For The Love of A Fireman

It's about a young adult living with her boyfriend (fireman) and she comes to the relization that she doesn't like him being a fireman but she can't keep him from living his dream. It's love.

One nasty and stormy night, Brooklynn sat at home all curled up on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her as she sat next to the big window in the front room. She was reading her book and watching out the window at the rain just pouring down. She waited anxiously for her boyfriend to either walk through the front door or call her. She was getting impatient with every minute that passed. Michael, Brooklynn’s boyfriend, had gotten a fire call earlier that evening and had to run out to help. Lightning struck a tree in someone’s back yard and caused a bad house fire down town. Of course Brooklynn was worried about him, but she realized a long time ago that it was his job and she wanted him to do it. She didn’t want to stop him from doing anything he wanted. She wouldn’t let herself.

 

Brooklynn glanced up at the clock and realized an hour had gone by without her even noticing. She had gotten lost in her book. She then glanced down beside her at the phone and it hadn’t rang once. She was getting more and more worried by the second now. She put down her book and uncomforted herself by sitting on the edge of the couch playing with her hands. She looked around the apartment and saw Michael’s game cube just sitting there. She decided to play a game since she knew he wouldn’t care and it would help keep her mind busy until she got that phone call or the door opened. An extra forty - five minutes had passed the next time she looked up at the clock. She slammed the controller down on the table after turning the game off from being frustrated, but she wasn’t frustrated with the game.

 

She then sat back in the couch and curled herself up again. When the phone finally did ring, Brooklynn jumped because the sound of the ring startled her. She hesitated before she answered, wondering if it was that phone call telling her she’d never see him again or if it was him saying he would be coming home. “Hello?” she answered after the fourth ring.

 

“Hey.” she heard Michael reply on the other end. Brooklynn sighed with relief as he told her he was all right. Then she heard sirens going off in the background. “All right well I’ma be a little later this time. I’ll call you when I’m on my way home, ok? I promise. I’ll be ok. I love you.” Michael said, reassuring her.

 

“Yeah. All right. Love you too, baby.” she answered and put the phone back down. She had already been trembling when she heard the sirens going off behind him. Brooklynn sat on the couch watching outside for a few more minutes when she suddenly heard a loud bang before a thud and then the power went out. She didn’t yet panic because she had the candles in the living room already lit for when Michael got home.

 

She quickly jumped up and hurried over to the window seeing Michael’s department only a street away. She smiled brightly at first but then looked at where he had to go and it didn’t look good. Lightning had struck again and hit an electric transformer. Her smile quickly vanished from across her lips as she rushed to the bedroom. She threw on a pair of jeans and slipped into a jacket, wearing that over her tube top, and rushed outside.

 

She ran as fast as she could where she saw trucks and heard a crowd of people screaming and talking. When she reached the front of the crowd, she searched and called for Michael; wanting to catch him before he ran in. She yelled his name over and over until the chief heard her and quickly ran over to tell her that he was already inside. She didn’t take that too well. She screamed his name at the top of her lungs and then stopped. Hoping he heard her, she searched all the exits he could come through. There was no sign of him. Brooklynn turned her back for just a second when she heard a loud clash as the top two floors caved in and hit the ground hard. People screamed, but not as loud as Brooklynn. She ran past police and tried to get through others when Matthew grabbed her from behind and Jordan caught her from ahead. She screamed again and couldn’t stop crying when she started. She kept trying to break lose of the guys when she suddenly just felt weak and dropped everything. She felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach and she just felt sick. After that, she stopped all screams and motions.

 

Matthew let her go and Jordan held her until she heard a familiar sound in the background. Michael was coughing from all the smoke and Brooklynn recognized the familiarity with it from before. She pushed away from Jordan and ran into Michael’s arms still crying. She tightly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him full hard on the mouth. She heard him groan in pain and jerked back leaving her arms still on his shoulders; looking at him worriedly.

 

She looked him up and down and he just shook his head. “I’m fine, really.” he smiled weakly.

 

Brooklynn smirked and said sarcastically, “Uh huh. You say that all the time with a groan of pain.” She looked back at Jordan and Matthew and smiled. Brooklynn didn’t really notice until then that people were cheering in the background. Glad that Michael, Jordan, and the other guys were safe. She smiled brightly at Michael and gave him yet another kiss. “Home?” she asked after breaking the kiss.

 

Michael looked at Jordan and they both looked at the chief. Chief nodded his head and Michael looked at Brooklynn. “Home.” he smiled and put an arm around her waist walking toward their apartment.

 

Brooklynn walked along side him after they said their goodbyes to Jordan and the rest of the crew. Matthew walked back with’em to the apartments and helped Brooklynn help Michael walk up the stairs. Matthew got the door while Brooklynn walked Michael over to the couch. Michael looked around at all the candles and smiled at her asking what they were for. “What? I can’t surprise my boyfriend with a romantic evening after work anymore?” Brooklynn smirked and kissed him softly.

 

Matthew told them he’d see’em tomorrow and left. Brooklynn winked at him before closing the door and walking back to help Michael get all his gear off. Brooklynn let out a small laugh and just shook her head while she got to his boots. Michael looked at her and smirked. “What?”

 

Brooklynn glanced up at him and shook her head. “Oh nothing. It’s just..... you wear a lot of crap.” she laughed again.

 

Michael smiled and brought her up closer to him after his boots were off so he could kiss her. She smiled against his lips and kissed him deeply as she wrapped her arms around his neck once more. Michael then brought her even closer to him by bringing her up further and sitting her on his lap while he wrapped his arms around her waist. They made out for a few more minutes until the power came back on and the timer on the oven went off. Brooklynn moaned in irritation because she didn’t wanna move from where she was. Michael smirked and turned the lights back off, by reaching behind Brooklynn to the light switch.

