Hope //Michael Clifford

Chapter 3: Bridges Across Distance

Ashlynn Clifford's Point of View:

Days had turned into weeks since that fateful day when I received the devastating news of my parents' passing. The weight of grief hung heavy over my heart, an ever-present ache that refused to subside. Amidst the overwhelming sadness, the decision had been made for me to join my brother, Michael, in the UK. I needed him, and he needed me now more than ever.

Sitting in my room, my fingers traced the edges of my phone as I summoned the courage to make the call. Dialing Michael's number, I held my breath, waiting for him to pick up on the other end.

"Hey, Ash," his voice greeted me, filled with a mix of weariness and longing.
"Michael, it's... it's me," I stammered, my voice quivering with emotion. "I... I need to come to the UK. I want to be with you."

A silence lingered in the air, thick with unspoken sentiments. Finally, Michael responded, his voice a whisper laced with pain.

"Oh, Ashlynn... I want you here with me too. We need each other right now."

A surge of relief washed over me, knowing that despite the physical distance between us, we still shared an unbreakable bond. We discussed flights and logistics, mapping out the details of my journey across continents to reach him. The mere thought of being reunited brought a glimmer of hope to my weary soul.
Once the practicalities were settled, we delved into the topic of living arrangements. Michael lived with his bandmates, Calum, Ashton, and Luke, and they had graciously offered to welcome me into their home. The thought of living with them both excited and apprehended me. They were like brothers to me, but our lives were about to intertwine in ways we had never imagined.

"Are you sure it's okay with them? I don't want to be a burden," I voiced my concerns, anxieties seeping into my words.

Michael chuckled softly, the sound carrying warmth and reassurance. "Ash, they insisted. They love you, just like I do. We'll be there for each other, supporting one another through this."
The tears welled up in my eyes, a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. It was a bittersweet reality—leaving behind the familiarity of my home and embarking on a new chapter of my life, forever marked by loss. But in the midst of darkness, there was a glimmer of light, a beacon of hope in the form of my brother and his bandmates.

As we bid each other goodbye on the phone, I clutched onto the promise of our reunion. The journey ahead would be arduous, but with love as my compass and the strength of family guiding me, I knew I could navigate the vast ocean of grief and find solace in the embrace of those who cared for me. Together, we would rebuild our shattered lives, weaving new threads of connection and healing. And as the plane took off, carrying me towards a future that held both pain and possibility, I held onto the belief that love would bridge the distance and bring us back together once more.