Second Chance To Be A Family
Chapter 10
Mike woke Hannah and Benji up early to avoid traffic and was on the road by seven am. Hannah was in the backseat with Benji and was fairly quiet. Mike knew that she was worried about Kaitlyn being mad at her for telling Mike about Benji, but he also knew that Kaitlyn would just be overjoyed to see her little boy again.
He had called Leann while Hannah got ready that morning and she was making an appointment with a doctor-friend of hers who was Josh's pediatrician. It was a female doctor who would not judge the situation and was also making an exception and seeing Kaitlyn as well.
Thankfully, Benji was a good baby who protested very little to being cooped up in the truck all day. Hannah had figured out how to change him without Mike's help, and aside from having to pull over so she could unbuckle him, Mike could drive straight through, other then stopping for gas and bathroom breaks. Mike's house was south of Tampa and thankfully, he pulled in about five pm. He had also alerted Leann of Hannah's dinner requests and suspected that she had looked through his recipe book that had belonged to Christine. She met him at the driveway and immediately gave him a kiss.
"You made good time. Dinner is ready. Hannah, your dad told me about how you were wanting roast, potatoes, rolls and an apple cake. I couldn't find your mom's recipe for roast beef, but I made my own. I did find her recipes for rolls and the apple cake, so we have that too. We also have mashed potatoes and creamy corn. I cooked some other stuff too. Like sweet potatoes?" Leann asked Hannah who was getting out of the truck while Mike got Benji out.
"I think…with marshmellows?" Hannah asked.
"Yep. Lots and lots, as Josh said. That sound good?" Leann asked as she put her arm around Hannah.
"Sounds good. And milk?" Hannah asked.
"Oh, yes. I prefer Josh drink milk at supper too. Mike, you need help?" Leann asked.
"I'll come back out and get the suitcases. Hannah, do you want to carry him in? This was all you, I just drove you there." Mike asked.
"Yeah, I can." Hannah stated as Mike handed her Benji who was awake and watching everything.
"Hey, she'll be okay. I'll tell her that I pressured it out of you. Not so far from the truth." Mike told Hannah quietly and he rubbed her shoulder.
"I hope so. She was so afraid of disappointing you." Hannah said as she began the walk up to the house.
"Not a chance." Mike told her as he continued to rub her back as they walked. Leann was walking beside him and gave him a slight smile. They walked into the house where Kaitlyn was playing with Josh in the living room. They were engrossed in their puzzle game, so Mike spoke up. "Katie?" Mike asked and Kaitlyn's head jerked up. Her eyes widened and then filled with tears when she saw Benji. She immediately stood up and walked to them.
"Benji? How?" Kaitlyn asked.
"Long story but he's here for good, thanks to your sister. I pressured her into telling some of what happened and then had her help getting Benji back. Everything is on the legal side, so no worries and I have an appointment set up with an attorney to get all the legal paperwork in order where he's concerned. Don't get upset with Hannah. She fought tooth and nail before she told me." Mike explained, shifting the blame onto himself. Kaitlyn hadn't said another word but gently took Benji from Hannah. For Mike, it was surreal; watching his daughter with her baby. And, of course, Josh broke the mood.
"That's a cute baby. Can I hold him?" Josh asked as he ran to Mike, who picked him up.
"Later. His momma is going to want to hold him lots. She's missed him." Mike stated. He leaned over and kissed the side of Kaitlyn's head. She seemed to be in a trance, looking at Benji who was snuggled up to her. He seemed even happier to be in her arms. Hannah had followed Leann into the kitchen and Mike had sat Josh back down on the floor.
"Dad…I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to tell you. I didn't figure you would be very accepting of this. You wouldn't have been before." Kaitlyn remarked.
"No, probably not, but Benji didn't need to be there. He needs to be with you and I will help and support you through this. He's a special little boy and I can tell how much you love him. Please tell me this is what you want?" Mike asked.
"I…wanted to bring him with us so badly and I knew that he would probably die there. I didn't have any other choices and I hate that. I feel horribly about it." Kaitlyn admitted as she kissed Benji.
"Well, you have him back now and that's all that matters. Don't worry about how I feel about it. Why don't you relax? I'm going to change clothes. I want to swim after supper." Mike said as he kissed Kaitlyn's forehead and the top of Benji's head.