 

Brooklynn snickered and shook her head. “No, baby?” she whined a little. “I have to get up.”

 

Michael shook his head and tightened his grip around her waist not letting her even move. “No you don’t. It can stay in the oven for a little while.” he smiled and kissed her some more.

 

Brooklynn quickly pulled back and laughed. “Oh really? Mr. Fireman who just put out two fires tonight. Would you like to make it three?” she smirked and unwrapped his arms around her. Michael shook his head and watched her walk into the kitchen as she took out the lasagna that she made as a surprise for him. She knew she hadn’t had it for a while so he probably hadn’t had it for a while either.

 

After seeing what she pulled out of the oven, Michael jumped up and went to the kitchen sniffing as he got around Brooklynn. “Mmmm... lasagna huh?” he asked.

 

“Yes lasagna.” she smirked. “Would you rather it be roman noodles?” she laughed and gently pushed him back so she could put it back in the oven. “It just needs a few more minutes.”

Michael wrapped his arms back around Brooklynn’s waist and pulled her into the front room saying, “So we have a few more minutes.” She smiled and shook her head while playfully screaming. “Oh c’mon. We can’t have a little fun for ourselves tonight?” he smirked.

 

“Not unless you want it to get burnt.” she smirked.

 

Michael scoffed and said, “Ha. I wouldn’t let that happen. I’m Mr. Fireman, remember?” he said mocking her jokingly.

 

Brooklynn laughed and nodded. “Yeah so don’t make two fires turn into three!” she screamed as he began tickling her sides. “Stop it! You know I hate it when you tickle me.” she smirked as he stopped and she just lay there on the couch with her legs still wrapped around his waist as he sat with his back against the armrest.

 

Michael chuckled and started tickling her again then stopped as she screamed again. “Ok, ok fine. I’ll stop.” he said and just sat there looking at her. “You’re no fun.” he smirked playfully. He then winked at her when he saw her smile.

 

Brooklynn scoffed this time and said, “Uh! I am too! Wanna race?” she smirked and glanced at his game cube. “It was no fun when I played by myself.” she said and faked a sad puppy dog look.

 

When she heard Michael laugh and saw him smile, her smile couldn’t hide any longer. He cupped his hand around the side of her face, brushing her hair out of her eyes and said “You’re so beautiful. You’ve got beautiful eyes, you’re incredibly sexy, and you’re the perfect woman for me. How did I ever get so lucky?”

 

Brooklynn giggled and said, “You? How did I get so lucky, you mean. I’m the one that caught the fireman, remember?” she smirked and leaned up to kiss his lips. The timer went off for the last time and Michael hopped up to take it out. Brooklynn got out the plates and forks while Michael dished it up. “Babe it’s gonna be really hot - !” she said as he started to take a bite. She shook her head when she saw the look on his face and just smirked. “I told you.”

 

He ate that bite and looked at her. “Yeah after I already put it in my mouth.” he joked. Brooklynn bit her bottom lip and made a face. He just shook his head and said ‘whatever’. Brooklynn mocked him and went into the front room again to cuddle up next to him and watch tv while eating dinner.

 

After they were both pretty much finished with their plate, Michael’s pager went off. Brooklynn looked into the bedroom where his pager was, then at the clock. “Baby it’s one in the morning.” she complained.

 

Michael looked at her. “Well I don’t have to go in.” he replied with a shrug.

 

Brooklynn sighed and took his plate to wash it off along with her’s while she sighed. “Yes you do.” she said. “It’s your job. I knew that when you quit the club house to become a full time fire fighter, all the requirements were gonna change. And that’s ok.” she smiled as she turned around to look at him.

 

She started washing off their plates as Michael walked up behind her and slowly wrapped his arms around her waist like always. She smiled and stopped for a second to turn around so she could look at him. He kissed her and said, “I’ll be ok.” Brooklynn rolled her eyes and couldn’t look at him. She looked at the floor. Michael let out a small laugh, placed a finger under her chin bringing her eyes up to his saying, “Hey? I will. I’ll be ok. Alright? So no ‘be careful’ or nothin?” he smirked.

 

Brooklynn just rolled her eyes again and Michael let her go saying ‘whatever’ as he walked into the front room to put his gear and things back on. She just stood there, leaned back against the counter with her arms folded across her chest as he headed out the door. He was already out the door before Brooklynn ran to the doorway and yelled, “Wait! Michael?” Michael quickly turned around and looked at her. “Be careful?” she said, standing at the top of the stairs. It was almost as if she were asking him to do it for her.

 

He nodded his head and smiled walking back up to her and kissed her before he left for real this time. “I love you, Brooklynn Danielle Carmichael.” he smiled again.

 

Brooklynn smiled and kissed him back. “I love you, Michael James Scott.” she replied smiling brightly. She watched Michael walk away before she slowly went back inside; closing the door behind her. She leaned against the door for a few minutes smiling and thinking about all the positive stuff first, but the negative thoughts weren’t too far behind. She thought about things like, ‘what if he gets hurt again?’ or ‘what if I get that phone call from the chief saying he’s not coming home?’ and ‘what would I do?’

 

She never could stop thinking about all of that. It was just who she was and how she was treated when her and Michael first started dating. Brooklynn’s mother would always say things like, “well he’s sleeping around cause that’s just what fire fighters do” or something like, “why do you wanna date a fire fighter any how? He’ll just die tomorrow”. Brooklynn’s mother was cruel to her when it came to the subject of Michael. Brooklynn’s mother’s cruelty is what got Brooklynn thinking negatively about Michael’s job most of the time.

