Part 9
SOMEHOW, SOMEDAY
I want to tell you something
That I should've long ago
I wish that you and I had those kids
Maybe bought us that home
I wish we were still in your room
In your bed and you were holding me
Cause there ain't no way I'll ever stop from loving you now
-Ryan Adams-
I practically skip down the hallway to Michael's apartment. Years ago, Isabel
finally convinced him to move out of his old dump of an apartment- though his
new one is hardly a step up. He makes enough money to live somewhere decent,
teaching art classes at the high school and selling some paintings too, but, of
course, he'd rather live in a dilapidated building than his own home. Still,
today it hardly seems bad. In my euphoric state, it appears as if the dirty
floors are glistening marble and the paint peeling off the walls is really
elaborate wallpaper trimmed in gold. By the time I make it to his door, I feel
like I could take flight.
I pound only once on the door before it swings open. Immediately, I lose all
coherent thought and completely forget my purpose of being here. Michael has
apparently just stepped out of the shower, as his chest is bare with a few
random water droplets still glistening in the dim apartment light. He's wearing
only a ratty pair of jeans and is barefoot. His hair is slicked back giving me a
full view of his beautifully angular face. The air is thick with moisture and
the heady scent of soap and spice and Michael. Damn, it's been way too long
since I've had my Spaceboy.
Blinking, I struggle to focus my brain but it's apparently impossible with all
the Michael that's assaulting my senses. My eyes only see the broad expanse of
chest that just begs to be kissed. My hands shake with the need to be run
through Michael's wet, soft hair. Attempting to form words, my lips only mimic
their desire to attack his. Breathe, Maria, breathe.
"Maria? Are you okay?" Michael is obviously not as affected by the scene as I am
and is staring at me as if I'm having some sort of psychotic episode or
something which may very well be. "Maria!"
That one breaks into my senses. "Huh? What? I'm okay."
"Are you sure? What happened with Liz? Did everything go all right?" Michael
studies my face intently, ushering me into his apartment and practically pushing
me down on the couch. Unfortunately, not in that way.
Finally remembering why I'm at Michael's apartment, I break out into a wide grin
and tug him down to sit next to me. All the happy emotions from before return in
full force. I suddenly can't wait to tell Michael, who looks positively scared
at my behavior, though I suspect he knows the truth I'm about to reveal.
"It's yours, Michael! Liz proved it! I'm pregnant with your baby" I laugh
giddily and suddenly realize what it should've felt like when I told Scott.
Feeling like I'm about to give the man I love the best news he could possibly
hear and sharing all the joy I'd been privately experiencing with someone who
feels the same.
Instead of the stupefied look that had before graced his features, Michael gets
the goofiest grin I've ever seen on his face. "Really? You're sure?"
"Positive." I nod vigorously and take his hand in mine.
"We're having a baby. Oh my God." Michael begins to laugh and scoops me into his
arms, hugging me for dear life. I return the sentiment, of course. This is what
home is, I think as I inhale Michael's distinctive scent. Not Boston, not Santa
Fe, not even Roswell, but Michael. We could be in freaking Antarctica and I'd
feel like I'd lived forever amongst the glaciers so long as Michael was holding
me.
After a few minutes of being cradled lovingly against Michael's chest, my senses
once again remind me that Michael's chest is bare and still moist from the
shower. He seems content to rub small circles on my back and smile into my hair.
I, however, am not so easily sated. I reach up and finally capture Michael's
lips in mine. The connection is instantaneous. Lightening, fire, and electricity
pulsate through my body in tingling waves and the only thought that ever makes
it to my brain is 'more'. God, I could kiss Michael forever. Everything about it
is familiar and perfect, like we were made only to kiss each other, but then
again, every time we kiss it's as passionate and new and exciting as the first
time.
Michael eventually pulls away and rests his forehead against mine. His brown
eyes are heavy with emotion. "I love you more than anything, Maria."
My heart still skips beats when he tells me that. "I love you too, Spaceboy." I
give him a light kiss on the lips and smile. Sighing, I let my head rest on his
shoulder. "I have to go back to my house and tell Scott."
Michael frowns and pulls me close. "How do you think he'll react?"
"How would you react if your wife told you she wasn't really in love with you,
but another man? Oh, and by the way, the baby she's carrying is his, not yours
and she plans to leave you for him?" I raise my eyebrow at Michael who
immediately deepens his frown.
