The second rare that was posted with the main photo in the previous chapter^^ Feel free to steal, ladies and gents. I can't with this photo set, holy...

"I love your window seat." Michael and I were sitting together on the pale green cushion, his arms protectively wrapped around me with my back leaned against his front. My eyes gazed out at the moon through the glass, not wanting this moment to end. This safe, warm feeling that surrounded the two of us is addictive like most feelings I've had connected to Michael.

"Thank you." He spoke quietly. I felt his lips touch the top of my head briefly before settling back to where they'd previously been. I didn't want to break the spell we were under, but we'd been avoiding the topic all evening.

"What are we going to do, now that I'm moving away?" I asked finally. The moon lost its dreamy appeal and took on an almost sinister looming as I continued to stare at it. I felt him shift behind me.

"I thought we already figured this out, Ash." He paused as a moved so I could look at him, "I'm flying up there in two weeks to be with you." He said, giving me a look at spoke fathoms more than he could ever verbalize. The back of his hand caressed my bare upper arm, making me smile ever so slightly. I opened my mouth, but closed it to try and rethink what I was about to say.

"Two weeks is a fortnight, Michael." Am I whining? Seriously? He chuckled and his hand dropped to his side. "And you said you'd only be over for three days. Forgive me for wishing it was longer..."

"I wish I could stay with you longer too," He let out a sigh, glancing up at the moon like I had before looking back at me, "My brothers and I are already in the middle of making another album right now, and you know I'd help you move up there if I could. Maybe one day we'll live together... then we wouldn't have to worry about stuff like this. Maybe, I don't know." The color that rose in his face gave him away. Maybe one day we'll be together in that way, but it's only just beginning. We're only just beginning, and yet we've fallen so quickly. Quicker than I ever thought we would - quicker that I thought I would fall for him.

"Yeah, maybe." I replied shyly. Our conversation dwindled into silence for some minutes, I don't know what to say. A couple things come to mind to say, but none of them are thoughts I would vocalize to him right now. They're not fair things to say to him. Something I could never do is come between Michael and his career, just like he would never do that to me, or I hope he won't. We haven't talked about it yet...

Think of your career, wasn't that the entire point of buying a house up there in the first place? It's where you've always wanted to go, where the rain falls like a promise and the mountains hold unknown adventure and mystery. This is what I want. Right? My eyes found my boyfriend again. He's lounging on the cushion with his back against the wall, inspecting the bright light in the night sky like I had been moments ago. He looks like a dream.

Don't say it. Don't say it yet. It's not the right time.

"What're you looking at me like that for?" He asked me while grinning. I looked away, blushing because I'd been caught studying him - staring actually.

"No reason." I sighed reluctantly and stood up from the bay window. Brushing myself off, I looked around for my shoes that I'd kicked off earlier that evening. I'd been wearing just socks on my feet since that moment, proudly of course. One was in front of his bathroom door and the other I was having trouble finding. I found myself getting down on my hands and knees to look under his bed, but no luck. Michael giggled from behind me, making me turn around to look at his mischievous smile that graced his face.

A thought dawned on me at his glee. I sat down on the carpet, looking up at him from my spot on the floor. I cocked my head to the side before speaking.

"Do you have my shoe, Michael?" I questioned. He bit his lip in response. I had a feeling and I'm not surprised. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms as he stood up to walk over to me.

"Maybe you should look under my bed again." He suggested. How he spoke made me sense an underlying motive he had for wanting me to bend over and - 

It dawned on me. Oh. 

"Michael Joe, did you just -?" He likes looking at my butt, what? "Were you staring at my butt just now?" I watched his face turn a shade of red I hadn't seen him wear before and the answer became crystal clear. Yes, he was admiring my behind while I had been innocently searching for my shoe. I shook my head at him. "Shame on you."

"Shame on me? For admiring my woman? Oh, I don't think so." He grinned, showing off his brilliant smile while pulling me up from the floor to wrap his arms around my waist and pull me close. I rested one hand on his shoulder as our foreheads touched and closed my eyes. Breathing in I could smell him, feel his warmth pass over my limbs and torso. Can this last forever? 

