Note: Just to clear something up…in my story when they're on RAW Dave's last name is spelt as Batista. When they are not on RAW it's the real spelling of Bautista. I am going to be away as most of you know for a week and two days starting Friday. I know I promised I'd have some updates for you while I'm gone but I'm not feeling well right now, so I am gonna try to at least get in one or two chapters for each story.
Chapter 4Michelle turned around to face Dave. She was trying to get his attention, but he was talking to Randy. They needed to leave so by the time they got back from getting his girls, it wouldn't be so late. She turned back around and looked at her sister who met her gaze.
"Stace can you help me get Gabby and CJ? It's time to head to the apartment."
Stacy nodded and followed her sister inside.
"I'm glad you and Dave are together now."
"Me too. But I can't help but be worried that because they aren't divorced that there are gonna be quite a few problems with Angie."
Stacy agreed with her sister and went up to get Gabriella ready. Michelle walked into the living room where her parents sat.
"So what do you two think?"
"Well I must say I am happy for my daughters. You both have wonderful men there…especially you princess."
Michelle smiled at her dad and gave him a hug.
"Thanks daddy. Randy, Stacy, Dave, and I are going back to our apartments. Stacy and Randy are going to watch Gabby and CJ."
"Why are Stacy and Randy watching the kids?"
"Because Dave and I have to go pick up his daughters in Washington DC at his wife's house."
"You didn't tell us he had kids Michelle or that he's married."
"Mom does it matter? I have kids too. He is separated from his wife."
"No it doesn't matter princess. Now you go and do what you need to do. We'll see you tomorrow night."
Michelle nodded, kissed her dad's cheek, and headed up to get Christopher ready. When she stepped into Gabriella's playroom first she sighed.
"What did she do now?"
"Stace…she got all pissed off cause Randy and you are watching the kids. Then she got all pissy because I didn't tell her Dave had kids of his own. My God I am not a little girl anymore with her first boyfriend."
"You know that, I know that, Dad knows that…and you know how he doesn't like to let us go. But mom doesn't want to admit we're grown up. Thankfully Teresa got out when she did."
Michelle then headed into the nursery. She packed Christopher's bags and took them down to her Expedition. She noticed Dave and Randy were still talking. When she went to head back inside, Dave grabbed her hand. He could tell something was wrong.
"Baby are you ok?"
"Not really. I need to go get CJ so we'll talk about it later."
Dave sighed but nodded. He looked at Randy after noticing she was back inside. Before he could answer Dave, his cell phone beeped. He looked at it and noticed he had a text message from Stacy.
"Stacy said that their mom said something to Missy about you. So if she's mad that's why."
Dave nodded and headed inside. He was about to go upstairs to help Michelle, when he decided to head into the living room instead. As he walked in her parents looked up.
"Yes Dave?"
Dave looked at Michelle and Stacy's mom then sat down on one of the other couches.
"I don't want to be rude here, but I'd like to know what you said to Michelle to upset her especially since I know it was about me."
"I just don't like the face that our daughter didn't bother to tell me that on her first night back after being away from her children, that she's passing them off on her sister and Randy. We don't know Randy. I also don't like the fact that she didn't bother to tell me that you had children. And I don't think my daughter needs to be dating a married man."
Dave couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Ok last time I checked Michelle wasn't a little girl anymore. She's a grown woman with two beautiful children. Now I know she and I haven't been together that long, but I do deeply care for her and those children. And as for not knowing Randy, she knows Randy, Stacy knows Randy, and I know Randy. But if me having two daughters, being separated from my wife, and me dating your daughter is such a problem…then I'll back off."
"No you won't."
Dave and Michelle's parents looked towards the doorway. Standing there was Michelle holding Christopher, Stacy, and Randy holding Gabriella.
"Stacy will you take CJ? Then can you and Randy put them in their seats? I need to have a talk with our mother."
Stacy and Randy headed outside with the kids. Michelle walked into the living room and sat on the arm of the couch next to where Dave sat.
