-1Chapter Eighteen
An eerie silence settled over the back room of the pub after the second gunshot went off. The seconds seemed to stretch into minutes as the dust settled and four lifeless bodies lay sprawled out on the concrete floor. Then all of a sudden…
There was movement.
"Are you alright?" Michael grunted as he gingerly lifted his body off of Lauren's.
"Yeah," she replied hoarsely. "I'm fine." Her hand shook as she ran her fingers through her hair, trying to get her breathing back under control. Michael reached out to cup her face in his hand, stroking her cheek in an effort to soothe her as well as himself. Lauren smiled up at him reassuringly, but in an instant, her smile faded.
"Michael!" she gasped, gently running her fingers along his shoulder. "You're bleeding."
"It's nothing." Michael assured her dismissively, placing his hand atop hers. "The bullet must've just nicked me." Just then the sound of someone groaning from across the room grabbed their attention. Both heads turned to see Tom and Neil lying in a pool of blood on the floor not ten feet away from them.
"Daddy!" Lauren screamed, quickly pulling herself up from the floor and running over to where her father lay sprawled out atop Fisher's lifeless body. She placed her hands on Neil's shoulders and gently rolled him off of the other man. He was covered in blood.
"Oh God, no." Lauren cried out, running her hands down the front of his blood soaked chest. Neil's eyes fluttered open slightly and she moved to grip his face in her hand. "Daddy!" she pleaded, shaking him gently. "Daddy come on, wake up."
"Princess?" he managed to choke out, his eyes trying desperately to focus on her.
"Yeah," Lauren smiled, temporarily relieved. "It's me."
"How badly is he hurt?" Michael asked, she hadn't even noticed that he had moved to crouch down beside her.
"I'm not sure," Lauren replied distractedly, moving to undue his blood stained shirt. "I need to check and see where he was hit."
"I'm fine." Neil interrupted, his voice hoarse. "It's not my blood."
"Are you sure?" Lauren asked hopefully, placing a hand on her father's shoulder to help him sit up.
"Yeah," Neil assured her, nodding his head towards Tom. "The idiot shot himself." Michael moved to stand above the body of his stepfather, crouching down to check his throat for a pulse. There was none.
"He's dead." Michael informed them unnecessarily. Lauren didn't miss the disappointment in his voice and she knew he had wanted to kill the bastard himself.
"Good riddance," Neil declared, moving to stand. "Are you two alright?"
"Yeah, daddy." Lauren assured him, wrapping her arm around his waist for support. "We're fine."
"Good." he sighed, then all of a sudden his face contorted into a grimace of pain.
"Daddy?" Lauren asked, concern clearly written all over her face as Neil doubled over in pain. "Daddy, what is it? What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure," Neil managed to choke out through gritted teeth, his breathing grew strained as he clutched at his chest in discomfort. "I think…I think I'm having a heart attack."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Detroit General Hospital
Neil's condition had worsened during the short ambulance ride to the hospital. By the time they arrived in the emergency room, he was in full cardiac arrest. Lauren had ridden along in the ambulance with her father, while Michael followed closely behind in a police squad car. Now they both sat huddled together in the brightly lit waiting room, anxiously awaiting a status report from one of the doctors as to whether or not the surgery had been successful.
"Do you want me to get you a cup of coffee or something?" Michael offered, running his hand up and down her back comfortingly. She shook her head, face still buried in her hands as she sat huddled over in the uncomfortable plastic chair. She hadn't said a word since Neil had been wheeled into surgery and Michael worried that if her father didn't pull through this, she may never speak again.
"He's going to be fine, Lauren." Michael assured her, although he was in no position to be making assurances he had no control over. "I promise."
"Miss Fenmore?" A man approached them wearing a white lab coat and Michael surmised that he must be the surgeon who operated on Lauren's father. She quickly rose from her seat and stood to face the taller man. Michael followed suit.
"Yes?" she responded, her voice hoarse from not speaking. Michael reached out and clutched her hand in his, lacing their fingers together as he silently offered her support. She squeezed his hand in gratitude as they anxiously waited to hear what the doctor had to say.
"I'm afraid I have some good news and some bad news," Doctor Scranton began and Michael felt Lauren tense up beside him. "Good news is that the surgery was a success, though we encountered some unforeseen complications during the operation. But all in all I'm confident that Mr. Fenmore will be able to make a full recovery."
"Thank God." Lauren sighed in relief, turning to smile at Michael briefly before turning her attention back to Dr. Scranton. "What's the bad news?"
"The surgery was very taxing on your father's immune system and his recovery is going to take time. He'll be in constant need of medical care over the next few months and physical therapy is required in order for him to make a complete recovery." Dr. Scranton declared, smiling at her compassionately. "Now, I can suggest the name of a highly reputable medical facility in Wisconsin that offers the services of live-in nurses and…"
"No." Lauren interrupted, shaking her head dismissively. "I'll be taking care of him myself."
