Mia was woken up at 4:30 the next morning by a soft tapping noise. She sat up and looked around, trying to figure out where it was coming from. She was about to roll over and go back to sleep when she saw someone standing on the fire escape.

"Oh my God!" She yelled, jumping out of bed and pulling open the window.

"Michael, what are you doing?" She asked, as she pulled him inside. She shut the window behind him and whirled around. He ran a hand through his hair and grabbed her shoulders.

"I couldn't sleep. I'm sorry I woke you up. I was worried. I thought you were mad, and you weren't answering your phone." He said, and wrapped his arms around her. He buried his face in her hair and rocked back and forth. Mia pushed him away and led him over to the bed.

"Michael." She soothed, pushing his hair out of his face. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. Mia put her arm around him and he leaned on her. "It's okay." She said, "I'm not angry. And my phone is on mute because I'm tired of Grandmere calling me. Don't worry, it's fine. I love you, remember?" Michael nodded. Mia stroked his face and let him tell her how worried he was. After a while, they both fell asleep. Later, around 7, Michael woke up. He realized how much more trouble they would both be in if he was found asleep in her room, so he jotted a note down and put it on the bed next to her. He kissed her cheek and hurried out through the fire escape. Mia woke up a few minutes later and reached for Michael. Her hand fell onto the piece of paper instead of Michael's soft t-shirt.

"Wha--?" She muttered as she grabbed the note and read it:

Mia,

Didn't want to get caught with you by your Mom and Mr G. I love you. I'll see you this afternoon, call when you wake up. Love,

Michael

Mia smiled and folded the note up, slipping it inside the envelope under her mattress. She hurried in and out of the shower, got dressed, put on make up, and rushed out into the living room. Her mom and Mr G were both lying on the couch, fast asleep. They must have fallen asleep while they were arguing about Michael. Mia smiled and went into the kitchen. She made a pot of fresh coffee and started a batch of pancakes. She heard someone moving behind her, so she turned around. Mr G was sitting up on the couch, rubbing his face with his hands. Her mother was still lying down, asleep.

"Hey Mia." He said, coming into the kitchen and sitting down. He rubbed his neck and put on his glasses. "Making us a bribery breakfast?" Mia laughed and shook her head.

"Nope. I was just hungry, and since nobody was awake, I figured I'd make Rocky his pancakes since Mom was obviously too tired. Can you watch these for a minute? I need to go wake up Rocky." Mr G nodded and got up. He poured himself a cup of coffee while Mia went into Rocky's room.

"Rocks?" She called, shaking Rocky gently. "Time to get up and go to daycare!" She called. Rocky mumbled and complained, but she finally got him dressed and ready. She held her finger to her lips and took him out to get his breakfast.

"You have to be quiet, because Mommy's still asleep." She whispered. Rocky nodded and quickly ate his pancakes, dripping with syrup and butter. Mr G showered, changed clothes, and pulled on his jacket.

"Come on Rocky." He called quietly. Rocky dropped out of his chair and scampered over to his dad, who helped him put on his jacket and the two left. Mia washed the dishes and put out three plates on the table. She put out syrup and butter and milk and coffee mugs. After about 15 minutes, she heard her mother moving around.

"Morning Mom." She called from the kitchen. Her mother padded into the kitchen and sat down.

"Ugh." She rubbed her eyes kissed Mia good morning. "Frank dropping off Rocky?" She asked.

"Yep." Mia put two pancakes on her Mom's plate, three on Mr G's, and one on hers. She pulled a bowl of grapes out of the refrigerator and put them on the table. Mr G came in then and joined the table.

"Okay," Mia's mom said, "Let's talk about Michael."