Chapter 4

Secrets and answers

Susan heard a knock on her door and got up to see who was at her door. She opened it and Bree Smiled at her. "I have some good news Susan", Bree said as she walked in.

" Rex colleague is willing to cooperate. He will write an official letter to Zach, to make it look like he was selected for this research. All we have to do now is hope that Paul will give his permission". "That's great Bree", Susan replied.

Bree looked at her. She put her hand on Susan's arm. "You don't look like it is great. Aren't you happy? You will finally get some answers". "Of course I'm happy, for Mike, but I don't know if I'm ready to deal with it. What if Zach is Mike's son?"

Later that evening Mike came home, carrying a large pizza box. "Hi beautiful, how was your day?" He asked kissing her. "Fine, I've almost finished my book". Mike walked towards the kitchen and put the box on the table. He turned around and looked at Susan. "What's wrong Susan?"

"Why should anything be wrong with me? I'm fine", she replied unconvincingly.

Mike walked up to her taking her face in his hands, lifting up her chin. "Susan, you said we needed to talk more, I can see something is on your mind, now tell me about it".

"Bree was here. Zach can take part in that research thing she thought of".

"And you're worried about the outcome of the test aren't you". Mike softly stroke her hair. "Yes, I am", Susan sighted. "I want to be supportive Mike, I really do, but I just don't know what to do, if Zach is your son". A tear rolled down her cheek.

Mike gently whipped away her tears. "Neither do I Susan, maybe Zach doesn't want us to have contact. I mean Paul has been his father all his life. I think we should wait for the results first, before we make any problems". Mike pulled her in his arms, his hand stroking her hair. "You are right, I just needed you to say that. Now let's eat I'm starving". Mike smiled at her as the walked into the kitchen.

Bree had been very helpful with the whole Zach thing. She'd even talked to Zach, making him believe Andrew had been invited to. She'd called Susan to tell her that Zach would take part. That was a week ago. Mike had donated some blood too, and the doctor told him the results would be ready in a week or so.

Every time the phone rang Susan jumped up, thinking it might be the doctor calling.

Mike was tensed as well. She could feel it when he was around. He hadn't been sleeping very well too. Just the other night Susan felt him move next to her. Knowing he was awake she turned to him.

"Can't sleep?" she whispered as she caressed his face. "No not really", he sighted. "You want to talk about it?" Susan asked. "No, there's really nothing much to talk about. I'm just thinking about the test". Mike looked at Susan's reaction. "I know, I've been thinking about it too. So…, maybe we should distract our minds". "Mmm,..what exactly do you have in mind?" Mike asked playfully.

"Well I was thinking about making some hot chocolate, but from the look on your face I'm thinking you have other plans!" "You are so right, I do have other plans", Mike huskily said, as he bend over and kissed her. Hungrily she kissed him back, as he rolled them over so he'd be on top. "Are you sure you don't prefer to have some hot chocolate?"

And just now Mike called her, telling her he'd received a letter from the hospital. The results! He hadn't opened the letter and told her he was coming right over.

A few minutes later he opened the letter sitting at her kitchen table. Susan couldn't help it feeling that this letter could change her life forever.

She looked at Mike's reaction. He slowly lowered the letter. "Well that's it then". "What does it say Mike?" Susan's voice sounded unsteady. "The results are negative. Meaning Zach is not my son". Mike stared out the window. Susan was split in two. One part felt so relieved she could dance. But the other part saw Mike. He was disappointed.

She knew how much he wanted a child. Slowly she put her arms around him standing behind him. "I'm sorry Mike". Mike pushed the chair back. "I…I need to be alone for some time. I'm going for a walk". Before Susan could say anything, he'd walked out of the door. Letting her behind with all kind of thoughts and questions. She picked up the letter and read it for herself.

"We hereby inform you that the results of the DNA test were negative".