"Miss Fenmore," Dr. Scranton sighed, obviously having had this same conversation with other patient families in the past. "That's very considerate of you, but I'm not sure you understand just how excessive and time consuming caring for someone in your father's condition can be. It's best to leave it up to trained professionals. Besides, I'm sure your father wouldn't want to burden you with this."
"My father's health is not a burden." Lauren argued stubbornly and Michael was grateful not to be on the other end of the death stare currently aimed in Dr. Scranton's direction. "It's my fault that this happened, the least I can do is help him get better."
"If you insist." Dr. Scranton conceded, obviously dismayed by her decision. "I'll leave the number of that medical facility in your father's file, just in case you change your mind."
" I won't." she assured him, sounding far more confident than she felt. "Can I see him?"
"He's still unconscious, but you can go in for a few minutes." Dr. Scranton agreed, but he stopped them when Lauren began walking towards her father's room with Michael following closely behind. "Only one visitor in the room at a time for now though."
"But.." Lauren began to protest, but Michael cut her off.
"It's alright," he said quietly, smiling at her reassuringly. "I'll be right outside if you need me."
"Thanks." she sighed, squeezing his hand one last time before letting go and walking into her father's busy hospital room.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Three days later
"Lauren!" Kevin squealed excitedly as he leapt into her waiting arms. She and Michael had returned home from Detroit early at her father's insistence that they "stop hovering and go enjoy the start of their summer break." Lauren had reluctantly agreed, but she insisted on flying coach and leaving him the private jet to use himself when he was released from the hospital in the next few days. So now she and Michael were back in Genoa City and they had the house to themselves for a while. Well, with the exception of the ecstatic little boy in Lauren's arms.
"Hey, buddy." she cooed, hugging him closer. "Did ya miss me?"
"Yes!" he exclaimed and Lauren chuckled. But then the little boy grew somber when he noticed the bruises on her face. "I'm really sorry that my daddy hurt you."
"It's okay," Lauren whispered, smiling at him reassuringly. "It's all over now."
"Where's Mr. Fenmore?" Kevin asked curiously when he noticed the older man hadn't entered the home with Lauren and Michael.
"Uh, he has to stay behind in Detroit for a little while longer." Lauren explained vaguely, not wanting to alarm the already guilt ridden child with news of her father's heart attack.
"What for?" Kevin asked suspiciously.
"Hey, why don't we order a pizza?" Michael interjected, trying to distract his precocious little brother. "I don't know about you, but I'm starved."
"Can we get extra cheese on it?" the little boy asked excitedly.
"Of course." Michael chuckled.
"Awesome!" Kevin exclaimed before bolting it into the kitchen. "I'll go get the takeout menu." As soon as he was out of earshot, Michael reached out and pulled Lauren into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his neck and burrowed her face in his shirt as the tears she had tried desperately not to shed finally escaped.
"It's okay," Michael cooed softly, his lips pressed against her forehead as he ran his fingers through her hair. "You're safe now, I've got you."
"I was so scared," Lauren whispered, her voice catching on a sob. "I thought…I thought I was never going to see you again."
"Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing." Michael muttered under his breath.
"Wha…" Lauren pulled back slightly, looking up at him in disbelief. "What do you mean?"
"This is all my fault." he declared, a self-deprecating snarl on his lips. "If you'd never met me, Tom never would have kidnapped you and your father wouldn't be in the hospital right now recovering from a near fatal heart attack."
"Michael, don't…"
"Come on, Lauren. You know it's true." he continued, moving away from her and running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I mean look at you," he said hoarsely, motioning towards her black eye and tear stained face. "If it weren't for me, you'd be safe and happy…"
"Miserable, Michael." Lauren argued, shaking her head in disagreement. "I would be miserable and bored and lonely as hell if I didn't have you in my life."
"But at least you'd be safe…"
"I'm safe when I'm with you," Lauren declared passionately, moving to wrap her arms around him again. He turned his head to the side, refusing to meet her gaze. "None of this is your fault, do you hear me?" she grabbed his chin and forced him to look at her. "You saved me from Danny, you saved me from Tom and if you hadn't of called for the ambulance when you did, my father might be dead right now."
"Lauren," he sighed, ready to launch another argument.
"Look, I know how much you lawyer types get off on hearing yourselves speak," she teased, hoping to coax a smile out of him and succeeding. "But how about for once you just shut the hell up and accept the fact that I love you?"
"You really are a stubborn idiot, ya know that?" Michael grinned, cupping her face in his hand and gently stroking her cheek. "And I do not get off on hearing myself speak."
"Could have fooled me." she teased, chuckling softly against his lips as he leaned forward and kissed her.
"Ewwww! Get a room." Kevin squealed as he came running back into the room, pizza menu in hand.
"Isn't it passed your bedtime?" Michael asked, glaring at his little brother in irritation.
"No." Kevin declared stubbornly, reaching for the phone and holding it out to him. "Besides, I'm hungry and you said we could order a pizza, so start dialing."
