Chapter 9
It was shocking how easy everything came together. Tom had told President Oliver what they had planned for Mike's house. The President was very determined from that point on to help organize. He told Sasha and Kara to find what furniture was needed and whatever else and he arranged for everything. Paint, rugs, furniture, decorative stuff, so much stuff. President Oliver's wife, Maggie, also jumped into help. And the day that they put everything together, President Oliver and Maggie would be there to help. Hannah had endeared herself to the President and by extension, Maggie. Maggie had told Tom that Mike's Hannah reminded them of their Hannah.
Business owners donated all the necessary items; Mike was the second-in-command of the Nathan James, the ship that had brought the cure home. It was also well broadcasted when he was taken prisoner by Takehaya and had helped revamp the government since Shaw and all the fallout with the Regional Leaders. People wanted to help Mike. How they kept it out of the media was beyond Tom, other than maybe President Oliver might have threatened them.
Rios had decided to hold Hannah in the hospital until Sunday, not necessarily because she needed to be, although that it was what Mike was told, but it was to give Tom and the crew a chance to get everything together. Wednesday night, Tom and Sasha had gone over to Mike's to figure out exactly what they needed. In the garage, there were 4 boxes, one marked for each of the three kids and one for Mike and Christine's stuff. They could understand why Mike might not have unpacked the kid's boxes, but was a little surprised when Mike and Christine's box was packed, and it felt strange to go through it. It also didn't feel right to go through Lucas' box. They did find Hannah's violin and some sheet music, Emma's drawing items (she was actually a gifted artist), and a recipe box. The first recipe they found was for Mike's favorite banana bread. Tom remembered that every time Mike and Tom shipped out, Elizabeth, Mike's mom would send enough banana bread for Mike and Tom to share. The card smelled like the bread. Sasha enjoyed baking and decided she would make the bread and so she copied the recipe down.
President Oliver had given everyone time off to get Mike's house together and Thursday, everyone got together to begin painting and putting furniture together. The living room was being repainted beige; it had existing wood floors that were nice enough. The sectional that Mike had was also adequate but would be redone with throw pillows and blankets. There was a built ins that would house literally hundreds of DVDs for the girls and Mike to watch, and in the under cabinets there was several board games and puzzles, all donated by members of the crew.
The dining room now had a nice, circular table and chairs. It had the same beige as the attached living room but had a navy blue accent wall. The kitchen was open to the living room and dining room. It was also pretty much sufficient for Mike and the girl's needs. There would be dishes and pot and pans and tons of food added Saturday. Mike had a home office that would be utilized while Hannah was recuperated. It was repainted the same navy blue as the accent wall in the dining room and President Oliver arranged for it to be equipped the way it would be needed.
Upstairs, the bedrooms took shape. Hannah's room was painted a chocolate brown, with white wood work. She had shelving in her room and a window seat. Tom knew that it would be beautifully decorated. Kara Greene would not allow for anything less than perfection. Her double bed, dresser, and night stands were also white. The bed was absolutely the most comfortable thing Tom had ever sat on. He sneaked a peek at the bedspread that had been donated. It was a pretty soft pink and white pattern with flowers. Maggie was making curtains for both of the girl's bedrooms and Hannah's were going to be a pink checkered pattern that would work with the bedspread.
Emma's room was painted a creamy color and also had a white bed, dresser and nightstand. Her bed was smaller than Hannah's but was just as comfortable. Hannah had double windows with the window seat, while Emma had two separate windows. Her bedroom was a little better lit and she would have an easel set up to paint on. She also would have a desk set up too. It would be awhile before Hannah would be ready for school.
Mike's room also was getting a makeover; the main accent wall was painted a dark brown, similar to Hannah's bedroom, while the other walls were painted beige, like downstairs. He also had a new bedroom set. It was a black in color, massive bed and night stands and a dresser, and a dark blue bedspread. The Greene's had an extra baby monitor. They set the base up in his bedroom, with the monitor in Hannah's room, that way he could hear her in the night if she had trouble breathing. Hannah's room was next to Mike's bedroom and bathroom and Emma's was across the hallway. Tom knew Mike would need to be close to both girls, he still felt the need to be close to Sam and Ashley at night. The boxes belonging to Lucas and Christine were put on the floor of his closet to go through when he was ready.
