2 weeks had passed since Huw made Aubrey his wife. They had just returned from their honeymoon and were setting up for Erica’s leaving party. Erica had decided to go to San Diego a week and a half early so everything was set up for when the boys returned home. She had told Mike, Tony and Jaime that she had to head to Chicago early because the person whose place she was taking at the tattoo shop left earlier than expected. This meant that she wouldn’t get to oversee the end of the boys recording process which she was truly gutted about. The boys had decided to throw her a going away party because they didn’t know when they would see her again. Well Vic did but they couldn’t let the rest of the band know.
“I’m so upset you have to leave on Friday. I never want you to leave” Mike said between small kisses that he was gently placing on Erica’s neck and shoulder. She loved it when he did that. It was such an affectionate thing to her.
“I know, I don’t want to leave either Michael but I don’t want to lose my job before I even move there” She turned around and kissed him on the lips. His tongue ran across her bottom lip requesting entrance to her mouth. She let him in and their tongues battled for what felt like quite a while.
Erica and Mike had unintentionally matched their outfits. Erica had on a black pair of short dungarees with a camo crop top on underneath, paired with her black Doc Martens. While Mike was wearing his camo skinny jeans and a vans tank top and his signature snap back. They posed for a picture to post on Mike’s instagram. The caption read ‘Doing cute couple stuff like matching outfits before this princess has to leave :’(‘ The picture immediately got a ton of likes and comments. “OMG, you two are so cute” popped up regularly.
They went to the back garden where the rest of the band, Trent, Aubrey and Huw, Stan and many of Erica’s colleagues and friends were congregated. “Here she is” Stan called out as Erica and Mike stepped out of the back door. He was already tearing up. He had become like an uncle to Erica over the past few years and he would miss her tremendously. “It’s a shame to see you leaving us power puff, but I know that wherever you go and whatever you do will be good to you” He pulled her into the tightest of embraces before he let a tear fall from his eye. “Don’t cry, because I’ll start and I won’t be able to stop. It’s not even the end of the night either” She choked back tears.
The entire party was spent reminiscing about everything Erica has ever done with the people in attendance. There were a lot more tears then anyone had anticipated. Erica received many cards and gifts and hugs. The night came to a close and Erica was sat on the couch in the lounge of her house. She had put Peter Pan on and was cuddled up to Mike. Her family had all gone up to bed and the band had gone back next door. By the time Wendy had met the mermaids Erica had already fallen asleep on Mike. He kissed her forehead before carrying her upstairs and putting her into bed. She had got changed into her PJs just before sitting down to watch the movie. Mike got in behind her, after stripping to just his boxers. They didn’t spend the night together much but when they did they felt the most comfortable either of them ever had.
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FRIDAY – Departure day
“Stop crying Michael, damn. I’ll see you soon, I promise you.” She put her pinky up to signal the promise ritual “Promise?” Mike questioned as he linked pinky fingers. “Promise” Erica repeated as a statement and not a question before they kissed the opposite thumb.
“My turn to say goodbye” Jaime practically pulled Mike away from Erica. “I’m going to miss you so much Pumpkin” He let out a few small sobs into the crook of her neck and held onto her for dear life. They really had become the best of friends. When Erica wasn’t with Mike or at work you can bet your boots her and Jaime were somewhere acting like 3 year olds together. “Not as much as I’m going to miss you Pumpkin” Erica let out a few sobs of her own, rubbing Jaime’s back up and down.
Erica said goodbye to Vic, Tony, Trent, Aubrey and Huw as well. It was very emotional even though she knew it wouldn’t be long until she saw them again. Her eyes refused to keep the tears in. Erica left them all in an area where they wouldn’t realise she was headed to San Diego and not Chicago. She managed to get away with it.
When Erica’s plane landed she went to collect her luggage and made a phone call to Jess who was picking her up from the airport. Vic had informed his parents that Erica would be over to pick her things up. They had been storing them in their garage for her. Jess had also borrowed her brother’s pick-up truck so it was easier to transport all of her things. Erica had been slowly shipping out her clothes, books, instruments and other bits and pieces slowly over the last month. She only had to wait for her drums and a few smaller pieces and she would have everything.
“Aw, you’re here” Mama Fuentes called out as she opened her door and pulling Erica in to a hug and kissing her once on each cheek. She did the same to Jess. They were ushered in and given a drink before sitting in the backyard for a little catch up before getting down to business. Besides Erica loved the company of Mama and Papa Fuentes and she didn’t want to come across as rude for just coming, getting her things and going. They ended spending about 2 hours talking about all things that had been happening back in the UK. Erica even told them about how Mike told her he loved her. His parents were so happy to hear it, they were happier to hear the Erica had said it back to him. They had a good feeling about Erica the moment they first met her.
They finally got round to loading Erica’s belonging in to the truck. It didn’t look like much; Erica definitely thought she had sent more over. The girls kissed the older Fuentes’ on the cheeks before leaving in the direction of Erica’s new apartment. She was giddy with eagerness. She could not wait to officially move in.
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Jess had been staying at Erica’s in the spare bedroom so she could help her move in and so they could have girly time and hang out. Every minute was perfect. They realised they had a lot in common and knew that they were going to be friends for life.
They had also been visiting Vic and Mike’s parents every now and then just because they loved to hear stories about the boys from when they were younger. It was always a happy time when they were together.
They had made a plan on how Erica was to reveal that she was now a San Diego resident and the closer the date of the boys’ arrival got the more the nerves and excitement mixed in the pit of Erica’s stomach.