 

Brooklynn however smiled as she thought about her first real day with Michael’s family. His dad had a cookout for her arrival and she had a blast. She was smiling because she remembered that his dad, Justin, had placed something small and flammable too close to the grill and it had caught fire. So Michael had to do his job and put it out. Brooklynn and Trinity (Michael’s step mother) were both laughing as Michael sprayed Justin with the water hose just playing around. Brooklynn shook her head and laughed as she said to herself, “Now why can’t I think about that?” she smirked and walked back to the kitchen to finish cleaning up.

 

Not even forty-five minutes later, Brooklynn answered the phone in the middle of the third ring. There had been an accident, but it wasn’t Michael. Michael asked her to meet him at the state hospital. Brooklynn nodded and told him she’d be there as soon as she could and hung up. Brooklynn automatically stopped what she was doing and rushed to the bedroom to again, throw on a pair of jeans and grab her bag with the keys already in her hands. She locked and slammed the door behind her as she almost ran into Matthew on her way out. As soon as Brooklynn looked up and saw Matthew, she gasped. At first she stopped dead in her tracks, but then walked right around him while telling him where she was going. “You’re welcome to come, but we gotta move now.” she said demanding.

 

After nodding his head, Matthew was right on her heels and slid into the back seat of her car. Brooklynn shook her head and drove to the state hospital to meet Michael like she’d said. When she reached the parking lot, she spotted Michael sitting on the curb in front of the main entrance. Brooklynn slowed down once she saw him, then pulled into a parking space. She quickly got out of the car along with Matthew, but once her door was closed she slowly walked over to where Michael was sitting. She knelt down in front of him and just looked at him. “Baby what’s wrong? What’s goin’ on?” she asked in a soft tone. She didn’t want him to get upset more than he already was.

 

Michael slowly looked up at her and saw Matthew behind her. His eyebrows came together in a slight frown as he asked “What’s he doin’ here?”

 

Brooklynn glanced back at Matthew and put up a hand for him to stop where he was. She then looked back at Michael and tried to understand or read what had happened from the expressions on his face. She could tell he was upset. She just couldn’t tell what had happened. “He’s just here for moral support, baby. That’s all. I told him he could either come or go home, one of the two.” she explained.

 

She heard him lightly chuckle, so she smiled a bit. Michael looked at her and smirked. “Sounds like somethin’ I would say.” he said softly.

 

Brooklynn nodded and smiled more. “Yeah. Well I learned from the best, ya know?” she giggled and kissed his forehead. She took his hands and he stood up in front of her. “C’mon baby. Come home?” Brooklynn asked after kissing his lips softly.

 

Michael’s smile disappeared and he glanced back at the hospital. “I can’t leave him here. Not after all that’s happened.”

 

Brooklynn suddenly got back to her confused state. She didn’t know what had happened and she really wanted to know, but she didn’t want to push Michael over the edge to where he would do something crazy. She didn’t want that to happen at all. Michael is Brooklynn’s life. If something were to happen to him, who knows what she would do. She wouldn’t see any reason to live anymore. Life without him, just isn’t a life at all for Brooklynn. She would go crazy until something eventually did happen to her.

 

Michael knew that all these crazy things had to be going through Brooklynn’s mind. That’s just how and who she was. Michael was still looking at the ground when he sighed while he explained what had happened as they were on the fire call. It was a hotel and Michael ran in, all brawn no brains, when Jordan ran in after him to keep him out of harms way. Well he did that. “Well.... “ Michael continued. “..... there was a loud snap and the whole building began to cave in. Jordan shoved me out a window while he stayed in and got burnt and crushed by..... “ he paused again and hid his face in his hands.

 

Brooklynn gently gave him a hug and softly rubbed his back. She kissed his cheek and whispered, “Well then lets go inside.” Brooklynn thought they should go inside because if he wasn’t leaving and he was gonna stay for what happened, then he should go inside and just face whatever he was running from. “Baby, what’s holding you back?” she asked softly.

 

Michael suddenly got a frightened look on his face and turned to Brooklynn. She stood there looking at him in question waiting for him to answer. He paused for a few minutes then whispered in a very hush tone, “You are.”

 

Brooklynn wrinkled her nose as she was, again, confused. Brooklynn glanced to see what Matthew was doing and then looked back at Michael. “Me? What do you mean? Baby if you wanna go inside, I’m not gonna stop you. Same as if you wanna leave. If you wanna leave, I wouldn’t stop you from leaving either.” she replied reassuring him that she wouldn’t be the one to stop him from doing anything. She couldn’t stop him from doing anything anyhow. He wouldn’t let her, but that’s just the way Brooklynn wants it, too.

 

Michael smiled slightly and shook his head. “That’s not what I mean, baby.” he said and softly cupped his hands around her face to kiss her deeply. When he pulled back from her, he smiled at her and said, “But thank you for letting me know. I think that’s what I needed to hear.” He then looked back at the front doors and his smile faded.

 

Brooklynn smiled and took his hand, never to let it go. She looked back at Matthew and waved him over to come with them. Matthew was right behind them. They walked through the front doors and Michael led them both to the elevator to get to Jordan’s room up at the third floor. Once they were in the elevator and moving up, Michael gently squeezed Brooklynn’s hand and smiled down at her. Brooklynn smiled without even looking at him and did it back. He did it again and her smile couldn’t have gotten any bigger. He was his old self again. They kept squeezing each other’s hands back and forth until they got off the elevator and onto the third floor.

 

Michael’s smile vanished quickly as they stepped into the waiting room. Michael let the lady at the front desk know that he and his wife were waiting to see his partner. She smiled and told them that the doctor would be out in just a few minutes. Michael nodded and sat in a chair next to Brooklynn. Brooklynn cuddled herself close to Michael and asked him why he had to call her his wife and he just smiled. “Well you’re gonna be someday, aren’t ya?” he asked.

