Part 10
As Jeannie left the room, Mike took the seat she had vacated and tried to sort words out in his head. Steve saw him fidgeting and wondered what had Mike so nervous. He finally spoke up, when Mike almost looked like he was going to be sick from his case of nerves.
"Look, Mike I know what you are going to say. Jeannie told me you did not mean what you said to me the last time we saw each other. It is okay, you don't have to apologize for it again. But I will tell you one thing, I've been to hell, and God help me I don't ever want to go back there." Steve joked lightly.
"Yeah, sorry about that go to hell remark it was totally uncalled for, buddy boy. When I came back from trying to talk with Jeannie and found out you had gone to do that undercover, I flipped. I was really scared; you are never ever doing an undercover assignment in a prison again not even as a guard." Mike spoke emphatically.
"After this experience I would never want to be a "hack" even pretend. I know there are some bad prisoners too, but well I got lucky with Red and the others that I had closer contact with."Steve said warmly.
"You sure did and I am deeply grateful to him. Steve, what I wanted to say though well is something I have wanted to talk with you about for the longest time and never had the nerve to say." Mike explained, a bit flustered.
Steve looked at him, wondering what was up then realized Mike was blushing slightly and wondered if it could have something to do with Jeannie. He waited until Mike was ready to talk, he did not have to wait long as he heard Mike clear his throat a few minutes later.
"Mike, whatever it is it can't be all that bad. I mean we usually are able to talk to each other about just almost everything." Steve said wondering what had his partner so nervous.
"You're right, we are. Okay here goes. Steve, I have kept feelings locked inside for the longest time about you. I can tell Jeannie anything and everything I feel about her, but you I just always hoped you knew without me saying the words. This incident or whatever you want to call it showed me sometimes you need to say things to people or you might not get a second chance. Steve, I have thought of you as my son for the longest time and definitely my best friend. I wanted you to know I love you and I am very proud of you." Mike spoke sincerely from the deepest depths of his heart.
Steve was stunned and was trying to brush away tears that he couldn't hold back. He always knew Mike looked at him as a son, but to hear him tell him that- and that Mike loved him. He felt shocked at the turn of events, but was happy to know he truly did mean that much to Mike, that he openly said what he had kept hidden all this time.
"I don't know what to say. I am shocked you said that, but happy too. I have felt the same about you for the longest time. I mean not the son part, but that you are a dad to me and my best friend. I love you too, dad. Did we just have this talk?!" Steve asked surprised.
Mike nodded but couldn't stop grinning, both had tears in their eyes.
"Now, I know this is where a father should hug his son, but I am afraid we could hurt your ribs right now so would you mind being kissed on your forehead?" Mike asked lovingly.
"Be okay with me, we can owe each other a hug later when am able, dad." Steve teased but also was serious.
"You better believe it, son." Mike said happily beaming from ear to ear as he laid a light fatherly kiss on Steve's forehead.
Just then the door opened and Jeannie stood there, smiling widely.
"Ah, my two favorite men in the whole world, how are father and son?" Jeannie teased.
As she moved up beside the bed, she saw the answer for herself in their smiles and tears. She leaned over and kissed Steve lightly, as she saw the smile on his face she felt like the world was right and hoped never again would she and Mike have to know the distress of almost losing this young man that had come to mean so much to them. They all felt thankful for each other and knew even more how precious each was and how precious life was.