"Yes, master." Michael agreed, grabbing the phone and menu out of Kevin's hand. "And in the meantime, I want you to go wash up and change into your pajamas."
"But I can't reach the light switch in the bathroom." the little boy sighed, pouting as he stood on his tip toes to demonstrate the inadequacy of his height.
"I'll help him." Lauren volunteered, smiling at Michael warmly as she took Kevin by the hand and led him up the stairs.
"And I want to see you in your pjs as well!" Michael called out after her teasingly, grinning to himself when he heard her mumble something about flannel pajamas and a face mask. He was still smiling as he glanced down at the takeout menu and prepared to dial the familiar number when all of a sudden, the phone began to ring.
"Lauren!" Michael called out questioningly. "Are you gonna get that?" She didn't answer, but Michael could hear the water running upstairs and surmised that she must be taking a shower. Shrugging, he lifted up the phone's receiver and brought it to his ear.
"Fenmore residence." Michael said in way of greeting.
"Hello, son."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Lauren?" She heard Michael call out to her tentatively from the hallway.
"I'm in here." she replied, stretching out atop her queen sized bed and waiting for him to join her. The three of them had polished off an extra large cheese pizza and settled in for the evening to watch a movie. Kevin had fallen asleep before the opening credits finished rolling, so Michael decided to carry him upstairs and tuck him into bed. Michael had been unusually quiet during dinner and Lauren was determined to help him out of his funk.
"Hey." he said, smiling at her warmly as he leaned against the doorframe to her bedroom.
"Hey yourself." she replied coyly, crossing her legs and exposing more of her thigh in the process. She was wearing flannel shorts and a loose fitting tank top. No bra.
"I thought you wanted to finish watching the rest of the movie?" Michael asked distractedly, eyes glued to her body.
"Nope." she answered dismissively, sitting up a little straighter and beckoning to him with the crook of her finger. "I thought we could find something else to do instead."
"You and your one tract mind." Michael chided her playfully, walking up to the foot of the bed and wrapping his hands around her ankles. She shrieked in surprise when he roughly pulled her down towards the edge of the bed so that her pelvic bone was pressed up against his groin. She shivered at the predatory look in his eyes.
"Michael." Lauren sighed, wrapping her legs around his waist and arching her back to try and ease the ache that had settled between her legs. He thrust against her and she whimpered in response, amazed by his ability to turn her on so much so quickly. She felt his hand gently stoking the inside of her thigh and she parted her legs even further, eager to feel his hands on her. He bent forward to burrow his face in the crook of her neck and she shuddered when he began placing open mouthed kisses along her collar bone. Suddenly she felt something hot and wet land on her skin and she realized he was crying.
"Michael?" she asked worriedly, cupping his face in her hands and pushing him off of her slightly so that she could look at him. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing." he said dismissively, offering her a reassuring smile but she wasn't buying it.
"Is this about Tom?" Lauren questioned, knowing that he was still feeling guilty about what had happened back in Detroit.
"No, this has nothing to do with him." Michael assured her, reaching out stroke her cheek reverently. "I just…I don't know how I'm ever gonna be able to let you go."
"Hey," she said softly, feeling her own eyes well up with tears as she reached up to brush his away. "Who says you're ever gonna have to let me go?"
"My father." Michael said simply, his hand still tracing delicate patterns along the soft skin at the nape of her neck. "He called when you were in the shower."
"What did he say?" Lauren asked, though she had a feeling she already knew the answer.
"Apparently all of the final paperwork with children's services has been completed and Lowell Baldwin is now officially Kevin's foster parent." Michael explained, rolling off of her slightly until he was laying on his back beside her, both of their legs dangling over the side of the bed lazily.
"Well, that's good news." Lauren said cheerfully. He didn't respond, so she shifted onto her side in order to look at him. "Isn't it?"
"I guess." he shrugged, rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration. Lauren reached out to take his hand in hers, lacing their fingers together and placing gentle kisses on each of his knuckles.
"What else did your father say?" she asked, knowing there had to be more to it than that.
"He managed to pull some strings at a highly reputable law school down in New Orleans," he explained, sounding less than exuberant. "I have an interview with the Dean in two weeks."
"Michael, that's fantastic!" Lauren exclaimed, overjoyed that his dream of becoming a lawyer might finally be coming true.
"Yeah." he sighed and she felt him squeeze her hand a little tighter.
"Why aren't you excited about this?" Lauren asked in confusion. "I thought you wanted to go to law school."
"I did," Michael agreed, glancing up at her despairingly. "I do, it's just…Lowell's coming to pick us up in two days and I'm not ready to say goodbye to you." he explained, rubbing her ring finger wistfully. "I don't ever want to say goodbye to you again."
"Then we won't say goodbye," Lauren promised him, quickly reaching up to wipe away the tears that were threatening to spill down her cheeks. "At least not for long."
"What do you mean?" Michael asked in confusion.
