A/N: Here it is ladies and gents: chapter 21. We'll see a little bit of interaction between Michael and the rest of the gang, but we'll see more of that in chapter 22!

Ch. 21: Facing the Music

Sara looked on at her not-so-dead husband and son and felt happier than she had been in a long time. She could not imagine life getting more perfect than it was in this moment. She had Michael back, she had her son, and her boys were finally together. She could only imagine that bond that would grow between the two boys she loved more than anything or anyone in this world. Mikey was already so much like Michael, and Sara personally couldn't wait to see how much Michael's presence would shape Mikey's personality even more.

However, Sara's happiness wavered, just for a moment, when she remembered the guy she had invited to her home for Thanksgiving dinner. She had to tell John that they were never going to be anything. She knew deep down that even if Michael hadn't come back today, that she and John would never be anything more than friends. She felt bad for the guy because she knew that he was really falling for her. Sara hoped she could find some way to let him down easy. The last thing she needed was an awkward situation to have to deal with at work because John couldn't stand to be in the same room as her. She looked over at the clock on the all of Mikey's nursery and saw that it was nearing 5:30.

She walked over to where Michael was standing, taking part in what was most likely a nonsensical conversation led by Mikey, and hugged him from behind. Michael leaned into her embrace and closed his eyes, sighing contently. He was happy. He felt at home in her arms. He never wanted to leave.

"I hate to break up this beautiful father-son bonding moment, but it's almost 5:30 and dinner will be ready soon. Sophia would kill us if we let all the food she slaved over all day go to waste. So like it or not, it's time to leave our safe haven—our happy little bubble. It's time to face the cavalry that is our family," Sara said half-joking, half-serious. She was happy that Michael would be able to reunite with his brother, his former cellmate and one of his best friends, and his nephew, but she was also not ready to share him yet. In all seriousness, she wanted to kidnap Michael for a few weeks and hide him away all for herself. She had so much time to make up for. But she knew that that would be selfish of her. She knew that everyone had missed him just as much as she had, and she was grateful to her extended family for giving her this hour with her husband, rather than running upstairs as soon as they heard he was home. Yes, she was very grateful that they had given them some alone time together before they were forced to face the music.

"I suppose you're right. We should probably head downstairs. We've all got a lot of catching up to do," Michael conceded, turning to face her.

Sara paused, she knew she needed to warn him about John, but didn't want to him to read too much into it. There was nothing going on between John and Sara, and there never would be.

"What's wrong?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes.

She smiled. She loved that he always knew when something was bothering her, but she also hated that she never could hide anything from him.

"There's something you should know before we go downstairs," Sara admitted, looking down at the floor.

Michael's brow furrowed and he put his finger under her chin, pulling her eyes to meet his.

"Tell me."

"Okay long story short, I have a friend from work that I invited here for Thanksgiving dinner. There's a good chance he likes me, and we were supposed to go out on a kind of date last night but couldn't because I couldn't find a sitter, but I was kind of relieved when I found out I had to cancel the date because I wasn't sure about it from the start, but then I felt bad for him because he looked so bummed, so I invited him to dinner today, and he got so excited, and then I immediately regretted it because I realized that I wasn't ready to move on from you and that I was just leading him on, but by the time I realized this, it was too late and it's not like I could uninvited him, and then he noticed that I wasn't wearing my ring since it was around my neck because I was cooking and he asked me about and probably got the wrong idea, but then Lincoln swooped in and saved me from having to talk to him, so now I don't know what John is feeling, but I know what I'm feeling. I know what I am feeling, and I know what my heart is saying. I know that my heart only wants you," Sara rambled on. "And I know this looks bad and that it may seem like I wanted to move on from you and that I didn't want to wait for you, but that's not true because it was a moment of weakness. My heart wants you and only you, so I hope that-"

Michael silenced Sara's endless rambling by placing a kiss to her lips. He kissed her, and she knew in that moment that everything was going to be okay. She knew that he knew that there was nothing going on between her and John. She knew that he knew that he loved her. She knew that they were going to be together until the end of time.

Michael broke the kiss and traced her jaw with his finger. He reached around her neck and unhooked the clasp of her necklace. He slid her wedding ring off the chain before re-clasping the necklace back around her neck. He then put out his hand, asking for hers.

"May I?" he asked cordially.

