Chapter twenty-six – Promise

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-The following morning-

"Citria? Citria? Wake up; it's morning, my Angel ... "

Michael's voice brings me out of my sleep the next morning, but that isn't even what I draw my attention to; rather, my heart misses a beat from just two of the words in the sentence.

"My Angel".

That is the first proper nickname he's given me, apart from "Cit", which is just a shortened version of my name. I really hope he keeps this "Angel" nickname up – I love it already. Just that alone has made me feel even more special than I already did being his.

"Morning Michael." My voice is hoarse because I've just woken up, so I clear my throat a little to decongest it. It's then that I notice Michael leaning in to give me a morning kiss, so I lightly place my fingers over his lips, "Um, Michael ... morning breath, remember?"

He furrows his eyebrows, his face still close to mine, "Well ... in all honesty? I couldn't care less. I already brushed my teeth, and just 'cause you haven't, that doesn't mean to say I don't want to kiss you." My mouth opens to speak, but before I can, he speaks once again, "Now let me kiss you, Citria. Okay?"

A small chuckle escapes my lips as I give him permission to kiss me. He does so, and upon separating his lips from mine, a mellow smile makes its presence known on his face. It makes me so happy knowing that I have brought that smile to his face, no matter how small it is.

"So, seeing Clover and your father today?" Michael goes on to ask, "I'm correct, right?"

I nod my head, "Yes, we are. You're okay with that?"

His tiny smile becomes a larger one, as if assuring me it's alright, "Why wouldn't it be okay? After the accomplishment of being around all those people last night, seeing them will be nothing." He then gets out of bed, searching for clothing around the room, "And besides, I enjoy going to see them."

"But where do you and Clover stand?" I find myself asking seriously, "I mean, I know you feel nothing towards her, but the way she is around you just ... doesn't give me a good impression."

He finds his shirt, before turning around to see me still in bed. Lifting his pyjama shirt over his head, he walks over to me. I'm struggling to focus on anything but his chest in all honesty; it's rather adorable to look at. But the seriousness of my previous words kind of overrules it.

His expression indicates he wants me to trust him in what he's about to say, so I remain silent as he slips a new shirt on. After he's done this, he rests a hand under my chin, lifting it up slightly so we make eye contact.

"Listen, Cit. There's absolutely nothing in my heart for Clover. You believe me when I say that, don't you?"

All I need to do is nod my head. He gives a closed-mouth smile, inhaling deeply before he continues to speak.

"And as for her feelings for me? I can't tell with that one. Perhaps she's just in need of a friend, and I'm the only person she knows who isn't blood related. It could just be as simple as that ... alright?"

"I don't even know why I'm so hyped-up over this," I admit, my voice saddened, "I mean, it's not like you're going to cheat on me with her. I trust you ... and I should trust her, too. I'm sorry for being too much of a worrier."

"Don't ever apologise, Angel. Worrying shows how much you care; that's why I worry for you so much. We both worry about one another because we care for one another. It makes sense." He lowers my chin, but still keeps his hand rested beneath it, so I break the eye contact between us for a moment. However, before too long, he moves his head, trying to regain the eye contact, so I take the hint and look back at him, "I'd be more worried if you didn't worry about other girls liking me. I know you're dedicated to me; I'm dedicated to you too. You better not forget that you and I are forever and a half."

The latter statement causes me to chuckle a little, due to the jokiness of it. Despite the jokey side, however, I know he's serious about what he's saying, and that just reassures me endlessly that everything will be fine with Clover.

"You know, you're right," I finally answer, nodding with his hand beneath my chin still. Because of the movement of my head, he pulls his fingers away, instead waiting for me to finish my brief nod before planting a kiss on my nose.

"I know. Never doubt the Knowledge of Michael," he teases. He then closes his eyes for a second, shaking his head, as if coming out of a trance, "Anyway, we should be getting ready now. We've got a rather busy day ahead of us now, don't we?"

"As long as you call visiting Clover and father a busy day, then sure," I snicker, getting out of bed at last, "So ... breakfast today?"

"I'll do it. You go get ready; brush your teeth so I can kiss you properly, heh?" Michael suggests playfully, almost ushering me out the door.

"Well, I can make it now before I brush my teeth," I assure him, making my way towards the stairs in the hallway. However, before I can even start to walk down them, Michael carefully pulls me away, turning me in the direction of the bathroom, "Michael!" I protest.