"Well, I'll stay here and go to GCU for first year so that I can help my dad with his recovery," Lauren explained, a plan formulating in her head that she hoped they'd both be able to live with. "And then once he's better, I'll transfer out to the University of New Orleans to finish my degree."
"You'd do that for me?" he asked in disbelief.
"For us." she corrected him, grinning mischievously as she moved to straddle his lap. She laced her fingers through his and pinned his hands above his head. Leaning forward, she pressed her chest against his and whispered in his ear seductively. "I'll come and visit you over the summer."
"And on spring break?" Michael questioned playfully, nuzzling her nose with his.
"Christmas and Thanksgiving too." she promised, placing open mouthed kisses along his jaw line.
"Will you write?" he asked and she felt his hands reach around to cup her ass.
"Everyday." she swore, capturing his mouth with her own in a searing kiss. She ran her tongue along his plump lower lip, demanding entrance. As their mouths made love, Lauren reached down in between their bodies and began unbuckling his belt. Once she had it loosened, she slipped her fingers beneath the waistband of his pants and dragged them down passed his waist. Michael reached down and lifted Lauren's tank top over her head, moving to cup her breasts in his hands as they spilled free from their confines.
"Michael." she moaned, breaking their kiss as she arched her back and pressed her chest into his palms. Her nipples hardened beneath his touch and she ground her crotch against his erection, eliciting a strangled groan from his lips. In one quick move, Michael flipped them over so that Lauren was laying beneath him on the edge of the bed. He made quick work of the rest of their clothes, stripping out of his shirt and boxers before discarding her shorts and slowly pulling her panties down the length of her legs. Lauren sat up slightly, using her elbows to prop herself up as she gazed at him wantonly.
"We shouldn't be doing this." Michael said softly, though his body betrayed his words as Lauren watched his erection swell beneath her heated gaze.
"Why not?" she asked distractedly, licking her lips in anticipation.
"I promised your father…"
"You saved our lives, Michael." Lauren interrupted, not wanting to talk about her father when all she could think about was getting Michael inside her. "I think he'd make an exception."
"But…"
"Michael!" she bit out in frustration, reaching out to pull him down on top of her. "We don't have much time left together," she reminded him pleadingly, reaching up to cup his face in her hand when his expression grew somber. "So let's make the most of it, alright?" He didn't respond. Instead he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers, his tongue slipping inside her mouth as she moaned in approval. She wrapped her arms around his neck as one of his hands slipped down between their bodies to test her arousal.
"Yesss." she hissed and arched her back to press herself against his hand. Lauren spread her thighs a little wider to accommodate his lightly callused fingers as they rubbed against her wet folds. She bit her lip and shuddered in pleasure as Michael found her clit and began stroking it firmly in tight little circles. Her hips bucked upwards, trying to draw his fingers inside of her to ease the ache pulsing between her legs. She could feel her orgasm building in the pit of her stomach and knew it wouldn't take much to push her over the edge.
"Now, Michael." Lauren gasped, her hands grabbing hold of his ass and pulling him down on top of her. "I need you in me now." He nodded his head distractedly and Lauren could tell he was close too as he positioned the tip of his penis at her entrance. Their eyes met as he thrust inside of her until he was completely sheathed.
"Perfect." he whispered in her ear, taking the sensitive lobe between his lips and sucking gently as he began pounding into her. She met him thrust for thrust, holding onto his ass and feeling the muscles there flex as he plunged deeper inside of her. Lauren was moaning uncontrollably now, she was so close to cumming that her toes had begun to curl. She could tell he was close too by the way his thrusts began to lose their rhythm. Desperate to bring her over the edge with him, Lauren shrieked in surprise when he grabbed hold of her thighs and moved to place her legs over his shoulders. The new position allowed him to move even deeper inside her tight entrance and after a few more frantic thrusts, she was cumming. Hard.
"Michael." she cried out his name as her muscles clenched around him, keeping him deep inside her as wave after wave of pleasure ran through her body. She barely had time to recover from her earth shattering orgasm when all of a sudden Michael pulled out of her completely and flipped her onto her stomach. Quickly getting over her momentary confusion, Lauren pulled herself up on all fours and pressed her face against the mattress. She heard Michael groan from behind her and knew he must be enjoying the view. Grinning to herself mischievously, she spread her legs a little wider in silent invitation. That was all it took and Michael grabbed hold of her slender hips and thrust back inside her still pulsing core.
"Fuck!" he hissed, pulling out of her completely before plunging back in. Lauren moaned in response, slamming her hips back against him each time he withdrew from her body. It felt so good to be taken by him like this, to know that he was completely lost in the throes of passion because of her. His body was bent over hers and with each thrust he grunted softly in her ear, the sound of his pleasure was driving her crazy. She was shocked to realize that she was close to cumming again and Michael must have sensed it too because he reached between her legs and began rubbing her clit insistently.
