Home is Where the Heart Is
Chapter 3
Mallory found an extended stay hotel. It was not an ideal situation by any stretch of the imagination. It was stupid, but she hoped things would line out with Mike. It was a pipe dream and she knew it. She just didn't want to sign for a lease yet. Thankfully, Alex was very well-behaved and as Mallory got him ready for bed, he began questioning his new circumstances.
"Where Daddy?" Alex asked.
"He's at home. This is our new home for now." Mallory explained. She couldn't even remember the last time she had tucked Alex in and didn't know any of his routines.
"I want Daddy! Where my teddy?" Alex asked. Mallory leaned over and did a quick search of Alex's bag. His favorite teddy bear was not in the bag.
"It…didn't get packed. I'm sorry." Mallory said and Alex's eyes filled with tears. He started crying and Mallory didn't have a clue what to do.
"I'll try and get it tomorrow." Mallory told him but it did no good. She felt very overwhelmed and could only blame herself. Tom and Sasha had been right. Mike had given her everything and she made him into a fool. She had no good excuse for it and despite what she had said, Mike was as close to perfect as could be. Scott was severely lacking. Mallory just didn't know how to fix any of it.
Back at the house, Mike hadn't left his bedroom all night and Emma and Sailor had put the younger kids to bed. Neither of them knew how to help Mike and Hannah was busy. Sailor was angry at Mallory and Emma was determined to make the peace. As she walked by Alex's bedroom, she immediately noticed the bear on the bed. The little boy would be heartbroken. Emma grabbed the bear and then knocked on Mike's door.
"Dad, can I borrow your truck?" Emma asked. Mike finally opened the door and Emma's heart broke. He looked miserable.
"Emma, its late." Mike said.
"I know. I won't be long at all. Alex's bear got left." Emma said. Mike's face softened a little and he grabbed his keys from his dresser and handed them to her.
"I don't know where they are. Probably with that guy, Scott." Mike remarked.
"I'll call Mallory." Emma said before leaning in and giving Mike a kiss.
"Hurry home, Emma." Mike said before closing the door in her face. It was not like him but it was like he just couldn't handle reality. Emma took her cellphone out of her pocket and punched in Mallory's number, hoping she'd answer. Thankfully, on the third ring, Mallory's voice came over the line.
"Emma? I wasn't expecting to hear from you." Mallory asked.
"Yeah…um, so Alex's bear got forgotten and I was going to bring it to you. I just don't know where you are." Emma said.
"Yeah, he's upset. I can't get him to go to sleep. I don't have your dad's touch. I'm at the extended stay hotel, off King's Highway, close to the house. I'll text you the address." Mallory responded. Emma could hear Alex crying in the background.
"Alright, be there soon." Emma said before hanging up.
Mallory sent the text with her address and Emma made the drive. It wasn't in a good neighborhood and Emma knew Mike would want his wife and son in a better arrangement, but unfortunately was Mallory even his wife anymore? He'd made no mention of filing for divorce but that would be a natural step. Was there really any hope for their marriage? Emma pulled into the parking lot and walked into the building quickly, partly because she was scared. The building was kind of dirty and dark. Finally, she knocked on Mallory's door. Mallory quickly answered and ushered her inside. As soon as Alex seen Emma and his teddy bear, he quit crying.
"Teddy?" Alex asked and Emma carried it over and gave it to him. There was one queen-sized bed and the room was not what Emma had figured Mallory would be staying in. Alex laid back down and cuddled his bear to him.
"Thanks for bringing the bear. He was pretty upset and I didn't know what to do." Mallory admitted.
"No problem. Mallory, why are you staying here? I'm sure Dad wouldn't want you staying here. It seems dangerous." Emma asked.
"I didn't want to get too involved in a house or an apartment. I suppose I probably should look but I…its stupid." Mallory said as she looked away.
"You hope that you and Dad can work through this?" Emma asked and Mallory burst into tears. Emma immediately pulled her into a hug, not knowing what else to do. Alex was already falling asleep and Mallory was sobbing in her arms.
"Yes…it's stupid but I do." Mallory choked out between sobs.
"Okay, I am not going to intrude on your marriage but I have seen Dad try and make plans for weekends away and date nights for years. You always had something else to do. Was it because you were with that guy?" Emma asked. She pulled her to the table and they both sat down
"No…not when he made those plans. I…felt guilty. I just didn't know how to tell him. It just kept happening and I…it become a habit." Mallory said.
"Do you love him?" Emma asked.
"Scott or your dad?" Mallory asked.
"I guess since you brought Scott up, him too but I meant Dad." Emma said.
"No, I don't love Scott. He was never your dad. I kept thinking he'd lose interest but it kept on. I guess I thought if he did, I could just go on like nothing had ever happened." Mallory admitted.
"And Dad?" Emma asked.
"I love your father. I realize I have hurt him in the worst possible way but I love him. I just don't know that he will get past this." Mallory said.
"Are you going to end it with Scott?" Emma asked.
"I'm planning on it." Mallory said.
"For Dad to forgive you, you will have to do that. He can't forgive you and then continue to allow you to do this." Emma said.
"I know. How is he?" Mallory asked.
"He is completely heartbroken and you do need to keep your distance for a couple days or so. He'll be in touch. If you need anything, get ahold of me and I will mediate with Dad. I don't want to, but he needs a break. I have only ever seen Dad cry a few times in my life and tonight was one of those nights. He didn't deserve this. He has only ever loved you. If it had been a one-time thing, he might have been okay but lying for five years and letting him love Alex the way he does, knowing the truth? Mallory, that was low." Emma scolded.
"I know." Mallory said.
"I will talk to him once he's slept a little." Emma said as she stood up. It was a school night and she didn't want Mike to worry about her.
"Please…tell him how sorry I am and that I do love him." Mallory said as she stood up.
"I will but I don't know if he'll believe it." Emma said before leaving. Mallory walked back over to the bed, concentrating on the little boy laying in the middle of it, like Mike tended to do. Mallory shut the lights off, locked the door and laid down next to him.
"I miss Daddy. Why can't I be with Daddy?" Alex asked with tears in his eyes.
"Hopefully in a few days, you can see Daddy." Mallory said, feeling horrible. How was she going to explain to Alex that Mike might not want anything to do with him anymore? Would Mike walk away from the little boy?
"I want him now." Alex said as he began crying. All Mallory could do was pull the little boy close and let him cry. It took a while but he finally cried himself to sleep. What Alex didn't know was that she was crying right along with him.
And a few miles away, Mike was laying in his own bed, wiping his own tears. Despite the distance that had become present in his marriage, he missed having Mallory beside him. Missed the way she cuddled under his arm, the way her shampoo smelled and how despite everything, they would wake up early and spend a few moments talking. As much as he missed Mallory, he missed Alex even more. He needed a few days to cool down and sort out his very hurt emotions, but he wasn't sure he could get through a few days without the little boy who had claimed his heart in a way that none of his other kids had.
Mike heard Emma come in, tell him she was home and go to bed herself. She had been gone for awhile and he wondered how it went but she needed to sleep for school. She would tell him the next morning anyway. Leave it to Emma to be the peacemaker of the family. All Mike could hope for was that his sweetheart of a daughter would be able to mediate. He didn't want to put her in the middle but he wasn't ready to face Mallory. He was too ashamed.