You Never Know (M/M AU) Adult Ch. 49 1/8 [WIP]

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 41

“MERRY CHIRSTMAS!!!!!!!!!” Zan and Alex screamed at the top of their lungs Christmas morning, and as tired as she was, Maria couldn’t help but giggle at their enthusiasm. Neither of them even celebrated Christmas, being that they were both Jewish.

“Morning, guys,” maria said sitting up in bed and yawning. “What time is it.”

“Still early,” Alex said, “9:00.”

“Cool, well I better hop in the shower and head over to my dad’s.” Maria said, unenthusiastically. Her dad was bad enough alone, but her overly religious dad on a religious holiday was a recipe for disaster. At least when she was done there, she could have the day to herself. She would probably go to a movie and relax in the desert for a while because Michael was coming tomorrow and she couldn’t wait.

Zan drove her to her dad’s that morning. “Thank you for driving me.” Maria said, sighing loudly as she thought about the two hours she was going to have to spend with her father, his wife, and her two sons. Yuck.

“It’s no problem, but you really should learn to drive,” Zan chuckled. “You are 21 you know.”

“Shut up,” Maria laughed. She knew it was ridiculous that she didn’t have a license, but she couldn’t help it that her grandfather had never let her get it, and now she was sure she would be the worst driver on the road.

Zan just grinned and pulled into her dad’s driveway. Or rather, he sort of pulled in, but her dad had a broken down car on cinder blocks sort of blocking most of the drive. Maria rolled her eyes and got out of the car, sighing heavily as she walked up to her dad’s door. She knocked loudly and heard a ruckus. Must have been her little half brother Cory. He was 10 years old and still couldn’t read. Mostly because her dad and step mother thought the end of the world was coming and didn’t think school was necessary, and of course there was the fact that they didn’t want him inundated with a bunch of secularist learning, like science and all. Gag.

“Hey girly,” her dad said opening the door and pulling her into the house. He already reeked of alcohol, and she was sure that his vow of sobriety had been thrown out the window probably 2 days after he made it.

“Hey dad,” she said un enthusiastically.

Two hours, a piece of Jesus Birthday Cake, and a gift of 50 bucks later, Maria was headed out the door, waving goodbye, and happy to see that Alex and Zan were already waiting for her. “Remind me never to so that again,” she said with a laugh as she got into the car and they sped off.

“Hey, we’ve got good news for you.” Zan said. Maria perked up, interested. “Harry Potter is playing that the Ceniplex.”

Maria growled, “Fuck you,” she said. She hated Harry Potter, and they knew it. “What are we really going to see?”

“How about the Family Stone,” Alex said, “It looked pretty funny. And it’s a Christmas movie.”

“Cool,” Maria answered, it sounded good to her.

************

“Well, that was just depressing,” Alex said, unaware that The Family Stone was not in fact a comedy.

“Yeah,” Maria sniffled. She always was a sap in sad movies.

“So, what are you up to for the rest of the day,” Zan asked, already over the sad movie they just sat through.

“Dunno,” Maria pondered, wiping her cheeks. “Think I’m just going to sit in the desert. Wanna come?”

“No, that’s ok,” Alex said, not being one for the outdoors.

“Yeah, I’ve got some thesis work to do,” Zan said, knowing that Maria probably wanted to be alone.

“Cool, so I’ll see you back at the house,” Maria said walking off into the desert. That was one nice thing about Roswell. Nothing was too far away from the desert, and if you had to, you could walk anywhere.

She kicked the sand as she approached her favorite spot. She really wanted to bring Michael there. As much as she hated her family, well except for her grandfather she guessed, she did love Roswell. It was still too small for her, but it had good memories. She did have good times, and a good life as far as friends went. Plus, she had to appreciate what she had. Being that her mother was 17 when she had her, Maria’s life could have been much worse.

Things were even looking up. She finally fell in love, though she never believed love existed before. Her grandfather saw her as an adult, and worthy of listening to. He was even proud of her. Her friends were great. Her mother and father hadn’t driven her to the nut house yet, and in just a few short hours, Michael would be with her. She would get to share her home with him.

She’d get to eat with him in the Crashdown, take him to the UFO Center, drive around the desert, fuck him in the open cool air of the night. It was going to be great.

As she walked back, she watched the sun set, and it was dark by the time she got back to the apartment. “hey there,” Alex said, stirring his pasta sauce.

“Hey,” Maria yawned and plopped down on the couch.

“Tired?” Alex asked.

“A little,” she said, not realizing until that very moment that she needed to sleep.

“Go to bed, I’ll save you some,” Alex grinned motioning to the pasta he had made.

“I love you,” Maria smiled and slowly pulled herself off the couch and dragged herself into the bedroom. She fell onto the bed, and though it took her a little time to slow down her thoughts, mostly because she was excited for Michael to get there, she finally fell asleep.

***********

Maria rushed around the apartment, looking for her shoe. She was running late. She had overslept, which was weird since she went to bed so early. Maybe she was coming down with something. Ah, there was her shoe. She pulled it on and met Alex at the car. “Ok, let’s go,” she said, out of breath from running down the stairs.

Off they went to meet Michael at the airport. She was so excited she could almost pee her pants. She watched every mile pass with greater and greater anticipation. Finally they got there, and Alex struggled to keep up with her as she bolted to the baggage claim area.

Maria sat on a bench and bit her nails as she waited for Michael to come down to get his bag. The plane had landed. It would be any minute…

When she saw him she ran toward him, flinging herself into his arms, and he nearly fell over. He picked her up, easily into his arms and kissed her nose as she clung to him. “Happy to see me?” he asked, chuckling deep in his throat.

“Baby, I’m so glad you are here,” Maria said, getting off of her boyfriend. Her smile was 10 miles wide and she didn’t care. She had no idea she could miss someone so much.

“Come on, let’s get my bags, then we will check into the hotel.” Michael said, winking at her. Yep, she chose a keeper.

TBC…

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 42

Maria nearly pushed Michael into the hotel room, barely able to keep her hands off of him in the elevator. “Baby, calm down. We’ve got a week.” Michael chuckled, but to tell the truth, he was just as hot for her as she was for him right at that moment.

“Mmm,” Maria moaned as she kissed a trail down his neck. “I know, but it’s been so long, and I’ve been home. And I hate home.” She said, looking up at him and jutting out her bottom lip like a sad little puppy dog.

Michael grinned at her and nipped her protruding lip. “Awww,” he mocked. “Poor baby.” Maria giggled and tackled him and they both fell, in a fit of laughter, onto the bed.

Michael pulled Maria next to him and she laid her head on his chest. “Mm, I’ve missed you.” He stated the obvious.

“Me too,” Maria said, snuggling into him. “I guess being home hasn’t been THAT bad,” she fessed up.

“Yeah, I’m glad things are going well with your grandfather. When are we going to dinner with him?” Michael asked.

“Tonight.” Maria said, “And that should be ok, but just to warn you, his wife is a little…well, how do you describe her? Dumb, but not in an obvious way. More in an old woman who is so nice you know it’s fake kind of way.” Maria said.

“I know. You told me.” Michael laughed. He looked down at Maria. Every time he looked at her is was amazed that she was with him. That she loved him. She picked him, out of the thousands of guys she could be with, she picked HIM. He would never understand. She was amazing.

Maria was thinking pretty much the very same thing and the very same moment as they leaned into each other and let their lips meet. They took it slower this time, gently caressing each other’s lips and moving in closer and closer until Maria was completely on top of Michael.

Michael let his hands move up Maria’s body to the back of her head where he pushed her into him more. He couldn’t get enough of her intoxicating scent. Maria made herself busy pulling up on the hem of Michael’s tee-shirt. He was faced with a dilemma. He could either let go of her and let her pull of the offending garment, or continue to hold to her tight. Finally he made his choice, telling go of Maria’s head and pulling her shirt off in one clean motion.

Maria giggled as his hand moved over his stomach. “That tickles.” She laughed. He smiled at her and moved his hand back up to her neck, pulling her roughly to him for a passionate kiss.

Maria moved her hands up to Michael’s shoulders and she rolled over, on top of him again. Michael’s hands moved down to the clasp of her bra, and he unsnapped it with one hand. “Getting good at that,” Maria breathed between kisses. Michael chuckled lightly. He loved how she could maintain clever quips when he was barely able to keep breathing.