 

Brooklynn nodded and giggled. “Well yeah, but....... “

 

Michael stopped her and said, “Ok it’s because they only let in family. So if you were just my girlfriend or even my fiancé, you wouldn’t be allowed in.” he explained.

 

Brooklynn got confused and wrinkled her nose again.  “Well you’re not family.” she pointed out and made a face like a kid who wanted something someone else had.

 

Michael smirked. “Yeah but I’m his partner.” he replied.

 

Brooklynn rolled her eyes. “Hospitals are so complicated.” she smirked and leaned her head onto his shoulder. Michael just smiled and kissed the top of her head.

 

The doctor then came out and called for the party to see Jordan. Michael didn’t look too happy anymore. In fact, he looked exactly like he did when Brooklynn met him outside in the parking lot. The doctor looked at Michael and asked, “You sure you’re ready to go back in there?”

 

Brooklynn glanced at the doctor, but left her gaze on Michael as she saw him nod his head. Brooklynn suddenly felt worried again. She stopped and tugged gently on his arm. Michael looked back at her and tilted his head. “Baby, if you don’t wanna go, you shouldn’t have too. You don’t have too.” she said, reassuring him that she wouldn’t care if they didn’t get to see Jordan until he was well and out of the hospital.

 

Michael’s eyes watered a bit as he wrapped Brooklynn in a tight hug and kissed her weak spot on the side of her neck. “We should go in to see him.” he whispered and squeezed her hand gently. Brooklynn smiled a little more and squeezed his hand back. She walked through the doors, hand in hand and walked with Michael down the hallway to Jordan’s hospital room.

 

Brooklynn saw that Michael was ok until they got to the doorway of Jordan’s room. Then they both stopped. Brooklynn walked in but never really let go of Michael’s hand. When Michael’s hand did fall out of her’s, Brooklynn walked all the way in the room to say hi and check up on Jordan, but he was unconscious and burnt up pretty bad. Brooklynn gasped at the sight and quickly turned to run into Michael’s arms. Michael held her gently and rested his chin softly on top of her head. Brooklynn hid her face in his chest as she shook her head ever so slightly.

 

Michael tightened his grip to make her feel safe. Brooklynn didn’t cry, but she was getting close. Michael walked her out to the hallway and asked her if she was alright. Brooklynn just looked up at him, tears in her eyes, and asked, “Is Jordan gonna be ok? He’s going to be back at the fire house, right?” She sniffled slightly and wiped a few tears away. She looked at Michael when he didn’t answer and tilted her head waiting for him to respond. He glanced back in Jordan’s room and held her close once again. Brooklynn took that as a ‘no’ and started crying softly. “He has to be ok. He’s just gotta.” she whispered into Michael’s chest.

 

Michael gripped her tighter yet and kissed her forehead. “He’ll be alright. I won’t let him go anywhere.” he said. Brooklynn slowly pulled back from him and looked at the expression on his face. She could see that he was serious. Michael and Jordan, from Brooklynn’s perspective, were pretty close. They had been partners for almost eight years at the fire department and Michael couldn’t lose him now. Brooklynn nodded her head and kissed Michael softly on the lips. She rested her lips against his for a few seconds then finally pulled away as she tried to smile for Michael. Michael cupped a hand on one of her cheeks and wiped a tear away then took her hand softly saying, “Let’s go home.”

 

Brooklynn laughed lightly and nodded. “Ok. Let’s go home.” Brooklynn walked with Michael to the elevator doors and smiled over to Matthew. Matthew shook his head and smirked. Brooklynn cocked an eyebrow at Matthew and said, “What?” with a smirk of her own.

 

Matthew just shook his head again but answered, “You two. You guys are just so.... so close. You don’t do anything without the other.” he smiled. “I like that. That’s good in a relationship.” he continued, smiling even more.

 

Brooklynn looked at Michael with a smile and wrinkled her nose and shook her head playfully at him. Michael just smirked and shook his head. When they got to the apartment, Brooklynn and Michael were both totally exhausted. Michael called off work as did Brooklynn so they could get some sleep and just relax. It was about noon time when Michael woke up to an empty bed. At first he panicked but then he could smell food and all he had to do was open the bedroom door to see Brooklynn was cooking. She had gotten hungry and couldn’t wait for him to get up so she just made some eggs, bacon, and biscuits.

 

Michael got up and walked into the kitchen when he chuckled. Brooklynn looked at him confused and said, “What?”

 

He shook his head. “Eggs, bacon, and biscuits?” he replied with a smile and a small laugh. “At noon?”

 

Brooklynn looked at her plate then back up at Michael and nodded. “Yeah.” she smirked. “What’s it to ya?” she laughed.

 

Michael just shook his head and said, “Nothing. Never mind.”

 

The phone rang and it reminded Brooklynn. “Oh hey? You got a phone call earlier. It was the office.” she said a little concerned. Michael looked at her in question and asked her why she didn’t wake him up. Brooklynn smirked and answered, “Because the boss said it was ok for me to wait til you woke up yourself. I even asked him if he wanted me to wake you and he said no. So hmmmm.... “ she said as she stuck out her tongue. Michael pretended he was going to bite it and she jerked back with a smile. “Pfft. Yeah right.” she smirked.

 

Michael chuckled and answered the phone. The phone call was about Jordan. They were telling him that Jordan was gonna be fine and would be out of the hospital in no time. “Really? Well that’s great! I’ll have to tell Brooklynn.” he said as he smiled widely at her already. Brooklynn just shrugged her shoulders like “what?” and smirked. She had no idea what he was talking about. Michael thanked the chief for calling him and hung up the phone.