He hummed a deep sound from his chest, content. I don't think I've ever been this happy with another person, ever. Michael makes my heart swell with happiness, and there's no logical explanation as to why but it happens everytime I think, see, or touch him nonetheless. I wonder if he feels similar; if he feels the same tingling sensation lingering on his fingertips after we touch, or if perhaps he's noticed a glimmer in his eyes when he talks about the things he's passionate about... It's possible, but I can't say for sure.

"I need my shoe, babe." I broke our comfortable silence with ease. I'm not going to leave with just one shoe, could you imagine me hobbling out of his house with one long leg and one short one? No. That's not gonna happen tonight.

"It's likely that I might not want to give you your shoe back. Would you stay if you couldn't find it?" Is that what this was about?

"Mich-"

"I didn't steal your shoe, I promise. Though it would have been a good idea, yeah?" He smiled at me, looking cute. He's always cute though. I let go of him and walked away from his embrace. Eventually we found my other shoe, which was laying in wait for me behind his desk. How it managed to get there, I'll never know. 

I put both of my shoes back on and made sure to grab my jacket before Michael and I left his bedroom. We walked downstairs where we - but mostly myself - were ambushed once more by the Jackson clan. Goodbyes were exchanged, multiple hugs, a couples kisses on my cheeks, and a ruffle of my hair from Jackie all ensued amongst the friendly laughter we shared. It was lovely and made me want to leave even less, but I need to. Duty calls.

Michael walked me out of his house to my tiny 'deathtrap' of a vehicle, as he called it regularly. Once to the drivers side door, I stopped and turned around to face him.

"I don't want to leave." I confessed. He already knew even though I'd never vocalized it before. His large hand moved up to caress my cheek.

"I know..." His lips touched mine in a sweet, brief kiss. His thumb rubbed my cheek once more before letting me go. I watched both his hands move into his jean pockets, making his shoulders move up. "...but you have to." My heart clenched in my chest. How dare he say that. Does he want me to cry? 

I turned back around, unlocking my car door and putting the leftovers Katherine had given me to take in the back seat/trunk. I climbed in and shut the door, but rolled down my window so I could look at Michael without anything in between us. He smiled bittersweetly in my direction.

"Drive safe, baby." He told me. A tear ran down my cheek as I began to frown.

"Two weeks?" I asked him, my voice quietly breaking. He nodded, looking sad too.

"Two weeks. Then I'm all yours." He confirmed. I blew an audible breath out from between my lips, and nodded once. More tears began to fall gently down my heated face. I sniffed loudly. Michael walked up to the side of my vehicle and crouched down to lean on the door where the window should be, and leaned into the cabin. "Don't cry, mama. You're gonna make me cry too." He leaned in to peck my lips quickly, and once turned into three times before he backed off and stepped away from the car.

I bit my bottom lip roughly and rolled up my window with the crank that rested near my thigh. My car roared to life with no effort and before I sped off into the night, my eyes gave him a longing gaze. I put my hand on the chill glass, my fingers splayed out like a palm leaf. Michael put his hand up in farwell in the same manner as mine. With that I drove off into the night, away from Havenhurst, away from Michael, away from the warmth of his family.

It's just two weeks, it'll pass like a snap of someone's fingers. You'll see, I thought to myself.   

Monday, March 24th, 1980

 Washington State

"Don't drop that box, Brian!" Mary Anne yelled from the wrap-around porch of my new home. He was fumbling with a heavy, square box that contained china most-likely. I raised an eyebrow at his stumble onto the four steps that led to the porch. He huffed loudly and I watched his legs begin to buckle underneath him. I pointed into the house with my finger.

"To the left, Bry. The kitchen is huge, you can't miss it." He nodded, looking so done with all of this nonsense as he walked into the house. I put my hands on my hips, thinking about lunch and how awesome my friends are.

Brian, Mary Anne, and Brinley had all made sure to take time off from their jobs to help me move up here to the Pacific Northwest. And by the look on Brinley's face, it seemed she was most grateful that she had done so.

"Wow, Astoria. Just woah..." Her eyes were wide as she looked up into the sky and to the beach that was a quarter of a mile away from the house. I grinned at her.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I asked, and she nodded furiously.