“You are beautiful,” Michael breathed as he looked at Maria straddling him, her hair hanging off her shoulders. A smile spread across her face, and she leaned down and kissed him again, harder.

She moved her hips against the growing bulge in his jeans. “Oh yeah,” she moaned softly as Michael groaned and bucked into her. She wasn’t going to take much more of this, and from the sweat breaking out all over Michael’s body, she was sure he couldn’t either.

She reached between their bodies and unsnapped the button of his Jeans. She slowly and seductively pulled his jeans and boxers off, and on her way back up his legs darted her tongue out over his very erect cock. “Jesus, Maria!” Michael nearly yelled, as he was not expecting that.

“What?” Maria asked, feigning innocence, but there was a smile lingering on her lips.

And animalistic growl escaped Michael’s lips as he pulled her roughly to him, ridding her of her pants and thong with on hand, as he cupped her ass with the other. “Mmmm, I want you,” he moaned as she spead her legs again and straddled him, letting him feel her wetness against his aching cock.

Maria knew exactly how he felt. She took him in her hand, stroking him up and down a few times before she placed him and her entrance and pushed him into her. “Oh god,’ she moaned almost inaudibly. Michael had to shut his eyes to gain some composure as the feeling of her walls around him nearly made him come on the spot. It had been too long.

Maria moved up and down on Michael’s cock, leaning forward, letting him brush her g-spot. “Fuck yeah,” she moaned, as her lips passed over his.

“Maria, baby.” He breathed, and then forgot what he was going to say. His hands went from her bouncing tits to her hips as he pressed his fingers into her skin, trying to hold on to his control as she moved up and down, faster and faster. He knew she was close because her walls were fluttering around him, and then she came.

“FUCK, Oh God. YES YES YES!” she nearly screamed, her movements stopping as her pussy held to his cock like a vice.

She was still in a daze as Michael flipped them over, grabbing her thigh and continuing to fuck her harder and harder. Before she could even come down from her first orgasmic high she felt another coming on. “Baby…oh baby…I’m gonna…I’m…” she tried to get her thoughts out.

“It’s ok,” Michael groaned through gritted teeth. “Come again.”

“OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Maria moaned, her lips forming a perfect ‘o’ as she came again. This time, Michael came with her, coming deep inside her. He collapsed on top of her, both of them breathing heavily, and in a state of euphoria.

A few minutes later, Michael rolled off of her, and pulled her in next to him. She wrapped her arms around his heaving body. “Damn,” she giggled.

“Yeah.”

***************

“Maria, you look beautiful,” Michael laughed as she primped in front of the mirror for the 100th time.

She laughed, “I’m just nervous,” she admitted.

“It will be ok.” Michael said. “Now, common, or we will be late.” He laughed.

She nodded and followed him out of the hotel and into the rental car he had outside. They drove down to the French restaurant downtown. It was the nicest restaurant in Roswell, and while that wasn’t saying much, it wasn’t bad. She knew her grandfather had chosen that place because he wanted to make a good impression, which was saying something. And her mother wouldn’t be there, so things could be ok.

“Maria!” she heard her name called as she walked into the restaurant, and smiled as she saw her grandfather sitting down waiting for them to get there. She led Michael over to the table and Grandad and Michelle, his wife, stood to greet them.

“Grandad, Michelle, this is Michael.” She introduced and they all shook hands.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Dave, her grandfather, said.

“Nice to meet you,” Michael smiled.

Michelle just smiled at both of them. “Well, its nice to have you here.” She said as they all sat down.

They all kept the conversation light until dinner came, then ate in polite quite. When it was time for dessert, Dave turned to Michael and said, “So, you are in school, correct?”

“Yes, sir. I’m an Art major.” Michael answered. Maria held her breath, waiting for her grandfather to disapprove, but he didn’t even flinch. She knew that he liked art, but would never see it as a profession and still he seemed pleased, even impressed.

“Wow, well, that’s very interesting. What sort of art is your forte?” he asked.

“Painting and drawing,” Michael answered. “Though I’m really starting to like architectural design.” He answered. Maria smiled at him. She was glad that he was getting into school and exploring his options.

Michelle stayed pretty quiet through the whole dinner, which she usually did, unless she was asking stupid questions. “So, how long have you two been together. Maria never really calls home much.” Michelle asked.

“What’s it been. 3 months?” Maria asked. She hadn’t really thought about it. But it had been a little over 4 months now that she thought about it.

“Three months, and 8 days,” Michael smiled at her. Wow, he’d been counting.

When the meal was over, they made their way out of the restaurant, Dave asked, “So, Michael, do you golf?”

“A little,” Michael answered.

“How about you join me and some of my friends from the club at the course on Saturday.”

“That would be great,” Michael said, surprised to have been asked. He hoped that was a good sign.

“Great, see you there at noon.” Dave said. Then they said their goodbyes, and Maria and Michael walked back to the car. “Wow, that was pretty impressive,” Maria said., linking arms with him. “He really liked you.”

“Well, I’m glad,” Michael chuckled. “Did you think he wouldn’t?”

“No, I just didn’t know. I’ve never really had any of the men I’ve been with meet the family, so I didn’t know what to expect.” She explained.

“Well, so far I like your family.” Michael said, getting into the car and kissing her cheek.

“Well, the good news is, you don’t have to meet my mom yet because she had to leave for an emergency conference today,” Maria said with a smile. IT was smooth sailing from here on out.

TBC…

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 43


“Hello Michael,” Dave greeted Michael at the golf course.

“Hi, Mr. DeLuca,” Michael replied, more than a little bit nervous. Maria’s family seemed to be so much more distant than his own, and he didn’t know if her grandfather really liked him or was just being polite. He wasn’t the greatest golfer, but he hoped to god that he didn’t embarrass himself today.

Dave was standing there with two other men, and he quickly made the introductions. “Michael, this is Maria’s uncle Steve, and this is an old friend of mine, John.” Dave introduced warmly. “This is Michael Guerin. He’s Maria’s boyfriend.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Michael said, extending his hand as both men shook it.

“You like hunting?” Steve asked.

“Ummm, can’t say I’ve ever been hunting,” Michael answered, confused at the abruptness of the question.

Steve just nodded, as if he didn’t even have time to listen to Michael’s answer.

“Ok, let’s go,” Dave said, hopping behind the wheel of the gold cart.

Four hours later, the four men we laughing on their way back to the club house. Michael found he really liked Maria’s grandfather, and he cared a great deal about her. He couldn’t understand how their relationship had been so rocky when she was in high school.

As he was getting ready to head back to his rental car, Dave stopped in to talk alone. “You really care about Maria.” He said more than asked.

“Yes, sir. I love her.” Michael said, unashamed of his feelings.

“Good,” Dave said, a warm smile going all the way to his eyes, “Maria doesn’t bring her boyfriends home…ever, so I know she really cares about you. I just want you to know that your welcome back in Roswell anytime, but just remember that Maria is a smart woman. She is driven for the first time in her life, and I would hate to see her forfeit that.” Dave said seriously.

“I understand, Mr. DeLuca.” Michael said. “I promise, Maria’s education is the most important thing to me. She’s too smart to let it go.”

“That’s good to hear, son.” Dave said, patting him on the back.


**************

Before they knew it, it was New Year’s Eve, and Maria was taking Michael to a get together at Zan and Alex’s apartment. They were having a few friends over to hang out, watch the ball drop, and get a little tipsy.

“Hey guys,” Alex greeted them at the door. “Common in.”

Michael and Maria entered the apartment and Maria felt a sense of DejaVu as she saw the 15 people that Alex and Zan had invited. All of them were in her class in high school, and none of them had she seen since graduation. She squeezed Michael’s hand as she made her way into the living room.

“Hey ‘Ria!” she heard behind her, she turned around to find her friend Serina from high school. They had been sort of close in high school, but after graduation Maria was not known for keeping in touch, except in the cases of Alex and Zan, who were her rocks.

“Hey, Serina. This is Michael.” She introduced.

“You boyfriend?” Serina asked, always one to get straight to the point, and not worry about what others thought, that was why she and Maria got along so well.

