Chapter 29

Emma was just like her old self, happy, laughing and smiling. Apparently whatever she and Tom talked about had eased her mind. He hadn't gotten a hug from her that morning, but now she was full of them. They had promised Hannah that they would come home earlier, but Mike at least wanted to take Emma for lunch. He texted Mallory and asked her if it was okay if they stay out for a little longer, and she texted back that Hannah was doing a bit better and wanted him and Emma to enjoy themselves. She did mention that Hannah was craving a strawberry milkshake and he didn't have the ingredients.

Emma and he ate lunch at a burger place that had just reopened. The place was becoming known for their milkshakes and so Mike decided to get Emma, Hannah, Mallory and himself shakes when they left. Emma was still talking about the puppy and Mike was tempted to just tell her that she would be getting Molly, but it was just so cute the way she was trying to get everyone involved in saving the dog and he was really looking forward to her face when he gave her the dog.

They finally got home about one, and he woke Hannah and Mallory up as he and Emma walked in, but Hannah was thrilled with the milkshake, even though he or Mallory had to hold it for her. Mallory was exhausted and not looking forward to her long work week of night shifts. She had been napping on the couch when he come in, and he could tell she was scared that he was mad at her for resting when Hannah was sleeping, she felt she should have cleaned the house instead of sleeping. Mike had dealt with a lot of abused women as a cop, and although Mallory wouldn't talk about her past, she gave him every indication that she had a traumatic relationship. He had touched her arm one day and she had jerked away from him. The young nurse was doing so much for him and his girls and was shocked when she realized that he had filled her car up. It made him think that she had never had a nice thing done for her. She had let it slip that her thirtieth birthday was in a couple days and Mike had already decided he was going to do something for her. He had no idea what her interests were outside of nursing, and so he had texted Rios with his plans. Rios told him he knew she was needing a better pair of nursing shoes and stethoscope. He told him the brand of stethoscope that would be best for Mallory and where to go to get the nursing shoes. He just had to figure out the shoe size, but he was going to see if Hannah would help him with that. Mallory refused any type of payment for what she was doing so it was the least he could do.

Hannah was trying really hard to have a good day but she was struggling and Mallory was concerned because she had dropped three pounds. She was eating okay, and Mallory told Mike that if she voiced wanting a certain food, to go ahead and fix it for her and not to worry about the bland diet. The only thing she ever voiced wanting besides the milkshake was Bacon's chicken soup. Mike hated to ask Bacon for more and so he asked for the recipe. He suspected that Bacon was just going to show up with some of the soup. He was thankful for so many people jumping in to help. When he had texted Bacon for the recipe, he told him Hannah had lost some weight and she didn't have any extra to lose.

Emma was trying to engage Hannah in all kinds of activities, and he knew Hannah was trying so hard to be a part of them but she fell asleep twice while holding cards and then she just couldn't lift her arms to hold the cards. Emma had an abundance of patience for it, but Hannah didn't. Hannah was like Mike in that her patience was thin and she did lash out of Emma a couple times. Emma was so good hearted but he could see the tears that she was trying to fight back. She finally just sit down on the couch with her drawing book, and was drawing Hannah a picture, in hopes that it would lift her spirits.

Hannah had also lashed out at Mike, but he could counter it a little better than Emma, but even with that, it did sting. It was really hard to play the dad role when she was needed so much, and when she did lash out at him, he often times would just kiss her on the forehead and tell her he loved her. He didn't like excusing the behavior, but she was speaking out of pain and frustration. He just had to remind himself and Emma that there would come a day where Hannah was not in such pain.

Mike fixed more of the soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, but didn't get to eat a bite of it because Hannah had to be fed and asked to be put to bed early. Mike had to carry her upstairs and realized that he hadn't turned her bed down before he brought her upstairs, but Emma had followed them up and did it for him and then helped Hannah into a fresh set of pajamas. The bandage change fortunately went off without a hitch and she refused the pain shot, but agreed to the oral painkillers. He asked if she wanted him to read to her and she just shook her head. His heart was breaking, it seemed like he would get a step or two ahead with Emma and then Hannah would lose ground.

" Hannah, are you upset that I spent another day with Emma or are you just hurting? I know I haven't been able to do much of anything fun with you and I'm sorry. I love you and I hate seeing you like this."

"Its fine that you and Emma can go out, I'm just hoping that there will come a time that you and I can do something fun. I want to ride horses with you but I know I can't right now. It doesn't seem fair, and I'm afraid I will never get to that point. I am looking forward to my violin lessons but what if I can't even hold my violin? Wolf may not want to help."

He assured her that Wolf was aware that she might not be able to lift the violin and he knew that Wolf had an abundance of patience. He was going to have to find something that he could do with Hannah and quickly. He kissed her good night and told her he loved her. She had been on the oxygen all day and so all he had to do was turn the baby monitor on. He had asked her to find out what size shoes Mallory wore and what he was planning. She wanted to go all out and have a cake and everything. Mike knew it would be a little unconventional to have a cake with breakfast but that was the only way he could do Mallory's birthday due to her work schedule. The next day was going to be pretty warm and he had already arranged for Tom and Sasha to have Emma for a couple hours. He was hoping that getting out of the house would help Hannah.

Tom came over after both girls went to bed, and insisted that they talk in Mike's office. When he explained what Emma had overheard, Mike understood why. He felt horribly about the whole situation and wasn't sure how to make it right. Tom had told him that he needed to address Emma thinking that he blamed her for Lucas' death and Hannah's illness, and to make it clear that he was not going to give Emma away and then let it drop. They discussed the plans for the next day and Tom said he and Sasha and the kids would come over for Mallory's birthday breakfast on Sunday. Mike just hoped that Hannah would have a better day and he was looking forward to spend some time with her. He loved his time with Emma but Hannah needed time too, that didn't include bandaging or making sure she had enough air. Both girls were excited that they would be able to do something for Mallory, they both depended on her a lot.