Friday

Michael stood beside the bed watching her sleep. He was dressed for work with his jacket slung over one arm. Because Sara had to work Saturday, she had today off. She looked so peaceful he almost hated to wake her. Squatting down he reached out with his hand to brush back the tendrils of hair covering her face from his view. Fingers lingering on her face, he took a moment to take in the beauty that was Sara. Her silky red curls that he loved to run his fingers through. Her lips, able to do wonderfully amazing things to his body. Michael smiled and he continued to caress her cheek.

Closing the gap between them, he leaned in to brush his lips against hers. When she didn't stir, he leaned in again putting a little more pressure behind the kiss. This time she responded. Her eyes fluttered open and her lips curved up into a sleepy smile. "Good morning," she whispered. Michael just smiled in return.

Sara took in his fully dressed state and met his beautiful blue eyes. "Time to go already?"

The question was rhetorical, he knew, so instead he said, "I got up early this morning and found some more wedding things you may want to look at. I printed them up for you and laid them on the table."

Michael's hand had not stopped caressing her face and it was beginning to get her attention, which was not good. She knew he needed to get to work. So instead she brought her hand up to cover his with her own. Bringing his hand to her lips she placed a kiss on his open palm and saw the light flicker in his eyes. Sighing she released his hand and propped herself up on one elbow. "I'll take a look at it before I leave for lunch."

Rocking back on his heals, Michael stood. "Are you still having lunch with Katie today?'

"Yes. We're meeting on her lunch break. I can't believe it's been almost a month since we last saw each other. Things have been a bit crazy I guess." She saw Michael glance down at his watch and knew it was time for him to go. Throwing back the sheet she sat up. "I'll walk you to the door."

The site of Sara sliding her body out from under the sheet was almost his undoing. His desire for her was easily kindled and when she'd pressed her lips to his palm a few minutes before he'd had to fight the urge to fall down on top of her and crush his lips to hers. Now, however, all he could do was walk away.

Sara followed him into the living room and watched him slip his jacket over his shoulders. Grabbing the briefcase he now carried to and from work, he turned to face her. Reaching up, Sara wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'll see you when you get home. We have to be at John and Becky's at six thirty right?"

Michael swallowed. His hands were itching to touch her. "Yeah. I should be home around five thirty though."

Sara smiled and pressed her body more firmly against his. "Ok. I'll be ready." Pulling his head down her lips met his.

The moment he felt her lips, he gave in. Dropping his briefcase, his hands found her hips and pulled her against him. Michael let his mouth express everything his body wanted to say. When he finally pulled back, both were breathing heavily. "I need to go."

"I know," was all she said. Sara stepped back and he bent down to pick up his fallen briefcase. And with one final heat filled look he left.

~

Michael's morning went quickly. He was knee deep in a project that was just about to go to construction and needed some last minute structural adjustments when his phone rang. Figuring it must be Sara he picked it up without a second thought. "Brigg's Associates."

"Michael?"

The voice on the other end was clearly not Sara's. "Frank?"

He heard an audible sigh, "Oh good. I'm glad I caught you before you left for lunch Michael."

It was clear his lawyer was excited about something, "What's going on?"

"A currier just came by and dropped off some papers from your wife's lawyers."

Frank paused after sharing this bit of information and Michael cringed. Hearing Nika being referred to as his wife didn't sit well with him anymore. Before he could respond however Frank continued, "She signed them."

This got Michael's attention. "What?"

"She signed the papers. I just sent the documents off to the clerk's office to get a court date scheduled. I told you you'd be a free man by the end of the year."

All thoughts of what he'd been doing before the call vanished. It was really happening. His divorce would be final and he'd be free to marry Sara. Frank's voice called him out of his revelry again, "I know your at work so I'll let you get back. I just knew you would want to know right away. Will get this done for you Michael. I should know the court date by the end of next week. I'll call you as soon as I know something."

Michael finally found his voice, "Thanks Frank." His first thought after hanging up was to call Sara, but after looking at the clock he realized she'd already be on her way to lunch. So instead he pick up the paperwork he'd been working on before Frank's call and tried to find a way to concentrate on the last thing his mind wanted to focus on.

~

Sara had already placed their order by the time Katie walked through the door and plopped herself down in the chair across from her. "Busy day?"

Throwing her purse down on the table she sighed, "Don't you know it. Did you already order?"

"Yea, the food is on its way. I figured you might be pressed for time."

"Well some things NEVER change," Katie laughed. "So enough about work. Tell me, what's been going on with you?"

Sara placed her napkin in her lap, "Working mostly. Well and trying to get things moving on the wedding." With this comment she watched her friend closely. Even though Katie had called a truce where Michael was concerned, she wasn't sure if bring up the wedding was a good idea. What if she'd changed her mind? But Katie surprised her.

"So how are the wedding plans coming?"

Just then their food arrived and Sara waited until the waiter left before continuing. "Things are going well so far. We found the perfect bed and breakfast outside of Chicago that we're looking at for the ceremony. I've been looking at dresses but haven't found anything I like yet."

Katie could hear the excitement in her friend's voice and she was glad. All she'd ever wanted for Sara was for her to be happy. She just hadn't thought Michael Schofield was going to fit that bill. But she was willing to concede that apparently she'd been wrong about that. She'd never seen her friend happier. "I'm glad things are going well. Have you set a date yet?"

With this Sara sobered a little. "No. We're still waiting for Michael's divorce to go through." Pausing for a moment to rearrange the food on her plate, "She's fighting him on it."

"Oh. I'm sorry Sara."

Squaring her shoulders, she took a deep breath. She wasn't going to allow thoughts of that woman who held so much of their future in her hands to dampen her mood. "Michael's lawyer is optimistic though. Says everything should be done by the end of the year so were hopeful," she concluded as she took another bite.
"Well that's good news." Wanting to steer her friend back to the happier topic they'd been discussing, "Is there anything I can do to help? With the wedding I mean."

It took a moment for Katie's offer to fully set in. "Do you really want to? I mean I know how you feel about Michael."

Katie waived the comment away. "That's all in the past Sara. You're obviously happy and I'm happy for you." Pushing her plate aside she gave Sara her full attention. "So now tell me how I can help."