“Yep,” Maria said with a smile. It was still weird that she had a boyfriend. An honest to got boyfriend and he’d stuck around for more than 3 months. “How have you been?” Maria asked.

“Well, I’m at state. A fashion design major.” She clarified. “Its cool. Just ready to be done with school, you know. One more year!”

They stood there talking for several minutes, then Zan announced that they were going to start a round of Scene It. Maria chuckled to herself, but she knew she loved that game so as corny as it was, tonight was going to be fun. It wasn’t a night of drinking until you get swampy drunk, and fall all over yourself. It was just old friends having fun.

Michael had a good time too. He seemed to really like her friends from high school, and they liked him. Before the ball dropped, Alex turned the TV to MTV, and they all did the countdown together.

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!” Everyone cheered.

Maria turned to Michael and smiled. “Happy New Year, baby.” She said.

“Happy New Year,” Michael breathed as he moved into her. Their lips met and they shared their New Years kiss.

“You know, this is the first real New Year’s kiss.” Maria said, a breath away from Michael’s lips.

“It wont be the last,” Michael promised, kissing her again. “Wanna get out of here? I’m kind of tired.” He said.

“Sure, let me just say goodbye to Serina, Alex, and Zan.” Maria said pecking his cheek and moving into the kitchen where she knew her friends were.

“Alex,” she called to get his attention. Serina and Zan turned with them. “Michael is kind of tired, so I think we are going to go. But we will see you two at the airport tomorrow, right?” Maria asked. Zan and Alex had promised to see them off.

“Yeah, we will be there,” Zan said, as he and Alex hugged Maria goodbye. Maria hugged Serina, and then went to fetch Michael.

In the car, Kaley, Katie, Tess, and Isabel all called to wish them both Happy New Year, even though it had become new year on the east coast two hours before. When she finally got off the phone with their drunk asses, they were back at the Hotel.

“Damn baby, I’m so tired,’ Michael said, as he fell into bed.

“Me too. I’m ready to get back to Hudson and sleep for days.” Maria laughed, stripping off her clothes and Michael did the same. She snuggled into him as they both got into bed.

They had been busy all week with meeting the family, and going into the desert to see the sights and of course have sex over nearly every acre of the desert surrounding the Roswell area. But tomorrow they would be going back to Hudson. Maria was going to take a seminar on Political Films for January Term and Michael was going to work at a local garage to save up some money.

It wasn’t 5 minutes before both of them were asleep. There would be no sex that night, and both of them were more than ok with that.

************

“Ok, you guys, give us a call when you get back to Virginia.” Alex said, as he hugged Maria and shook Michael’s hand.

“And, we will try to make it back out there in March something.” Zan reminded.

“Ok,” Maria said, promising herself she wasn’t going to cry. She usually wasn’t weepy when she left Roswell. Usually she was running for the plane for dear life, but she actually had a good visit this time, and her mom had managed to be gone half the time, what more could she ask for.

Finally she untangled herself from her friends, waved goodbye one last time, and walked through security with Michael.

She slept the whole trip on the plane, and Michael just watched her sleep. She was so beautiful. He smiled as she bit her lip in her sleep, her brow furrowing in what seemed like confusion. He grinned at her, and wrapped his arm around her letting her head rest on his chest.

He let out a deep sigh and thought about what he was going to say to Maria when they got home. His conversation with Dave had him thinking, and it was time for him and Maria to talk.

***********

When they got to Michael’s apartment, Maria flopped down on the couch, and Michael walked into the kitchen. “Want a beer?” he called to Maria as he opened the fridge.

“Oh yes, that would be great,” Maria answered, placing a dramatic hand over her chest. Michael chuckled at her, and tossed her a Miller Light. “Thank you, my love.” Maria said, as Michael cracked hi beer and sat next to her.

His face quickly turned serious, and Maria became worried. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing. We just…we need to talk,” Michael said.

Maria’s eyes went wide. That didn’t sound good. He was going to break up with her wasn’t he.

TBC…

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 44

“What do you want to talk about?” Maria asked, keeping the nervousness out of her voice the best she could.

Michael took a deep breath and moved in closer to Maria, taking her hands in his. “I love you very much, Maria.” He said. He knew he was making her nervous, but he had to say this. “And I had a talk with your grandfather, while we were golfing,” he continued.

Maria pulled her hands away from Michael. What had her grandfather said? “No, baby, it’s ok,” Michael said, taking her hands in his again. He smiled warmly at her. “It was all good.” Maria breathed a little sigh of relief at that, and Michael continued, “I want you to know that you mean the world to me Maria. I’ve never been with someone who makes my world stop like you do.” Maria smiled at him and squeezed his hand. “And because I love you, I want to make sure that you are happy. I want to make sure that all of your dreams come true.” Michael said.

“I know that, baby.” Maria said, bringing one of his hands up to her lips and kissing it. “But you are freaking me out right now.”

Michael chuckled lightly. “I just want to make sure that you are completely sure about this relationship, in relation to your education.” Michael said. “I don’t want you to make sacrifices for me.”

Maria smiled. How could he even think that being with him was a sacrifice? “Michael, I’ve got dreams, true. But so do you. We are both in school working toward those dreams. I want to be a Constitutional Lawyer, and you want to be an Architect. We can do that. I believe in us.” Maria said. “I’m in this for the long haul. You are the man that I love. The only man that I’ve ever loved. And being with you is not a sacrifice, its icing on the cake.” Maria said.

Michael smiled brightly at her and pulled her roughly into his arms. He captured his lips in his, kissing her passionately. Finally, he pulled away from her and looked at her as both of their tears began to well up with tears. “Marry me, Maria.” Michael breathed, an inch away from her. He hadn’t meant to ask her like that, or even that soon, but looking at her in that moment, he knew he didn’t want to be with anyone else, ever.

Maria’s eyes went wide for a second before her face softened, and she kissed him again, this time softly. “You know I will.” She said, letting the tears spill over. It scared the shit out of her, but she knew that Michael was the man she would spend the rest of her life with.

**********

The next morning, Maria’s head was a little cloudy. They’d spent most of the night, naked in each others arms, and she almost wondered if Michael’s proposal had been real. Had she imagined it?

When she noticed the bed was empty, she got up and pulled on Michael’s tee-shirt. “Michael?” she called, making her way into the living room. He was in the kitchen cooking, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers and a smile on his face.

“Morning, baby.” Michael said, kissing her on the forehead as she joined him in the kitchen.

“Whacha cookin?” Maria asked, as she yawned and stretched.

“You know, you look so fucking hot in my clothes,” Michael said attacking her neck.

“And you look so fucking hot when you say FUCK.” Maria laughed, squirming out of his reach. Michael laughed at her and reached out, pulling her into him again, her back to his front. Maria leaned into him and he kissed her neck.

“So, I wanted to talk about last night.” Michael said between kisses. Maria turned around in Michael’s arms and gave him her undivided attention.

“OK,” she said.

“I meant every word, but I think we should hold off on the actual wedding until we are both done with undergrad.” Michael said.

Maria smiled brighter, “Well, of course, silly,” she said. “I thought you were going to say that you were just wrapped up in the moment and didn’t think it was a good idea anymore!” she said, slapping him playfully on the arm.

“Never,” Michael said, kissing her quick on the lips. “But I still want to buy you a ring.” He said.

“Baby, you don’t have to do that.” Maria said. The ring didn’t matter.

“I know, but I want to. I just want to make sure I get a good one, so how about we go shop together.” Michael said.

“You mean now?” Maria asked.

“Well, yeah.” Michael returned, “I’ve got the money right now, and the sooner the better, right? I wanna tell everyone you’re my fiancé.” Michael said, knowing he sounded sappy and girly, but it was true, and he didn’t care.

“Awww, baby,” Maria said wrapping her arms around Michael’s neck. “Well, lets eat and get going then,” she said. Hey, if he wanted to buy her a ring, who was she to turn it down. Tess, Kaley, and Katie were going to flip. Not to mention Isabel. Wonder what she would say.

***************

“Ok, go get ready.” Michael said when they walked back into the apartment.

“Ready for what?” Maria asked.

