've forgotten to ask how you're feeling?"
"Yeah I'm good." I assure him, before running my fingers through Michelle's hair. "Today, anyway. It's a good day."
"Well, you've had a couple of rough days this past week, but you're getting there." Michelle adds, gazing at me lovingly.
"And she's been waiting on me hand and foot." I tap her hand. "Listen babe why don't you get a table and I'll be over in a sec?"
"Yeah alright." She pulls her phone out, sitting down at a table in the window and I lean forwards on the counter.
"Are you okay about... The engagement?"
"It's not my place to make an observation." He just replies, beginning to make my coffee.
"It is when I care what you think."
"It's your decision."
"Roy." I stop him. "I love her, I want to be with her. All of this, my illness, it's made me realise that."
"Please don't feel like you need to provide any kind of justification, as long as you're happy, Carla."
"I am happy." I assure him and he finally meets my gaze, handing me two cups of coffee.
"I can tell." He manages a small smile and I return it, before going over to the table.
"All sorted." Michelle lowers her phone on to the table.
"Yeah, I just wanted to talk to him about-"
"No, I mean, all sorted." She taps her phone. "We're going to view the house at one today."
"Michelle!" I snap, a lighthearted twinge to my voice. "Why?"
"It'll be funny." She shrugs and I narrow my eyes.
"As soon as Underworld is open again you're going straight back to work." I tell her. "You're far too bored... Oh well, at least it'll distract me from my appointment on Friday."
"I thought we weren't going to talk about that today?" She reaches out to run a finger along my jaw line. "We said we wouldn't do anything too strenuous."
"Chelle, Sally Metcalfe's house tour sounds like the definition of strenuous."
"Ok, ok." She picks her phone back up and I snatch it off her. "What? I'm phoning the estate agent."
"Well it's booked now." I shrug and she grins in response.
"So that's the conservatory." Sally announces in the same sickly professional tone I was unfortunately familiar with.
"We have heard you mention it once or twice in the past, yeah." Michelle takes the liberty of closing the door, thoroughly enjoying winding her up.
"I've always wanted a conservatory." I play along, flicking through another brochure she had piled into my hand on entry.
"Well that's south facing. So it gets the sun every morning." She points towards it excitedly and I raise my eyebrows at Michelle. "I can just see you both sat out there with your croissants and your Americano's." I notice Michelle grin at me and I refuse the urge to elbow her. "Flicking through all the Sunday magazines."
"On a weekend?" Michelle pipes up and I turn my head to smile at her. "You're joking aren't you? We don't get out of bed before three-"
"Michelle!" I hiss, as I see Sally's cheeks flush slightly. "Don't be so cheeky." I nudge her and she rolls her eyes, trying not to laugh. "...We had a lie-in the other day until two o'clock in the afternoon, that's all."
"That's one way of putting it." She mutters under her breath and I shoot her a look, as she flicks the hair back off her shoulder.
"...You work very hard." Sally tries to excuse us.
"Yeah well you'd think I'd been drowning puppies." I manage to beat Michelle to it before she could expose us any further. She shoots me a sarcastic smile and I lose my focus for a moment, gazing at her lips.
"...How's your um... Kidney?" Sally tries to break the silence and I snap back to reality, going to say something before there is a clatter on the stairs.
"Mum, Rosie thought Ryan-air was a person!"
"No, I didn't!" There is a cry from upstairs and Sally immediately looks mortified.
"Excuse me!" She snaps, under her breath, as Sophie meets our gazes. "Can't you see I'm showing people round?"
"Sorry, hello." She smiles sweetly and Michelle greets her, before Sally puts her arm around her shoulders proudly.
"...Sophie's a lesbian." Sally tries to broach and I nod, knowingly.
"Mum!" Sophie hisses.
"Sophie's lesbian partner Sian lived here with us for a while, didn't she Sophie?"
"Uh... Yeah." Sophie frowns.
"I'm aware." Michelle coughs awkwardly at the mention of Sian and Sophie elbows Sally harshly, as she remembers.
"...Well you could make a bit more conversation." Sally pesters her and Sophie raises her eyebrows. "Do you know? They've got a combined age of fifty but they carry on like they're Ruby and Hope."
"I'll leave you to it." She flashes us an apologetic look, moving towards the door and I smile in her direction as she leaves.
"Ah, they're a credit to you, Sal." I observe, making an honest remark for a change.
"Well this is a lovely house to bring up children." She adds, without thinking and we both cough awkwardly, as I stare down at the house on the front of the leaflet I am gripping. "If you both... Choose to."
"Well..." Michelle dares to look at me, trying not to be phased by her comment. "We'll need a mower, won't we?"
