“Astrid dear! Are you ready yet? The car Richard called for us should be here soon!” Michael stood by the front door of the house. Astrid had all but moved in before going on her trip to her parents. Though many said a couple months was not enough time to be living together. The deranged couple was anything but normal and kept to dating standards. After the ball, the two became almost inseparable. Most nights being spent at one or the other’s home. Michael felt it kind of silly sense his home had more than enough room for the three of them. The third of course being Mr. Whiskers, who welcomed the larger area to explore. Finding himself fancying the writer's personal library. In fact, most “family time” was spent there. Michael writing, Astrid enjoying the extensive catalog, and the feline laying onto of a stack of novels.
“Jeez Mike, we have plenty of time! Don’t get your ponytail in a twist.” The sound of shoes clicking down the wood steps that lead to the upstairs section. Astrid's bobbed hair bounced with every step down. A light shining in from a small window above the door lit up her now pink hair. After two weeks of her passive aggressive parents' comments of her life choice. Astrid felt a new off color was the perfect way to “rebel”.
“I’m happy for you sense of originality darling, but your hair was such a beautiful blonde.” Michael approached his love, running his fingers gently through the pink locks. The once blonde rolled her eyes, taking ahold of his hand.
“Whine and gripe all you want Mike, but~” Kissing the top of his hand in the same way he had done to her many times before. “I know that won’t keep your eyes off me.” Pulling their hands towards him, Michael did the same.
“You have me there Mon Cher. I couldn’t tear my eyes away even if I was blind as a bat.” The two of them smiled at one another. Their eyes piercing one another, practically swirling into a mixture of blue and green. The distance closed between them, only to be interrupted by a horn outside. Michael Sighed smirking at the door. “The one time a car is on time.” Astrid giggled standing on her tippy toes, to help plant a small kiss on his cheek.
“There will be plenty of time for moments together once in the city of love.” Michael turning back to his partner nodded in agreement. Placing his own smooch on her forehead before grabbing their bags. Astrid opened the door for them and allowed him to head out first. “Okay Mr. W, we’re off! Aunty Nikki will be by to feed you later!” closing the door and locking it. Joining Michael at the car, they both were greeted by a familiar stoic man. The very man that drove them to the ball. Now formally known as Jackson, who had been driving for Woodlin's for years. Surprisingly to most who got to know him better. The straight-faced man was quite the jokester if you left yourself open to attack. “Hey, there Jackson! It has been a while sense you last drove for us. What’s up?”
“Evening Miss Astrid. The sky and clouds seem to be on the up and up.” Yes, he was a jokester... but never said a good one. Astrid gave a pity laugh and nodded.
“Right, you are J man!” Michael not wanting to be drawn into the same trap. Just nodded to the other male, taking the bags to the truck. Jackson returned the nod, opening the back passenger side door. Astrid smiled, stepping into the back seat. Closing the trunk, circling around to the opposite side letting himself in. Michael took his seat next the women that held his heart. Without a thought their fingers interlocked. The driver closed Astrid’s door, heading to the driver’s seat. Then off they went to catch their flight. The difference between this ride and their first with Jackson was night and day. There was no tension between the two in the back. Jackson was still very stoic, but it was a happy stoic that only those close to him would notice. Windows were down, and the warm gentle breeze filled the vehicle. Astrid’s and Michael hair blowing ever so slightly. His thumb running over her knuckles. The ride being mostly spent in silence, only being filled with the sounds of the city passing by. Birds chirping, citizens in conversation, and other cars beeping at one another. 30 minutes of silence and background noise before they made their arrival. Pulling up to the unloading for their airlines. Exiting the car with the help of their faithful driver. They bid him farewell, heading inside to grab their tickets. Finding the gate easily and getting on their flight moments later. Michael chose to read a book, while Astrid slept almost the whole ride. Even being thousands of feet into the air. The slight bumps and feeling on the plane was very calming to the pink haired women. Resting her hand on his shoulder, and arm wrapped around his. Which rested on the shared armrest between them. As the plane finally touched down 8 hours later. The sudden jolt was enough to wake the sleeping beauty.
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“Welcome back to the world of the living love. As well as welcome to Paris.” The women sat up, looking out their small window. Her eyes widened at the view even from the plane. The towering building off in the distance stood. “Beautiful, isn’t it? First time Mon Cher?”
“Unfortunately, yeah. Not that I never had the means to go. Just a reason never came up to go.” Turning back to him she smiled wide and bright. “Couldn’t think of a better reason than to be here with you shitass.” Michael smiled and gave a small chuckle. Slowly those on board the plane disembarked. From getting off the plane, to getting through customs, then finally getting their bags. It was all an easy trip to France for the pair. A picture-perfect movie-esk trip from start to finish. All the way up to where they stood now. The sweat falling down both their foreheads were almost comically large. What the hell were they looking at right now.
“Michael my boy! Welcome to Paris you two!” The loud short man stood waving at the couple. His ever so “thrilled” wife and daughter giving him a side eye. Astrid smiled waving back but with a “thrilled” chuckle of her own.
“Mike, what are those two doing here?” Michael leaned over with an irritated smirk.
“I wish I could tell you dear. I was expecting Richard but not twiddle Dee, and twiddle psychopath.” Grabbing their bags, they approached the.... happy family. “Richard! You didn’t have to come to pick us up. We could easily have met you at the hotel.” Michael turned to the two Woodlins women. “Kathy, Kathrine it's always a pleasure to see you both.” Kathy, still not being the biggest fan of Michael just gave a simple.
“Right...” Kat in her usual manner had moved mer inches away from Michael.
“Aww did someone miss me?~” The writer took a step back, as the space was filled by Astrid.
“Kat! Long time no see! See you grew out your hair?” Kat had decided to grow it out to match closer to Astrid. Her being a little less than thrilled at unknown change.
“And I see that you cut and colored yours.”
“Yup, the longer length was getting kind of boring. Felt too much like it’s what every other chick is doing. Though it looks great on you!” Astrid smirked tilting her head. Kat smiled back and tilted her head to the opposite side.
“Why thank you Astrid dear. So glad you could join us on this trip.” Michael approached placing his hand on Astrids shoulder.
“Like wise, though Richard didn’t mention you both would be joining us.”
“Yes, my apologize my boy. I owed these two a vacation. So thought I'd kill two birds with one stone.” Motioning everyone to the exit where a limo waited for the party. “Now onward cause I’m sure you both are tired and would like to get to your room to rest.” The first thing to come out of the older males mouth that everyone actually agreed upon. The drive to the hotel being short and quiet. Everyone almost sprinting to their rooms to escape from one another. Leaving poor Richard in the lobby by himself. “They must of all been more tired then I thought.” Shrugging before heading off to hotel bar for a nice drink before dinner.
Michael and Astrid now settled in their rooms. Laid on the king-sized bed covered in sheets almost as soft as clouds. “Well so much for alone time huh?” Michael sighed sitting up on the edge of the bed.
“Oh I’m sure we will find time. Or can at least make time for us.” Astrid sat up moving, putting her arms around his neck. Her head rested on his shoulder with a smile.
“I wouldn’t want anything more.”