Chapter 8

31st August, Wednesday

Michael was anxiously tapping on the steering wheel as he was driving to the airport to pick up Nikita. The day had finally come. Michael was dreading it but at the same time, he had been looking forward to it. First, because he had been missing Nikita so much, and second because this meant he wasn't going to pretend anymore that everything was fine. He hated hiding things from her. Thankfully that was going to end today.

Nikita was due to arrive at around 3 pm so they would get home at around 5 pm. Michael had prepared everything for their date night. He had cooked and decorated the backyard all nicely to surprise her. He planned to have a nice dinner catching up and then when they retired to the living room later in the evening he would tell her about Brian Miller and the Carters.

It was a solid plan in his opinion. He ran it by his best friend and Birkhoff approved it. Now it was only left for Michael to execute it.

The previous day Michael spent 14 hours at the office, trying hard not to think about anything besides work. Brian Miller had sent him 10 emails asking him for updates or the email just contained articles about people who had found their parents later on in life. Michael was fed up after the 4th one and that was a record. After that, he sent all of the emails to his spam folder. He wasn't going to waste his energy on that. There were much better things to focus on.

As he was driving down to the airport he only tried to think about his reunion with Nikita. It had been a long week. He couldn't wait for things to be back to normal.

Michael parked the car, took a few big breaths and headed inside to wait for Nikita. They were going to have a good day and everything was going to turn out okay. Michael repeated it like a mantra in his mind. Hopefully, that was going to manifest into existence.

He didn't have to wait long. After a few texts between each other, their reunion was minutes away. A few moments later he spotted his love running towards him. "Hold on, you're gonna fall" He laughed as he caught her in his arms and picked her up. God, he had missed her terribly. They tightened their arms around each other barely leaving space to breathe. In those few seconds, all of Michael's piled-up stress from the past week disappeared. It was going to be okay. They were together now.

"I missed you so much" Nikita pulled away slightly to kiss him finally. It had been a torturous week "You are coming with me next time, I don't care" She chuckled as she pulled away. Michael beamed at her and kissed her back more passionately.

"I missed you too, baby" He buried his face in her neck and hoisted her up higher. Nikita giggled and laid kisses on his temple. The couple was in their own little world and didn't care about all the people passing them while staring.

"Got all your bags?"

"Yeah" Nikita mumbled as she stole another kiss from his lips. Michael couldn't help himself and kissed her too. They had to get going though. "Okay then. Let's get you home. There is someone else who is also really excited to see you"

"Aww" Archie was going to jump all over her the second he sensed her. Michael put down Nikita and got all her bags. "Missed my ever so chivalrous man" Nikita teased him. Michael rolled his eyes and took a hold of her hand to whisk her away home finally.

After getting her luggage in the trunk Nikita turned to Michael "I am driving"

"What? Why?" That was odd. Who would want to drive 2 hours after a flight. Certainly not his girl. She likes to stare out the window or sleep on a long drive.

"I missed driving myself. I am tired of being a passenger. One week was enough" Nikita joked and motioned for him to hand her the car keys. "Fine, but if you feel tired at any point we are switching" Michael knew there was no point in arguing. If Nikita was set on driving then there was nothing he could say or do to change her mind. However, he could still make sure she was alright.

Nikita rolled her eyes and took the keys. She was going to be fine. It was the middle of the day and her flight wasn't that long. The time difference wasn't even big for her to feel that tired.

Nikita and Michael got into the car and she started driving them home. Michael threw question after question at her. He was so excited to catch up with her in person and see her all happy and bubbly. The trip had been so fun and it had charged Nikita so much with positive emotions.

"So what are you up for tonight?" She asked, playing with his hand that was holding hers.

"What do you mean?" Michael was confused by her question. He thought their date night was tonight. He had planned for it.

"Did you forget?" Nikita smacked his arm playfully "I wanted a date tonight."

"Yeah, I know that. It's already taken care of"

"We'll be at home right?" After a whole week of going out and about Nikita wanted to spend some time home and relax.

"Yes, and I am not answering any more questions on that. All you need to know is that you are not allowed in the backyard until I say so and you can't open any blinds or curtains" Michael wanted to keep some element of surprise.

"Jesus, who knew a casual date at home could be such an operation" Nikita quipped and squeezed his hand. It was so sweet how he always took her wishes to the next level. He always managed to make her feel so special and loved by doing the simplest things.

"Since you asked so nicely I had to deliver" Michael teased while smirking. Nikita rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. She was excited to spend some quality time with her love.

Michael was surprised at how fast they got home. Those 2 hours flew by so quickly with jokes, teases and different conversations. It was so lovely to be able to breathe a little and not worry about anything.