"Cum for me again, baby." he whispered in her ear, his hot breath assaulting her skin and that was all it took to send her careening into oblivion yet again. As she felt her inner walls contracting around him, Michael groaned out her name as he buried himself inside her to the hilt and came in a series of quick spurts. He collapsed on top of her, both of them completely spent. They stayed that way for a few minutes, enjoying the feel of their sweat soaked bodies pressed up against each other as they tried to get their breathing back under control.
"Are you okay?" Michael asked eventually as he rolled off of her and onto the bed, pulling her up against him as they inched their way closer to the head of the bed.
"Oh, I'm way more than okay." she chuckled in response, snuggling closer to him and throwing her leg over both of his as she reached over and covered their bodies with a sheet to ward off the chill.
"I hope we didn't wake Kevin up." Michael grinned, running his hands through her damp hair as he gazed down at her lovingly.
"Hell, I hope we didn't wake my neighbors up!" Lauren teased, leaning forward to press her lips against his chest. "That was amazing, Michael."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, cuz I'm only getting started." he promised her suggestively and Lauren's eyes widened as she felt him harden against her.
"Michael Baldwin, you are positively insatiable." Lauren chided him playfully, already moving to straddle his lap.
"You better believe it," he declared, reaching up to cup her face in his hands. "We've got two days left together and I plan on spending every waking hour coming up with new ways to make you scream my name."
And, true to his word, Michael did just that.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Two Days Later…
"No! I don't wanna go!" Kevin pleaded, stomping his feet defiantly as Michael tried to move passed him in order to open the door and let his father in.
"Kevin, stop it. We talked about this." Michael chided his younger brother, but the truth of the matter was he didn't want to leave any more than his little brother did. But at 19 years old, throwing a temper tantrum didn't seem like the most appropriate reaction.
"Can't we stay just a little while longer?" Kevin argued, looking up at Michael with tears in his eyes. "Please?"
"Hey, now come on." Lauren interjected, walking over to where they stood and bending down until she was at eye level with the little boy. "It's not like this is forever, I'll come down and visit you in New Orleans in a few weeks and you and your brother are welcome here anytime."
"Yeah, but it won't be the same." Kevin pouted, his lower lip protruding petulantly.
"No, it'll be even cooler because now you get to live in that big mansion." Lauren reminded him. "And when I come and visit in a few weeks, we'll go back to that ice cream parlor and try their one hundredth flavor, okay?"
"Promise?" Kevin asked, sounding unconvinced.
"Cross my heart." Lauren vowed, smiling at him warmly as she picked the little boy up in her arms and held him close. The doorbell rang again and Michael took a deep breath before unlocking the door and stepping aside to permit his father to enter.
"Well, hello boys." Lowell greeted Michael and Kevin in his southern drawl before bowing his head in Lauren's direction. "Miss. Fenmore."
"Hi, Mr. Baldwin." Lauren replied, offering him a warm smile even as her arms tightened around Kevin protectively.
"I spoke with your father and he informed me of the situation with Tom Fisher." Lowell declared, shaking his head in disgust when he noticed her black eye and split lower lip. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that."
"I'm fine," Lauren assured him dismissively. "I'm just glad it's all over."
"We all are." Lowell agreed, glancing between Michael and Kevin apprehensively. "I hate to have to cut things short, but the jet is already gassed up and ready to go. Are you boys all packed up?"
"Yeah," Michael answered, bending to lift his and Kevin's suitcases off the ground. "This is everything."
"Here, let me get those." Lowell offered, taking the two heaviest bags from him and heading towards the door. "Hey, Kevin. You want to give me a hand with these?" The little boy bit his lower lip and shook his head vehemently, his arms still clasped firmly around Lauren's neck. "Are you sure?" Lowell continued, trying to win the boy over. "I'm a really good tipper."
"How good?" Kevin asked, obviously intrigued.
"Hmmm, how does five dollars sound?" Lowell offered.
"Make it ten." the little boy demanded.
"Kevin!" Michael exclaimed, glaring at his brother disapprovingly.
"You drive a hard bargain, kid." Lowell chuckled, obviously impressed by Kevin's haggling skills. "Ten dollars it is."
"Cool!" he gasped in excitement. Kevin turned his attention back towards Lauren and hugged her tightly. "I love you, Laur. See you soon, okay?"
"Okay." Lauren grinned, allowing him to slide down her body and watching in amusement has he grabbed the last remaining suitcase and followed Lowell out the door.
"Dumped for a ten dollar tip," Lauren sighed dramatically, trying to appear wounded. "I think I'm insulted."
"Well, if it's any consolation, Lowell could offer me his entire life's fortune and it still wouldn't make leaving you any less difficult."
"You're not leaving me, remember?" Lauren said pleadingly, blinking away tears she was trying desperately not to shed. "This is just temporary."
"It doesn't feel temporary." he muttered under his breath, reaching out to take her hand in his. "These past few days have been incredible." he declared and she nodded in agreement. "Making love all night and waking up in your arms…" his voice trailed off and he saw a blush creep across Lauren's cheeks. He grinned at her mischievously, deciding to change the subject. "Baking chocolate chip cookies at three o'clock in the morning and watching WKRP in Cincinnati marathons."
