The Best of Me
By Misha
Disclaimer- Not mine. I’m just borrowing them for a little while and will return them when I am finished.
Author’s Notes- I had a few people ask me for a follow up to “Everything Happens For A Reason” and another story with Cassie and Michael as adults and I finally thought of an idea. This takes place six months after “Everything Happens For A Reason”. This is also the response to the kissing prompt: a gentle “i love you” whispered after a soft kiss, followed immediately by a stronger kiss.
Pairing- Michael/MC
Rating- PG
Summary- Sequel to “Everything Happens For a Reason.” Michael has an important question for Cassie.
Words- 674
“This is just what I needed,” I commented with a sigh as I sat down on the blanket, watching the fire Michael had just finished making. “A nice relaxing evening.”
“I have to admit an after-dark picnic is a neat idea,” Lauren agreed as she and Kyle settled on the blanket. “Thanks for suggesting it, Michael.”
“No problem,” he said easily, dropping down next to me and wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
The four of us chatted easily for a while as we unpacked the food and then ate our meal. Suddenly there was a loud sound right above our heads.
“Oh, look,” Lauren exclaimed, “someone’s setting off fireworks, aren’t they beautiful?”
I looked up at the sky, at the bright and colorful display, memory washing over me. A feeling anticipation settled over me and I glanced at Michael. Sure enough, he was no longer seated next to me instead he had gotten to one knee.
“Oh my god!” Lauren cried.
“Shhh,” Kyle told her. I ignored them both, my attention completely focused on Michael.
“Do you remember Homecoming Sophomore year?” Michael asked me quietly, his attention focused on me.
“How could I forget?” I said lightly. “That was the first time you ever asked me out.” With a fireworks display. I had bragged to my friends about that for weeks.
“I wanted so badly to impress you, to make you smile,” Michael remembered, “and all these years later, I still feel the same way. I thought of a million creative ways to do this, but this one felt the most right, going back to our roots. Cassandra Lynn Martin, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I answered immediately, throwing my arms around him. I didn’t even have to hesitate. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Michael. Meeting him again had been the best thing that had ever happened to me. Our lips met in a surprisingly gentle kiss as he held me close.
“I love you,” he whispered against my lips.
“I love you too,” I assured him, before kissing him again, much deeper this time until a discreet cough made us remember that we weren’t alone and pull apart.
“Congrats!” Lauren said excitedly, throwing her arms around me. “I’m so happy for you!”
“Thank you,” I said, hugging her back, “actually, I really owe you a thanks, because if you hadn’t blindsided me with that double date, Michael and I might never have reunited.”
It was crazy to think that had only been six months ago.
Lauren grinned, “see? It’s a good thing that I meddled.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Babe,” Kyle said with a smirk.
Lauren glared at him, “I can’t believe you knew this was happening and you didn’t tell me!”
“If I’d told you then Cassie would have known,” Kyle pointed out with a laugh.
“Hey, I can keep a secret,” Lauren protested, “I mean, look at how I got Cassie and Michael together in the first place.”
We all laughed at that. Michael wrapped his arms around my waist as we listened to Kyle and Lauren continue to bicker. “Happy?”
“Oh, yeah,” I told him, “though it still feels like a dream. I mean, meeting you again, falling back in love and now this.”
“If it’s a dream, I don’t want to wake up,” he told me, “because nothing has ever felt more right, except maybe meeting you the first time around.”
“All these years and you can still amaze me with how sweet you are,” I told him, leaning against him.
He placed a kiss on the top of my head, “only with you. You have this ability to bring out the best in me, you always have.”
“We bring out the best in each other,” I corrected, turning around to kiss him once more.
It was true. Michael and I had been a great combination as teenagers and now as adults, we had found something truly special and I couldn’t wait to build a life and a family with him.
- End