"Now Michelle…"
"Don't. Like I told Stacy…I need to have a talk. That means I talk and you listen. I am almost thirty-one years old. I am a big girl now and that means quite a few things. Who I date is none of your business. Who I let watch my children is none of your business…because they're just that…MY children. Whether or not Dave has children is none of your business either. So you can do two things mother. You can accept this. Or you can be all pissed off and not see me or your grandchildren until you do accept it."
Jennifer looked at her oldest daughter in surprise. Dave turned to look at Michelle.
"Baby don't do that. You don't mean it."
Michelle kept her stare on her mom.
"Like hell I don't Dave. Now what's it gonna be mom?"
"I can't believe you just said all of that. No business of mine? You're my daughter."
"Yes I am you're daughter mom, but my life is only your business if I tell you. You have no say in what happens in my life anymore. So you have a decision to make. What'll it be? Because I'm on a time schedule here."
"Fine. Date whomever you want. But when he breaks your heart and goes back to his wife…don't come crying to me. Cause I'll I'm gonna tell you I told you so."
"Whatever. I guess that's as good as I'm gonna get for a blessing from you. At least dad approves."
Then she took Dave's hand and they left. As they walked outside, they noticed Stacy and Randy wanting to know what happened. Dave just shook his head and continued on to the car. Dave opened her door for her and helped her in the car. Then he got in on the driver's side.
"Baby are you ok?"
"I'll be a lot better once this day is over. Let's get to DC already."
Later that night found Dave, Michelle, Gabriella, Christopher, Gracie, and Allison in Michelle's apartment. The girls were sleeping in Gabriella's room and thankfully they all got along. Dave walked into the master bathroom where Michelle was taking a shower. He sat down on the closed toilet lit waiting for her to get out. When she did, he handed her the towel he almost sat on and her dark blue bathrobe. After tying her robe, Michelle wrapped her long brown hair up in her towel. She looked at Dave and he smiled weakly at her. She walked over and stood in front of him placing her head against her body. She ran her fingers softly though his hair. The day hadn't ended that greatly was an understatement. Angie didn't have the girls ready like she promised. They had to sit there and finish the movie the girls were watching because Angie didn't want the tape leaving the house. Then she was all over her new boyfriend in front of them.
"Baby are you ok?"
Dave pulled her into his lap wrapping his arms around her.
"I'll be fine. This day has just been a roller coaster."
"Yeah but at least you know the girls are all getting along fine. Gabriella and CJ like you. Gracie and Allison like me. And I don't know about you, but I'm not going to let Angie's actions or her get to me."
Dave nodded. Michelle stood up and led him into the bedroom. Dave went and sat on the bed and she went and stood in front of him again. She leaned down and kissed his awaiting lips. Dave pulled her into his lap. He gently pulled her hair free of the towel so he could run his fingers through it. Just as he was about to untie the rope on her robe, they heard CJ crying.
"Well damn."
By the time Michelle made it back into her bedroom, Dave was already sleeping. She pulled on an oversized shirt and crawled into bed. She felt him pull her into his arms, and she joined him in sleeping. The next morning when Michelle woke up she noticed Dave was smiling at her. She nuzzled further into his embrace not wanting to wake up fully.
"Morning Dave."
"Morning."
It was at that moment she noticed the house was completely quiet. Too quiet in fact. She sat up and looked around her room. The time on the clock read ten am. She knew that the kids should've been awake by now. She turned to Dave and noticed he was grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Ok where are the kids and why are you grinning?"
Dave pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Randy and Stacy just took them out for breakfast. So we have the apartment to ourselves. They figured after yesterday we could use it."
Michelle looked at him and returned his grin. Before she kissed him she replied with her own comment.
"I think I owe my sister big."