She put the letter down and walked to the window. As she looked outside she saw Mike walking away from her house. His shoulders hanging, his head bend down. She felt a tear running down her cheek.

It already was around midnight, and still Mike hadn't returned. At first Susan thought he would be out for a little while. But as the hours went by she'd gotten very worried. Where could he be? She didn't want to go to bed, he might need her when he came back.

Another two hours had passed. Susan had tried to stay awake but she was so tired she fell asleep on the couch.

Mike had been walking around, thinking, trying to deal with all the mixed feelings inside. He wanted Zach to be his son, but on the other hand he was relieved he wasn't. Because of Susan. He knew she would have tried, for him, but she would never be comfortable around Zach. At least their relationship was no longer in danger. That was one positive thing coming out of the test. Mike sighted again deeply, and looked at his watch. It was 3 am !

"O, my god", he thought, "Susan will be worried sick".

The lights were still on in her house. Softly he opened the door. He looked at the lovely sight before him. Susan laying on the couch sound asleep, her hair covering her cheek. He loved her so much.

Slowly he walked towards her, kneeling down in front of her. He gently brushed a stray piece of hair away from her beautiful face. She opened her eyes at his touch. "Mike", she whispered. "Hi", he softly replied, "I'm sorry for running out like that. I just…" " Shh", Susan put her fingers on his lips. " don't say anything. I understand, it's ok". Mike moved himself up from the floor and next to Susan on the couch. He pulled her in close. "I'm so glad to have you. You are all I need".

They must have fallen a sleep not long after Mike came home. When Susan woke up she wasn't really laying comfortable. Still not quite awake she looked around, realizing they were sleeping on the couch. Mike still sound a sleep, was laying beside her. She leaned back, thinking about everything that happened last night. She wanted to do something for Mike, to keep his mind of things. They really could use some time off. All of a sudden Susan sat up straight. That's it! She would arrange for them to go away for a few days.

Moving carefully, so she wouldn't wake Mike, she got up. First she called Karl, asking him to take care of Julie. He was surprised to hear she and Mike were back together but she gave him no chance to start making fun of her. Then she called Gabrielle.

"Gabby? Hi it's me Susan, look do you and Carlos still have that lovely beach house? I want to take Mike there if that's ok with you guys?" "Of course that's ok", Gabrielle responded " Are you going for a special reason?"

Susan explained all about Mike not being Zach's father after all. "So I thought he could use some peace and quiet". "Well you can come by and pick up the key later. Good luck Susan, I hope the two of you have a great time over there!"

"Thanks again Gabby. Bye", as Susan put down the phone, Mike moved on the couch.

" Who are you calling so early?" He asked yawning. "That's a surprise", Susan smiled at him. "How do you feel?" she asked walking towards him, sitting down on the open space of the couch. "Not to bad. Considering what happened. I just need to move on and forget about everything. I wish we could just take a break or something, just to get my mind at ease".

Susan smiled at him and kissed him softly on his lips. "You want some breakfast?"

"What was it that you said earlier about some surprise?" Mike asked. "well I'm not telling you! It wouldn't be a surprise anymore. You'll just have to wait and see", Susan playfully responded. "Or maybe I should use some other tactic to get it out of you!" Mike smiled, his eyes twinkling at her. "O, no you don't", Susan screamed as Mike tried to grab her to pull her on top of him. "I will keep my secret, you just be patient".

She jumped up from the couch running away from Mike. He started to run after her, following her trough the house. Finally he caught her in the kitchen. "Ok you can keep your secret, I can be patient". "great, just wait you'll like it", Susan whispered as she moved closer to kiss Mike. But he teasingly stepped back and walked towards the stairs. "He what are you doing?" Susan asked him, lifting her eyebrows. "Well you want me to wait, you practice some patience to! I'm going to take a shower". Mike laughed as he walked upstairs. Susan turned around a smile on her face. She was glad Mike could still smile. She was looking forward to being at the beach house with him. It would be the best time of her life!