Then - Carmella

I rest my head further into the hard, naked chest of Mike, my eyes closed as I relish in this moment. Everything feels right. Everything is good. My lips rest in a content smile and my fingers play around with the light hair just below his belly button.

I listen to the soft beat of his heart and the soothing sounds of his breathing as it exits his partially open lips. I know he's awake now - and I'm sure he knows I am too - but neither of us says anything. Both of us are just happy to finally be with one another after all this time. 

Everything has finally set into place and I feel complete. 

"You know you snore in your sleep, right?" He finally speaks up, his voice deep and husky. Just the sound of it makes my heart beat faster and my insides curl with want. 

I playfully slap his chest and bite my lip, trying to hold back my smile. "I do not!"

"You do, love. It's cute though. I don't mind." He says and I see the smirk on his face when I look up at him. 

"I missed you," I whisper as I look deep into his eyes, adoring the way the sparkle in the early sun that is shining through the window. 

He takes his fingers and gently pushes my hair away from my face, making my heart skip a beat at the intimate gesture. "I've missed you more than you'll ever know."

I can't help but smile at his words, blushing slightly as I do so. I bury my face into his chest and he chuckles before using his hand to tilt my chin so I am looking at him again. Slowly, he brings his lips down to mine and I scoot up to make it easier. When our lips meet, I swear I hear fireworks exploding and angels singing.

The kiss quickly deepens and turns into a heated display of our affections for one another. Hands roam and sounds of pleasure echo around us. It's just me and him and us as one - I don't want this to ever end. 

He pulls away from me slightly and looks deep within me, an unfamiliar emotion flashing over his handsome face. 

"God, I love you." He whispers so quietly, I almost don't hear him. 

Shock forms on his face and, I'm sure, mine. He opens his mouth to say something in a panic, but I quickly plant my lips on his in a lingering kiss before pulling away and saying, "I love you, too."

*****

"Shit. Shit. Shit." I curse as I scurry around Michael's room, searching for my lost clothes. 

He slowly lifts his head from his pillow, his eyebrows furrowed as he watches me hop around on one foot as I attempt to put my heels back on. 

"What's wrong?" He asks, confusion on his face. 

"My dad's going to kill me," I mumble before pulling my dress over my head. "I was supposed to be home thirty minutes ago."

"I'll drive you-"

"No," I interject, holding my hand to stop him. "If he sees me dropped off by a boy, I'm even more dead. Just go back to sleep, I will...Shit, I don't have your number?"

He chuckles. "Just give me yours and I will text you." He says as he leans over to his end table and grabs his Motorola Razr flip phone. 

"Awesome. It's 905-439-2412." I tell him. "I really have to go, but I really don't want to go."

He smiles and stands from his bed, taking two giant steps towards me. He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me. This kiss literally captures my breath and my heart and whisks them away forever. Both will forever be his and there is nothing I can do to change that. 

"I will see you when I see you." He says before kissing me again. "I'm so glad I found you again, Ella."

"And I, you," I mumble against his lips before pecking him slowly and pulling away. "But, I got to go or else I won't see you again! Bye, Mike!" 

I quickly turn on my heel and leave his room, practically running down the stairs towards his front door. I'm unable to stop myself when a blonde woman steps in front of me - smashing into her and falling to the ground. 

"Shoot, I'm so sorry." I apologize as soon as I hit the ground. She doesn't reply with anything but a groan. I sit up, checking her over and quickly grow worried when she barely stirs. "Are you okay?"

She waves me off with her hand, still not attempting to sit up. "I've never noticed how boring the ceiling is." She slurs, the familiar sign of alcohol use. "We should really do something about that."

"Should I get Michael?" I ask nervously. 

"Who?" She says, turning her head towards me. Her eyes widen as if she's seeing me for the first time. "Oh."

"Michael Travers? Your son?" I reply. "Can I help you up?"

"No, I think I'm just going to lay here a while." She says before waving me off again. "I like how the room stops dancing when I'm down here."

I nod my head, unfortunately understanding her odd words. "Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yes, dear. Go do whatever it is you were doing before we collided." She replies. I watch her for a moment as she brings her hand up as if she is trying to touch the ceiling. She dances her fingers around in the air before placing them on her stomach and closing her eyes. Something tells me this is normal behaviour for the woman, so I get to my feet and do as she says - quickly dashing to the front door and leaving the house. 

*****

"Where have you been?" An angry voice bellows as soon as I enter the house. I am met by my father, his eyes hazy and dark as he glares down at me. 

I gulp. "I was just at Amber's." I lie as I try and fail to meet his gaze. 

"Impossible. I stopped there this morning to pick you up and you weren't there." He replies, his words melting together and forming an incoherent babble that few can understand. My eyes flicker down to the familiar brown Canadian Club bottle gripped tightly in his hands. 

"I left early and took the long way home," I say, but it comes out more like a question. 

"Don't lie to me, Carmella!" He roars as he takes a threatening step towards me. "Don't be like your mother. Now, answer the question."

"I was just out, Dad. I swear." I whimper. 

In a flash, he is before me. His eyes angry and his mouth twisted into a menacing scowl. He brings his large, calloused hand and wraps it around the back of my neck and begins to walk me towards the back of the house. 

"Were you whoring yourself?" He questions, his voice demanding and demeaning. "I won't have a slut for a daughter." 

"I wasn't, dad! I swear!" I shriek, tears quickly flooding my village.

"When I tell you to be home at a certain time, I expect you to listen!" He yells before throwing me to the ground of my room. "But, just like your mother, that is too hard to do, isn't it?"

"No, dad. I swear I just lost track of time. I took the long way home and didn't think to hurry. I promise!" 

"I don't believe you!" He screams, his face red and his eyes practically bulging from his head. "You are just like your mother!" 

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are! You both are nothing but cheating whores!"

"Dad, I'm not mom. I'm not like that." I say, trying to remain calm despite my erratic heart and tear-filled eyes.

His eyes flicker down on me as I lay down on the floor and the look in them can only be described as pure disgust. He is looking at me like I am the source of all his problems and he hates me. It is like I am the one who betrayed him - he can't tell the difference between my mother and me in his drunken stupor. 

And it hurts. I literally feel my heart being ripped from my chest just with the single look he is giving me. 

"Get out of my house." He snarls before turning around and walking to his favourite chair. I watch him plop on it before bringing his beloved bottle to his lips and sucking it back. He leaves me lying on the floor, shaking and sobbing as his words finally register in my brain and I realize that my own father has just kicked me out.

Because I look like my mom.