"Your obsession with that show unnerves me." Lauren teased, smiling through her tears.
"'As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!'" Michael quoted a line from one of the episodes that they had both found particularly funny and Lauren burst into a fit of giggles at the memory. Her laugh was infectious and Michael found himself chuckling right along with her.
"I'm gonna miss you so goddamn much." he declared sincerely once they had found their composure.
"I'm gonna miss you too." she replied, lacing her fingers through his.
"When will you come down to visit?" he asked for the umpteenth time, already knowing the answer but needing to hear her say the words again to reassure himself that he would be seeing her again and soon.
"As soon as my father's condition improves enough for him to be left on his own." she promised, smiling at him reassuringly.
"Okay." Michael nodded, trying to assure himself that he could handle being away from her for a few weeks. Afterall, it would just make their eventual reunion that much better.
A car horn honked from the driveway and they looked at each other despairingly.
"I should probably get going." Michael declared, motioning towards the open door.
"Yeah." Lauren agreed, walking him out.
"I'll call you as soon as we get settled in" he assured her, his hand still clasped tightly in hers as they stood in the doorway, gazing at each other through watery eyes.
"Okay." she nodded, her voice hoarse with unshed tears.
"I hate leaving you on your own like this." Michael declared worriedly.
"I'll be fine," she whispered, offering him a reassuring smile. "Lucretia's coming by later on, and daddy's flying home tomorrow night." she explained, her smile faltering slightly. "I'll be fine." Michael let go of her hand to reach out and wipe away her tears with the pad of his thumb. The gesture caused her bottom lip to start trembling as the flood gates opened and sobs wracked through her body uncontrollably. He gathered her up in his arms and held her close.
"Shhh, baby. It's gonna be alright." Michael cooed softly in her ear, running his hands up and down her back in an effort to comfort her as well as himself. "This isn't goodbye, remember? It's just temporary."
"Just temporary." she agreed, pulling away slightly to look at him. He cupped her face in his hands and bent forward to capture her mouth with his, kissing her with all the desperation of a man dying of thirst. Her lips parted beneath his eagerly and he slipped his tongue inside her mouth, desperately trying to memorize her taste and feel of her.
"I love you." he whispered fiercely when they parted. "So much."
"I love you too." she replied, standing on the tips of her toes to nuzzle her nose against his. The car horn honked again and they pulled apart reluctantly.
"I gotta go." Michael declared unnecessarily, already starting to walk away from her.
"Alright." she agreed, letting him go. "Call me!"
"I will!" he promised, walking backwards towards the driveway, not wanting to take his eyes off her until it was absolutely necessary.
"And good luck on your interview!" she called out once he reached the car door and held it open. He offered her a lopsided grin as he waved goodbye.
"See you soon!" he yelled, reluctantly getting into the car and closing the door behind him. Lauren stood in the doorway and watched as the black limousine backed out of the driveway and drove off down the street.
"Soon." she whispered resolutely, walking back inside the house and closing the door behind her.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
One month later…
"Now, you're absolutely certain that you feel up to this?" Lauren asked her father for the umpteenth time that morning. After more than four weeks of recovery and physical therapy, the doctor had given Neil the green light to resume some of his normal daily activities. He was even permitted to return to work, as long as he promised not to overdue it. Lauren had made him promise to work from home while she was out of town though and he had reluctantly agreed.
"Yes, I'm feeling fine. Better than fine actually." Neil assured her once more, placing his hand on the small of her back and ushering her towards the front door. "Now hurry up and get going or you'll miss your flight."
"If I didn't know any better, I would think you were trying to get rid of me." Lauren said suspiciously, knowing that her father was probably just as anxious for her to leave as she was. Neil had always been an extremely independent man and while he appreciated his daughter's help immensely, she knew he hated having anyone wait on him hand and foot. So her trip to New Orleans would be the first step to him regaining some of his independence.
"What on earth would give you that impression?" Neil said teasingly, unlocking the front door and flinging it open. They were both startled to find the mailman standing on the front stoop, poised to drop a stack of mail into the box.
"Good morning, Mr. Fenmore." The older man said in way of greeting. "You're looking well."
"Thank you, Robert." Neil replied pleasantly, flexing his muscles in exaggeration. "I feel like I could take on the world."
"Yeah, I don't think so." Lauren interrupted, glaring at her father in disapproval. "Robert, do me a favor and keep an eye on him for me while I'm gone?"
"Will do, Miss Fenmore." the mailman chuckled before reaching out to hand over the large stack of mail he still held in his hand. "While I'm here, I might as well hand deliver these to you."
"More bills I presume?" Neil said distractedly, already shifting through the stack of envelopes.
"Don't shoot the messenger." Robert joked, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Take care, and have a safe trip, Miss Fenmore."
"Thanks." Lauren replied cheerfully before turning her attention back towards her father. "Okay, so the number for the Baldwin estate is on the fridge. If anything happens, anything at all, you call me, okay?"
