I slammed the door shut behind me and braced my arm on the wall for support as I kicked off my heels, tossing my keys into the small bowl on the table. I let my purse fall to the floor and I shrugged off my jacket, hanging it up on the hook before I started making my way down the hall.

“Tone? I’m home!” I called out as I stepped into the kitchen.

“Hey Rori,” I heard from beside me and I jumped, not expecting the voice.

“Hey Mike,” I said, surprised, seeing him sitting on the small loveseat in the adjoining French room. “What are you doing here? Where’s Tony?”

Mike chuckled. “Nice to see you too.”

“Oh, sorry,” I muttered with a laugh. “Nice to see you Mike.”

He grinned and folded his arms behind his head as he leaned back into the couch. “Tone’s upstairs, taking a shower I think, and I’m here because me and Sam got into a fight and she kicked me out.”

“Oh, well I guess that would explain why I have four missed calls from her,” I said with an amused smirk. “So what did you do this time?”

He laughed, more in annoyance than amusement. “She thinks I cheated on her because she was going through tumblr and found some really old pictures of me with my ex. She wouldn’t even let me explain and just shoved me out the door.” He shrugged.

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Sounds like Sam; don’t worry, she’ll realize that she was being a dumb bitch and call you, crying.”

He sighed and nodded. “Yeah, I know.”

I laughed quietly and then made my way over to the couch. “You didn’t really cheat though, did you?” I questioned as I took a seat next to him.

“No Rori,” he said in annoyance. “I told you before, I really like her.”

I put my hands up in surrender. “Sorry but she is my best friend and I had to make sure, that promise I made you when I first introduced you to her still stands you know.”

He huffed and crossed his arms. “Well, as much as I would love to see you try and kick my ass so hard I’ll never be able to sit again, you won’t be able to do that anytime soon.”

“Damn,” I muttered, snapping my finger and swinging my arm across my chest in mock disappointment, making him laugh and shake his head at me as he grinned.

We turned our attention to the television and I shifted in my seat, pulling my legs up and when I heard a crinkling coming from under me I suddenly remembered the half eaten bag of gummy bears I had in my back pocket. I smiled and then sat up just enough to pull them out and I opened the bag and picked out a few green ones that were left, plopping them in my mouth and I turned my head slightly, feeling Mike’s eyes on me, and I saw him looking at me suspiciously.

“What do ya got there?” he asked, dramatically curious, knowing exactly what I had.

“Nothing for you,” I said snobbishly, pulling the bag tighter to my chest.

“Come on, just let me have some,” he muttered, rolling his eyes and sticking his hand out.

“No way, I’ve been picking through these all day and all that’s left are the red ones.”

“Perfect, let me have one,” he grinned.

“Fuck off,” I said with a laugh, shaking my head.

“Aurora.”

“Michael.”

“Don’t be a bitch, please?” he muttered.

I scoffed. “My house, my gummy bears.”

“Please?” he said sweetly, leaning toward me.

“No.” I said flatly.

“Please?”

“No Mike.”

“Just one?” he begged, bouncing in the seat.

“Nope,” I said with a grin and plopped a few more in my mouth, chewing dramatically, causing him to glare at me.

“How about I just reach over and grab one?” he threatened, raising his eyebrows.

I laughed. “How about I punch you in the face?”

He huffed, annoyed and crossed his arms over his chest and for a moment I thought he had given up. He suddenly reached over and snatched the bag from my hands and without thinking twice, I jumped over on him, landing in his lap and pushing his face in with my hand as I reached with my other one to grab the bag he was holding high over his head. He swore against my hand covering his face as I pushed him back and he brought his other arm up and squeezed my side.

I squealed and jerked on his lap, causing my knee to go directly into his crotch and he groaned before he lunged forward, dropping the gummy bears and grabbing at his groin. His sudden movements caused me to fall backwards. I grabbed at his shirt, trying to stop myself from falling off the couch but being as he was distracted, it only made the both of us fall down. I landed flat on my back on the carpeted floor and let out a surprised huff as Mike fell right on top of me, his weight making it hard to breathe.

“Ugh, get off of me!” I yelled out, my voice strained.

He laughed, making no attempt to move as he spread his arms out beside me, making him cover me completely. His neck was right on my face and all I could see was his tattoo as I tried unsuccessfully to push him off of me. I squirmed and grunted while he just laughed above me.

“Mike!” I gasped out, starting to kick my legs.

“All I wanted was one gummy bear,” he said innocently, taunting me as he continued to practically crush me.