Two hours later Michelle slid out of the shower and looked at the outfit laid on her bed. Today she turned thirty-one. She felt old, but then she didn't. Her outfit consisted of dark blue jeans, a white tank top that laced up in the front over the bust, and a pair of black boots. She got dressed, pulled her hair into a messy bun, and then applied her make-up. Once done she headed into the living room and instantly ran to get her camera. Sleeping in the recliner holding a sleeping CJ was Dave with a sleeping Gracie in his lap as well. Then sleeping on the loveseat was her sister Stacy with Gabriella sleeping on top of her. Then sprawled out on the couch was a sleeping Randy with a half awake half asleep Allison on his stomach. She turned the TV off and went outside onto her balcony. Pretty soon she heard someone come outside. She turned to see her sister.
"Happy birthday Missy."
"Thanks. I so owe you big for earlier."
"Guessing you two used your time wisely."
"Oh yeah."
"So what's on the agenda for today birthday girl?"
"I think we're going to the park and then we're supposed to join mom and dad for dinner."
"Yeah dad called earlier and said that was still on. Apparently mom came to her senses finally late last night."
Michelle looked at her sister and could tell she wanted to talk about something.
"Stace? What is it?"
"Are you worried?"
"About?"
"Falling in love with Dave, getting your heart broken, him going back to his wife?"
"Oh that?"
"Yeah. Be honest Missy. I'm happy you two are together, but I'm worried for you all at the same time."
"Honestly…yeah I am worried. But I'm not going to worry about it too much to where I let it keep me from being happy. If he decides to get back with his wife that's his decision. I'll move on from the heartbreak like I've done before. Granted with him it might take some time, but it'll happen."
"You don't want it to though do ya?"
"Nope. I know I just barely met him, but there's something about that man in there that I just can't explain. I've never fallen this quickly or hard for anyone in my life. And I've never felt like this before either. Oh shit I gotta go pick up Amanda from the airport."
"She's coming here?"
Michelle sighed. Her best friend from college was coming to visit for her birthday. To her it was a good thing, but to her sister it wasn't. The two hated each other. Michelle was heading inside and noticed that Gracie was standing in the doorway.
"Hey Gracie."
"Hey Michelle. Can I talk to you for a minute privately?"
"Sure honey. Stace…can you go get the kids into bed for naps. Then just leave Dave and Randy sleeping if ya can."
Stacy nodded and headed inside. Michelle gestured for Gracie to take a seat next to her.
"What can I do for you Gracie?"
"Do you really care for my daddy?"
"Yes. Very much so."
"He cares about you too."
"Really?"
"Yeah we talked about it last night while you were bathing Gabby and CJ. He wanted to know if we liked you or if we were just pretending."
"Well I hope yall like me. I like you two."
"We like you. We know you're not replacing our mom. We know you care about our daddy. We're glad he's happy with you. Can I tell you a secret?"
"Sure honey."
"Won't tell daddy?"
"Nope not if you don't want me to."
"No."
"Ok then just between us girls."
"I know this might sound wrong, but I hope mommy and daddy divorce."
Michelle had to admit she was shocked to hear this out of Gracie's mouth.
"Why is that?"
"They're always fighting. Now they are separated and they're with people they don't fight with. Ally and I hope to live with daddy if they do get a divorce."
"Why is that honey?"
"Cause mommy's boyfriend doesn't like us that much."
"Is he mean to you?"
"No he just never wants to spend time with us. He only wants to spend time with mommy. We want daddy to marry you. You like us and you have kids too."
Michelle was surprised. This girl was smarter and more mature than anyone gave her credit for. While she planned to keep this talk a secret, she had no idea Dave heard the whole thing.
"Well I have a question for you. How would you like to come to the airport with me to pick up my friend Amanda?"
"Really? I can go?"
"Sure. I'll need someone to talk to on the way there."
"Ok. Should we tell daddy?"
"You go get dressed and ready first. I'll tell your daddy."
Gracie smiled, hugged Michelle, and kissed her cheek. Then she took off inside. Dave sighed in relief that his daughter didn't even see him standing there as he walked outside. He noticed Michelle had tears running down her cheeks. He leaned against the doorway and called out to her.
"Yeah baby?"
"We need to talk."
