Autum's Lost (A letting go series) (20 page)

I am walking out of the bathroom and Michael winks at me while getting on his khaki shorts and polo shirt. His dimples are showing and I lean against the door frame tak
ing in all of the man I have fallen in love within a very short amount of time.

“You are beautiful you know that Britty
?” Michael pulls his shirt over his tight abs and walks over to me looking into my eyes.

“No one has ever said that to me.”

“Well that’s crazy because you are. Your dimples, your eyes and this.” I place my left hand over his heart. I can feel its warmth beating through my fingers. “Your heart, it beats for the most beautiful, honest, faithful man I have ever known.” Bending down to kiss me, Michael places his hand over mine.

“You make me whole
, Addison. With your passion, bravery and love for my daughter, nothing compares.” I wrap my arms around his neck kiss him one last time before we walk out of the bedroom.

I am standing next to the window that overlooks his in ground pool over the back yard. The grass is immaculately cut and the red and yellow roses that line the back yard are all budding.

“Your roses are beautiful. Do you prune them in the fall? They look extremely healthy.” I look over at Michael and he is chuckling.

“No, love, I don’t prune them. I don’t have time to do that so the lawn service does.”

“I see, well they are beautiful.” Michael walks over to me and wraps his arms around me.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I need to go to my folks and get that money.” I hear him sigh loudly.

“Have you told them you need it?
” I turn and look up at Michael.

“No, we have discussed the money since the split but not that I need it for this purpose.”

“Well, I can go with you if you like? I have to be back at the funeral home at four, but nothing till then.”

“Yes, I would like that.
We can go get my new phone and maybe take Clarissa lunch?” Michael gives me a quick peck on the cheek.

“Yes
, beautiful, anything you wish is my command.” He winks and curtseys in front of me. I giggle and hug him around the neck, in my best British accent I say.

“My
Lord pleases me, I shall reward him with the likes he has never known.” At that Michael bursts out laughing.

“Oh love, that’s brilliant!”

“Keep laughing, Britty, and I will never call you
my Lord
again.” Michael calms down and starts rubbing circles on my back.

“Oh, now let’s not go overboard my lovey.” His hazel eyes are now bright and shining. I can see my future in them…Mrs. Michael Crestmoore….yeah, I think I can do that.

“Okay, Britty, let’s go before I change my mind.” I start walking away and Michael grabs my hand a look of worry is now on his beautiful face.

“Change your mind about what Addison?” I smile and bring his hand up to my lips and kiss it.

“About calling you
my Lord
.” Relief crosses his eyes.

“Whew, you had me worried for a second, I thought you were changing your mind about living here.
You gave my heart a start.”

“Never Michael, I know what I want and it’s standing in front of me.”
Shaking his head yes he leads me over to the door, but stops abruptly.

“Just a thought, what are you wearing for knickers? I know you only had one set in that bag.” I look away giggling and turn around slowly picking up my skirt so a cheek is sticking out showing his Under
Armour boxers, another laugh erupts from his chest.

“I need to buy you some knickers because if this keeps up I won’t have any left.” I smile
.

“Yes
, but these are so comfortable and silky. I love knowing that they are yours and I can wear them. Whenever. I. Want.” Michael grabs my ass cheeks and brings me closer to him.

“Yes you can
, my beautiful girl. Anytime. You. Want!”

After stopping at the cell phone store and the pool to drop off lunch for Clarissa it was off to my parents for the Curt talk.

“Are you nervous, beautiful?” I have my head laying back on the headrest soaking up the sunshine that is streaming through the sunroof.

“No, not at all. I am perfectly content. I have the best parents in the world and they will understand. Don’t get me wrong, they hate Curt, but they will understand.”
Squeezing my hand he turns on the radio. One Direction’s ‘Moments’ is playing. I start laughing.

“I can’t see you as a One Direction fan
, Britty.” He smirks.

“I do have a sixteen year old daughter that drives my car
smartee.” I sigh and smile.

“Yes, a very wonderful loving daughter at that.” He squeezes my hand again. I can remember Autum and Clarissa singing in the car to this band and laughing hysterically. Autum loved Harry and Clarissa loves Zayn. Two peas in a pod those two were.

“Love, are you ok? You got quiet?”

“Yes, I was just lost in an Autum memory that’s all.”

“She loved you Addy, and you are the best Mum on the planet. Clarissa gives you two thumbs up.” I giggle.

“Yes she does, I love that girl Michael, and I will be there for her always.”

“Just like you were for Auty, she knows this, beautiful…and so do I.”

The new cell rings and
it’s Jess.

“Hello
, darlin.” I laugh.

“Nice Conway
Twitty impersonation. I see you got the new cell, finally. I thought I was going to have to make your old one disappear. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when pin-dick goes to make a call and he can’t!” I can hear her evil laugh.

“Well unfortunately that won’t happen, he has a phone supplied by his work, so unless he gets fired he will never know…until he tries to call me.” I look over at Michael and he squeezes my hand again and clenches his jaw.

“FUCK! Well let’s hope Todd gave him a talking to. So what else is up my sista?”

“I am heading over to Mom and Dad’s and then going to the house to get some stuff. Can you bring the big ass Escalade over so I can put stuff in it?” Jess whistles in the phone.

“Well now, where will I be taking all the shit you are loading into my buggie?” I laugh.

“Yo
u know exactly where it’s going. I need clean clothes and clean underwear.”

