Too Many Years

Chapter 29

Max's graduation was perfect and he was thrilled to see Mike. It felt good to talk to him and to hug him. Mike and Polly were taking him out for dinner with Maggie and Gabby Thursday night and on Friday, Mike and Max were spending the day together while the ladies spent the day shopping and getting pampered.

Mike wouldn't let on how much Sandra's comments had bothered him. He had found himself looking at pictures of Hannah and Matty, trying to find any of his physical characteristics. They both looked so much like Christine and were a lot like her. It was always something he had loved about them. Maybe he had fooled himself into thinking they were his kids. He had to decide if it was worth telling them. He had raised them, supported them and loved them. Did they really need to know? What purpose would it serve to tell them?

As Mike and Polly got ready for bed, Mike realized they hadn't even discussed their marriage or problems. She was wearing the same nightgown as the night before and Mike liked it well enough but his mind was on Sandra's comments.

"Just so you know, I really do like that nightgown on you. You look beautiful." Mike said as they climbed into bed. Polly smiled over at him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you but you're not healthy enough for that. I just didn't bring anything else. You are too worried about what Sandra said." Polly said.

"What do you think I should do?" Mike asked.

"I think this is going to weigh on your mind." Polly said.

"Do you think they are mine?" Mike asked.

"I do. In every way that really matters. Mike, you have loved those kids, nurtured them and cared for them. You know that Max and Gabby aren't yours but you love them. Why would Hannah and Matty be different? Besides, when Hannah was ill, you were a close enough match allele wise that you were able to give her your stem cells. Don't you think if she wasn't your daughter, it would have come out then?" Polly asked.

"True." Mike said.

"And besides, Matty has lost everything. His girlfriend and baby, his scholarship and future, and for a while; his mom and siblings. His one steady person, you; cannot walk away from him and if you tell him there is any truth to this, he will automatically think its what is happening. I think it would tip him over the edge. Even if there is an ounce of truth to this, because of all the love you have for Matty, I don't think you can do that to him. My question is, did Christine ever give you any reason to believe this?" Polly asked.

"No. Christine was a devoted wife and mother. That is why I never believed Sandra. I also could never understand why a mother would do that to her own daughter." Mike said.

"My parents weren't so different but I don't know why. Mike, you were married to Christine for a lot of years and had four children with her. I cannot think of a more intimate commitment." Polly said.

"She was a good person. Truly good. You would probably use the word pure hearted. As odd as it seems, I wish you had met her. You two would have gotten along for sure." Mike said. It was odd to talk about his first wife with his second wife.

"I wish I had. Think about what Christine would have wanted. What she would say about these allegations. It seems to me that she would want you to be true to yourself and to your kids." Polly remarked.

"You seem to know a lot about her." Mike teased.

"We both loved the same man and kids. I had to have some sort of connection with her." Polly said as she leaned up and kissed Mike.

"I suppose. I am exhausted." Mike admitted.

"Get to sleep. You have a loaded day tomorrow. Max was sure thrilled to see you." Polly said with a smile.

"I am glad I came. I would have regretted missing it." Mike said as he settled into bed and pulled Polly onto his chest.

"I know. I love you." Polly said and Mike leaned his face down and kissed her again.

"I love you too." Mike said. Polly fell asleep pretty quickly and Mike fought his sleep a little but finally fell into a fitful sleep. It was dream filled and one particular dream woke him up.

Mike woke through the old house in Virginia and smiled at all the kid's sports equipment. As he neared the kitchen, he saw Christine swaying back and forth with a baby, one that looked like the pictures Mike had seen of Matty. As soon as she focused on him, she smiled broadly.

"You're finally home. We missed you." Christine said as Mike walked up to her and passed Matty to him.

"I missed you all too. What's going on here?" Mike said as he cuddled the baby close. He had never held Matty as a baby, never smelled the sweet baby breath or felt the way his hands searched Mike's face.

"It's a dream for you, and if your curious, that is Matty you're holding. The baby you and I lost is with Lucas. He's such a doll. I've named him William by the way, but Lucas calls him Liam. Its catching." Christine said as she tickled Matty's belly.

"I like that." Mike said simply. He had been thinking about the name since he and Matty had talked but hadn't come up with anything he liked.