Saturday, they had all agreed to meet at the house to get it completely ready for Mike and his girls. The paint was dried and the furniture was moved to where it needed to be. The women went to work cooking and cleaning, putting pictures up and ordering the men around. Bacon had worked with Rios on a meal plan for the girls. One that would give them the nutrients they needed but would also is substantial enough for Mike, so he didn't have to cook a second meal for himself. There was a stand up freezer in the garage that was filled with casseroles of all sorts, broths and soups especially a chicken soup that Hannah had been raving about since Bacon had taken her some in the hospital. All Mike would have to do it was thawing it and warm them up. Bacon had written a description and preparation instructions on all containers. There were over a 100 people in an dout.
The bathrooms didn't require much attention, just cleaning. Kara and Alicia had set up a hair and makeup station in the extra bathroom upstairs. It would be a while before either girl was up to such things, but it was there for them when they wanted it. Until then, Mike would grumble a lot about it. They only cleaned Mike's bathroom and the powder room downstairs. Both of the girl's bedrooms also had clothes in them for the girls.
A box of pictures had been found with pictures in it. Pictures of Mike and Christine's parents, pictures of them dating, engagement pictures and wedding pictures. Baby photos of all 3 kids, family pictures, school pictures. Lots of happy memories of a beautiful family. Jaffe was in charge of getting them framed and displayed. She mentioned to Tom it might be a little distressing to see so many pictures of Christine and Lucas all the time. Maggie quickly told her to go ahead and frame them and get them displayed. Mike and the girls needed to see them; it was part of a healing process. Tom just hoped she was right. There were school pictures and some family pictures that lined the wall going up the stairs. The last large family picture that was taken before Mike left for the artic was displayed above the fireplace. There were baby pictures with both Mike and Christine holding the girls displayed in the girl's rooms. The wedding and engagement pictures were loosely placed around the house and in Mike's room, along with Lucas' pictures.
Everyone had left, and Tom was there with Sasha, Rios and the nurse Mallory. Rios and Mallory were sitting up the medical stuff in Hannah's room. Oxygen equipment and a nebulizer, bandages for her feet. Mallory had commented on what a beautiful bedroom it was and how she hated to have the medical equipment out. Hannah was still a very sick young girl, who was equally strong willed. Rios had been teaching Mike how to do the bandaging, and to operate the equipment.
Sasha was baking the banana bread that was more for Mike than anyone else. She had brought Tom a piece of it and it was just like what Elizabeth would make Mike. It made him smile. There were also cookies, brownies, cakes and various breads. Rios pretended he didn't see them and Hannah and Emma would not be eating them. As long as they didn't overdo, he didn't really care.
He sit down in Mike's office, and decided to write him a letter, it would be the easiest way to explain what had made them decide to do all this;
"Mike,
You have been there for every member of our crew, when they grieved for
their lost families, while you barely took the time to stress about yours or
grieve for Lucas. You have your girls back, and I only wish I could bring
Christine and Lucas back for you. We did the house up for you all so you
wouldn't stress. Just focus on those girls. I will take care of the Navy as long
as you need me . I do ask that you take some time
out to properly grieve for the two precious people you lost. I know from
experience, that when you don't take time to grieve those that you've lost,
eventually, you cave in. You were there for me, when that happened to
me…and I don't want to watch it happen to you. You have these two
amazing girls that have their dad's strength…they need you to take the time
and grieve, because they need to do that too.
The crew, President Oliver and Maggie, Sasha and I did this for you as a
Thank you for all that you've done for all of us. It is actually not even close
to enough to pay you back. Hope you and the love it all…and just so you
know, Sasha has stolen your mom's banana bread recipe.
Love you brother,
Tom"
It was well past 10 pm when Tom finally left, Rios and the nurse had left an hour earlier, and Sasha had followed them out. Tom taped the letter to the front door and locked all the doors. As he did one final walk through, he found himself praying again, that Mike and the girls would find the healing and peace that they needed. Andrea Garnett had set up these warmer things that were supposed to be safer then candles. She had put a "Sea Salt" smell in them and turned them on, but Tom could still smell was the banana bread. It made him smile and think about Mike's mom. Hopefully that would be a comfort to Mike.
