Micah

“Look what the cat dragged on,” Luka drawled as we entered the front door.

“We just saw you at brunch a week ago, drama king,” Micah said with a playful roll of his eyes. He liked this laid-back version of his brother. His wife, Olive, had done a good job of getting him to loosen up and enjoy life. As the head of the household and the company after their parents died, he’d aged overnight. His control freak tendencies had driven many women away, but Olive challenged him. I guess we have that in common.  

He smiled down at his steady girlfriend. Everything about their situation when they met challenged him. As did her current situation. She lived in a haunted house, and while the spirits had turned helpful when it came to Daize, they continued to show their disdain for him. He wanted her to move out, but she refused until they took care of her “friends” on the other side. Currently at a stalemate, they agreed to disagree.

“What my husband means to say is he missed you,” Olive came up beside him all smiles in her bright yellow dress with a dark blue ethnic pattern. “We’re glad you guys could make it. Cookouts aren’t the same without you. Even Kane is here.”

“How did you manage that?” Micah teased.

“I think he’s simply refueling before he goes back out into the world. You raise them, they leave the nest and never come back.” Luka sighed.

Micah grinned. “Papa bear is missing his cubs.”

“Don’t worry, this one will be here soon enough for you to dote on,” Olive patted her rounding belly. Her skin glowed, and her smile appeared permanently pasted onto her mouth. “Everyone else is already in the back.” Olive and Luka lead them through the house to the backyard where everyone was gathered around a massive wooden picnic bench custom made to fit the Davenport family and plenty more.

The candy brick patio led out to a natural grotto with a small waterfall that fed into a large pool. He’d whittled away hours in this pool as a youth. He couldn’t blame his brother for choosing to stay in the family home. Even if it was far too large for two people.

“Hey.” A chorus of greetings rushed up to meet him. He hugged his little brother. “It’s good to see you in person instead of on Skype.”

The lanky youth tossed his fringe of brown hair out of his hazel-colored eyes and grinned. “I figured it was time to come home for a while before you guys forget I existed.”

“Wise plan,” Luka grumbled. It was clear he was proud as a peacock and happy to have them all in one place again.

“I finally get to meet this beautiful lady in person.” Kane bowed and kissed the back of Daize’s hand after they shook.

“I see the charm runs in the family,” she said dryly.

Kane laughed. “Oh, this one is a keeper. She sees through us.”

“Keeps me humble,” Micah replied.

“It’s good to meet you, too, Kane,” Daize said with a smile. She’d gotten used to dealing with his random family.

“When did you get in?” Micah asked Kane.

“Late last night. I got up just in time to help Luka set up. My poor body is eternally confused about time zones.”

“That’s what happens when you country hop,” Rachel called.

“Your sympathy is staggering,” Kane replied drolly.

“Welcome to my family’s dynamics.” Micah steered her away from the bickering siblings to greet Asher and Clara. The girls had become fast friends, and they did a lot of double dating.

“When Kane comes back, we realize how quiet it is without him,” Asher remarked as the girls hugged.

“Mean, but true.”

We chuckled. As the second youngest, Kane often took his share of ribbing.

“How are things at home?” Asher asked.

“At my home? Great.”

“Stop.” Daize sat beside Clara. “They still don’t like him.”

“What did you do?” Asher said.

“It’s more of what I represent for many of them,” Micah admitted. “We brought in a more powerful psychic who’d assured us the ghosts meant Daize no harm. Their goal was to be noticed, not to scare. They feel protective of and grateful to Daize.”

“Daize the ghost whisperer,” Asher marveled.

“Oh no, there is no whispering. I’m fine with the silent knowledge they’re around.”

“Where are you in the battle to have something done?” Clara asked.

“The owner of the building isn’t too keen on having rumors of dead bodies under his complex. We’re locked in negotiations at the moment.” He’d gotten their lawyers involved. If they could provide enough proof, the decision would be taken out of the owner’s hands, but he didn’t want to do that. He was hoping to eventually meet in the middle.

“As far as we still have to go in society, looking back at the past shows me we have made major progress. I can’t even imagine not being seen as human,” Clara said.

“I had the same thoughts,” Daize replied. “It’s why I can’t just leave them, not knowing what will happen next. If I don’t ensure they find peace, who will?”