“So what was that about, babe?” Brooklynn asked as she took another bite.

 

Michael smiled and sat down next to her. “Jordan’s gonna be ok. They say he should be outta the hospital in no time at all.”

 

His smile widened as he looked out the window. Brooklynn got excited too and said, “That’s great!” and smiled brightly. “That is just fantastic. I’m so glad he’s ok. I don’t know what..... “ she stopped and Michael’s smile faded along with hers. He nodded and hugged her saying “I know”. She pulled back a little and kissed him.

 

That day they just hung out and went to see Jordan as the day progressed on. Brooklynn was more willing to see him now that he was healing even after just one night. Michael chuckled as Jordan looked at him. “Well I guess one night can do a lot huh?”

 

Jordan laughed and nodded. “Yeah I guess so.” he smirked and asked Brooklynn how she was doing. She smiled and told him she was just great and she couldn’t wait to get together with him and his wife to have fun again. Jordan agreed and kissed her on the cheek as they were leaving.

 

On the way back to the apartment, Michael had gotten hungry since he really hadn’t eaten anything since he had gotten up. Brooklynn asked if he wanted to take something home and he said “Yeah sure. Why not? What do you want, babes?” he asked.

 

Brooklynn shook her head. “Oooohhh no. We’re not gonna do this again. The food is for you; I’m not hungry; so you get whatever you want.” she laughed.

 

Michael rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Fine. I’m going to McDonalds.” he smirked. Brooklynn just nodded and said “ok” as he then pulled into the drive through.

 

Brooklynn did end up getting a little something that she could have later. By the time they got home, Michael had finished what he was eating and Brooklynn started getting hungry. She put her food in the microwave and ate it that way. She ate it in the kitchen while Michael checked the missed messages. There was a message from a familiar voice and Brooklynn suddenly got a chill down her spine when she heard the message. “Who was that?” she asked.

 

She knew who it had to have been and she wasn’t happy about it. The phone rang again and Brooklynn rolled her eyes. She kept eating, but took her plate into the tv room while Michael answered the phone. Brooklynn watched him like she was watching him sleep through a bad dream or something; her facial expressions changed as his did. When he would smile, a small smile would spread across her lips. When he would frown she would look at him worried that something had happened or something was going to happen.

 

Twenty minutes later, Brooklynn had already threw away her stuff and sat back down next to him when he jumped up and yelled “what?!”. Brooklynn was now sitting on the edge of the couch waiting for him to tell her something, but it never happened. He just grabbed his keys and hung up the phone telling Brooklynn that he’d be back shortly. Brooklynn stood there at the door as he closed it right in front of her. She scoffed and said, “whatever” and went back to the tv room and got on his game cube.

 

She jumped when the door swung open and he ran to her side to kiss her before he left. She smiled and kissed him back, but then her smile faded slowly when he just left again. She threw his controller on the couch and said “Oh hell no” and ran to the window. She opened it and yelled down at him. “Hey?! Where are you going and why can’t I come?! There’s nothin you do that I can’t go with you. Not even work!” she screamed.

 

Michael just looked up at her and didn’t know what to say. All he could think of was, “I don’t want you around McKayla.”

 

Once he said her name, that was it. Brooklynn screamed and just let it all out. “Oh! Fine! You know what, go! But don’t be surprised if I’m gone when you get back!” she yelled and about cried.

 

Michael just shook his head and said, “What?! Are you serious? Come on! Please don’t leave. I just need an hour.”

 

“An hour to do what, Michael? What’s so important that you need an hour alone with her?!” she asked, still screaming. Matthew, Victoria, Brett, and the rest of the apartment could tell that Brooklynn was upset. She rarely ever gets like this to where she would be yelling down through the window, but when she does ya’ll know she’s been pushed to her limit. Brooklynn watched him run upstairs so she ran and locked the door as she knew he left the car turned on and the keys would still be in the car.

 

When Michael got to the door and found that it was locked, he knocked on the door softly and said “Hey? Let me in. Please?” He looked up and down the halls and saw people opening their doors and felt terrible. “C’mon Brooke, let me in!” he yelled out in the hallway. “Please!” Brooklynn finally unlocked and opened the door as she was standing there with her bag across her shoulder and her car keys in the opposite hand. Michael looked her up and down seeing she had her things to leave. He tilted his head to the side and said, “Are you serious? You’re not leaving. You can’t just... “ Brooklynn walked past him like he was nothing. It was almost as if he wasn’t even there. It took a lot of strength for her to do so, but she did it. He gently grabbed her wrist, but she just jerked away from him. “Brooke?!” He called after her but she was already headed downstairs.

 

Brooklynn was fully crying by the time she got to the bottom of the stairs. Michael slammed the door and rushed down the stairs behind her. He gently grabbed her arm from behind her and she quickly turned around after jerking away from him again. “No!” she yelled still crying.

 

“C’mon Brooklynn.” he said softly.

 

Brooklynn shook her head and started getting into her car. “No. I need a breath and to think.” she said and quickly closed and locked her doors before he could do anything. Then he ran behind her car, knowing she wouldn’t think about even touching him with the rear end of her car. She cried as she saw him in her rear view mirror and rested her forhead on the steering wheel before she honked the horn. Brett was standing on the steps and said, “Oh c’mon Michael! Let her leave” as he started walking down to the last step. Michael moved and Brooklynn backed up and left.