"Oh." I finally look up at her, the word still playing on our minds as we wait for Sally to cut the silence again.
"Well you know, it doesn't take very long. Only five minutes." She informs us, clearly not picking up on the atmosphere. "In fact, I could leave you both my mower, depending on where I'm going to."
"Ha." Michelle has to force back as her mouth falls open, almost choking on laughter as I shake my head at her, a smile creeping across my face.
"Right, shall we have a little look upstairs?" She begins to head in the direction she is indicating.
"Yeah, do lead on." I manage to muster the words, closing my eyes as Michelle erupts in giggles as soon as she has disappeared from earshot. I slap her playfully on the arm, progressively disliking her more for this idea. She laughs more as I grab her hand, dragging her behind me, kissing the back of my head as I spin around to peck her on the lips.
"Are you on your way-"
"Yep." I pull away, biting my lip as Michelle laughs again, allowing me to drag her up the staircase.
"Just imagine us with our Americano's." I bite my lip, gazing at Michelle as I hold the door open to the Rovers for her, before hanging off her shoulder as we approach the bar. "And a croissant." I bury my head in her shoulder and she laughs, kissing he side of my head.
"Flicking through the Sunday magazines." She imitates flirtatiously in my ear and I slap her cheek very gently as she kisses me, wrapping her arms around my neck as we rest against the bar.
"It's not the Moulin Rouge." I hear a bitter voice and snap my head around to face Peter.
"Did I order your opinion?" I raise my eyebrows, as Michelle retracts herself from me, leaning forwards on the bar. "I'll have an orange juice and a red wine instead, please."
"Ok." He just responds bluntly, watching us for a moment as if we were about to do something shifty.
"Oh... What is that woman like?" I laugh again, choosing to ignore him as he finally moves away and Michelle glares in his direction before I nudge her, diverting her attention back to me.
"That wallpaper upstairs." She flicks her head back, as I dip my head, giggling at the thought.
"We shouldn't have done that though." I try to reason with her and she rolls her eyes.
"Oh, well it was funny."
"It was silly." I correct her, as she stares ahead, smiling slightly at the thought which is annoyingly attractive.
"She genuinely thought we were interested." She turns her head back to me, her eyes sparkling.
"Yes I know, I shouldn't have let you talk me into it."
"Like I twisted your arm!" She grabs my waist, moving her head towards mine playfully and I shake my head at her, my eyes darting up to meet hers.
"You did."
"No I didn't." She lowers her tone.
"You can be very persuasive when you want to be." I hush and she bites her lip, her gaze shifting to my lips before there is a loud clunk on the bar top.
"Five sixty five." Peter's gruff tone sounds again and I don't remove myself from Michelle, instead just flicking my head around to face him.
"Keep the change." I take one hand off her head to push the ten pound note towards him. "Have one for yourself."
"No thanks." He just mutters, chewing on a cocktail stick as he leans against the spirits at the back, trying not to make it obvious that he was staring at us.
"Well he's bitter." Michelle pulls a face and I shrug, kissing her for a moment.
"Oh I need a job." I pull back, taking a sip of my drink. "Or a life."
"You have a life." She looks partially offended as she drinks from her glass and I narrow my eyes at her.
"We need a life." I include her and she laughs to herself. "I mean, looking around people's houses for a laugh, what's it come to?"
"Yeah I'm beginning to think unemployment may not be for me." She groans, before smiling again and I wait for yet another jokey remark. "Oh what about the chocolates on the pillows?"
"Oh Sal." I burst out laughing at the thought. "Hey, take notes, you. I never get chocolates on my pillows."
"There's not time for chocolates on pillows." She smirks to herself seductively and I chew on my straw as I watch her. "'Sophie's a lesbian'."
"Oh don't even get me started." I laugh. "I mean, how many times did she want to mention how 'cool' with it she is."
"Oh I don't know." She sighs, as I lean my head on my folded arms and she moves her fingers to my hair, playing with it absentmindedly. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Yeah, fine." I roll my head over to look at her. "I did have a laugh, thank you. Although I don't think it's done my stitches any good."
"It's good to laugh." She reassures me, and I smile up at her, pulling on the fur of her jacket so her head dips to meet mine.
"Ooh, oh alright." Aidan's voice sounds and I reluctantly pull away, my eyes connecting with Peter's for a moment. "It's not the moulin rouge."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" I frown, as he steps between us, Kate joining him.
"Because you're all over each other." He teases, squeezing Michelle's cheeks playfully and she fends him off.
"Inseparable." Kate nudges me and I ruffle her hair which she immediately rejects, trying to straighten it out again. "You'll be fed up of each other in a week."