“I promise you, we’ll do right by them.” Micah squeezed her hand.

“How’s the wedding planning coming along?” Daize asked.

“I think we’ve gotten it all sorted out. We’ll be sending out the ‘remember the dates’ soon.”

Daize grinned. “That’s exciting.”

Asher and Micah got into a conversation about movies as the girls talk about wedding planning. This was happiness. Surrounded by his family with the woman he was falling in love with besides him.

“Can you help me get everything from the kitchen?” Luka asked.

“Yeah. I’ll be back, babe.” He kissed her cheek and rose.

Inside the house, he dropped the façade. “I’m freaking out, Luk.”

Luka patted his shoulder. “You’ll be fine. She doesn’t have a clue, does she?”

“No.” Micah shook his head.

“Enjoy this moment. The two of you are meant to be together. It’s going to be fine.”

“I haven’t even told her I love her yet.”

“Then I suggest you remedy the problem before you pop the question, brother.” He smirked.

“You love this, don’t you?” Micah scowled.

“Am I enjoying seeing my baby brother find the love of his life? Yes. Am I also loving the freakouts from Mr. Cool? Also, yes.”

“Evil.”

“How long do we need to keep you here for everything to be set up?”

“Mel and Trish said no earlier than eight o’clock.”

“We’re long-winded, so it won’t be a problem. Come on, let’s get the meat going out to the grill before she notices how long we’re taking. If I didn’t believe with my entire being she was the one for you, I’d caution you to slow down and think things through. You realize I’ve never said a word against her, yes?”

“I have.”

“There’s a reason for that. Trust yourself and the people who love you. We’re backing your play, and we think it’s the absolute right one.”

His words settled him. He had the same grounding effect of their father. Gathering his wits about him, he helped Luka bring out the pre-shaped beef patties and played his role until it was time.

***

“I HAD A GREAT TIME with your family tonight. They’re fun.”

“They’re all right, I guess.”

She rolled her eyes, and he chuckled as she opened the door.

“What is this?” she whispered.

He placed a hand on the small of her back and gently nudged her into the apartment. White candles filled every surface. Their flames flickered, painting shadows on the walls. A vase full of white roses rested beside a silver ice bucket with a bottle of champagne. A manila envelope wrapped in a bow was surrounded by red rose petals shaped into a heart.

He helped her out of her jacket and held her purse. She hesitated and glanced at him.

“Go ahead and sit on the couch.” After hanging their coats on the coat tree, he moved to grab the envelope. He handed it to her and straightened. “Open it.”

She untied the bow with long, graceful fingers, and opened the flap. He swallowed hard as she pulled out the papers. Her hands shook slightly as she read.

“They’re going to dig?” she asked.

“They are. We all have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. They’ll pitch it as a remodel, but they also agree to do the responsible and ethical thing with their findings. We’ll be in constant correspondence.”

She blinked rapidly. Her eyes shone. “You did this?”

“I helped.”

She sniffed. “No, you’re modest right now.”

“Are you happy?”

“That doesn’t begin to cover the way I feel.”

“Good. Because I have a question I want to ask you.” He walked over, sat beside her, and took her hand. “You’ve changed my life for the better. I was completely unprepared to meet a woman like you. Intelligent, beautiful, driven, and funny. You get me in a way no one else has. We complement one another, and as much as I love us, the way we are, I want more. I want to wake up and have your face be the first thing I see. I sleep better when you’re beside me at night, and I don’t want to continue to sleep at your place and my place. I want an ‘our’ place. I love you, Daize. You have the key to my heart, and if you’d allow me to, I’d like to give you the key to the condo. Will you move in with me?” He pulled out a small velvet case, opened it, and presented as key he’d had decorated with a seashell motif.

“I love you, too, Micah. I’m happiest when I’m with you. So, yes, I will move in with you now that I know things are settled here.”

Giddy off her acceptance, he cupped her head and brought her lips to his. Plunging his tongue into her eager mouth, he lost himself in the taste and feel of her as they celebrated the next step in their life together. The anxiety he’d experienced as she neared the end of her job contract lifted. He’d give her every reason to stay, for the rest of her life.