 

Michael just stood there in the streets wondering where she could possibly be going. He didn’t waste anymore time though. He got in his truck and went to McKayla’s house to talk her through whatever lie she came up with to get Michael there for her at the time. All the while, Brooklynn went to go see Michael’s dad. She tried to dry up her tears while she was still sitting in the driveway and tried to clear up her face before walking up to the door but it never worked. He was still able tell she had been crying. Justin, Michael’s dad, answered the door and asked her what was wrong and where Michael was. Brooklynn started crying again because she didn’t want to tell him, but she didn’t know where else to go.

 

Trinity heard Justin talking to someone at the door and came in saying, “Who is it, dear?” When she saw Brooklynn crying she almost asked the same thing Justin did, but he stopped her by shaking his head and waving his hand. She quickly closed her mouth, but still walked over to comfort her. “My gosh, Justin she’s shaking.” she told him after she hugged her then hugged her tighter. Trinity walked Brooklynn over to the couch and told her to just sit while she got her some iced tea. Brooklynn nodded and began taking deep breaths to calm herself down.

 

When Trinity came back and sat down next to Brooklynn, she asked if her and Michael were ok and Brooklynn almost started crying again but stopped herself. Brooklynn just shrugged and said, “I don’t know” like she wasn’t really sure, when in her heart she knew that she would end up back at the apartment. Nothing could keep her away. Not even some fight they were having.

Brooklynn then noticed some old pictures of Michael back in the day and noticed there was an old picture of him with another girl. Brooklynn slowly got up and walked over to the pictures but looked at just one inparticular. Trinity stood up and walked over next to her and said, “Oh we need to take that down” with a small sigh afterwards. It had been up forever and since the picture had Michael in it, they never really thought about taking it down until he got a new girlfriend.

 

Brooklynn looked at it as if she were studying it. Trinity got a little worried that she might get upset and took the picture down. Brooklynn took it back and looked at it some more. “Who is she?” she asked, never taking her eyes off the picture. Trinity looked at Justin and he shook his head. Brooklynn finally looked up at them both and asked again only in more of a demanding tone. “Who is she?!”

 

Trinity sat down on the couch. She didn’t really think it was her place. The second Trinity sat down, Justin stood up and stood next to Brooklynn taking the picture away from her. “Does it really matter?” he asked cautiously.

 

Brooklynn shrugged and just looked at him. “Is it McKayla?” she asked with a slight snarl. A few more tears fell from her eyes and Justin just took her in his arms and held her for a few minutes. He nodded slightly and Brooklynn pulled back. “She loved him?”

 

Justin chuckled and said, “Ha. More like just used him.”

 

Brooklynn sighed and looked down at the floor as she walked towards the door. She slowly looked up and through the window on the screen door as she sighed again. “I should go.” she said softly then looked at them. “I need to apologize.” she smiled slightly.

 

Trinity and Justin nodded and Trinity gave her a big hug. Justin hugged her next and said, “Never be afraid to come over here if something goes south with you two. You’re family too, ya know?” Justin and Trinity always knew how to make Brooklynn feel welcomed into the family. They always had.

 

Brooklynn’s smile widened after he’d said that and reassured her. She nodded and rushed to give them yet another hug before she left. “Thank you. I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t come here.” she smiled brightly. They both nodded and Trinity said “now go get him”. Brooklynn nodded with a small laugh and said, “I will.”

 

She had thought that by the time she got back to the apartment Michael would have been there, but he wasn’t. She parked the car but didn’t turn it off just yet. She looked up at their window and just shook her head. She then put her car in reverse and backed up to go search for him. She called his cell phone but hung up at the first ring. As soon as she set her cell back down in the cup holder, it rang and it was Michael. She couldn’t answer. She didn’t know what to say. She knew she had to apologize and she also knew that she wanted to know where he was. If he was still there at McKayla’s. At the fifth ring she picked it up to answer, but he had hung up and given up. He didn’t call back anymore.

 

Brooklynn drove around for a while, not really knowing where she was going when she had an idea. She picked up her cell and called Jordan. Hoping that he would know where she needed to go, she asked Jordan for directions to McKayla’s. Jordan told her where she lived and gave her directions from where she was to where she needed to go. Brooklynn thanked him and pulled up in front of the house.

 

As soon as Brooklynn saw what was goin’ on, she called Jordan right back and told him to get over there to drive back Michael’s truck. Brooklynn got out of the car and kept it running again. As she was walking up to the front door, Michael opened it, walking backwards and didn’t notice she was there. McKayla tried to kiss Michael right in front of Brooklynn and then gasped when Michael pushed her away and then stumbled right into Brooklynn. Brooklynn caught him before he could fall and asked him what was wrong. She looked directly at McKayla knowing she had to have done something. “What did you do to him?” she snarled.

 

McKayla acted innocent until she knew Brooklynn wasn’t going to give up. Then she just laughed and said, “You haven’t figured it out yet?”

 

Brooklynn wrapped one of Michael’s arms around her shoulders to help him stand. She could smell alcohol and knew then that she had gotten him drunk. She glared at McKayla and wanted to kill her. The only thing stopping her was her holding up Michael. Jordan took care of that. Jordan ran over to his side and helped stand him up too. Brooklynn grinned over at Jordan and said, “You got him?” Jordan nodded and Brooklynn just ran after McKayla. She slapped her across the face then shoved her back against the door. “Don’t you ever come near or call my boyfriend again! I’ll kill you myself if I have too.” Brooklynn wouldn’t give up. She pushed McKayla back down once she tried to get back up.

 

Once Brooklynn was walking away, McKayla tried to get smart and grabbed Brooklynn from around her ankles. Brooklynn fell to the ground but rolled over and kicked her in the face, knocking her out. Brooklynn screamed in frustration and just sat there. Michael carefully walked over to Brooklynn and helped her up. Brooklynn pulled away from him and just shook her head. Michael sighed. “What? You’re still mad at me? What did I do?” he asked, sounding like a kid.