"Okay." He agreed distractedly, his attention focused on a large white envelope he held in his hand. "Princess, hang on a sec. There's something here addressed to you."
"Who's it from?" Lauren asked curiously.
"The office of admissions at New York University." Neil replied, handing her the envelope. "I didn't know you applied to NYU?"
"I did it as a joke." Lauren shrugged nonchalantly. "No way would someone with my grades get accepted into NYU."
"Well, it seems awfully thick for a rejection letter." Neil surmised, watching as she glanced at the envelope nervously. "Aren't you going to open it?"
"I guess." she replied, taking a deep breath as she slowly began tearing open the top of the envelope. She stopped half way. "Maybe I should wait until I get back?"
"Just get it over with now, otherwise you'll be worrying about it all week." Neil warned her knowingly and she knew he was right. Tearing off the rest of the envelope, Lauren reached inside and pulled out the first document she got her hands on. She read through the letter, eyes growing wide with shock and disbelief as she re-read the first paragraph to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
"Well, what does it say?" Neil asked impatiently.
"I…I can't believe this." Lauren stuttered, handing her father the letter. "I got accepted. I actually got accepted."
"Honey, that's incredible!" Neil exclaimed, reading over the letter himself. "I am so proud of you. It says here that they were really impressed with some of the designs in your portfolio."
"I can't even remember which ones I submitted." Lauren admitted, still a little dazed by the news.
"I'm sure they were amazing." Neil assured her distractedly, turning the page over and reading what was printed on the back. "Oh."
"What?" Lauren asked worriedly, reaching out to take the letter back.
"Apparently you have until August 5th to get to New York and register for classes and residency." Neil explained to her regretfully.
"August 5th?!" Lauren exclaimed in disbelief, reading over the page to see the bad news for herself. "But that's….that's next week."
"Yeah." Neil sighed, offering her a sad smile.
"Well then, I can't go." Lauren declared resolutely, stuffing the letter back inside the envelope.
"Lauren…"
"I'm not canceling this trip, daddy." she argued, shaking her head defiantly.
"Sweetheart, this is an amazing opportunity for you." Neil reminded her pleadingly. "NYU has one of the most reputable fashion and design programs in the country."
"But it's a four year program." Lauren informed him, shaking her head in despair. "I can't…I can't be away from him for four years."
"Honey, trust me. The time will fly by, I promise." Neil assured her, placing his hand on her shoulder for support.
"I wish I could believe that." she muttered, knowing that it wasn't true. She had barely made it through the past month without him. Four years apart would be positively unbearable.
"Call Michael and tell him the good news." Neil insisted, motioning towards the phone in the living room. "If he loves you as much as I think he does, he'll understand."
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"NYU?" Michael said in astonishment once she had filled him in on her news. "Wow, I…I had no idea you were thinking of going there."
"I'm not…I mean, I wasn't. Planning on going that is." Lauren sighed into the phone's receiver, hating how strained and awkward their conversation had become. They were both beating around the bush, trying to ignore the giant elephant that stood between them. "I don't know why I applied, I never thought I'd actually get accepted."
"You're an extremely talented designer, Lauren." Michael reminded her, pride evident in his voice. "I would have been shocked if they hadn't accepted you."
"I just," she sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose in frustration. "I never thought…"
"This is an amazing opportunity for you." Michael declared, interrupting her strangled explanation.
"I know." she acknowledged.
"You'll be in your element living in New York," he mused and she could almost picture the wistful smile on his face. "All those fashion shows and trendy little cafes. Plus, think of all the shopping!"
"They have stores in New Orleans too." she said defiantly, effectively putting an end to his lousy attempt at humor.
"Lauren…"
"How can you be so nonchalant about this?" she accused, feeling her eyes well up with tears as her throat closed with emotion. "Four years, Michael. I'm going to be in New York for four years while you're miles away and all you can talk about is how much fun I'm going to have shopping?"
"I'm just trying to get you to look at the bigger picture." Michael said pleadingly. "You've just been accepted into a school that most kids dream about going to but never will. You get to move to an exciting new city where you'll make new friends and new memories." his voice trailed off and Lauren could swear she heard him sniffle. "This should be the most exciting time of your life and I don't want you to miss out on all of that because of me."
"I hate this." Lauren whined, plopping herself down on the couch and using the sleeve of her shirt to wipe away the tears that were now streaming down her face. "I want to be with you."
"I know. I want to be with you too, but maybe…" Michael paused, his voice growing hoarse with emotion. "Maybe this is for the best."
"How can you say that?" Lauren said accusingly, biting her bottom lip to keep it from trembling.
"My workload is going to be insane over the next few years." he explained regretfully but Lauren could hear the note of excitement in his voice and knew he was up to the challenge. "I doubt I'm going to have much in the way of free time."