“Dinner,” Michael said, placing the ring he’d just bought on the dresser. He was going to do this whole thing right, with dinner, a bended knee, and ring in a box.

“Ok,” Maria said. “Didn’t know we were going out.” She shrugged.

Soon, they were both ready and on their way to the restaurant. Maria was surprised that Michael was able to get reservations at the new Italian restaurant on such short notice. But he did, and it wasn’t long before she was digging into her Capelini Pomodoro.

“You look beautiful,” Michael said, taking a moment to look at Maria as she ate. The reality of the whole day hadn’t really sunk in yet. He was going to marry the woman of his every dream.

“You do too, baby.” Maria said, smiling warmly at Michael. And he was beautiful, in everyway a person could be. From his gorgeous face, to his killer body, to his infinite kindness he was beautiful.

The chatted through dinner, until the desert came. Maria got Tiramisu and Michael got a slice of chocolate cake. Michael took this opportunity to get up from his chair, bend to one knee next to Maria. Maria laughed nervously, knowing what he was doing.

“Maria, I want to do this right,” Michael said, a smile spreading across his face. He opened the box holding the ring Maria had picked out. It wasn’t big, but it was beautiful, and they got a sweet deal on it. “Will you marry me?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, smiling wider than she thought was possible. Michael slipped the ring on her finger, and the entire restaurant erupted in loud cheers and applause. Maria and Michael both blushed, and rose to kiss each other.


***********

Two days later, Maria started class and Michael got back to work at the Museum. Tess and Kaley were back, but Maria hadn’t seen either of them yet. Katie and Isabel were both doing internships in their home town, so they wouldn’t be back until February.

As she walked out of the Visual Arts Center, Maria heard her name being yelled across the quad. “MARIA!” Tess screamed as she ran up to her friend. When they met in the middle, Tess pulled Maria into her.

“I missed you so much,” Maria said, surprised how close she felt to her friends at Hudson. Other than Alex and Zan, she was not one to get close to people.

“Me too!” Tess said. “Sorry I didn’t see you last night, Kyle met me up here.”

“I know,” Maria smiled knowingly. Kyle had come back to Michael’s apartment later that night grinning from ear to ear.

“Seen Kaley?” Maria asked.

“I think she’s in her room, wanna go check?” Tess asked. Maria nodded. She wanted to tell her friends the big news, and as soon as possible.

When they knocked on Kaley’s door, she opened it, and grinned when she saw Tess and Maria standing in front of her. “HEY!” she cried. “Get in here!”

Tess and Maria took turns hugging Kaley and took seats on Katie’s bed. “So how’ve you been?” Kaley asked.

“Good,” Tess answered first. “I’m glad to be back though.”

“Me too,” Kaley said. “And we’ve got a whole month before real classes start! So, how are you and Michael?” she asked, turning to Maria.

“Well,” Maria said, unable to keep the smile off of her face. “I actually have something to tell you guys.” She took a deep breath and said, “He proposed.” She waited a minute as her friends’ faces looked shocked. “And I said yes!”

“OMG!” Tess and Kaley screamed at the same time, tackling her on the bed.

“We aren’t getting married any time soon, but he asked, and I said yes,” Maria said holding up her left hand to show them the ring.

They both took turns looking at the ring, chattering among themselves with excitement and awe. “Who’d a though that you’d be the first of us to take the leap!” Kaley said, proud of her friend for letting someone in and loving him and letting him love her like she deserved.

“I know!” Tess said. “Congratulations!”

The girls spent the rest of the day hanging out and talking about their break. Maria was so glad to be back with her friends and Michael. Now, she just needed a way to tell her family about the engagement. She figured telling them right now was not the best idea. Besides, they weren’t going to actually have the wedding for a while. It could wait. Michael’s family was going to be the real challenge though, and Maria was sure that Michael wasn’t going to want to wait to tell them.

TBC…

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 45

January was slow. Mostly because Maria only had one class and she rarely went to it, while Michael was working his ass off. It seemed that after the proposal, saving money became his number one priority. It was nice that he was thinking about the future, but she was of the school of thought that all things would work out in the end.

Maria had already told Zan and Alex the news, and while they were surprised, they were very supportive.

When February arrived, Maria and Michael decided to bite the bullet and tell his mother about their engagement only because they were going to have to tell Isabel, and if she didn’t take it well, it could be all over his home town in a matter of days. Not the best way for a mother to hear that her son was going to marry what she considered a tramp.

Maria fidgeted with her seat in the truck, biting her lip in concentration. This was going to suck. She remembered what happened just 3 months ago at Thanksgiving. It was bad. Well, this was going to be worse. She could tell. The only bright side to the situation was, that Michael’s grades were good, and he had applied for a special grant. He didn’t need his mother’s money anymore. But that didn’t really change the fact that Maria still felt like she was coming between Mother and Son. It was a lot of pressure.

“Baby, you ok?” Michael asked. He knew she wasn’t, but she looked so upset and he just didn’t know what to say.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “I just hate that everyone can’t be happy for us.” Maria said.

“Hey, we haven’t even told her yet,” Michael countered.

Maria gave him a look that mean, get serious, and said, “Right, Michael.”

Michael had to concede the point. He knew very well, that even if his mother had gotten over her issues of Thanksgiving, this was going to come as quite a shock. But in the end, it was hit life, and he wanted to spend it with Maria. His mom was going to have to get on board or get out of the way.

The two hour drive was painfully silent, and Michael wanted to get Maria out of her mood, but he figured there was no use trying until after they talked to his mom. But no matter what, he was going to make sure Maria knew he stood by her 100%.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but we have to get out of the truck now,” Michael chuckled, as they had been sitting in the driveway for a few minutes.

“Ok.” Maria said. “And you have money for the motel if we have to leave?” she asked.

“Yes, baby. I’ve got everything under control.” Michael said with a smile. “Now, let’s go.”

Maria got out of the car and held onto Michael’s hand as he lead her up to the house. He rang the doorbell, feeling a little weird about doing that in a house he had called home for 22 years. Soon, his mother came to the door, and smiled slightly at both of them. Though, Maria could have sword she saw the woman flinch, just slightly, as she passed her gaze onto her.

“Come in,” she said, softly.

Michael led the way, and wrapped his mother in a hug when he entered the house. Maria could see the love he had for his mother, and it only made this whole thing harder.

“You want to eat?” Cindy Guerin asked them, though she kept her eyes on Michael, sort of ignoring Maria all together. Maria didn’t know if this was out of embarrassment for her previous behavior, or because she still hated her. She hoped for the former, but she was betting on the latter.

Michael looked at Maria, who said, “I’m hungry, what about you?” She wasn’t going to be scared silent. She wanted Michael to have a relationship with his mother, but she also wanted the other woman to know that she was not about to lay down and take her condescending attitude.

“Yeah, sure, Mom. Let’s eat,” Michael said. He hated how awkward this whole situation was. He hated that he couldn’t even look at his own mother in they eyes because she was acting like a child. He hated that she was so judgmental and couldn’t see the beauty he saw in Maria. The whole situation sucked and he was feeling, right at that moment, that he wanted to make this a quick and painless for all of them as possible.

Cindy smiled again, slightly, only the smile didn’t reach her eyes and Maria and Michael noticed it. When she turned to lead them to the dining room, Maria looked up and Michael, who smiled back down at her and bent over to kiss her lightly on the lips. Just a little reassurance.

A sigh escaped Cindy as she saw them kiss out of the corner of her eye, but she said nothing. She served the meal, without a word and sat down and began to eat. No one said anything. Maria picked at her food, no longer hungry, and Michael bit his lip deciding the best way to cut the silence, but Cindy did it for him.

“So, what did you two want to talk about?” Cindy asked, looked at both of them in they eyes for the first time.

Michael looked at Maria, who smiled at him, and then back at his mother. “Well, there is really no easy way to say this to you. We have good news.” He started.

“Really,” Cindy said, “I doubt that.”

Michael just sighed and Maria continued. “It’s great news actually, Mrs. Guerin.” She said, a smile spreading wide across her face. Boy, if she didn’t want to smack the smug look off her soon to be mother-in-law’s face.

“It is,” Michael said. “Maria and I are engaged.” He said, not an ounce of nerves in his voice.