Michael forgot all about Brian Miller and the Carters during the drive. It hit him like a truck though when he spotted a familiar car parked on their street.

Oh, fuck no. It was Allen's car. The young guy was sitting low on the driver's seat and was looking around. Michael started to panic. Allen was for sure waiting for them. Michael couldn't predict what for but he wouldn't risk it.

"Baby, I'm sorry can you turn around. I was meant to get gas on the way home but I completely forgot" Michael saw his tank running low so he quickly came up with an idea to stop Nikita from driving past Allen. They couldn't drive past Allen. He would see them and who knew what he was going to do.

"Can't we do it later? You still have some fuel" Nikita was confused by Michael's behaviour. All of the sudden he became super nervous and jumpy. There was no reason for them to get gas then.

"There is not a lot of traffic right now. I don't want to have to go out later now that you are home" Please, please turn around.

Nikita looked him up and down but didn't say anything else and turned the car around. She could tell something was on Michael's mind but seemed way too anxious for Nikita to push with questions.

"Thank you" That was close. Now, what the fuck do I do now?

The nearest gas station was 10 minutes away. Fortunately for Michael Nikita just played the radio and hummed along to the songs. That eased Michael and gave him some time to think. Allen was most likely there to report to Brian Miller when Nikita got home. Brina Miller knew she was coming home today.

There was another option that was way worse of course. What If Allen got out of his car and confronted them. What would Michael explain to Nikita then? Michael couldn't risk guessing. He had to make Allen go away somehow and he had 10 minutes to figure it out.

Nikita pulled up to the gas station and was about to get out when Michael stopped her. "Oh, come on now" Nikita smirked and shut her door. " Just testing you" Michael never let Nikita get gas whenever they were together. He was the one that always got out and pumped the gas.

Michael filled up the tank and went inside to pay. He kept thinking of ways to stop a confrontation with Allen. Brian Miller cared about his nephew. When Michael met with the private investigator for the first time that was a big problem between them. Michael could use that.

Michael had one issue though. He needed to buy himself some time. He looked around and saw a sign for the bathrooms pointing to the side of the gas station. That would give Michael at least 5 minutes.

After he paid he got out and waved to Nikita that he was going to the bathroom. He could tell she was questioning him hard but he had no choice. He got into the bathroom and made sure he was alone. Then he pulled up his phone. Luckily he had saved Brian Miller's contact info.

"Michael, how can I help-"

"Cut the bullshit. Why is Allen staking out our house again?"

"Uhmm, well…I assure you-" It was clear Brian Miller thought he was being sleek again. He didn't expect Allen to get caught so quickly.

"If he doesn't leave in the next 5 minutes I'm calling the police."

"Michael, you are overreacting"

"That was a warning. If you don't act on it you are going to face the consequences. Goodbye" Michael looked at the time and mentally took note. He showed Miller how serious he was. Hopefully, he was calling Allen right now.

"You okay?" Nikita asked when Michael got back into the car.

"Yeah, why?" Please don't ask me more. He was beginning to fall apart from the inside from all these lies.

"You hate gas station toilets and we are only like 10 minutes away from home"

"Well, I was desperate so yeah I'm fine now. "

"If you say so. Can we go now?" Michael could tell Nikita was getting annoyed by his short answers and weird behaviour. He nodded and squeezed her hand "You miss me?"

Nikita burst laughing and shook her head "Nothing can compare to you by my side" She teased back and started driving.

Michael was happy to make her laugh. He didn't want her to worry about anything. After all, that was the point of all of this.

And as if the universe was on Michael's side, the whole drive home Nikita was forced to drive behind a moving truck that was driving really slow. That was going to give Allen enough time to leave without running into them.

"Jesus finally" Nikita exclaimed as the moving truck stopped at the beginning of their street. As much of a relief as that was for Nikita, Michael felt the exact opposite. He started scanning the street for Allen's car. He didn't see it. It seemed like he had managed to leave just in time. Michael exhaled quietly.

"Home sweet home" Nikita beamed. She had missed being home so much. Michael smiled too. Their house wasn't a home without Nikita. Now it was complete.

A few hours went by. Nikita unpacked with the help of Michael. She showed him everything she had bought, making sure to hide all of his presents for later. Archie was ecstatic to see Nikita. He followed her around the house as if scared she was going to leave again. The poor animal didn't understand. Nikita gave him lots of cuddles and kisses to comfort him. Michael got lots of love as well. He also didn't leave Nikita alone. He constantly pulled her in his arms and kissed her senselessly.

Unfortunately, he had things to do and had to pull away eventually. Nikita went to rest in their bedroom with Archie while Michael finished preparing their dinner.