"I might need a house up here for myself, it's gorgeous." After one more loving glance at the waves that gently lapped at the sandy shore, Brinley walked back over to the moving van to grab another item from the workers I had hired to help, Brian couldn't lift everything.

The house was done being built. I'm moving in. Ah... my god, you've done it. I did a little dance, squeezing my eyes shut as I did. I can't believe it, I'm a homeowner. Holy crap. My new place of residence is a four bedroom, two and a half bath home with a two car garage, dining room, large kitchen, living room with a fireplace, and I had a modest studio built off to the side. You can only get to the studio if you go through the master bedroom, which I thought was a nice touch. I always got my song inspiration when I was trying to fall asleep, it never failed. The more inspired I became, the more sleep evaded me.

Brinley walked into the house, with a box in hand and I followed behind her. Brian was sitting at the kitchen island on a high chair, huffing and puffing like he hadn't done a single hard labor job in his life - which might be true. Mary Anne stood behind him, smiling lovingly, and I watched her lean down to kiss his cheek. Brian grinned as if he was momentarily drunk. He looked at me.

"What?" I asked, looking around. He gave me a look that said: you know what.

"Lunch break?" He asked while looking hopeful, making Mary Anne giggle. I smiled lightly.

"Pizza sound good?"

"YES. Oh my god, Ash. We need FOOD." Brinley came up behind me, holding my kitchen phone in her hand. I took the phone from her hand and walked closer to the receiver.

"Brin, chill." She got up in my face, contorting her own into funny expressions. I swatted her away as I dialed the number off a magnet on my fridge. I'd arranged for my mail to be sent here starting the previous week, and when you're new in a neighborhood you get coupon books and magnets for local take-out places. Naturally, my fridge is covered in take-out magnets. Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Pizza, Burgers... You name it. I dialled the number.

"Yes, hello?" A friendly voice answered with the name of the pizza joint and asked the usual questions. When it came it ordering the actual pizza's I had to block the mouthpiece momentarily while I asked the gang what they wanted. Veggie, Pepperoni with pineapple, and Olives with chicken. I gave them my address and half an hour later we became wealthy with pizza. 

"Ash, where's the plates?" I laughed heartily, because I had no idea.

"We're going old school, Brian. Use your hands!" I grabbed a slice and showed him how, mockingly. His lips became a flat line.

"Yeah, be a man!" Brinley told him, playing with me. He scoffed.

"Using your hands has nothing to do with being a man..." He said seriously. Mary Anne, Brinley, and I all exchanged knowing looks. Real men do use their hands, in case anyone was wondering. Mary Anne nudged her boyfriend, and spoke in his ear. Brian turned as red as a fire truck's siren light at her erotic whispers.

"Oh, oh well why didn't you say it like that, babe." He took a bite of his pizza and swallowed without chewing, looking a bit lethargic. "I'm a man-baby... Just great!" Brinley and I almost choked on our food. Catching my breath in between breaths, I pointed an accusing finger at Brian.

"You!" Deep breath in, "You don't-" My mouth opened, and my face contorted like I was laughing, but the only sound that came out was a hoarse gasp. Brian turned beet red.

"Don't make fun of my B-Bear!" Mary Anne alleged. She put both her hands on his shoulders, standing behind him. Once the nickname was out of her mouth, Brian's expression morphed to one of humiliation. His hands covered his face as Brinley joined in on my soundless laughter.

"B-Bear?!" Brinley exclaimed, gripping her sides like I did only seconds before her and snorting. Mary Anne frowned at us, but we didn't care. Her wrath was worth the laugh at Brian's expense. Her deathly stare shifted to me, making my laughter quickly die down. 

"Astoria Briggs, don't make me tell them your pet name for Michael." My eyes became the size of saucers.

"You wouldn't dare." My tone of voice became low, all humor gone. Her vicious look became sly.

"Oh, but I would." She replied, her voice dripping with sugar - or false promise, it depended on the way you heard her. Her mouth opened to begin to speak and I lunged for her over the island, my shirt getting pizza on it as I yelled out. Mary Anne's revealing sentence quickly became a scream as I leapt into her, making the both of us fall to the ground. "Get off of me, you crazy!"