"Dad, thank you. You don't know how much I appreciate this." Kaitlyn said before Mike walked away.
"I have a better idea then you realize. Love you, honey. A baby doesn't change that. It only gives me another person to love." Mike told her before walking out to the truck to get his and Hannah's bags as well as Benji's items. The baby was already very spoiled, and Mike knew he needed to get more for the baby boy but for now, Benji had what he needed, most importantly; his mother.
Mike carried the bags in, put Hannah's in her room and then put his own away. He also put the engagement ring away in a drawer that Leann wouldn't look in, where Christine's items were. Items he needed to give to the girls. Items that he had never felt comfortable getting rid of but now, he had his girls back. They needed those things to remember their amazing mother. He quickly changed his clothes, all the time eyeing the dresser drawer.
Hannah was still in the kitchen and dining room, helping Leann set the table and talking about the huge dinner that Leann had made. Kaitlyn was sitting in the living room with Josh and Benji, letting Josh hold the baby. Mike sat down in his recliner and watched them for a minute.
"Daddy, I need a baby brother! Or a sister! Or both, that'd be fun." Josh said and Kaitlyn started laughing. It was something she hadn't done before. It made Mike smile, Kaitlyn's laugh; not Josh's suggestion.
"Talk to your mom about that." Mike stated and Josh handed Benji back to Kaitlyn and ran to his mom. Mike knew what her answer would be and knew that Josh would be in the living room within just a moment, saying that his mom had told him to ask his dad. Mike took the moment and sat down on the couch with Kaitlyn. Benji was in her arms and watching her closely.
"Any chances of that?" Kaitlyn asked.
"What?" Mike asked, knowing exactly what she meant.
"A baby brother or sister, or both? Dad, I really like Leann and I think she is right for you." Kaitlyn said as she adjusted Benji to rest on her shoulder. The baby was nearly asleep. Mike leaned over to check to see what Leann was doing, and she was out of earshot.
"Okay, while Hannah and I were in Truro, we stopped by a jewelry store. I bought a ring. Hannah thinks I need help with the proposal. I think I'll be fine. What do you think?" Mike asked quietly.
"About the proposal or in general? I am good with you and Leann doing this. Dad, Mom has been gone for a lot of years. A lot. And she would want you to move on with someone like Leann. As far as the romance is concerned, you do it your way. I remember all the date nights that you planned for Mom, even though you couldn't cook back then. She loved it. I remember watching the two of you from the hallway when you didn't think I was there. You would wait until we were supposed to be in bed, and you'd have a candlelit dinner and you and she would dance. You always wore a suit and she would wear a dress. It's one of my favorite memories of the two of you. Dad, Mom thought you were an awesome husband and now that she's gone, there is no reason why you shouldn't be again. I know they say that you only have one true love in your life, but I think, I know, you have had two loves. Mom and Leann. Mom and you had your time together and now, its Leann's turn." Kaitlyn said as she gently rocked Benji to sleep.
"One of my favorite memories too and sweetie, we knew you were there. We just wanted to set a good example. You good with this?" Mike said as he pointed at the sleeping baby in Kaitlyn's arms.
"I am. I missed him so much, Dad. So much. Are you okay with it?" Kaitlyn asked.
"I am. He's a sweet boy." Mike remarked as he stood up. He smiled back down at Kaitlyn and then walked into the kitchen where Leann was putting a salad together. He walked up behind her and kissed the back of her neck. Josh was helping Hannah set the table and carry all the food over. "We need to talk later." Mike told her as he kissed her again.
"Uh-oh." Leann said.
"Nothing bad." Mike promised.
"Good. I have missed you, way more then I thought possible." Leann said.
"I've missed you too. I love you." Mike said.
"I love you too. Now, supper is ready. You all eat, and I'll hold that precious baby." Leann said as she indicated for Kaitlyn to come in. As soon as Kaitlyn walked over, Leann was reaching for Benji. Kaitlyn handed him over and they all took their seats. Mike sat Josh next to him since Leann was occupied and Hannah helped him fill his plate and cut his meat up.
For Mike, it was the perfect way to end the evening. He still had to propose to Leann and was worried about the doctor's appointments the next day for both girls and Benji, but he would stress about them later. For now, he loved hearing his girls laughing and Josh asking questions about Benji. And he really loved looking across the table and seeing Leann holding his grandson.