It's your love
Sara felt a great sense of relief as she continued to embrace her daughter. She felt Michael's arm snake around her waist, comforting her as they hugged their daughter. After a moment, Sara pulled back from her daughter's embrace and fell in awe at the sight of her baby girl in the arms of her father.
Sara's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the clock chiming, signalling how late into the night it was. "Do you want to stay over tonight, Michael?"
Michael glanced down at his daughter, "If it's not a problem."
Sara smiled, "Of course not, I'll make up the spare bedroom."
Aurora grinned, "Mommy, can you and dad read to me tonight?"
Michael's heart stopped; he has a daughter. She just called him dad. His heart swelled at the sound of that.
"Of course, sweetie, why don't you go ahead and get ready for bed?"
Aurora stood up from Michael's embrace and faced him, "I'm glad you're here now."
Michael smiled, "As am I."
Aurora smiled and walked away to her room. She looked forward to having both her parents read to her, this was once a dream and it is now a reality.
Sara watched her daughter ascended up the stairs, she slowly turned her attention to Michael sighing in relief.
"Michael…I'm sorry, I know we…" Sara was shaking with nerves, she didn't mean to happen what happened a part of her was glad, but another part was in knots. The part that kept thinking the worse, that Michael could disappear again. She felt like she was going to throw up but before she knew it, Michael had stood up from the couch and hugged her in assurance.
Michael wrapped one arm around her waist whilst the other curled around her neck, his hands in her hair. He could feel the nerves radiating off of her and all he wanted to do was assure her, he is her to stay. Forever. If she'll have him.
"I'm glad it happened." He whispered into her ear.
Sara relaxed in his embrace wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her forehead on his chest as she closed her eyes.
"My only regret is leaving you by yourself to raise our girl." Michael paused as Sara looked up at him. "Leaving you like that is the biggest mistake that I will pay for, for the rest of my life."
Oh it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
And if you ask me why I've changed
All I gotta do is say your sweet name
"Michael…"
"Sara, I need to say this. I'm sorry, more than you'll ever know. With or without our daughter, I should have not abandoned you in the first place. I want you to know that I…" Michael sighed as he looked deep in her eyes. After all these years, only she could make him feel like this. After all these years, she's still the one his heart ached for. And after all these years, he has finally mustered up the courage to say the things he has always wanted to.
"Sara, I love you." He brushed a strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear. "I have been in love with you since we were 16. I always have and I always will."
And there it was. The truth that has always lingered and hovered above them.
"Michael…" Sara was stunned, she had no idea he had these feelings for her and especially not since then. All this time… Then she remembered Veronica's remark as they walked through the park just a few days ago.
Michael shyly smiled at her, "It feels good to finally say it out loud." Only then he noticed the tears in her eyes which turned his smile upside down. He had no intention of upsetting her but since she had the courage to tell their daughter the truth, it inspired him.
Feeling awkward he went to release her only she tightened her embrace. "Sara, I'm sorry…" Michael stuttered.
Sara smiled, "For what?"
Michael looked at her, not really knowing what to say. "For making you feel uncomfortable?"
Sara snorted, "Is that what I look like?" She grinned at him. I guess there's no better time, she thought.
Sara's arms slid up and wrapped them around his neck. "Michael, I have been in love with you since I can remember. Not because we have a daughter…" she smiled. "You've always been the one. And the last ten years made me realise that."
It's your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
Michael tipped his head back, letting out a sigh of relief. After a moment, he focused his attention her. "All this time?"
Sara nodded, "I had no idea you felt the same way."
"Neither did I." Michael paused as he remembered their goodbye at the park, when she told him she loved him. Only then he thought she meant it as a friend. "That day at the park, when we were saying goodbye…"
"I meant it then." Sara whispered.
For a moment, they continued to stare at each other, elated in each other's confession. Finally, after all these years, they were as honest as they could be, and it felt great.
"Mom!" Aurora shouted from the top of the stairs.
Still not letting Michael go, she whipped her head in the direction of her daughter's voice. "Coming honey!"
"What's taking you guys so long!?"
Sara playfully rolled her eyes, "One minute!" she turned her attention back to Michael only to see him smirking making his eyes lit up. "What's funny?"
"Looks like my daughter is just as impatient as her mother." Michael teased.
"Hey! I'm not impatient, I'm pretty sure she got that from you." Sara playfully stuck out her tongue. "Let's go before she screams the house down."
Michael took one of Sara's hand and raised it to his lips, kissing the back of her hand. "Lead the way."
Sara took his hand and led him up the stairs. Michael stared at their joint hands, feeling the familiarity of this situation but this time it was to tuck their daughter in. Together. They came to a stop outside their daughter's bedroom with the door ajar open, hesitantly letting go of each other. Sara opened the door to find their daughter in bed with the book in her hand.
"I'm ready." Aurora grinned at them.
Michael kissed his sleeping daughter's forehead after half an hour of reading. He felt a sense of pride to discover his daughter's taste in literature. At the age of 9 he couldn't believe she enjoyed Shakespeare. "Goodnight my love." He whispered into her hair.
Michael left Aurora's room, closing the door behind him. He wondered where Sara had disappeared to when he heard the light sound of a drawer being opened then closed in what he assumed to be the spare room she was making up for him. Michael walked to the room and lightly knocked on the door.
"Come in." Sara called out.
He stepped into the room, taking in his surroundings. Only then he realised that this was her room.
He shifted awkwardly as he watched her settle in her bed not knowing what to say. He eventually cleared his throat, but Sara beat him to it.
"You can sleep in here if you want." Sara told him. "Besides, I'm too tired to make up the spare bed. It'll be like old times."
Michael chuckled, "Are you sure?"
Oh it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I've just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go
"Yes." Sara silently pleaded. She had missed him terribly, she wanted to be near him and be held by him through the night. While he tucked in their daughter, she left contemplating on whether they were moving too fast. But this was Michael. This was a long time coming. And here it was. She was going for it, for her happiness.
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh, it's your love
She stood up and walked over to him. She rested both her arms on his shoulders, "I mean if you're uncomfortable here then I will go make up the spare bed…"
He cradled her head in one hand as he looked deep into her eyes, "I would love to be by your side all night. I have missed you."
Standing on her tip toes, Sara could no longer help herself, she slowly leaned in and kissed him. Oh how delicious his lips felt against hers. She slowly pulled back to see his blue orbs shining at her. "I love you."
Michael smiled at her, "I love you too."