Cindy just sat there. She didn’t say a word, just sat there, staring off into space.

“Mom, did you hear me?” Michael asked.

She snapped out of her trance and turned an angry glare to Maria. “Get out of my house!” she said, trying to keep her voice dwn as much as she could.

“Fine with me,” Maria said, throwing her napkin down on the table, but before she could leave Michael stopped her, putting his arms around her and turning to his mother.

“NO,” he said firmly. “Maria is not going anywhere. She is going to be my wife someday, so you either except her, or your lose me. Its up to you, Mom.” Michael said. He was putting his foot down once and for all.

“There is no way I will ever except that whore as the mother of my daughter-in-law.” Cindy spit out.

“Your choice,” Michael said, being strong. The truth was her words had cut him deep, and also made him want to throttle her. No one talked about Maria like that. And at the same time, it meant his mother’s pride was more important than their relationship. But as he said, it was her choice. He couldn’t do anything about it.

“Common, baby.” Michael said, “Let’s go.” Maria nodded and lead him out the door, as he was the one in need of some support.

Maria didn’t have a clue what to say as they gt into the car and drove to the motel, all she could do was hold his hand, and wait for him to break. Which he did, that night in her arms, while she rocked him to sleep.

********

“You’re what?” Isabel asked, taken aback by their announcement.

“Engaged. But we aren’t getting married anytime soon.” Maria clarified.

“Well,” Isabel said, scrunching up her forehead. “Good for you guys.” She smiled. “That was quick, but I guess I always knew when Michael met the right person, there would be no question.”

Maria and Michael both plled her into a group hug. “Oh thank you, Izzy,” Maria said. “Because after the day we had yesterday, I don’t think we could take anymore objection.”

“So, your mom didn’t take it well?” Isabel asked Michael.

“No, not at all.” Michael said, sitting down on her bed.

“Hey, you guys, I’m gonna go see what Tess is doing,” Maria said leaving the room. Isabel and Michael probably needed some time alone. She was the cause for his mother’s unrest, so maybe she wasn’t the best person to talk about it. Isabel knew that part of him better. That thought hurt and scared Maria a little but, but she shrugged it off. In time she would know all those things. And now, she and Michael had nothing but time.

TBC…

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 46

“So, what exactly happened?” Isabel asked, pulling up a chair next to Michael.

“Well, basically, she just told Maria to get out.” Michael said, summing up the events.

“And how did you guys tell her?’ Isabel asked.

“What, that’s not the point. It should matter how we told her,” Michael said, his voice raising with every syllable.

“Woah!” Isabel said raising her hands in surrender, “No need to get defensive. I’m not attacking here. I just want to set up the scene.” She chuckled slightly.

Michael’s face softened and he smiled a bit. “I’m sorry Isabel. I’m just really frustrated.”

“Understandable.” Isabel answered, “So, please, tell me everything.”

“Well, we sat down for dinner and it was really awkward. I mean, my relationship with my mom had always been good. Never great, but good. And I just decided to get it out in the open. I mean, it’s good news, and if she wasn’t going to be happy for me, then I couldn’t do anything about it, right?” Michael explained.

“Right,” Isabel said, waiting for him to go on.

“Well and way, we told her that we were engaged, and she just looked at us for a minute, then her eyes darkened and she told Maria to get out. At which point, I told Maria to stay because I wasn’t going to have my mother walk all over her. I told my mom that she should be happy for me. Dropped the bomb that I didn’t need her money to stay in school and then left.” Michael said.

“Ok,” Isabel said, taking in the information. “Well, that was sort of abrupt.”

“I know, Izzy, but what could I do?” Michael said. “She needed to know at some point, and better now than when we are actually ready to GET married.”

“I know. And I know she couldn’t have made it very easy on you.” Isabel comforted. “But…”

“Spit it out Izzy.” Michael said, looking at her intently.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but are you absolutely SURE that Maria is worth losing your mother’s relationship. She is the only real family you have.” Isabel said.

“YES!” Michael cried. “Look, I know you’ve never understood my desire to find love. I’m just the kind of person who wants to connect with another person. To share my life with that person.” Michael tried to explain to her. “And I’ve found that with Maria. She gets me like on one has ever gotten me. She loves me and I love her, and that’s what I’ve wanted my whole life.” Michael said. “So, yes, my mother is my only real family that I was born with, but Maria is the family I choose. If the two can’t come together, I choose Maria. I could live without being close to my mother. I can’t live without Maria in my life.”

“Well, then you made the right decision.” Isabel said. “And now you just have to move on. If your mom comes around, she comes around, and if not, you can’t worry about what she thinks. It will kill you to try to please everyone. So just please yourself.” Isabel said. “And I promise, if your mother truly loves you, like I think she does, she will get over her pride and hatred and accept Maria.”

“You think?” Michael asked, truly wanting his friends opinion.

“If you haven’t noticed, Maria is a hard person to hate once you know her.” Isabel smiled.

Michael smiled back. Well, that was true.


In Tess’s Room…


“That bad, huh?” Tess said, comforting her friend down the hall.

“Oh yeah,” Maria said, sighing as she fell back on Tess’s bed.

“Well, I’m sorry. But, Kyle did tell me that Mrs. Guerin was crazy if that makes you feel any better,” Tess chuckled.

Maria smiled at her friends attempt to cheer her up. “And you don’t think I’m a bitch for dragging Michael away from his only family?” she asked.

“Maria, you aren’t dragging anyone anywhere.” Tess said. “From what I can see, that boy would follow you to the end of the earth. This is his decision, and you have to let him make it. This has nothing to do with you, so you shouldn’t feel guilty about it.” Tess explained.

“I know,” Maria said nodding, “I just don’t want him to resent me later.”

“Not a chance.”

********

That night, Maria stayed at Michael’s apartment. It was the weekend, and she didn’t have any homework, so she and Michael went to a movie and then curled up on the couch together. “I love you,” Michael said, kissing the top of Maria’s head.

“Ditto,” Maria said with a bright smile.

“You know, we did buy those handcuffs before we left…” Michael said, his lips turning into an evil grin.

“You read my mind,” Maria said hopping off the couch and nearly running into his bedroom. Michael followed her close behind and saw that she was already lifting her shirt above her head.

“So, who wears them?” he asked, picking the set of handcuffs up by one finger and twirling them around.

“Mmm,” Maria said, already growing wet at the sight of them. “Me. I want you to fuck me while I’m cuffed to the bed.” She said, licking her lips in anticipation.

Michael’s cock jumped as she spoke. She wanted him to dominate her, and he was more than willing. So was another part of his anatomy.

Maria climbed onto his bed and laid there, like a damsel in distress, as Michael slowly and seductively removed her clothes, leaving only her soaked thong intact. “Mmmm,” Michael nearly moaned as he moved on the bed, still fully clothed.

He took each of her delicate wrists in hand and cuffed them, one at a time to the post of his bed. Maria couldn’t keep the grin from her lips as she laid there, bare, in front of a clothed Michael, anticipating what was to come.

“What are you smiling at, blondie?” Michael said, his tone serious and forceful.

“Sorry,” Maria said, quietly, letting her lips relax.

“Sorry, what?” Michael said, moving off the bed and away from her.

Maria’s brows knit together, wondering what he was talking about until it hit her. “Sorry, Master,” she amended.

“Better,” Michael said, but his tone was not sweet, it was matter-or-fact.

Maria bit her lip, as she watch Michael’s every movement. He was so sexy. He moved across the room with such confidence, and whenever he dominated her, Maria couldn’t help but fall for him all over again. She bit her lip in anticipation, waiting for his next move.

Slowly, silently, Michael began unbuttoning his shirt. He was teasing her, knowing that she couldn’t do anything about his tedious pace. He knew she wanted to rip his clothes off and fuck him, dulling the ache they were both feeling, but he wanted to make her wait. Just a little bit.

Maria kept her eyes faithfully on Michael as he slipped the shit off his shoulders and reached for his belt. “Like what you see?” he asked, a smirk on his face. Maria nodded her head up and down with force, remembering not to talk, or her Master would punish her. Not as if that would be so bad.