 

Brooklynn knew he was drunk if he was talking like that. She just rolled her eyes and shook her head again. She told Josh that she’d meet him back at the apartments and he nodded, following her there. Brooklynn unlocked the door while Jordan helped Michael up the stairs, into the bedroom, and onto the bed. Brooklynn rolled her eyes yet again at Michael as he just rolled over and fell asleep. Brooklynn hugged and thanked Jordan for helping. He asked if she needed anything else and she shook her head.

 

Brooklynn waved Jordan goodbye and closed the door. She then walked over to the bedroom and closed that door too. She curled up on the couch and watched a movie she knew she wouldn’t be able to watch with Michael. A couple hours went by and she was playing his game cube again, trying to break her own record when she heard Michael yell. She thought he was in pain and ran into the bedroom.

 

Standing at the foot of the bed, she watched as Michael slowly sat up and just looked at her. He looked around then saw he was fully clothed while laying in bed and then looked back up at her. “Did I..... ?” he stopped. He remembered everything. “I’m gonna kill her.” he growled and he was serious.

 

Brooklynn smiled and shook her head. “I already did that for ya.” she said with a smirk. Michael looked at her and tilted his head in confusion. “She tried to come after me, so I kicked her in the face and knocked her out.”

 

Michael laughed and said, “Oh! Damn, Brooke.” He shook his head while looking down then smiled when he looked back up at her again. Brooklynn’s smile showed up slowly after she saw his. She crawled into bed with him, cuddled up next to him, and kissed his lips softly but deeply. Michael pulled back a little to look at her and apologized. “I should’ve listened. I shouldn’t have gone. I should’ve known she was lyin’ in the first place.” he explained. Brooklynn shook her head still smiling and kissed him some more. She kept moving closer and closer until Michael finally wrapped his arms tightly around her and kissed her passionately.

 

The next time he pulled back, he reached over and into a small drawer, pulling out a black, velvet box. Brooklynn gasped as she already knew what it was. Michael smiled and Brooklynn looked at him. “Michael? How did you.... ?” Michael stopped her by putting a finger over her mouth. Brooklynn smirked and rolled her eyes.

 

Michael opened the box and took out the ring. He smiled at Brooklynn and said, “Brooklynn Danielle Carmichael,” he paused and Brooklynn couldn’t stop smiling. “Will you marry me?” he asked with a soft and sweet smile. Brooklynn didn’t even have to think about her answer. She screamed “yes” and quickly wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. She looked at him and slowly leaned in, kissing him deeply as they slowly fell back onto the bed.

 

Few hours passed and Brooklynn was running into the kitchen to get something for them to eat in her halter top and panties. Michael was starving and Brooklynn was just needing something chocolate. So she grabbed the carton of French Vanilla ice cream, the container of chocolate syrup, and some strawberries and took them into the bedroom. She jumped back onto the bed next to Michael and showed him all the stuff she came back with.  “Ok. So we have ice cream, we have chocolate, and we have strawberries to also dip into chocolate.” she smirked.

 

Michael chuckled and just looked at her shaking his head ever so slightly. Brooklynn smirked some more and said “what?”, like ‘what’d I do?’ and then laughed. Michael kept shaking his head but leaned in to kiss her yet again. Brooklynn smiled and dipped a strawberry into the bowl of chocolate syrup and held it to him. “So it really sucks we have to go back to work tomorrow.” Michael remembered.

 

Brooklynn pouted a little. “Yeah. But on the other hand, I get to show everyone my ring and tell them I’m engaged.” she smiled brightly and looked at her ring again. Brooklynn sighed deeply and just shook her head looking at him. Michael asked why she was looking at him like that and Brooklynn just shook her head some more. “Because of how much I love you. Because of how crazy you are; and because you are the most sweetest, loving boy - I mean... fiance I’ve ever had.” she smiled and leaned in slowly to kiss his lips softly.

 

Michael laughed and said, “Yeah well I hope I’m the only fiance you have.” He smirked and kissed her back. He then dipped his finger in the chocolate and poked her nose then wiped it all over her cheeks as she was screaming playfully. Brooklynn just leaned away from him and he said, “Oh no... c’mere.” Michael laughed and pulled her closer to him so he could kiss and lick it off of her.

 

Brooklynn giggled as so did he and suddenly jumped when there was a knock on the door. She wasn’t expecting anybody. Brooklynn and Michael looked at one another and they both just shook their heads. Michael threw on a pair of jeans while Brooklynn did the same. Michael looked through the peep hole, but didn’t recognize who it was. Brooklynn looked through and saw that it was Maria. Brooklynn screamed in excitement and smiled brightly as she threw open the door and hugged her tightly. “Oh my gosh, what are you doin’ here? How’d you get here?” Brooklynn asked.

 

Maria smiled and brought in the baby along with two bags; one for her and the other for her baby, Layla. Maria sighed as she set her things down and slowly turned to Brooklynn and Michael. “Do you care if I stay with you guys for a while? Just until I get a job and can get a place on my own.” Maria felt bad for just barging in like this, but she just needed an out and she hoped that Brooklynn was it.

 

Brooklynn smiled and looked at Michael and pouted a little. Michael fell for it every time. She jumped and kissed Michael as she then picked up Layla and held her. Brooklynn walked over to Michael and smiled at him. “Look.” she smirked. “Say hi to Layla.” she told Michael. Michael couldn’t help but smile at Brooklynn as she was holding a baby when that’s what he wanted. Brooklynn saw Michael smile and kissed him yet again. Maria just shook her head and saw that they had food in the bedroom. Again, feeling guilty, Maria looked at them and asked, “I didn’t.... interrupt anything did I?” She’d hoped she didn’t and would gladly leave for a few hours just in case.

