DUSK TILL DAWN , MILEVEN AU

11.

mike sat in his office for lunch, eating as he worked through fixing a software for a new client.

typing on his laptop, he scrolled through the code with a spoon in his mouth, groaning as a drop of sauce fell on his hand.

thankfully it didn't land on the ribbon tied around his wrist.

her ribbon.

he had her ribbon tied around his wrist unless he needed to take it off. such as showering because he didn't want to get it wet but other than that, he had it on 24/7 to remind himself of her.

hearing his phone ring, he quickly dropped everything and turned it around in hope but to only find that it was his mother was calling.

he put it on speaker and continued working. "yes, ma?"

"michael, i thought you were coming to brunch," she said as he furrowed his brows. "i am?"

"but it's 11! where are you!?"

"i thought brunch meant 1 and i'm finishing some work at the office. don't worry, i'll stop by," he assured her, not really paying attention to the conversation.

"i don't want a stop by! michael, you better be here in thirty minutes," she warned him as he scoffed. "but mom!"

"now, mike!" she cried. "everyone is waiting for you, goodbye,"

"but—" he went to protest but the call had already ended.

he groaned, knowing he would just finish the work at home instead.

closing the lid of his takeout box, he dumped it back into the bag and then into the trash before he stood up and collected his items.

he headed out, giving a nod at passing coworkers before he made his way into his car.

he drove quickly to his childhood home, parking out on the street because there was no space in the driveway anymore.

remembering to put it in park, he made his way inside and was quickly embraced with loud chatters around the house.

"mike! you made it!" karen smiled and embraced him in a tight hug. "oh, look at you. have you been eating? have you been sleeping? we need to get you food."

"mom, i'm fine. i just ate," he said as she hummed, "no, you will come with me and we will get you loads of food," she dragged him off to the kitchen.

"mom, mom," he said as holly came in with emmy on her hip.

mike smiled at the sight of his niece. "hi em," he grabbed her from holly's arms. "how you liking that bread?" he asked, tapping her cheek.

she babbled, waving the slice of bread in her hands and he laughed at his three year old niece. "you are adorable,"

"no, you're adorable!" she giggled shyly as mike threw his head back with a laugh.

"uncle mike," she mumbled as he hummed, taking a plate of food from his mother. "yes?"

"i miss-ed you," she nodded and he smiled softly. "me too, little em," he murmured and headed to the living room, sitting down on the couch with her on his lap.

"ah," he held a spoon of food in front of her as her eyes brighten up and her mouth dropped open.

he grinned, feeding her some potatoes. "so yummy, right?"

"mhm!"

he kissed her nose as she giggled. "uncle mike! uncle mike! do you like hair? dress?" she asked whilst slurring and he listened closely before nodding. "yes baby, i love it so so much. you are really really pretty,"