Thanks for everyone who is sticking to this story. I've got a nice surprise for you, and I hope you'll like it. Don't forget to tell me what you thought of it afterwards!

It's far less perfect the next morning. There is a knocking on my door and it feels as if it's on my head. My brain feels as if it is being crushed and, as I make a move to get up, it gets ten times worse. How much exactly did I drink last night? I don't recall being such a wreck after just a innocent night out, but it may be because it's been a long time since the last time I've done it.

Anyway, I fight through the pain and awkwardly make it to the door, wondering who would come knocking at such an early hour. I don't recall telling anyone that I'm living here, except for Ivy and Derek of course, but somehow I feel like Derek wouldn't be the kind of person to come knocking on my door and Ivy would probably be buried under her covers right now, just as hungover as I am.

I think for a second about what I'm wearing. My large T-shirt doesn't cover much and I should probably find some pants, but the buzzing in my head keeps me from doing that. Better to keep my movements to a strict minimum. Whoever is on the other side of that door will have to deal with my hungover self. I don't really care what people think of me anymore anyway.

I finally manage to open the door and can't help but shriek, even though it triggers the worst pain in my brain. "Michael?!" I immediately raise my hand to my head and close my eyes, trying to ease the sudden pain. What are you doing here? And with Artie? I can't seem to make sense of the situation and the throbbing pain in my head isn't really helping me.

"Surprise!" I'm thankful for the soft tone you use. It's probably not really hard to figure out than I'm in no shape to handle any loud noises but I love you for noticing and acting in consequence. You don't wait any longer to take me in your arms and we share the hug that I've been needing ever since our whole affair came out.

I reluctantly pull out of your arms, seeing that Artie is beginning to get impatient. "Do you want to come in?"

"Sure." You both come in and I lead you to the couch, quickly removing the papers covering it. I haven't really been in a cleaning mood lately.

I have so much questions but I don't want to assault you with them. You're here and that's already great. I would feel fine just watching you, but somehow I feel like Artie would find it weird. I don't know what you told him. I don't know why he is here with you. I don't know anything actually. I need some answers. After all these days wondering about my future, I need to know where we stand. But I can't really do that in front of Artie, can I? And Ivy's apartment may be great but he is way too small for us to have a discussion without Artie hearing it.

You are apparently going through the same process of thoughts in your head because you suddenly light up. "What about you get dressed and we go to the park? Artie could play with the kids there and we could talk."

I look into your eyes and smile. I have missed your eyes. Nobody looks at me like you do. No wonder Ivy thinks she knows everything about us. It's all written in our eyes. The love I see in it makes me want to come closer and cuddle with you for hours. But Artie is here and I can't do that, no matter how much I thought about it while you were away. "Sounds like a good idea. Help yourselves with what you find in the kitchen, I'll be in the bathroom."

And I go into the bathroom, unsure of what I'll end up doing if I stay any longer in your presence. But when I come out of the shower, I see you at the door. You've closed it behind you and I have a weird feeling about this. I raise an inquisitive eyebrow and you hand me a towel. "I was wondering if you would want me to make you some coffee."

You're staring at my eyes in order not to look elsewhere, but I know that you haven't missed me coming out of the shower, entirely naked. It's written in your eyes. There is that longing that I know so well, because it mirrors mine perfectly. But we both know that Artie is in the kitchen and we wouldn't want to start anything we wouldn't be able to stop now. That's why I'm grateful for the towel and the coffee offer, even if I can't help but shiver when your hand touches mine as I grab the towel.

You pretend you don't notice, and I do the same. However the air is filled with tension between us, and we can't do anything but notice. "I would love some. Thank you." I turn my back to you and start applying some make-up. But I don't hear you leaving the room, quite the opposite actually. A few seconds later your hot breath is on my neck and I shudder. I close my eyes and your lips replace your breath as you gently kiss my neck. It's gentle and timid but it sets off the most wonderful feeling in me. I've missed you so much.

The next thing I know, my mind suddenly stops thinking and I turn around before grabbing your face with both hands and kissing you passionately. For a few seconds I completely forget that Artie is just one room away. I forget everyone else. There is just you. And apparently you forget everyone else too because you press me against the sink and moan into my mouth.

My lipstick falls in the sink and it takes me back to what is really happening. I gently push you away and we both try to catch our breath. "We can't do that now, your son is in the other room."

"Yeah, you're right. I'll make you that coffee then." And you quickly escape the room, probably as surprised as I am by what just happened. How come we always lose control around each other? Why can't we just act like two normal adults and handle our feelings?

I meet you back in the kitchen and you hand me a cup of coffee. I gladly take it and join you at the table. Fortunately the headache I had is almost gone. I don't know if it's the shower or you, but apparently something did the work.

I smile to Artie. I have never really spent time with him but he looks like a cool kid. He reminds me of Leo when he was younger. When everything was simpler. "So, Artie, do you like Seattle?" I don't really know how to talk to him. I still don't know who he thinks I am. I really do need to have that conversation with you.

He nods at me shyly and I smile back.
"I don't know how he does it. I've only spent one week there and I couldn't handle the weather! Gotta love the rain."
"I think your father is made out of sugar, Artie."

We both laugh at you and you playfully throw a piece of bread at me. My offended face makes Artie laugh even harder. This is going far better than I ever thought it would. We almost look like a family. I don't know if I should think about that yet. I'm probably getting far ahead of myself, but I'd like to get along with your son if we are starting something serious. And we are, aren't we?

This question is haunting me. But if you're here, both of you, with me, it means that you want me to be a part of your life, doesn't it? You would have stayed in Seattle if it wasn't the case, wouldn't you? I sigh as all these questions begin invading my head and you give me a quizzical look. "Everything's okay?"
"Yes, I just have a lot of questions, that's all."
"You're right. We've some things to discuss. We'll wash the dishes later, let's go to the park."

"Yay!" Artie claps his hands, apparently really excited about going to the park.
You send him to wash his hands in the bathroom while we clean the table. I check that he is really gone before speaking again. "Are you sure you're okay with us going to the park together after that whole article thing?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I don't care about what people may think, I love you and I'll go to the park with you if I want to. That's our business and nobody else's." But he suddenly looks concerned. "What about you? You're okay with it?"

"Yeah. I've kind of stopped thinking about what people may think too." And as I say it, I realize that it's true. Why would I care of what other people may think when you make me that happy? After all, in the end happiness is what matters most. And hearing you say that you love me is definitely one of the greatest happiness there is.

I lean forward to kiss you but quickly back off as Artie makes his comeback into the room. I instantly blush and I know that we won't fool him long. I love you too much to be able to cover it.