"I guess you're right." Lauren sighed in resignation, realizing how selfish she was being. She knew how much being a lawyer meant to him and how anxious he was to go to law school. She was acting like her old self again. Making everything about her wants and her needs. She didn't want to be that person anymore. Michael had changed her and now the least she could do was repay the favor. If she made this about him, she could do it. If she convinced herself that she was going to New York so that he could realize his dreams, maybe then should could find the strength to walk away.
"When do you have to be in New York?" Michael asked suddenly, breaking the awkward silence that had settled over them.
"Next week at the latest," she replied, trying to mimic his nonchalance. "But I'll probably leave tomorrow."
"Yeah. You'll want to get there early to register for classes and stuff." Michael agreed.
"Right." Lauren replied simply because she couldn't think of anything else to say. Although, that wasn't entirely true. She could think of a million other things that she wanted to say, almost all of which involved her begging him not to let her go. But he had made up his mind and Lauren was determined to respect his wishes, even if it killed her. "When do you start school again?"
"In two weeks." Michael reminded her.
"I don't know if I'll be able to make it down there before then." she said regretfully, trying to come up with a plan to sneak away for a weekend to be with him before school started and their lives were torn apart.
"Don't worry about it, I know you've got a lot to do. Plus, I'm already swamped with prep work so it's probably best if you postpone your visit." Michael reasoned, the casual tone of his voice made Lauren's heartache. How could he be so calm and rational about this when she was dying inside?
"Yeah," she whispered hoarsely, trying to keep her voice level so that he wouldn't be able to tell the she was on the verge of bawling her eyes out. "You're right. It's probably for the best."
"I should probably get going, we don't want to run up your father's phone bill." Michael said teasingly, but it sounded forced. "I'm really happy for you, Lauren."
"Thanks." she responded, still trying not to cry.
"Be sure and give me your new phone number and address when you get settled in at your dorm." he instructed her, his words sounding rehearsed and insincere. "Maybe we can get together at Thanksgiving or something?"
"Yeah, that could work." she lied. It wouldn't work. She would spend the holidays with her family and he with his. There was no telling when they'd see each other again. If they'd see each other again.
"Michael?" she whispered, her voice catching on a sob.
"Yeah?" he replied.
"I…" I love you. I need you. Please don't leave me. Please! "Nevermind."
"I'll see you soon, okay?" Michael assured her, honoring their vow to never say goodbye.
"Soon." Lauren replied, knowing in her heart that it wouldn't be soon enough.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Three months later…
"Come on, Lauren. Quit being a hermit and come out with us for a change." The annoyingly perky voice of her blonde roommate interrupted Lauren's thoughts as she sat on her bed, surrounded by lecture notes and textbooks.
"I told you, I've got a lot of reading to catch up on." Lauren replied, not even bothering to look up from the page she had been reading.
"Bullshit." The blonde argued, pushing some papers out of the way and sitting down beside Lauren on the twin sized bed. "All you ever do is study, you can afford to cut loose for one night."
"Brooke…" Lauren sighed in frustration.
"Please come out tonight?" she begged, grabbing hold of Lauren's hand and squeezing. "Please? For me?"
"Why are you so desperate to get me to go out with you?" Lauren asked, removing her reading glasses and glaring at her roommate suspiciously.
"Why do you always assume that I have some ulterior motive?" Brooke said, feigning innocence. Lauren raised her eyebrow accusingly in response. "Okay, fine. There's this guy…"
"No." Lauren cut her off, shaking her head defiantly.
"Come on, Lauren." Brooke whined pleadingly. "I promise, you'll love him. He's perfect for you!"
"I told you, I already have a boyfriend." Lauren reminded her, though the word sounded foreign and inaccurate, even to her.
"Right." the blonde replied, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "The same 'boyfriend' who hasn't called or written you once since you've been here?"
"He's busy with school." Lauren said defensively, trying not to show how much Michael's lack of communication upset her. She had mailed him her new phone number and address like he had asked, then spent two weeks staring at the phone, willing it to ring. But he never called. It had been over two months since they'd last spoke and Lauren was beginning to wonder if she'd ever hear from him again.
"Too busy to pick up a phone every once in a while?" Brooke said knowingly, offering Lauren a sad smile. "I know it's hard, but long distance relationships never work out. Chances are, he's probably already moved on to someone else and I think it's about time you do too."
"Maybe you're right." Lauren whispered after a few moments of tense silence as she contemplated the other girl's words.
"Of course I'm right." Brooke said confidently. "I may not be at the head of my class, but I do know a thing or two when it comes to boys and relationships."
"That's an understatement." Lauren teased, ducking when her roomie moved to swat her over the head with a pillow. "So, tell me more about this guy."
"Well, his name is Scott and he is ridiculously gorgeous. Plus, he's in his second year of med school." Brooke exclaimed, practically salivating as she described the young man's attributes. "You two are totally gonna hit it off, I just know it!"
Lauren seriously doubted that, but she owed it to herself to at least get out of her dorm room for one night of fun. She couldn't very well sit around pining away for Michael the rest of her life. He seemed to forget about her easily enough.
Maybe it was time to finally say goodbye.
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