#michaelcreech

“Hey, you, how’s the working world?”

“You won’t believe it but working in business is slightly less exciting than watching paint dry. How’s your day been?”

“Rough, just so rough. I slept in, had a late breakfast, went for a nice, long shower- “

“You’re a tease, Harlow Elizabeth.”

They chatted back and forth, completely losing track of time.

“What? Oh, shit. I’ll be right there. Harlow, I’ve got to get back to the grindstone. I love you!”

“Love you!”

Harlow spent the rest of the afternoon working on restoring artefacts and texting with Maritza. Most of their socialising was done through a screen now, and it gave Harlow a pang of guilt when she’d think about how far she’d moved from her closest friend.

Michael walked out onto the deck where Harlow was working on a relic and playfully wrapped his tie around her head.

“Can you believe I’ve been a working man for two months already? It feels like it’s been four years, but the old man said he feels like he can give me my own office now without looking like he’s playing favourites, so at least I won’t have to keep watching Anderson picking his nose over the divider.”

“Why do you watch?”

“It’s like watching a tragedy unfold in front of your eyes, you just can’t look away.”

Harlow laughed, shaking her head, but continued working on the artefact.

“So, what do you say to a dinner date? We can celebrate me not having to bleach-wash my eyeballs.”

“I’m not sure how you got from nose-picking to dinner, but I’m game. I actually have some news worth celebrating, too.”

“Well, I’m not sure how it could top my newfound workplace sanctuary, but I’ll quickly go wash up and we can head out.”

“You really proposed to make her reconsider a work vacation? You’re really something, Creech.”

Michael shook his head, leaning back against the counter in the break room.

“It’s not like that. I mean, yeah, I thought she’d get caught up in wedding planning and decide not to go but I’ve been wanting to ask for months now. I’m just… I’m worried that something will happen to her while she’s there. They say the temple she’ll be working in is close to ruin. Say it falls and she’s trapped there.”

He was worried about her safety, genuinely, but he knew he was kidding himself acting like her safety was the only factor. It took a long time for Harlow to decided to move away from Selvadorada and if her mother hadn’t fallen ill, she might never have left. He couldn’t help but wonder what she’d do if this trip made her realise just how much she missed it.

“I’m not even going to pretend I believe that. If you’re really so worried about her, I can give you the number of someone who’ll keep an eye on her while she’s there, you know, for a price.”

“I’m not paying a stranger to follow my fiancé, Nicholls.”

“Well, alright. Guess your only other option is to trust her.”

“Thanks for your expert insight.” Michel replied dryly. The only response from Nicholls was a crude gesture as he returned to work.

‘I’m going to trust her. She wouldn’t be marrying if she didn’t want to stay with me.’

He repeated the phrase in his head like a mantra as he muddled through his day and looking at her beautiful face beaming out at him on the frame on his desk had him feeling a little foolish. He’d had no reason to think she’d leave him, but he wanted to know that she would be safe.

He knew he’d kick himself for it later, but on his way out of the office he got the PI’s number from Nicholls and he made the call.

Harlow walked into the lounge right on 6pm and was surprised to see Michael already waiting, the man was perpetually late. She walked over to where he sat, but he stood before she reached him, looking frazzled but happy to see her.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been back here.” She said with a smile as Michael took her hand, “What made you feel like coming back?”

Michael used his free hand to gently brush her cheek before letting out a deep sigh.

“I was thinking, all last night, about how much my life has changed since we were last here and I just feel that maybe it’s time for it to change again, if you’ll have me.”

And with that, Michael got down on one knee and pulled a ring box from the pocket of his suit jacket.

“Yes, Michael! Yes!” Harlow couldn’t contain her excitement, or the tears of joy that had started to brim in her eyes.

“You don’t want to see the ring first?”

“That box could be empty, and my answer wouldn’t change.”

They spent the rest of the night laughing, flirting, and drinking a few too many glasses of rum. When they collapsed into bed at the end of the night, Harlow couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.

“How’s the future Mrs Creech this morning?”

Harlow smiled into her tea but was quick to retort as Michael kissed her on the top of her head on his way past.

“You know, I might keep my name. I always thought yours sounded like the noise a leaf makes when you step on it.”

Her comment made Michael laugh, but then his expression changed.

“You know, I still can’t tell when you’re being joking at times. You’re ever the enigma.”

“Oh, I was joking. About not changing my name, that is. I stand by what I said about your name.”

“You’re a riot. So, I was thinking maybe we could plan our wedding for the last weekend of spring? It’s so beautiful this year.

“I’ll be in Selvadorada that weekend? It’s right in the middle of the two weeks, and- “

“You’re still going?”

Harlow bit her lip. ‘Did he really propose just to get me to stay?’ She pushed the thought from her mind and forced a smile.

“Of course, I am, I’ve already told the curator that I’ll be there. What makes you think I changed my mind? This trip means a lot to me.”

She could see that Michael was thinking about what to say next, and she decided to interrupt before the conversation could escalate into an argument.

“Oh, I totally lost track of time. I promised Maritza I’d be there to pick her up from the airport. I love you!” and she turned on her heel and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Michael alone with his thoughts.

“So? What do you think?”

Harlow glanced around at the latest on their list of potential new houses and unlike every other mansion and penthouse they’d been to so far, she could see this house becoming their home.

“Michael, it’s…”

“Still too much?”

“No, it’s perfect.”

Michael beamed at her, watching as she almost skipped into the kitchen to speak to the real estate agent about buying the house. He never imagined he’d make it to the end of The Bachelorette, or that she’d want to keep him around once the cameras stopped rolling.

He was snapped out of his reminiscing by the excited way she bounced back into the room with that enormous, genuine smile of hers plastered on her face.

“She said we can have the keys within the week! Can you believe it?!”

Her excitement was contagious, and he couldn’t help but laugh as she wrapped her arms around him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Well, I guess we’d better start packing!”