“Good girl.” Michael replied, pulling his belt out of his pants. His fingers lingered on the button of his jeans for a moment before he finally decided to put them both out of their misery and take undo his pants. They fell down in a puddle by his feet and he stepped out of them, kicking them over to where he had thrown Maria’s clothes.

“Mmm,” Maria couldn’t help but moan. But she was quiet. Sure that Michael would not hear her. When his eyes, which had be focused on her the whole time, flared, she knew he had.

“I thought I told you not to speak.” Michael growled. “You know what this means.” He said.

Maria nodded, knowing very well that she was to be punished. Her pussy grew wet at the thought of it. Michael quickly climbed the bed, his boxers still on and laid both of his hands on Maria’s hips, pushing her into the mattress. “I think, just for that moan, you get 5 licks.” He said.

Maria nodded in compliance to her master. Immediately, Michael raised his hand in the air, and brought it down on the tender flesh of Maria’s outer thigh. To tell the truth, he never really liked this part of their game. It didn’t give him a charge to hurt Maria, but she loved it, and he never hit her very hard. Just enough to make the skin grow pink. He knew he could do this one thing for the woman he loved and knew he would be with forever.

“Now, when I say,” slap, “don’t talk,” slap, “you do what I tell you,” slap, “Understood?” Slap. Maria nodded, tears stinging her eyes, but God how she loved when Michael spanked her.

“You may answer me,” Michael said, loving the sound of her lust filled voice.

“Yes Master.” Maria answered, her voice strained slightly with lust and pain.

“Very good, baby.” Michael said, cracking a smile at her. He never could follow through with the mean act. Maria was just too beautiful and loving for him to scowl at.

He moved his head up toward hers and captured her lips in a ferocious kiss. Maria greedily drank him in, as much as she could in the precarious position she was in. Michael’s arms moved up and down her sides, feeling the silky skin of her stomach and legs. As he approached her thong, he carefully slid it down her body and off of her, throwing it somewhere behind him.

Maria was dripping wet, and they could both smell her arousal, as she arched her neck so that Michael could continue to kiss her there. “MMMM,” Michael moaned, rubbing himself against her. The boxers had to go, and with one hand he removed them, kicking them off the bed. Never once did he removed himself from her.

As Maria felt his naked cock make contact with her thigh, she moaned again, wanting, no needing him to be inside her. “Please,” she nearly begged, knowing she wasn’t supposed to speak, but also knowing that Michael needed exactly what she did.

“Tell me what you want, baby,” Michael said looking her straight in the eyes.

“You,” Maria breathed, a breath away from orgasm and he has barely touched her. Michael kissed her lips quickly and then took his rock hard cock into his hands, guiding himself to her slick entrance. In one quick thrust he was inside her, and Maria was exploding around him. “OH GOD!” she nearly screamed as her pussy clamped down on his cock.

But Michael kept thrusting, pushing her to a second and third orgasm. He fucked her hard. Her wrists were soar and she loved it. The burn in her body was just making her come faster and harder. The bed shook with every thrust, threatening to fall apart, but it never did. Michael fucked her with everything he had. “Fuck!” he cried, gripping her hips in his hands as he fucked her. His nails dug into her skin, and she knew he was close. She, herself, was close to her 5th orgasm.

She met him thrust for thrust as the hurtled to the edge and over. “MARIA!” Michael growled as he shot his come deep into her.

“OH YES MICHAEL!” Maria wailed, feeling her body go limp as she came. She could barely move, and had not had sex this intense in her whole life. 5 times she came.

Michael collapsed on top of her long enough to catch his breath, and then moved to the side of her, retrieving the handcuff key, and removing them from her wrists. They were red and swollen, and he felt a bit of remorse for hurting her. He knew as hard as he was fucking her, she had to have been in pain.

Maria quieted his thoughts though, as she smiled and kissed him. “That was so fucking awesome,” she said, not wanting him to be upset. He smiled back at her, and kissed each delicate write.

“I’m tired,” he said, snuggling into Maria.

Maria yawned, curling around him, “Me too.”

“Love you, baby,” Michael said, on the verge of REM sleep.

“Love you, too.” Maria said, almost there herself.

TBC…

[gnrkrystle]

Chapter 47

“So, who is excited about the HDP????” Isabel yelled into Maria’s room several weeks later. The HDP was short for History Department Party. It was the biggest party of the year. All the history professors got together, bought a shit load of beer and through a party with Dr Leedom as the DJ. Everyone who had been to one seemed excited about it.

Maria smiled at her friend. “Yeah, but you realize it’s not for like 4 hours.” She laughed.

“I know I know,” Isabel said, a little tipsy. “But we are pre-gaming.”

“Oh!” Maria said with a smile. “Well, let me get ready and I’ll meet you in Katie and Kaley’s room.” She said. Isabel nodded and skipped out of the room. Maria figured Tess was probably down at the pre-game party already, so she decided to call Michael and Kyle and tell them to get their asses to Hudson.

When she was done, she pulled on some jeans and a tee-shirt, grabbed a bottle of wine, and made her way to Katie and Kaley’s room. “What’s up bitches?” she laughed, bursting through the door.

“MARIA!” the room yelled, already on their way to drunk. She had some catching up to do. She popped her bottle of wine and poured a glass before sitting down next to Kaley.

“So, how are things?” she asked Kaley. She had just broken up with her on-again off-again boyfriend, and Maria hadn’t had the chance to talk to her about it yet.

“Great!” Kaley said, with a smile. “I’m free.” To tell the truth, it had been Maria and Michael’s relationship that had caused her to break up with her boyfriend, Brody. She realized what they had couldn’t hold a candle to Maria and Michael, and she wanted what Maria and Michael had. She was done settling.

“Well, that’s good.” Maria smiled hugging her friend. “Have a glass of wine.” She said, pouring one for her.

Just then Liz walked in the room. Maria’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t seen her ex-roommate barely at all this semester and she missed her. “I didn’t know you were coming to the HDP.” Maria said, excitedly.

“Well, I haven’t been doing much but studying, so I needed a break.” Liz laughed.

It wasn’t long before Michael and Kyle showed up at the party. Someone must have let them in because they didn’t even have to call Maria or Tess to come meet them at the door. “Hey, baby!” Maria cried, wrapping her arms around Michael. She was starting to feel a little buzz already.

“I brought presents.” He said, with a laugh, holding up a case of Ying-Ling Lager.

“See, I knew there was a reason I was marrying you.” Maria said, with a twinkle in her eyes. Michael loved when she talked about them getting married. He smiled brightly at her, and moved into the room, noting that Tess and Kyle were already wrapped around each other on Katie’s bed.

**********

Maria, Tess, Isabel, and Katie were on the dance floor jumping up and down while Michael, Kyle, and Kaley watched them laughing. “Why aren’t you out there?” Kyle asked Kaley, pointing to the other girls.

“Because I don’t dance,” Kaley laughed, sipping her beer.

“Me either,” Kyle and Michael said at the same time. “I have a feeling Maria will be changing that,” he laughed.

“Yeah, you can’t have a wedding without dancing,” Kaley said. “I might even dance at your wedding.” She laughed.

Michael beamed. “Can you believe I’m getting married?” he asked.

“Yeah, and to the one girl who swore marriage was for idiots.” Kaley laughed.

“Yeah, well Michael changed her mind,” Kyle joked. Michael beamed brighter. Life was really going his way. Nothing could bring him down now. He looked back at Maria, sweating on the dance floor and he knew, not matter what happened, if they had each other, things would be ok.

*********

After the party, the group headed back to the dorm and stopped on the balcony. All the smokers pulled out their cigarettes and lit up. “I’m drunk,” Maria slurred as she slipped into Michael’s lap on the rocking chairs.

“You know she’s drunk when she will admit it,” Tess giggled, she herself was a bit tipsy as well.

“Shut up,” Maria laughed, letting Michael’s arms slip around her.

“So, that party was pretty successful,” Isabel said, barely able to get her words out through the slurring.

“Only Isabel would use a word like successful when she’s drunk,” Katie laughed, hanging off the edge of the balcony. Kyle was pretty sober and trying to keep an eye on her, cause it looked like she might fall off.

“So, what now?” Kaley asked, tired and desperately hoping that everyone else was ready for bed, because if they weren’t, she knew Katie would invite them back to the room and she would never get to sleep.