 

Brooklynn quickly shook her head and replied, “Nope. I guess we’ll just see in a couple weeks if Auntie Brooklynn is pregnant or not, huh Layla?” she smiled as she began talking to the baby again. Michael laughed and smiled at Maria as he introduced himself. Brooklynn felt stupid and said, “Oh I’m sorry. I guess I just got a little distracted. Maria, this is Michael.” She smiled and she then put out her left hand showing her the engagement ring saying, “And this is what he gave me.”

 

Maria gasped and looked at the rock that Michael had placed on her ring finger. She smiled brightly at Brooklynn then looked at Michael. “Holy crap girl! Congratulations!” she said happily and hugged her gently while Brooklynn still had the baby. Brooklynn gave Layla to Maria and thanked her for the congrats and couldn’t stop smiling. Maria then remembered what Brooklynn had said while she was talking to Layla. “So you might be pregnant?” she asked with a smirk.

 

Brooklynn looked at Michael still with a smile spread across her face and nodded back at Maria. “Yeah.” she replied. “We just.... we’d been thinking about it and talking about it and the subject began to come up more often now a days and when he asked me to marry him it just sorta, I don’t know, happened I guess.” she laughed.

 

Maria rolled her eyes and shook her head. “As long as that’s what you guys want, then I’m happy for you. You two are just so cute though. I mean you’re the right height for him. He’s 6'2" and you’re 5'10" maybe 5'11".” she smirked. “It’s perfect!” Maria hugged Brooklynn again and kissed her cheek. “You guys are the greatest for letting me stay here.” she smiled.

 

 Michael smiled at Brooklynn and she smiled back. She then turned to Maria and Michael nodded. “No problem. Any friend of Brooklynn’s is a friend of mine.” he smiled again.

Brooklynn snickered and looked at Maria. “Practically sisters, babe.” she smirked.

 

Michael chuckled and nodded again. “Ok, ok. ‘Sisters’.” he smiled more and kissed the top of Brooklynn’s head.

 

Brooklynn sat next to Maria with Layla and played with Layla’s feet. “Wow. Baby, how are we gonna do this?” she asked Michael. Michael shrugged as he looked around his apartment. “Oh. Well that’s helpful. Babe.” she smirked and got back up looking around to see how they could rearrange his apartment for Maria and Layla to live and sleep. Michael walked over to stand next to Brooklynn as she tried to picture things being set up. Michael moved one of his chairs into the bedroom and Brooklynn nodded and kissed his cheek. “Perfect. Thanks babe.”

 

Michael smirked and slightly rolled his eyes. He looked around as he then asked Maria to get up, and with one movement, he moved the couch up against the back wall. Brooklynn nodded again and said ‘yeah exactly’ with a smile. “Yeah babe. I think I see what you’re thinkin.” Michael said with another smirk.

 

Brooklynn laughed. “Yeah that’s right. You’re my mind reader, aren’t you.” she smirked. Michael nodded and gave Brooklynn a cheesy smile. Brooklynn looked at Maria and they both just rolled their eyes and laughed.

 

“Just like the old days.” Maria said smiling.

 

Brooklynn nodded and agreed. “Yep. Just two things different.” she reminded her. “You’ve got a baby and we’re not in Plainfield anymore.” she smiled brightly. “Oh yeah..... “ she continued. “... and I’m engaged.” she added in as she looked at her ring yet again. She smiled even more and showed it to Maria. Maria’s eyes widened as she saw the size of the diamond in her ring. Brooklynn looked at Michael and said, “Yeah, he loves me” and smirked. Michael nodded his head and said, “damn straight, babes” with his arms wrapped around Brooklynn from behind her.

 

After that night, things just went downhill for Maria and Layla’s stay. Michael and Brooklynn just couldn’t handle it anymore. Maria would say things that wouldn’t add up and when brooklynn would check up on what she said, they would turn out to be lies. Michael finally got sick of all of it and told Brooklynn to just tell Maria that she needed to find somewhere else to stay. Brooklynn didn’t wanna have to do that, but she knew he was right.

 

However, instead of having her move out, Brooklynn asked Michael what he thought about having them move out and move back to her home state. Michael liked the idea and already started packing. Brooklynn walked in and laughed as she said, “Well not like right this second. We need to find an apartment first.” Brooklynn shook her head with a smile as then Maria walked in. Michael got a slight snarl on his face and Brooklynn turned around.

 

Brooklynn sat Maria down and explained the situation. Maria denied it all and Brooklynn began getting angry. Brooklynn starting yelling and woke up Layla, who was asleep in the corner of the living room. Maria jumped up and rushed to her and yelled at Brooklynn to keep her voice down. That’s when Brooklynn threw up her hands and said, “That’s it! I’m done. We’re done!”

 

Maria gasped and said, “What? Are you serious? Just because of a few white lies?”

 

Brooklynn shook her head. “No Maria. Because you took our friendship and stomped on it after throwing it hard to the ground. I’m sick of feeling like I can’t believe you. We’re packing tonight and we’ll be gone by morning.” she finished. She then walked into the bedroom and called an old friend from back home; hoping she could help. “Jen? Hey! How are you?” she answered. She then told Jennifer about the whole situation and Jennifer told Brooklynn that she would love to help.

Author's Note

Reviewers, wow. Never had reviewers other than family. Thanks for reading this. I would love to hear what you have to say. If you like it, don't like it. Why and why not. I also need help editing. I haven't exactly finished it, but that's because I don't know where to go from where I've stopped. Any suggestions? Oh! And I don't really like the last page beginning where the friend and the baby come into the story.