"Well, maybe not at this rate." Aidan shrugs, the same look clouding his eyes that always appears when he's about to deliver 'exciting' news. "I've just been for a meeting with Pat Phelan at the factory, it's all coming along really well. With any luck, the building work will be finished by next week?"
"Next week?" I repeat in surprise, realising how refreshing the words were, despite wanting to sell the factory completely a few months back and wanting nothing to do with it. But the place was my home, my project for years on end, one I took great pride in building up, regardless of the knock backs.
"Well that's good news." Michelle taps my arm, as I bring myself back to reality. "So when are we going to be opening?"
"We?" Aidan repeats, narrowing his eyes slightly and Michelle falls silent, giving me an awkward look, before Aidan starts to laugh. "I'm winding you up, I guessed you'd be coming back to work there, now you've dumped all the other business owners."
"Shut it, you." Michelle kicks him playfully, as I put my arm around Kate.
"I'll even let you have first dibs on which machine you use-"
"Oh Aidan." I roll my eyes and Michelle shoots him an unimpressed look. "Hey, is it safe to go over there?"
"Well I've been there this morning, so." Aidan shrugs and she switches her gaze to me. "I haven't seen any health and safety notices."
"We need to sort decor." I decide, glancing at Michelle. "Might give us something to do."
"Oh don't reveal to everyone how boring our life is." She nudges me playfully and I smile, resisting the urge to kiss her again, studying how perfectly her lips settled, the slight shimmer of her green eyes, the silkiness of her chestnut hair that elegantly lined her face. "Babe?"
"Yeah?" I snap out of my trance and her smile broadens slightly.
"Kate's talking to you." She prompts me softly, pushing a lock of hair behind my ear that had fallen across my face as I blush.
"Oh, sorry." I try to compose myself as I look back at where Kate is studying me with a cocky gaze, her eyes darting to Michelle. "What?"
"I said I've brought you these." She hands me a pile of wedding magazines. "I stupidly signed up to receive them seasonally when I was engaged to Caz and I have no use for them, so."
"Well why don't you just cancel the subscription?" I study them excitedly, despite the fact we had said we would move slowly.
"Ah, it's kind of entertaining flicking through them." Kate shrugs, as I run my finger over the pages, before lowering her voice. "Pretending you're not in an extremely complicated relationship and it's all happily ever afters."
"You do remember that Michelle is a wedding planner?" Aidan reminds her. "And Carla's had about fifty weddings, I think they know what they're doing."
"Shut it." I slap him on he arm gently. "That's not the point anyway. Thank you sweetheart."
Michelle
"They're making good progress." I scan the shop floor, making a mental note of where machines would soon be, as I was sure Carla was as well. I turn to look at her, seeing how she was leant up against the window of the office, watching me. "What?
"You're gorgeous." She admits, pushing herself forwards and moving in to kiss me once she has reached me. She pushes me back against the staircase, my back colliding with the cool metal, kissing her passionately. "Here?" I mumble through kisses and she nods, letting out a low hum which was somewhat arousing enough to create a tingling wetness between my legs. I feel her pull me, moving backwards a few paces before falling against the door to the office, as she pulls her top up over her head. I intensify the passion, not even taking the time to tease how clearly turned on she was.
She grabs the hem of my top, pulling it up and smoothly unclipping my bra, discarding it on the floor. Her hands move down to my jeans, sliding them down my legs as I do so with her skirt, my hand brushing her thigh which makes her shiver. "I want you." I murmur, grabbing her hand placing it against me, moving her fingers in circular motions. I throw my head back, a pleasurable groan leaving my mouth as I let my hand fall away, allowing her to take over.
My legs weaken and she holds me upright, pushing me back against the desk which I allow myself to fall back on to, meeting her gaze momentarily.
"Please." I beg her and she grins softly for a moment, kissing down my body. "Carla please, I'm really..."
"Really what?" She just mumbles without looking up, as she reaches the base of my stomach. "Oh right."
"Don't." I warn her, having to move my hand down to control my urges. I move my fingers against me for a moment, my eyes closing as she just watches me, running her hand up and down my thigh. I open my eyes to see how she is watching me, her gaze so lustful.
"So you're just gonna do it yourself?" Her voice is surprisingly serious and I swallow, nodding as our eyes meet and she bites down on her lip, watching me. "...Well that's turning me on."
"Mm." I pull on her, as her fingers meet mine, finally pleasuring me at last. "More please, more." I stupidly beg her, not even caring how needy I sounded. She continues to stare at me as my grip tightens on her back, letting out a loud groan.
"Shh..." She whispers and I shake my head.