“Tony!” I screeched, causing Mike to jump at the sudden loudness of my voice. “Help me!” I yelled, making Mike chuckle but he at least pushed himself up on his elbows and I gasped as his weight was lifted off my chest.

“Calm down,” Mike laughed, starting to push the rest of himself off.

“What the hell is going on?” I heard Tony’s voice yell and Mike rolled off of me.

I sat up with an annoyed huff and saw Tony looking at the two of us now sitting on the floor, an amused expression on his face as he crossed his arms. Mike chortled beside me and I turned to glare at him before I reached over and punched him a good one in the arm, making him yelp and he immediately brought his other hand up to rub the spot I just punched.

“Ow!” he groaned, giving me a hurt expression.

“Jackass,” I muttered and climbed to my feet.

Tony chuckled and came around the couch. “What did you do to my girlfriend, man?” he asked Mike as I bent down, picking up the gummy bears Mike had dropped.

“I just wanted a gummy bear,” Mike grumbled as he started to stand up.

“Oh fuck,” Tony groaned with a laugh. “Did you two seriously get into another fight over gummy bears?”

“My gummy bears,” I clarified, emphasizing the “my” part.

Tony laughed and Mike rolled his eyes as he plopped back onto the couch and Tony turned toward me, giving me a smirk as he looked at the bag I was holding. He raised his eyebrows and I just shrugged. He laughed softly and then pulled me toward him, smiling down at me.

“How was work?” he asked, wrapping his arms securely around my waist.

“Stupid,” I mumbled and pouted my lips at him. “Helen was a bitch all day and now I’m just annoyed and frustrated.”

He grinned and then leaned down, pressing a chaste kiss on my lips before he moved his lips over to my ear. “Maybe I can help you with that?” he offered in a gruff voice – low enough that Mike couldn’t hear – and I bit my lip as my cheeks started to burn.

Before I could respond there was a ringing noise and Mike shuffled in the couch before he pulled his phone out of his pocket. I could tell by the smile that formed on his face that it was Sam and he answered it and Tony and I chuckled as he tried to speak in between her crying that was so loud we could hear it. He finally calmed her down enough and he said he was on his way home. He sighed as he put the phone back into his pocket as he stood and he grinned at us.

“Well this has been fun but I’ve got to get home to my lady,” he said and then winked and I rolled my eyes at him.

“Later man,” Mike said, patting Tony on the back and Tony pulled away from me so that he could follow Mike to the door.

Just before they were at the door Mike suddenly turned around and ran at me. Before I could even react he had snatched the bag of gummy bears out of my hand and ran back towards Tony and out the door.

“Mike!” I yelled and walked quickly to the door where Tony was laughing as he held it open. “You’re an asshole!” I shouted out the door as I saw him running to his car.

He just grinned and waved his hand – which was holding the gummy bears – up at me as he opened his car door. “That’s why you love me!” he shouted back with a laugh before he climbed in.

“Ugh,” I huffed as I stepped back inside, letting Tony close the door. “Now I’m annoyed, frustrated and have no gummy bears.” I muttered, pouting at him.

He laughed before giving me a smirk. “Well, I don’t have any gummy bears but I do know a way to relieve some stress.”

I gave him a smirk of my own. “Unless gummy bears are involved, I’m not interested.”

He raised his eyebrows at me. “You sure about that?” he whispered gruffly, pushing me back and into the wall as he pushed his body up against mine.

I wavered with his touch and he grinned, knowing he had me. He crouched down suddenly and lifted me up over his shoulder. I let out a squeal and then giggled as he quickly made his way upstairs.

“Mike?” I gasped out, staring at the tattooed man in front of me, wide eyed.

A surprised grin spread across his face. “You remember?” he asked, shocked.

“I, uh, kind of, not really though,” I stammered out breathlessly as I tried to control the emotions overtaking my body.

“What does that mean?” Mike asked with a chuckle, still shocked.

I laughed nervously and then moved forward with the line. “I, uh, I remembered this one time that you were at my house, we fought over gummy bears but other than that, I don’t remember too much.” I explained, rubbing my temple as I felt a headache coming on.

“Wow, I mean, I was taking a huge risk there, pushing you like that, I thought you were going to punch me for a minute there,” he laughed, shaking his head back and forth, almost in amazement.

“I almost did,” I admitted with a surprised laugh.

He smiled and the line started to move again and Mike gave me a gentle push as we walked forward and he told the cashier to ring our stuff together and before I could protest he was already handing her his credit card. I picked up my gallon of milk and the gummy bears Mike had added to my order and he picked up his case of Corona as we started to make our way to the exit.