"Your hygiene comes before my hunger, Miss Espinosa," he asserts with a chuckle, "Come on, let me make my own breakfast for once. You do everything already."

"Remember equality Michael?" I give a fake pout, folding my arms once we've arrived at the bathroom door together, "We have to compromise?"

He smirks, running his fingers through my hair once, as if stroking it, "And how are we supposed to compromise on who makes breakfast, huh?"

"Fine. Wait for me to brush my teeth; we'll make it together. How 'bout that?"

He nods in approval, "Sounds fair. But don't be too long, okay?" He cocks an eyebrow as he asks this question.

"Sure, sure." I stick my tongue out at him, squeezing my eyes tightly shut to add to the silliness of my expression. A moment later, I feel Michael pinch my nose, which causes me to flinch and flail my arm around in reaction, "Hey! No fair!"

He giggles, bringing me briefly into his embrace, "Well, you were kind of asking for that – the way your eyes were closed, and your nose so cutely vulnerable."

"Blah, blah," I answer, "Now let me go brush my teeth so we can make breakfast."

"Alright." He heads towards the stairs, walking down them, his head turned to look at me, "See you in a moment or two."

"Turn your head around; you'll trip, you silly thing." My mother instincts seem to appear out of nowhere as I tell him this.

He grins in amusement, turning his head so that he's looking the right way. Once he's out of sight, I enter the bathroom fully, starting my little hygiene routine.

*  * *

We've just had breakfast, so now we're on our way to father's house. My hand is in Michael's, which is still such a new feeling to me. Even the small things like that are having a huge impact on me, simply because I've not felt them since ... well, forever, really.

Breakfast was nice – we both made it together. Granted, it was only simple, but it was fun to do something like that with him. It got a little messy, because we used some butter for the toast and ... let's just say Michael is now plotting revenge on me for getting butter into his precious curls. He had to wash it out before we came out.

Breakfast aside, we're not far from father's now. It'll be nice to see him again – as far as I remember, I've not seen him since Michael's birthday, which was at least a month ago. As for Clover, I'm just being paranoid with her. She's probably a really nice girl – the only thing is, I can never find out because I barely speak to her; she's always all over Michael. Perhaps one day I'll find out why.

Coming to father's front door, Michael doesn't even get to knock before Clover opens it wide, a huge grin plastered on her face. "Hey guys! It's been a few weeks since we last saw you!" She drags Michael by his wrist into the living room, so I have no choice but to follow after. "Look, look! Citria and Michael are here, Uncle!"

Dad looks to see Michael and I, resulting in a mellow smile forming on his face, "Hello, Citria darling; Michael. Nice to see you again."

If I can give Clover any kind of credit, it's for bringing father some happiness again. Before she came to look after him, he barely spoke. Now Clover is staying with him, he's perked up a little more. That makes me so happy, baring in mind how low he was in the months between mom's death and her arriving.

"Hey dad," I breathe, walking over to his chair and kissing his forehead in greeting, "How have you been lately?"

He nods his head, "I've been okay sweetheart. How have you and Michael been? Have you been okay?" He then grabs the TV remote, before switching the TV on. "Would you like the television on?"

Shaking my head, I gently take the remote from his hands, switching the TV off for him. "No daddy. I came to see you today, not your TV. And Michael and I are fine. Actually, there's something we need to tell you and Clover." I turn my head to look at Michael, who comes up behind me, "Isn't there, Michael?"

Michael nods in agreement. "Yes, there is." He seems to have become a little shy, but I'm sure it's just because he's around people again – despite what he said about it being nothing.

Clover sits down on the sofa near father's chair. "What is it, Michael?"

The way she addresses Michael is rather amusing. I don't think she's even spoken to me once in the time I've known her ... but perhaps there's a reason for that. I'm not sure, to be honest.

"Oh, well ... " Michael starts, before placing a loving arm around my waist, letting his hand bring me closer to him. "Citria and I decided last night that we're together."

Father's initial reaction is a smile; he looks pleased for us. Clover? She surprisingly looks happy for us, which I didn't quite expect from her. However, I don't want to go making assumptions that she's jealous, because her face gives away that she's fine with it. Maybe I was wrong about her ... maybe I was just being paranoid. I mean, she may seem over-affectionate towards Michael, but maybe that really is because she needs a friend. I'm glad she reacted this way.

"That's lovely, sweetie." Father smiles at me.

This causes me to feel the urge to go and hug him, so I do, squeezing tightly to show how much I care for him. "Thanks dad."

He then nudges me playfully. "Clover and I knew from the start that this would happen."