"I'd go kick his ass."
That makes me laugh. "Well, then, it looks like you have nothing to worry about.
There's no way Scott could ever kick your ass."
Michael smirks. "Not a chance in hell."
"My Spaceboy. And I'm going to let you raise a child." I shake my head at him
and stare up into his beautiful eyes that glint mischievously at the thought of
beating up Scott. Men.
In mock hurt, Michael removes his arm from around my shoulder and crosses it
with his other in front of his chest. "Are you saying I'm not going to be a good
father?"
"You'll be a wonderful father, Michael." I say it softly, but he hears and gets
another tiny grin on his face. He really will. "Though, I'm sure we're going to
have the most mild-tempered, obedient, child ever who will practically raise him
or herself."
We both smirk at the thought of the product of our genes. This kid is going to
be trouble.
Pulling me into his arms again, Michael lets one hand gently caress my stomach.
The baby kicks in response. "How did I ever let you go, Maria?"
Not sure how to answer, I simply stare at Michael's hand as it rubs tender
circles over our baby. I again place my hand over his and marvel at how perfect
we are together. "I sometimes wish we could do it all differently. But then, I
realize everything happens for a reason and maybe we're somehow better for all
of this in the end."
"You really believe that?" Michael's voice gets soft and innocent, like it's his
ten year-old self asking me the question. Rubbing his hand gently, I nod and let
my eyes express all the love and faith I have in him.
We sit in silence for a few minutes until I finally decide that I have to go
talk to Scott. I stand up and pull Michael to my side.
"You don't, by any chance, have powers to just zap Scott into oblivion?" I let
my hands come up to cup Michael's face as I grin devilishly at him.
"Now, Maria, that wouldn't be very nice."
"I know." I sigh, turning towards the door. "I just hope I don't break his heart
too much."
Before I leave, Michael leans down and kisses me on the cheek. "Call me if you
need anything."
"I know."
"Good luck."
I try to smile and it comes out a grimace. Here goes nothing.
*
Driving back to my house, I feel as if I might just jump out of my own skin. My
heart is beating double-time and I can't stop from tapping my hands nervously on
the steering wheel. I pray to every deity that this will go okay- that Scott
won't be too heartbroken or too psychotic or something will happen in the eight
minute drive back to my house which will somehow turn this whole scenario into a
really long, really intense dream.
Suddenly, my cell phone trills sending me almost careening into a tree. No
wonder they want to ban those things while driving. At least it's a distraction,
I think as I attempt to dig my phone out of my purse.
"Hello."
"Maria? Where the hell are you?" Uh-oh. Isabel.
"In my car."
"Since when does it take an hour to get home from Liz's, hmm?"
"Since when do you need to know my whereabouts at all times? And how do you know
I was with Liz?"
"I called your house, your mother explained you needed to talk with Liz. I
called Liz an hour ago and she said you just dropped her off." I roll my eyes.
I'll have to thank Liz for covering for me later.
"I was just out, okay? I'm almost home now, Mom."
"Just out? Would that explain why Michael's phone has been off the hook for over
an hour?" Her voice reaches a piercing, hysterical tone and I wonder why she
cares so much.
"Isabel. Focus. What's the problem?"
"Is there something going on between you and Michael?" Oh shit.
"Why do you say that?"
"I can sense these things." I let out a deep breath and attempt to center
myself. There's no way I'm going to tell her now- she'd probably spend the next
hour flipping out at me. Besides, I already faced Liz and now have to drop the
bomb to the man it affects most of all- Scott. She's going to find out soon
enough, though. Hmm. Maybe Michael should take his turn in breaking the news.
Though I hope she won't kill him. That would just ruin everything.
"Listen, why don't you call Michael. He'll explain everything."
"I'm sure he will."
"Seriously. Tell him I said he has to tell you. You'll find out eventually,
anyways."
"What the hell is going on?" Isabel is obviously pissed at being the last to
know whatever our big secret is. Knowing that Michael is going to be facing
Isabel's royal wrath while I tell Scott somehow makes me feel just a little
better.
"Talk to him. Oh, and Isabel?"
"Hmm?"
"Please don't kill him." With that, I hang up the phone and turn it off. I pull
to a stop in front of my house and take a deep breath. It's time to face the
music.