“I’m sleepy,” Maria yawned, resting her head on Michael’s chest.

“Yeah, me too.” Tess and Isabel said in unison.

“Let’s go to bed,” Kyle said, ushering Tess to the door.

Everyone pretty much followed their lead, and when Maria and Michael finished their cigarettes, Michael stood up, pulling Maria into his arms and carrying her into the building.

“Baby, I can walk,” she laughed.

“I know, but I like carrying you,” he said, nuzzling her neck as he made his way up the stairs.

“Damn, I’m spoiled,” Maria said with a grin.

“And you’ll stay that way, if I have anything to say about it.” Michael said, pushing her door open.

“Mmmm, you’re the best,” Maria said, as he laid her on the bed. She was already half asleep as he pulled her clothes off, then his own, before he snuggled in behind her.

“Night baby,” he said, kissing the back of her head before he slipped into sleep after her.

*********

A few weeks later, Maria bit her lip impatiently as she looked at her Calendar. April 5th. She was a week late. This couldn’t be happening. Shit. What was she going to do?

She sighed heavily and walked out of her room and down to Tess’s. She had to talk to her. Maybe she was freaking out over nothing. Maybe it was stress, though she had to admit she’d never been less stressed in her whole life as she had been the last few months. She just needed some perspective.

She knocked lightly on Tess’s door. “What’s up?” she asked, pulling the door open. Maria let herself in and sat on the extra bed in her friends room. “Ok, that’s the serious face, what happened.” Tess said, sitting on her own bead, ready to listen.

“I’m late.” Maria said.

It took Tess a second to process what she was saying. “Oh, Maria.” She said looking at her friend. “How late?”

“A week.” Maria said, biting her lip again.

“That’s not that long,” Tess reasoned. “Maybe you should take the test before we freak out.” Tess said, moving to sit by her friend on the bed.

Maria nodded. “You’re right.” She said, biting back the tears. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to have a baby with Michael. In fact, she had been a little freaked out by the rapidity of her biological clock since she had been with him. But how was she ever going to get the education she wanted if she had a baby right now.

“Here, let’s go get a test from health services,” Tess said helping Maria get up and out the door.

10 minutes later Maria sat in Tess’s room holding the test in her hand. “Now, just remember, whatever it says, you can get through this.” Tess reminded her. “And Hudson has a great program for student mothers.” Tess said.

Maria smiled at her. She was such a great friend. And she had been thinking the very same things. Whatever happened, she and Michael could get through this. She just wanted to be sure, that he knew that his education was important to her and she would never ask him to give it up. And Hudson really would work with her through her pregnancy, she knew that. But she should probably find out before she started planning anything. “Ok, here goes nothing,” she said flipping the test over.

TBC…

[gnrkrystle]

A/N: Sorry it’s been so long since I updated this, and I left it at a total cliff hanger…but I’m back in a routine, so here’s a new chapter! Hope you Enjoy!


Chapter 48

Maria began to hyperventilate. “Is it hot in here?” she said, fanning herself.

“Maria, what does it say?” Tess asked, feeling like she already had a pretty good idea.

“Well, I’m pregnant,” Maria said, getting up, trying to do anything to distract her. She couldn’t deal with this right now. Not only was she a sophomore in college, with dreams of law school, but she wasn’t entirely heart broken about becoming a mother. What was going on with her?

Tess looked at her friend with great concern. “Maria, are you ok?” she asked. It was a stupid question. Of course she was not ‘ok’. Everything she had been working for was now in jeopardy.

“Ummm,” Maria said, trying to gain control of her breathing. “Yeah,” she said. “This is fine. I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t so sure, but she had to tell herself that. “Oh god, I need a cigarette.” She said, sitting back down on the bed and ringing her hand.

“Shit!” she cried.

“What!” Tess asked, wrapping her arm around her friend. She didn’t know what to do. This was heavy.

“Smoking and drinking! I’ve been doing that a lot lately. And I’ve been pregnant. What if I hurt the baby?” she cried. The thought was something she didn’t know she could forgive herself for. In the 2 minutes she had known she was having a baby, she had fallen in love with it.

Tess rubbed her back. “This happens to all women who get pregnant. There is no way you could have known. The baby can take it. You just have to quit smoking and drinking from now on. I mean, if you are going to keep it.” She was sure to add. She didn’t want Maria to think she wouldn’t be supportive if she didn’t want to be a mother just yet.

“You think I should get rid of it?” she nearly screamed.

“No!” Tess said, quickly. “I’m just saying, if you chose to, I’d support you.”

“I couldn’t do that,” Maria said, hanging her head. “I may not be ready for this, but it’s happening whether I am or not.” She replied, quietly.

“So, when are you going to tell Michael?” Tess asked.

“The sooner the better.” Maria said, biting her lip. “I just don’t want him to think he has to sacrifice. He just got out of that small town, into college, and found out what he wanted to do. Now, I’m going to bring him down.” Maria said, looking to her best friend for advice.

“Maria, I highly doubt Michael will see it that way.” She assured. “You guys can work this out. With the both of you together, you can do anything.”

“Yeah,” Maria said. And she knew, to some extent, Tess was right, but she still didn’t have a clue how they were going to do it.

“My grandfather was so proud of me,” she said, tears coming to her eyes. “When I went home, he was proud of me for what I was doing in college, my goals, my grades…everything. Now, I’m going to disappoint him.”

“You can’t think about that right now.” Tess said. “Maybe you will disappoint him, but just think of how proud he will be when you DO reach your goals, all while being a mother.”

Maria was starting to love her name attached to the word mother. She didn’t know if it was the hormones, or her biological clock, or the fact that she was head-over-heels in love with Michael, but she was feeling all kinds of maternal at the moment.

“Can you keep this a secret?” Maria asked, knowing she could trust Tess.

“Of Course,” she said with a smile.

“I just want to wrap my head around this, and talk to Michael before we go public.” Maria said getting up.

“Where are you going?” Tess asked.

“Michael’s picking me up after he gets off work, and I’m going to tell him the news. Then, I guess I better try to find a doctor.” Maria said. Things were going so quickly she was having trouble getting her bearings. She just hoped Michael would feel as calm about this situation as she was starting to feel, and she hoped he didn’t resent her.

********

“You ok?” Michael asked as he got into the truck after helping Maria in.

She looked at the car and thought to herself, ‘we are going to have to get a more reliable car.’ “Yeah, I’m fine.” She smiled at him.

“So, what do you want to do tonight?” Michael asked.

“Ummm, lets just stay in.” she said. “We can cook some dinner and see if there are any movies on demand.”

“Sounds great,” Michael said, smiling up at her as he laced his fingers through hers.

She didn’t know how she was going to do it, but she had to tell him. IN the car, while he was driving, was probably going to be no good. Cooking, where he could burn himself, not good either. Maybe at dinner. Yeah, that’s when she would tell him. God, this was hard.

Michael noticed that Maria seemed a little off, but shrugged it off. Maybe she just didn’t feel well. Things were going great with them and he was sure she wasn’t mad at him, so he would just let her come to him when she was ready.

As they sat down to dinner, Maria bit her lip nervously as she thought of the best way to tell Michael her news…their news…and it was good news, really. She refused to think of their child as “bad news”.

Finally, she took a deep breath and said, “Michael, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Michael looked back at her, trying not to freak out at her serious expression. “What is it, baby?” he asked.

“Well, before I tell you, I just want to say that I love you, and this doesn’t have to change things.” Maria said.

“Maria, just tell me, you are starting to scare me.” Michael said, reaching out to take her hand in his.

“Ok,” Maria said, letting all the breath in her lungs out. She pulled the pregnancy test out of her back pocket and handed it to him, unable to really find the words to tell him what she needed to say.

Michael took the test from her and stared at it. His eyes went wide at the realization that he was about to be a father, ready or not. “Oh my God.” Michael breathed, his heart racing as a smile spread across his face. As much as he knew they were probably out of their league, he couldn’t help but be damn near ecstatic at the thought of starting a family with Maria.

The problem was, he didn’t know how Maria felt. Her education was so important to her, and this was going to throw a monkey wrench into her plans. She’d always made fun of women who dropped out of school to start families, and now she might turn out to be one.