"No." I say louder than expected and it makes her laugh softly, as I spread my legs wider across the desk, allowing her to enter me.
"Aidan better never find out about this." She whispers in my ear, as my breathing deepens, the intensity of the pleasure building as I feel her inside me.
"Obviously." I just smile against her, pulling her chin down to kiss me.
"You've wanted this all day."
"And you haven't?" The words cut short in my throat, as I squeeze my eyes shut, unable to conceal the moan that escapes my lips. I try to hold back my climax and fail as her moves intensify, arching my back slightly as I release against her. She kisses along my jawline, listening to my shallow breaths and breathing them into her own as she reaches my lips. She moves her fingers to her mouth momentarily, which deepens my desire to make her feel all the same sensations.
I stand up, moving her back against the filing cabinet and dropping so my head was level with her crotch, moving in to wind my fingers under the lace of her underwear. Her fingers fall to my hair, massaging my scalp as I trail her underwear down her legs, my tongue meeting the warmth above it.
"Chelle." I hear a soft whisper, smiling to myself as I wind my tongue around her. My fingers join it, and I hear her pant breathily as her head falls back against the metal. The grip in my hair intensifies as my actions do, listening to the sounds involuntarily escaping her lips. I close my eyes, relishing the taste of her, the sounds of pleasure like sweet music as she climaxes against me, her head falling forwards. My eyes glide upwards to meet hers, the dark hair falling around her shoulders, pure love in her expression as I clean her up, before moving up to kiss her. We taste each other as our lips collide, the sweetness of lust and adoration.
"I mean it, nobody ever finds out." She tries to catch her breath and I dip my eyes slightly.
"I promise." I smile, kissing her cheek, her forehead, her chin. Taking in everything about her; the way her eyes sparkled following the depth of her emotion. "You're beautiful."
Carla
"It's open." I yell, exhaustion preventing me from even raising my head from Michelle's lap, as there is a knock on the door. I suspected it was Aidan, as he hadn't had the need to ring the buzzer.
"That's nice." Michelle points to the headband in the bridal magazine I was flicking through, just for casual reasons, of course.
"Mm." I close my eyes, wondering if I'd imagined the sound at the door. "I said you can come in!"
"Oh, sorry." I hear Roy's voice and immediately feel bad for shouting, as he enters, strangely, with Brian, Cathy and Mary.
"Oh... Hello." I sit myself up awkwardly, glancing around the array of visitors that I hadn't anticipated would ever be present in my flat. "Evening."
"I did suggest they waited outside." Roy looks awkward, as Mary moves to the kitchen to inspect our designer mugs that were out on the side. "We are about to embark upon a trip to the theatre, you see-"
"Oh, we're busy." I try to cover, momentarily thinking up another excuse in my head, before he frowns in confusion.
"Oh no, that wasn't why I was here." Roy stops me and I flash Michelle a relieved glance. "I uh, wanted to apologise for my lack of enthusiasm towards your news earlier on. I fear I may have been a little hostile towards the idea."
"It's alright." I force a smile, very aware that Brian and Cathy were talking in hushed whispers by the door.
"Yeah Roy, really, you're the last person we'd expect an apology from." Michelle stands up, leaning back against the sofa as I make no effort to move. "I really appreciate everything you've done for Carla."
"You make it sound like I'm some pet he's had to take care of." I shoot her a look and she rolls her eyes.
"Well... Despite my usual dislike towards the commercialisation of doing so, I came to give you this card." He holds it out to Michelle. "Not to mention the destruction of rainforest that is happening as we speak, as a result of such a-"
"Roy." Cathy places a hand on his shoulder and he immediately stops talking, as a small smile crosses my cheeks.
"Ah, thank you." Michelle opens the envelope, smiling at the card and the message inside before handing it to me. "That means a lot."
"Oh you're a sweetheart." I hold my arms out to him. "Come here." He awkwardly leans down as I kiss his cheek, before pulling away and studying us for a moment.
"Well, I can tell you're... Busy..." He indicates. "The bus is due to arrive in seven minutes, we really should depart now."
"Six minutes and forty seconds." Brian checks his watch and I raise my eyebrows as they all begin to leave.
"Wow." I mutter to Michelle, positioning the card on the coffee table, as she comes to sit back down next to me. "Promise me something?"
"Anything." She puts her arm around me, kissing the top of my head.
"We'll never get to the point where we're hanging around with people like that, will we?"
"I don't know, you're already picking up some of Roy's tendencies." She shrugs and my eyes widen, staring at her for a moment before she bursts into laughter.
"Stop it." I slap her gently, before kissing her, falling back onto the sofa and lowering my head into her chest again.