"Not until you swear you won't tell them!" I straddled Mary Anne's waist, holding back her arms with both of mine. This precarious position we found ourselves in made me glad I chose to wear pants today, because I had been deliberating one wearing one of my favorite dresses. It's a dusty pink (Hey, I can be girly when I want to be!). She turned her head from side to side, eyes squinted closed. 

"Baby, help me!" She begged Brian. He held his hands up in response before grabbing another slice of pizza off the counter.

"You're on your own, honey. I know enough to realize when I shouldn't intervene with Briggs, she's got a great right hook..."

"Thanks, Brian." I gave him a smile and redirected my attention back to Mary Anne. "Swear on your cat, Nutmeg! Swear on his life!" She struggled.

"No! Leave Nutmeg out of this insanity!" She screeched at me. Mary Anne looked as though she was about to burst. "Damn it! I'm going to say it anyway if you don't let me go!" I debated. Should I let her go? Should I dangled a loogie in her face? YES. That's exactly what I did. "Astoria, you're disgusting!"

The loogie that dangled from my lips quivered as I tried not to laugh, and right before it touched her nose I slurped it back up and let go of her arms. Now fully laughing again, my friend looked furious as she was still trapped beneath me.

"That's it!" She sits up, crossing her arms as I continue to laugh. "She calls Michael 'Daddy' when they're making out." My laughter got caught in my throat and ceased to exist. Brian choked on his pizza, beginning to cough. Brinley hollered.

"Are you serious, Mary? Oh. My. God!" Brinley needed to shut up. I got off Mary Anne, in shock. I felt Brinley's hand touch my shoulder, her voice met my ear. "Oh, Ash. That's cute, really." I shook my head.

"It's not cute, it's embarrassing. Mary Anne, I told you that in confidence!" I felt a little betrayed, I'm not gonna lie. She just shrugged in response.

"Don't make fun of my man."

"Bitch." I crossed my arms as she stuck her tongue out at me before giving Brian a kiss. Then the phone rang. Who the heck could be calling me? I walked over and picked up the phone off the wall. "Hello? Briggs speaking." A female voice came through the other end.

"Hi, Astoria Briggs right?"

"Yeah."

"Hey sweetie, It's Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac." I almost fell to the floor in shock. I've loved Fleetwood Mac since forever. Be cool.

"Hey, hey. What can I do for you, Stevie?"

"I'm going to start working on a solo album this autumn, and I've been enjoying your work... I called Capitol Records and they said you weren't with them anymore."

"I went freelance recently, but I still work with them. I'm just not contracted anymore." I paused, feeling out of my league as I glanced at my friends. They were being quiet, trying to figure out who I was talking to. "You need a mix?" I asked, placing a hand on my hip.

"Oh! No, no, no. I don't need a mix, I need a producer." My mouth dropped.

"A- A producer?" She giggled at my response.

"Yes. A producer."

"Wow... That's-" I cleared my throat and tried to be professional again. "Um, yes. That would be great. Did you have a time in mind, or place, so we could get together? See if our sounds match up?"

"I'm going to be in L.A. in about a month. I'll have my manager call you?" I began nodding, but quickly realized she couldn't see me.

"That'd be great!"

"Cool. Expect a call within the next couple days, ok? I can't wait to meet you in person, Astoria!"

"I can't wait to meet you too!" I gave my friends a look.

"Talk to you later!"

"'Course, bye!" I hung up the phone and turned to my friends.

"Well?" Brian asked on the edge of his seat, quite literally. I was grinning from ear to ear.

"Stevie Nicks needs a producer!" Brinley, Mary Anne, and Brian's eyes all went wide.

"No. Way." Brinley said, looking like she wanted to pass out.

"She wants you to produce for her?" Brian asked, shoving more pizza into his mouth. I shook my head furiously. "Holy fuck." Mary Anne run over to me to wrap her arms around my shoulders.

"Ah, I'm so happy for you! That's amazing!" She told me while I felt her warth radiate into me. Brinley came over too and both of them started talking my ear off, but I didn't hear their words. I drifted off into my own little world.

Stevie Nicks. Wants