Maria looked at the smile on his face and said, “Say something, please.” Tears were gathering in the corners of her eyes.

“I…” he didn’t really know what to say. “I guess we are having a baby,” he said, smile still painted on his face.

“And you’re not mad?” Maria asked.

“Mad? Maria, why would I be mad?” Michael asked.

“Well, this changes everything!” Maria yelled. “Our dreams and goals!” she reminded him. “How are we going to reach them now?”

Michael frowned at her. “Maria, are you trying to tell me that you don’t’ want to keep this baby?” He feared her answer because he knew, in the end, it was her choice. But he didn’t know if he could live with that.

“No!” Maria immediately answered. “I couldn’t get rid of it,” Maria said. “This is our child.” Her voice was straining as tears leaked from her eyes.

Michael pushed his chair around to sit next to her and wrapped his arms around her. “Good,” he said, quietly. “I know this is going to be hard, but we can work through this.”

“It’s not fair to you.” Maria said, looking up at him. “I don’t want you to have to give up your dreams.”

“No one is giving up anything,” he assured her, pulling her out of her chair. He walked her to the couch and pulled her into his arms as they collapsed together. Dinner was forgotten for the moment. “We can both reach our goals and still have this baby. We will just have to work harder.”

“My grandfather is going to flip.” Maria sighed.

“Don’t think about that right now.” Michael said, kissing her forehead. “Don’t think about anything but the fact that we are going to have a beautiful baby.” Michael beamed. She knew he was just as excited as she was and smiled for the first time since she found out.

He pulled her face to his and kissed her deeply. The emotions building in each other them were almost overwhelming. “Ok,” Maria said as they parted. “You’re right. This will all work out.”

*******

Maria and Michael slipped out of their clothes and under the covers after going to the doctor a few days later. Maria had taken a couple of personal days and pretty much avoided campus. She just needed to wrap her mind around the whole situation and she and Michael needed to come up with a long term plan.

Fortunately, they thought they had a pretty good plan. They just needed to have a conversation with their respective College Presidents and professors. Then, they could figure out what they were going to do. One thing they had decided for sure was, Maria was going to stay in Roanoke for the summer and move in with Michael. It would be better for both of them at this point.

Michael wrapped his arms tightly around Maria, resting his open palm an her stomach. “I love you,” he whispered in her ear.

She smiled and snuggled closer to him. “I love you, too.” She said with a smile. As much as she should be freaking out, she sort of felt at home for the first time.

********

“We don’t have to tell them,” Michael said, pulling Maria closer to him a week later. Maria decided it was time to quit hiding. She and Michael had squared away everything with their respective schools. They were both going to stay in school until December when the baby came. Then Michael was going to finish his first year while Maria stayed with the baby and worked. Then, then next year they would switch. Maria would do school for the next year and a half and finish while Michael stayed home. After she got her degree, she would get a good job until he finished school. It would take them each more time, but they could work it out. Their schools were 100% behind them as well and promised to make any accommodations they could.

“No, there is no use putting it off.” Maria sighed. “It’s good news. It’s just that I don’t want to be looked at like “that girl.” You know, the one who met a guy and got knocked up,” she chuckled.

“You are not that girl,” Michael said. He knew this was just as much his fault as hers. “You are a smart woman. We just jumpstarted the family before we were really ready.” Michael answered.

“I know,” Maria said. She was finished beating herself up over this. The bottom line was, she and Michael were together, so they were going to have sex. She was on the pill, so if a baby was created, that could only mean that it was all meant to be.

“They should all be in my room. Tess assembled the masses,” she laughed.

They made their way to her room and opened the door. Sure enough, Tess, Isabel, Kyle, Kaley, Katie, and Sarah were already there. “Hey, guys!” Maria greeted with a smile.

“So, what is so important that we had to come right away?” Katie asked, getting to the point.

“Well, there is no use putting it off,” Maria laughed. “Michael and I are pregnant.” She said, waiting to gage their reactions.

“Wow,” was basically heard around the room.

“That’s great,” Kaley was the first to say.

Congratulations followed from, everyone and Maria and Michael could tell that the sentiments were genuine. “Thank you guys for being so supportive,” Maria smiled, not letting the tears fall from her eyes.

“What are you going to do about school?” Sarah asked, wondering what everyone was thinking silently.

Maria and Michael told them the plan. They basically had everything figured out but how they were going to tell his mom and her family. She really didn’t want to let down her grandfather, so she was going to put it off as long as possible, and since she wouldn’t be going home for the summer, she basically wasn’t going to see her family until the baby was born anyway.

“Well, I will miss you on campus,” Tess said hugging her friend close.

“Yeah, but Michael does just live down the street,” she reminded.

The rest of the day, the friends lounged around in Maria’s room and talked about the baby and watched movies.

Maria looked up at Michael and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Things are going to be ok,” she said, for the first time truly believing it. He smiled back at her and nodded, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

TBC…

[gnrkrystle]

A/N: This is a really short Chapter, but I’ll try to get a longer update out soon. Thanks for your support!

Chapter 49

Maria wiped her brow, tired from packing up her room. She didn’t realize she had as much stuff as she did. She must have acquired it over the year because there was no way she had moved this much stuff in with Alex.

But she was almost done with the packing. She just had to get her ton of books loaded up and they could start moving her stuff down to Michael’s truck. “Baby, let me get that,” Michael said, his voice concerned as he entered her room. “You should be taking it easy.”

Maria smiled at him and leaned up to kiss his cheek. “I’m only two months pregnant. I can still move.”

“I know, but better to be safe, right?” Michael said, beginning to pack her books himself. He knew he was being over cautious, but Maria and the baby were the two most important things in his life and he wanted to protect them no matter what.

“Mmm, okay,” Maria said, plopping down on the sheetless bed. “Then I’m gonna take a break and watch you go to work,” she smirked. She still had one more final before the school year was officially over and she had to get ready for it, but she figured she’d wait until after they moved her stuff.

As far as the summer plans, Maria got a paid internship at the Hudson Times, the local newspaper, where she would be working on the National Politics page. She couldn’t have been more excited. Political Analysis was her dream and this was a step in the right direction. Besides, the pay was actually pretty good for an internship. She and Michael could start saving for when the baby came. Michael got a promotion at the Museum, and would begin working on actual restorations, which meant a healthy check every week from him as well.

Maria still hadn’t told her family about the baby, and she knew it was inevitable, but she was going to wait until the end of the summer. They had a good plan and she was positive things would work out, but she knew her grandfather would be disappointed in her. She would just have to prove to him she could do this and come out on top.

“Damn baby, you’ve got a lot of books,” Michael laughed as he loaded up the last box.

“What can I say? I’m a studious young woman.” Maria smirked as Michael made his way to her and pulled her into his arms.

“Sexy,” Michael quipped as he pecked her lips. “You ready to go?” He asked. “Kyle should be here any minute.”

“Yeah. I’ve got to study tonight, so it’s better to get this over with.” Maria said.

“Oh! So, moving in with me is a hassle?” Michael faked a hurt expression.

Maria swatted him on the arm. “Oh, come on! You know what I mean.”

Just then Kyle and Tess knocked on the door. “Ready?” Tess asked, stepping into the room.

“Yep,” Maria said, looking around her packed up room. “Let’s do this.”

**********

Many hours later, Maria poured over her Political Science notes. She was all moved in, and planned to unpack once classes were officially over. “Need anything?” Michael called from the kitchen. He felt a sense of calm happiness having her in his home. She was always there, but now this was her home as well.

“Can I have an apple?” Maria called, not looking up from her work. She was almost done and just wanted to get it over with.

Michael pulled out the fruit and walked it over to her, kissing the top of her head as he sat the apple down next to her. He left her alone to her work and moved into the bedroom, flipping the TV on in there. He let out a sigh of contentment and got into bed.

He didn’t stir as Maria climbed into bed next to him and flipped off the light, later that night. She smiled to herself and wrapped her arms around him. She’d always been a little scared of making the commitment to move in with him, but now it seemed so natural, she didn’t know why she hadn’t done it before. She didn’t feel suffocated by the whole situation. She just felt completely content. Even if she was pregnant before she was ready.

TBC…