“Oh, Jesus, you could have left that part out. I am now picturing you wearing
Magic’s.” My mouth falls open. “HA! I knew it! You are wearing his. What are they boxers or briefs? I am thinking boxers. Oh sweet Jesus, they are probably the tight Jock briefs aren’t they? TELL ME!!!” Michael is chuckling next to me and I slap his arm.

“
Yo, no hablo inglés”

“Bitch please
, you can’t speak Spanish. You failed that in school remember?” I am laughing now.

“Will you do it or not? I am almost to Susan’s and I will tell her that my bestie denied me in my time of need.”

“PFFF, she knows better, but yes I will do it. Tell Magic he owes me a pool party at his. Excuse me, at
your
house.”

“Good! All right
, I gotta go. See ya soon.”

“Yes ma’am
, love ya bye.” With that she hangs up. I look over at Michael and he is still smiling.

“What?” Looking over
at me his dimples are showing “What do I owe her?” I smile looking back at him.

“A pool party at…
our
house.” Michael smiles wide and takes a deep cleansing breath in and then out. Holding my hand he is circling my thumb with his fingers.

“That, Addison, is the best thing I have ever heard you say.” I stare forward smiling like an idiot because I know in my heart it sounds amazing.

I softly say,
“Ours
.”

Michael takes my hand and kisses it righ
t before we turn into my parents’ driveway. He puts it in park and turns to me kissing me softly on the lips. “Yes,
ours.
”

When we get out of the car Michael takes my hand and we walk into the house together.

“Mom, Dad where are you?” I ask scanning the kitchen and living room. I then smell the grill and know they are out in the back yard. I lead us out of the kitchen onto the patio where my Dad is grilling.

“Hey guys.”

“Addybell! It’s so nice to see you.” My dad comes over and gives me a hug and kiss looking down at our conjoined hands a big smile covers his face. Michael lets go of my hand to shake my Dad’s

“So nice to see you again
, Michael.”

“Thanks
, Arwin, it’s always a pleasure to be here.” Smiling up at him I take his hand again.

“Where is mom?”

“She is looking for something in the basement. She planted an extra garden this year and so she keeps busy with the weeds.” He winks at me.

“Four garden boxes are not enough?” I tease question
ing him.

“Apparently not. She has a cucumber box, two tomato boxes,
a pepper box and now she has a flower/herb box.” He shakes his head “No more, I told her that, they are so much damn work to put together and I am no spring chicken.” I roll my eyes.

“Jesus
, Dad, you are sixty two not eighty.”

“Yes baby doll I know this, but my knees are, what do you young kids say…a hot mess?” I burst out laughing.

“Yes, I guess they call it that.” Calming my laughter down I can feel Michael chuckling next to me.

“Oh my goodness!! Addy and Michael what a wonderful surprise!! Where is my Rissa?” My mom comes over and hugs us both. “Stay for a late lunch?”

“We can’t Mom we just ate, Clarissa is at the pool and Michael has a visitation at four.”

“Well at least have de
ssert.” Michael smiles his panty dropping smile in front of my mom.

“Susan there is always time for de
ssert.” Winking at her I smile and shake my head.

“Good, see Addy, Michael likes my cooking.” She pats his arm and winks at him while she walks over to my dad getting the food off the grill.

Following my folks into the house Michael stops right before the door and bends down to my ear whispering gently. “I like dessert, Addy, can I have your dessert?” I laugh sweetly.

“Only if you are a good boy.” Michael smiles and innocently wraps his arm around my waist but before he does he grabs a handful of my ass cheek and squeezes. I walk out from under him and I get a playful swat. I turn around and his dimples are on full display melting my core instantly. I gather my wandering thoughts and walk into the kitchen. Michael and I take a seat at the table.

“So, Addybell, what’s on your mind?” My Dad asks. I look over at them both and take a deep breath in, then release it.

“Well, I need that money we talked about a while back. The money you had for Auty’s college.” My Dad looks over at my Mom and then back to me.

“This is about Curt, isn’t it?” I look over at Michael and he takes my hand in his. My Mom looks at our hands and smiles brightly.

“Yes, this is about Curt. He owes someone fifty thousand dollars and if I don’t pay I have a bad feeling about what would happen.” I look over at my Dad and he is deep in thought. My mom takes my other hand.

“You can have the money, Addy, that’s not a big deal.” She looks over at my Dad and shrugs her shoulders. I look at the two of them with questioning concern.

“Am I missing something here? I feel like you have something to tell me? Am I crazy?” My Dad shakes his head no.

“Nope my dear you are not crazy, Curt was here yesterday.” My eyes grew huge.

“Are you kidding me?” I take my hands and run them threw my hair and stand up to start pacing. “Please tell me you didn’t talk to him? He’s fucking crazy coming over here!”

“Addy, please stop pacing and sit down.” I look over at my Dad and then sit down by Michael. He starts rubbing my back.

“Of course I didn’t talk to him. I told him to leave and that if he didn’t I was going to make sure he sat in a jail cell for a long while.”

“Jesus Christ, this is ridiculous! He wanted the money, that’s what he was here for. He already told me he won’t sign the divorce papers until he has half of what you invested.” My Dad laughs loudly.

“Well that will never happen. That money is in my name the only thing he can touch is the money I had for Auty since it has your name on it. But considering his
current situation I doubt he will see any of it.” My mom looks over at me with concern in her eyes.

“I heard you were at the Baxter’s this morning. How did that go?” Michael looks over at me and then to my Mom.

I look down at the table before responding flatly. “He showed up.”

My Dad stops eating and looks right at me.
“Did you call the cops?”