Sara responded by placing her left hand in his. Michael slowly slid the ring back onto her finger and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

"There," he said satisfied. "Now it's back where it belongs."

"And it will be forever," Sara added.

"We should head downstairs," Michael said after a beat.

"Yeah, you're right. I have a colleague I need to let down easy," Sara said uneasily.

"I can go if you think that would make it easier. I could call Mahone and I'd be out of your hair within ten minutes. I'll go if you think it'll be easier to tell him," Michael suggested.

"No!" Sara responded quickly shaking her head. "I can do this if you're with me. Just please don't leave me. Don't ever leave me again."

Sara didn't realize it at first, but she was shaking. Michael wrapped his arms around her, and she relaxed into his embrace.

He placed a kiss on her head before adding, "I'm not going anywhere. Nothing and no one will drag me away from you and Mikey. They'd sooner have to kill me," he joked, but as Sara tensed he quickly added, "Sorry. Too soon."

"I love you," Sara said, expressing ever real and raw emotion that she felt. "Thank you for coming back to me," she said voice breaking.

"Oh Sara," Michael started. "I love you too. So much."

Sara wiped the tears from her cheeks and then held her hand out to Michael. Michael shifted Mikey over to his left arm so he could hold Sara's hand with his right and prepared to head downstairs. It was time to leave their safe cocoon. It was time to face the music.

"Let's do this," he told her.

Hand in hand, Michael and Sara headed down the stairs to the kitchen where the rest of their extended family (and John) were awaiting their arrival.

Meanwhile, after sending Michael upstairs to reunite with his wife and son Lincoln walked back into the kitchen with the biggest smile on his face. He couldn't believe his brother was home. Hell, he couldn't believe his brother was alive. He had so much to be thankful for on this day.

Lincoln walked back into the kitchen and kissed Sophia on the cheek.

"Who was at the door? Where's LJ?" she asked puzzled.

Lincoln paused for a moment. He didn't know what to do. On one hand, he was ecstatic that his brother was home and wanted to share the news with his entire family, but on the other hand he knew that if he told Sucre that Michael was upstairs, there would be nothing stopping him from running upstairs and seeing his friend. So Lincoln kept this information to himself, just for now; just until Sara and Michael had a chance to talk. Plus, he didn't know how to break the news to John. Not that he really cared because for Lincoln personally, the guy gave him the creeps. He was nowhere near what Sara deserved.

"No one," Lincoln said. "Must've just been some kid playing a prank."

Sophia smiled and then returned to the salad that she was making. The doorbell rang again.

"Now that has to be LJ!" Lincoln exclaimed walking to the door.

When Lincoln opened the door, he was surprised to see none other than Alexander Mahone, his girlfriend, and his ex-wife standing before him. And then he became even more confused when he saw Gretchen Morgan standing at his sister's doorstep.

"Hi Mahone, uh, what are you guys doing here, and by you guys I mainly am referring to a) the fact that you are with your girlfriend and your ex-wife and b) why there is a psycho bitch standing in front of me?" Lincoln asked.

"Well hey Lincoln. It's good to see you too," Gretchen added sarcastically.

"Did you expect me to welcome you back with open arms? Last time I saw you, you were screwing us over. So forgive me if this isn't the happy reunion you expected."

"Whatever, that doesn't matter. Have you seen your brother yet?" Gretchen asked, annoyed with Lincoln's negative attitude and obvious distaste for her. If only he knew how much she had done—how much she had sacrificed—to her free his brother.

"Yes," Lincoln said. "Wait. How do you know that?"

"I'll let him explain that one to you," Gretchen said, feigning innocence. She stepped past him into Sara's house. "Thanks for the invite to turkey day Linc. Wouldn't want to spend the holidays with anyone else," she said and reached to pat him on the shoulder. Lincoln caught her wrist and pulled her close to him.

"This is my sister's house, remember her? The one you tortured and pretended to kill? When she comes down from her son's room and wants you to leave, you are out. No ifs, ands, or buts. Got it?" Lincoln threatened.

"Aye, aye, Capitan," Gretchen said, saluting to add extra sarcasm to the situation.

Lincoln rolled his eyes. This was going to be a long day.

Just as Lincoln was about to close the door, he saw a black jeep pull up.

"LJ," he whispered to himself.

Moments later, he saw his son get out of his jeep and walk up the patio to Sara's house. Lincoln greeted his son with open arms.