Nikita didn't really go to rest. She used it as an excuse to surprise Michael and get all dolled up.

She showered, did her makeup, put some curls in her hair and put on one of her new dresses. They were at home so she ditched the heels but even without them she liked how she looked. She carefully picked out her jewellery. Every piece was from Michael and had a special meaning to them. It was a special evening after all.

"Hun, dinner is ready, let me-" Michael choked on his words "Jesus" He gaped at her then ran up to her and wrapped his arms around her. "You look so fucking beautiful"

"Wow, I even earned a curse word in there" Nikita tried to hide her blush by teasing him. She loved when he cussed.

"Mhmm" Michael couldn't resist her lips. They kissed fiercely barely leaving space to breathe. Every fibre of their body and soul was screaming for each other. They had missed this so fucking much.

Michael picked up Nikita and placed her on top of her vanity. Nikita laughed through her moan. She could feel how hard he was through his jeans and it took everything in her to break their kiss "As much as I am loving this we can wait a little bit" Michael whined but nodded. He pecked her lips a few times and brushed his nose with hers. "I am going to go take a shower really quickly. Dinner is ready. You can head down if you want but-

"Stay away from the backyard" Nikita finished his sentence and laughed. Michael had said that about a dozen times that afternoon. He chuckled and kissed her one more time before heading to their bathroom.

Nikita decided to head downstairs and take a peek at what Michael had prepared for dinner. As soon as she was going down the stairs she could sense the all too familiar smell of one of her all-time favourite dishes - spinach and ricotta cannelloni. She hurried to the kitchen and found the dish cooling on the counter. Nikita was so excited. The food in Greece had been great but nothing beat Michael's cooking.

"Arch, come here buddy" Nikita called Archie to kill the time. She could play with him and give him all her attention while she waited for Michael.

It wasn't long before Nikita was hearing her husband going down the stairs. "Hello there" Nikita smirked and checked her husband out. Michael had dressed up as well with a white button-down shirt and dark grey pants. "Well I can't go on a date with the most beautiful woman in the world in jeans"

"Huh! You are going on a date with another woman?" Nikita pretended to be shocked and teased.

"Just let me compliment you for once" Michael rolled his eyes. It was the truth. She was drop-dead gorgeous and he was never going to stop telling her that.

"Can I go out and see the backyard now?" Nikita couldn't wait to see what Michael had organised for their date. Michael took her hand and made her close her eyes. He took her outside, counted to three and let her open her eyes.

"Michael…" Nikita whispered softly. The scene in front of her was magical. The sun was starting to set so there was this beautiful glow over their whole garden. Michael had set up the table in their wood gazebo with candles and flowers. They had strings of lights everywhere and they were all lit up. There was a path of flower petals leading to the gazebo. Nikita turned toward Michael and kissed him hard "This is so lovely. Thank you"

"I'm happy you like it. Come on now" He retook her hand and led her to the table. "I brought the cooler out so get anything you want. I'll bring the food out"

"Wait, baby"

"Yeah"

"I'm not really hungry yet. Can we wait a little bit?"

"Sure yeah" Michael had no problem with that. He poured them some drinks and sat down next to her. Michael continued with the questions from earlier about Greece. Nikita showed him photos and videos and told him funny stories. They laughed so hard that they had tears streaming down their eyes. It was so nice.

"Now I want to give you one of your gifts" Nikita started pulling out a box out of her clutch. Michael had wondered what she needed a purse for. Now he had an answer.

"Oh, you really didn't have to, my love"

"Shut up and take it" Nikita handed him a small but long box. It looked like jewellery to Michael so he shook it to really see.

"Don't and just open it" Nikita laughed and smacked him on the arm playfully.

Michael chuckled at Nikita's eagerness and complied. He opened the box and it was in fact jewellery. It was a chain bracelet with a rectangular pendant that had three little gemstones on it. He recognised two of them. The first two were his and Nikita's birthstones. He couldn't guess what the third one meant though.

"Our birthstones?" Maybe the meaning was different so he asked. Nikita nodded.

"What is the third one then?"

"That is the birthstone for March. Now open the second layer of the box" Michael was confused. He tried to think of anything significant for them in March but he couldn't figure it out. He opened the second layer of the box and froze.

In the box was a positive pregnancy test. With a marker on it was written See you in March with a little heart after it.

Michael looked up in shock at Nikita. She had tears in her eyes. "Tell me this is not a dream" Nikita laughed "No, It's real. I am pregnant, Michael"

I am so sorry for the late update. It took me so long to write this chapter. My anxiety has been kicking my motivation to write but I am trying my hardest because I really have a lot coming for this story. Thank you so much for all the reviews and support. It helps me out so much xx