Even if just for a second, seeing this side of father makes me so happy. It's not often that he shows his more playful side, so when he does, it makes my day so much brighter.

"You did?" I laugh, pulling away from him at last. "I mean ... how?"

"Oh, it was easy to tell!" Clover interrupts. "Michael was looking at you with that glint in his eye. You could tell a million miles off that he liked you."

That's got to be the first time she's actually spoken properly to me. Gosh, everything is happening lately ...

"Really?" I smirk, my eyes averting to Michael to see that he's now blushing slightly. "Then how come I didn't notice this? He seemed to be all over you, Clover."

Michael then approaches me, whispering in my ear. "I told you that was an act, didn't I? Nothing in my heart for Clover, remember?" After saying this, he separates himself from me, chuckling uneasily.

"All over me?" Clover repeats, furrowing her eyebrows. "Gosh, what an assumption!" She then bursts out into laughter, which leaves me wondering whether or not to laugh with her. When Michael laughs, I decide to as well, to make the atmosphere less awkward.

"Yeah so ... what should we do now?" I ask, wanting to change the subject desperately.

Michael lets his fake laughter subside, before shrugging. "Not sure. Why don't we all ... play a game?" Moments later, he sees this as a silly idea, so he shakes his head. "Stupid suggestion, sorry."

"No!" Clover argues. "It's a good idea! We could do ... Charades! Or ... I don't know ... something like that!"

Father decides to speak up. "How about we all just have a drink, a snack, and some television?"

Clover, Michael and I all exchange glances, before Clover speaks up for all of us. "That's an even better idea." She then rushes out the room, to the kitchen, leaving just the three of us in the living room.

"I really am happy for you guys," father tells us both once again. "Michael, you treat my little girl right. She's the only little girl I have now." Although his words are meant to be only mockingly threatening, he does have seriousness in his tone which indicates that he wants to look out for me.

Michael walks over to him, taking father's frail hand within his large one, kneeling down by his chair so their heads are level. "Mr Espinosa, I can promise on my life that I'll take care of Citria. Since my family died, I've had nobody to love and look after. Now I have your daughter, I feel the strongest sense of responsibility I ever felt. Trust me with your little girl, Sir. I'm going to treat her so right."

This little promise to my father is probably the cutest speech I've ever heard come from Michael's lips. The way he cares for everyone else's happiness before his own is what makes me love him. He is such a good man, and the way he is seeking approval from dad is just the sweetest thing.

After Michael has spoken the few sentences, father looks up at me, a large smile upon his face. "Citria, this man is going to be a good man to you. I trust him deeply, and I know he's right for you." It's then that I see tears in his eyes, but the fact he's still smiling reduces the level of hurt I'm feeling from his sudden sadness. "He can be the one to be here for you when I'm gone."

These words stab me inside; tears form in my own eyes. "Don't say that, dad. It'll be a while before you're gone, you know." I rush over to him, hugging him tightly, despite Michael still having father's hands in his own. "Don't speak about that yet ... please."

"But it has to happen soon, darling. Everyone dies," he tells me, as if I didn't know this inevitable, terrible piece of information.

"But your time isn't yet daddy." A single tear rolls down my face at the idea of my father possibly passing away and leaving me parentless. "And I should hope it won't be for a long time. What's brought this thought on?"

I pull away from him, seeing that his eyes are fixed to the floor in deep thought. "Well ... " He then looks up at me, seemingly wanting to receive my undivided attention. "You're growing up so quickly, sweetie. You're not a little girl any more. You're a grown woman, and ... it's just making me realise that life goes quickly – mine included."

"Oh, dad," I sigh, taking his hand and rubbing his knuckles soothingly with my thumb. "Even when I'm sixty-seven, I'll never stop being your little girl." My eyes move to Michael, who is smiling at my words, "And just because I'm growing up and starting serious relationships, that doesn't mean I don't love you any more. You'll always be my first love, and you'll forever be my last, too."

Father smiles at this, raising my hand in his, to kiss my fingers softly. "Bless you, Citria. Your mother would be so proud of you right now. I know she would approve of Michael too."

"I think she would too, dad." From behind, I feel Michael's hand slip into mine, then he kisses my temple. "He's a wonderful man."

I'm lying. I don't think she approves ... I know she does.

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Sorry it's been so long! I was meant to update three days ago; but my Wattpad messed up big time, and wouldn't let me view any stories or update them! Back now, though! :)
Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter. :)