“So, how are you? I talked to Tony this morning and he said you were making some progress,” Mike said carefully as we walked out into the dark night.

“Yeah, progress,” I muttered before I sighed. “I mean, I guess, I don’t know, it’s really hard to explain. I get these flashbacks and memories that come at random times and for a moment there, it’s like I’m watching a movie except I can feel and understand things that are happening but I don’t really remember actually living them, it’s almost like a 4D experience.”

Mike let out a long breath. “Damn, that’s sounds confusing.”

“It is,” I sighed.

“Hey, I’m sorry, for what I did back there, I shouldn’t have tested you like that,” he said, giving me an apologetic smile.

I smiled back. “It’s okay, I’m kind of glad you did. I mean, I may not know who you are but I do know that I know you and I don’t know if that makes any sense but it’s kind of nice to know that I knew more people than Tony,” I said with a small laugh.

Mike chuckled. “How much do you remember of him?” he asked curiously.

“Not as much as I’d like,” I said sadly and looked toward the ground.

“I’m sorry Rori, it’ll come back to you someday, I know it,” he assured me and placed his arm on my shoulder, giving me a comforting squeeze. “Look, I hate to do this, leave you after you finally remembered me, I mean, damn, I’ve missed you, we all have, but you should be getting home, your Mom is probably going to call out a search team if you aren’t home soon.”

“Does no one like my mom?” I asked with a small laugh as I saw his expression shift at the mention of her.

“Let’s just say we all know not to piss her off any more than we apparently have.” He said and grinned at me.

I laughed. “Not too sure what that means but I’ll take your word for it, besides you’re right, I should get home,” I held up my milk. “There is a bowl of –“

“Cocoa puffs?” he asked with a smirk.

“Yeah,” I said surprised. “How did you know that?”

“It was like your late night snack, I can’t tell you how many times I found you in the kitchen, shoving your face,” he explained, giving me a playful grin.

“Ugh, whatever,” I grumbled and rolled my eyes. “I’ll see you later?” I asked hopefully as I started to take a few steps away from him.

“Sure, if you want, and hey, call me or text me if you want to talk or anything,” he said and then gave me small smile.

“I will,” I promised and then gave him a small wave before I turned and started making my way toward my car.

I started to drive home and I had to roll down the windows as I tried to clear my head which was spinning nonstop over the fact that I remembered another person in my life. Not to mention, this latest memory had been different because there were other people, or at least their names, that I had remembered even though I couldn’t think of a face, I apparently had a best friend named Sam and I worked with someone named Helen.

I sighed as I pulled into the driveway and rolled up the windows before I turned off the car and got out, grabbing my milk and gummy bears before I kicked the door shut with my foot. I made my way up to the porch and shifted my gummy bears into my other hand so I could open the door. I let out a surprised huff though as my hand slipped over the knob and I slammed into the door that didn’t open. Damn it, it was locked. I knocked on the door, trying to remember why I would have locked the door when I knew I didn’t have my key.

I suddenly noticed something though as I took a step back and waited for my mom to open the door. This wasn’t my mother’s house. My mom didn’t have a porch with a swing off to the side and her door was red, not white like the one I was looking at. I cursed and started to back away, trying to put together what was going on but before I had made it to the steps the door suddenly swung open and I let out a small gasp of surprise.

“Rori?” Tony asked with shock, his eyes wide as he saw me standing there.

“Tony?” I asked, confused and I continued to look around me, still trying to figure out what was going on.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” he asked, taking a step toward me, leaving the door open as he walked onto the porch.

“This isn’t my mom’s house,” I mumbled and I started to breathe heavily as my head continued to spin. “Where am I?” I asked him, looking over at him.

He looked worried, watching me as I practically spazzed out in front of him but his features softened and he took another step toward me, taking the gallon of milk out of my hand which was probably a good thing because I probably would have dropped it eventually with the way I was hyperventilating.

“Rori, calm down, you’re okay,” he said quietly, setting the milk down on the ground and placing his hands on either side of my face and his thumbs were rubbing soothing circles on my cheeks. “Breathe.” He instructed me and I did as he said and I eventually calmed down.

“Where am I?” I repeated in a low voice, staring into his eyes.

He gave me another worried look, as if he was scared to tell me the answer though I was pretty sure I already knew what he was going to say but I was still shocked when he finally spoke.

“You’re home, our home.”

Notes

Happy Valentine's Day! <3