"It's good to see you bud."

"You too, Dad. I've missed you."

Lincoln was overcome with emotion. Not only was his son home for the first time in months, but his brother had astonishingly come back to life. He couldn't contain his excitement anymore. He had to tell someone.

"Uncle Mike is here," Lincoln blurted out without thinking.

"I'm sorry what did you say?" LJ asked in disbelief.

"I don't know how or when or why, but he showed up on our doorstep about an hour ago."

"What? Is he inside? Can I see him?" LJ asked, excited to see his uncle for the first time in almost two years.

"Yes, he's inside. But I haven't told anybody yet because he is upstairs in Mikey's room with Sara. They have a lot of catching up to do, but he promised he would explain everything."

"Well, who's inside? Who was invited to Thanksgiving dinner?" LJ asked.

"Sucre, Maricruz, and Lila, Sophia, Mike, Sara, and Mikey-"

"MJ," LJ corrected.

"Whatever, you dork. And also Mahone, Felicia, Pam, and surprisingly enough, Gretchen Morgan. Oh, and John."

"Who? And what the hell? Gretchen Morgan? You do realize she is the same psychotic bitch you tortured Sara and me for weeks and faked Sara's death, right?" LJ asked, surprised by the choice of Company by his father and "aunt."

"Well John is a guy that Sara works with. He has a major crush on her and thought she invited him here as some sort of grand, romantic gesture, but actually she just felt bad for him for cancelling their date. And don't ask about the Gretchen thing. Mahone said it would all make sense later."

"Wait so Sara has a boyfriend, and Uncle Mike is home?"

"No. Sara doesn't like John. No one but Sara, you, me, and I guess Mikey know that Michael is back. And that's where things are going to get interesting."

"You know, most people come home from college to relax and take a break from the hectic life of a college student, but no. Not me. I come home to my not-so-dead uncle and his wife who brought another man to Thanksgiving dinner. Also in attendance is the family of my uncle's ex-cell mate, the former FBI agent who tried to kill my dad, uncle, and me many times who just so happened to bring his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend to the party, and the psycho who captured and tortured me. Just a normal family holiday, right? We're all going to sit around, eat food, and watch football, right?" LJ asked sarcastically.

"Well, LJ, if we can make it through the first course without any death threats, I think that is as normal as we're going to get. It's good to have you home, man."

"It's good to be home, Dad," LJ said, throwing his arm around his dad's shoulder.

From the stairwell, Michael and Sara could hear the sound of their family laughing and carrying on.

"Are you sure you're ready to do this? To face all of those people?" Sara asked worried about Michael. He had been locked away without any contact form the outside world for almost two years. She was truly worried about his psychological state.

Michael grabbed Sara's hand and kissed Mikey's forehead.

"As long as I have you two by my side, I can do anything."

Sara tilted her head up to kiss Michael.

"I love you," she said.

"I am never going to get tired of hearing that," Michael said.

"And I am never going to get tired of saying it."

"Alright. Let's do this," Michael said. And with that, they headed down the stairs and into the kitchen. Michael walked into the kitchen with Sara and all the commotion and noise stopped. Sucre dropped the forks he was getting out for dinner, Sophia dropped the spoon she was stirring the gravy with, Maricruz stood from where she was standing with Lila, and Mahone, Lincoln, LJ, Gretchen, Pam, and Felicia all stood in the background enjoying the scene in front of them. It was finally time for this family to be reunited.

For a while, they all just stood and stared in silence. No one really knew what to do or say. John was beyond confused. He had no idea who this man was and why he had seemed to captivate the entire room. He also didn't know why he was holding Sara's son and why everyone looked either happy or white as a sheet. He couldn't help but fell bitter with the fact that this strange man was holding Sara's son when he himself wasn't allowed in his nursery. It didn't make sense why a stranger could hold her son, but John couldn't.

John decided to break the uncomfortable silence.

"Hey," John said walking over to Michael with an outstretched hand. "I'm John, Sara's date. Nice to meet you."

Michael shifted Mikey to his left arm and shook John's hand with his right.

"Hey John. I'm Michael, Sara's husband."

A/N: Dun, dun dun! *cue dramatic music* Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Reviews seem to be lessening, so leave me your thoughts on the chapter if you can! I love reading your reviews. They make me excited. I'll hopefully see you soon. XOXO