"Mike, the answer is; you are their father, in every way. They are yours, biologically. I never stepped out on you and I think deep down, you know that. My mother is vicious and I know I really don't have an opinion in this, but I prefer my kids not have to deal with her. Gracie needs to concentrate on fixing herself, having this baby, and repairing her marriage. Hannah is just figuring out how to be a mom and has a sick little boy to boot. And then there's Matty. Matty's inclination will be that he has to take care of my mom. He can't do that. It would do him no good and she would be too cruel to him. He's a good boy and doesn't deserve that. I understand why you would think about telling them, but please don't." Christine begged.

"I've really made a mess of things, haven't I?" Mike asked.

"Nah. I'm glad you looked her up. It shows what type of person you are. As far as the mess; every family has growing pains and you all are about done with this season. Just a piece of advice, forgive Polly. She did what she felt was right for her family. That woman loves you more then you will ever know. She's a good woman." Christine said.

"I thought I had?" Mike asked. He and Christine had sat down on the couch as he cuddled Matty.

"There is some deep resentment. Its there with Grace too and you're disappointed in Matty for getting Tara pregnant. Maybe you aren't even aware of it, but I can promise, it'll come out in the worst possible way. What Grace did was wrong and she has to atone for it. Knowing that she drove you into a heart attack will hurt Grace for many years and Matty is disappointed in himself. He's a teenager with strict parents. He was raised around happy couples and wanted that for himself. You remember being a kid his age. The good thing is, Matty was only ever with Tara and he will find another girl, career and will be successful. He will have a big family and will be a really good dad. He only learned from the best." Christine explained.

"So, how do I deal with it?" Mike asked.

"Admit it to them. I know that seems silly, but it will work. They need to know how you truly feel. Not the mask you've put on for everyone's benefit. You also need to ask Gabby for her forgiveness. You stepped way out of line. Gabby is a typical young teenage girl and she has begun to think that your love for her is just a commitment. You are committed to Polly and you adopted her and Max, so thinks you only love her because of that. Now, I know better, but you have to fix things. I know you love Polly and the kids and I am quite proud of you. I always wanted a big family and you attained it for me." Christine said with a happy smile.

"Any other advice?" Mike asked.

"Make some time for Hannah. She understands that you've been ill and focused on everything else, but when you get home; go help her put her hardware on her cabinets. She has some happy news of her own that she's been waiting to share. You are her favorite person and she wants to tell you first, aside from Sam. You are making that too hard on her. And another thing, wake Polly up. You noticed that nightgown and you'll be fine." Christine said as she took Matty from Mike and kissed his cheek.

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Can you give my boys hugs and kisses?" Mike asked.

"I will do that. I get to keep the baby version of Matty. You get the grown- up version." Christine explained.

"Sounds like a plan. Sorry I doubted you." Mike said.

"You knew. My mom only ever wanted to make trouble. She hated you and hated that you and I had something good and that you have something good now. She never had it, and she hated it about me. I only ever wanted to be a wife and mom. She couldn't understand it. The way she messes things up, by throwing shade on the type of wife and mom I was is typical. Don't dwell on it. Just go fix things and be a good husband, father and grandfather. That is all I ask of you. You gave me a wonderful life and everything I ever wanted." Christine said.

"Likewise. I am thankful for the years you and I shared." Mike remarked. Christine smiled at him and stood up.

"I was only training you for Polly. Someone had to teach you to put the cap on the toothpaste and the toilet seat down." Christine said before walking out.

Mike woke up and smiled at the dream, as odd as it had been. Polly had turned on her side and had her hand on Mike's chest. Early on in their marriage, Mike had to realize that for Polly to sleep well, she had to be touching him in some way. Generally, it was with her head on his chest but he had been entirely too restless for that. Mike considered Christine's advice, and then remembered, she had never steered him wrong when she was alive. Mike began kissing Polly awake, another thing they had done early on in their marriage. After about the third kiss, her eyes popped open and she smiled.

"Been a while since you did this." Polly said between kisses.

"I know. Its time." Mike said simply. Polly looked at him for a second in shock.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Polly asked.

"I am. I really made my own mistakes where you were concerned and have nothing to forgive you for. You were only protecting your kids from what you felt was a threat. I want to put all this behind us. I am tired of carrying this around, Polly." Mike admitted and she nodded.

"Me too." Polly said and then gave him a sweet kiss. He pulled her on top of him and nodded.

"I'll be okay. I want this." Mike said between kisses.

"As long as you're sure." Polly said.

"I am positive. Don't stop now." Mike told her and she nodded again.

I am wrapping this one up too. I will maybe have 2 more chapters and then will be done! Not sure if it will be the end of the storyline or not though.