Sweep Me Off My Feet

Chapter 10

Slipping back into normal life for Angela was as easy as ever. The only thing that was different was that she had a wedding band this time around. She was somebody’s wife. She had just gotten dressed when she heard a knock on the door. She had a feeling that it might have been the building super who was finally coming around to fix one of the many problems in her apartment. But this was not one of those times she had it in her to have a pleasant conversation. She was already running late and she could not afford to get to work late. She had already missed almost an entire week of work and without notice too. She could only imagine the kind of melee that was her workplace by then. She sighed loudly when she heard the knock again.

“I really don’t have the time for morning guests,” she thought as she rushed to the door. She already had an idea of the harsh words she was going to give to the super, but all the words seemed to disappear when she opened the door to find Michael standing at her doorstep.

“Good morning, Mrs. O’Brien,” he said in a soft voice before he leaned in to kiss her softly.

“Mike… hi. What are you doing here?” she wondered out loud.

“Well, I am here to take you and Brandon to your new home,” he said, proudly.

She shook her head.

“New home… I don’t understand.”

“Well, our marriage may have begun a little strangely, but generally, families live together. Under the same roof.”

She was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that she was finally moving out of that dump when he touched her chin.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asked, and she stepped aside.

“Sorry… I’m just… processing everything.”

He walked into her apartment, and she closed the door. She leaned against the door, and he looked at the jacket and purse on the kitchen counter.

“Are you going somewhere?” he asked, and she nodded.

“Yes, work.”

He shook his head, smiling.

“Yeah, you do know you don’t have to work anymore, right?” he asked, and she shrugged.

“What are you talking about?”

“I know that you don’t enjoy your job. You made that clear while we were in Hawaii. I want you to do something you are passionate about and you can figure out what that is while you make a home of that humongous empty house of mine that is now ours.”

“So, what? Am I supposed to just cook and clean in the penthouse?” she asked, and he shrugged.

“The penthouse has access to a beautiful rooftop garden that I hardly ever visit and I heard you talk about doing a little homesteading… maybe you can start with a few veggies up there and when things cool down at work, I will take you out to my place at Vermont. You will fit right in.”

“Vermont,” she thought excitedly. She had never really been there, but she had seen a lot of pictures. She knew exactly how perfect Vermont was. It was perhaps the best thing she had ever seen and the best dream she had when she thought of her future and now, it was a reality thanks to Michael. She was still smiling in disbelief when she heard Brandon’s voice, prompting her to turn towards her son.

“Baby, hey.”

“And who is this handsome little man?” Michael asked, squatting. Brandon looked at Angela who smiled at him reassuringly giving her son the go ahead to walk over to Michael.

“I’m Brandon,” he said, when he got to where Michael was.

“No way! Your mama said Brandon was a little baby, but you are such a big guy. Almost as tall as me!”

Brandon giggled.

“Tell me, do you like light sabers?” Michael asked and the little boy’s eyes lit up. “Good, because I have been looking for someone to play with.”

Brandon looked at Angela.

“Mama, can I go? Please?” he begged. Angela and Michael exchanged a knowing look.

“Well, sweetie, you know what? You can and the good news is that we are going to live there from now on,” Angela said.

Brandon looked confused.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because that place is bigger and you can ride your bike…” Michael started before Brandon interjected.

“I don’t have a bike.”

“Well, not here. But you sure do over there,” Michael said, and the little boy flung himself into his arms. “Whoa… okay.”

He picked him up in his arms and looked at the little brown-eyed boy.

“Are you the man who gave my mama a ring?” Brandon asked, and Michael smiled, nodding.

“Yeah, and she gave me one too. See?” He held up his left hand for Brandon to see. “It looks just like your mama’s.”

Brandon inspected his hand for a long second before Michael walked over to Angela.

“Pack only the sentimental stuff. We can always get anything and everything else you will need. And…” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a car key. “This is your new set of wheels. It’s parked downstairs and the address is already programmed in the GPS. I have some things to take care of at work and then I will see you back at home.”

Angela’s eyes welled up as she looked at the new car key in her hand.

“Mama, why are you sad?” Brandon asked, and she forced out a laugh.

“I’m not sad, baby… just happy,” she said as she wiped off her tears.

Michael leaned forward and held Angela’s cheek before he leaned in and kissed her.

“Don’t cry, baby, I’m here now,” he whispered and then kissed her again. He smiled at Brandon and put him down. “I have to go now, but there is a surprise for you when you get home. I hope you like Spiderman.”

Brandon nodded excitedly.

“I love Spiderman!” he exclaimed. Michael smiled at him and ruffled his hair before he walked to the door.

“Be careful on the road, baby,” he said before he walked out of the apartment leaving a stunned Angela standing there as Brandon fired question after question… but she could not really hear a word he was saying…