The Trainer

Chapter 35

In the long run, having the babies in the hospital room with Willow turned into a good thing. She cared very deeply for the babies and had given them more attention then the nurses could. Jim and Maryann were there during visiting hours. Mike had taken a day with them and helped them get moved into their new house. Andrea, Hannah and Katherine had teamed up and helped decorate a nursery for the triplets. The house was completely ready for its little occupants.

Willow and the babies were discharged the same day. She handled getting in a different vehicle then the babies better then Wolf figured she would. It probably helped knowing that they would be across the street from Mike. When Wolf and Willow walked into their own house, Andrea had a flower arrangement on the kitchen island, along with a basket of lotions, candles, a new nightgown. Some of Willow's favorite candies, and a book. There was a note attached and Willow opened it.

"Willow,

As I told you, I've had a c-section; you need to relax. The nightgown is not sexy, but you don't want any sort of elastic near that incision. So, take your shower, wash your hair, put the nightgown on, get in bed and make Wolf take care of you. If you need help, call me. There's a book, candles and candies. Sit back and enjoy.

We all love you,

Andrea"

Willow smiled at the note. It reminded her of something Christine would have done. She was really missing her mom and Andrea seemed to just understand that. Christine would have had all the answers and Andrea seemed to have the same answers. Maryann had also been a great help, but she was pretty consumed with her new babies.

"Hey, babe. Cassie just called. She's fixed a casserole for us. I told her I would go over and pick it up after you've had your shower. I don't want to leave you alone while you are in there." Wolf stated.

"Sure. Andrea got me this. Not necessarily lingerie." Willow said as she showed him the nightgown.

"Long as you're comfortable. That's all I care about." Wolf said as he followed her into their bedroom.

"You know I remember my mom wearing these types of nightgowns. She always said they are comfortable. I may just have to start wearing them all the time." Willow teased.

"And your dad liked them?" Wolf asked.

"Well, they did have three more kids after me. I would guess he didn't mind them too much." Willow commented.

"I don't even want to think about that." Wolf said. Willow laughed at him and walked into the bathroom.

Willow was thankful she could take a shower and washing her hair felt heavenly. Wolf lotioned her legs down before he left, and she relaxed into bed. It felt really good. The book was a crime novel like she liked, and her dad had probably picked it out since they had a similar taste in books. The candies were good. She found a stupid chic flick on the tv and relaxed back with her book.

She apparently fell asleep because the next thing she heard was Wolf coming in with a food tray. There was a plate of casserole, salad and her favorite apple crumble that Andrea had apparently made for her. She had already figured out that her loved ones were going to have her spoiled rotten.

"So, I got a call and I have to work tomorrow. I mentioned it to Hannah and she's going to stay here. She's taking great joy in being able to take care of you. Your day is going to include more chic flicks, a gallon of ice cream, soda and nail polish. Hannah is thrilled." Wolf filled her in.

"She's a sweetie. She loves caring for other people. When Dad got pneumonia, she spoiled him rotten. I think it drove him a bit crazy, but he would have never told her that." Willow commented. Earlier that winter, Mike had come down with pneumonia suddenly, giving Hannah a chance to care for her father. He wasn't allowed to lift a finger.

"Yeah, I mentioned it that I hated leaving you so soon and she immediately volunteered. I think your dad will also be close." Wolf stated.

"Not shocked. Cassie's casserole is really good. And Andrea's apple crumble?" Willow asked.

"Looked good. She didn't want you to try and cook. And I spoke to Jim, the babies are doing good. Said once you get to feeling better, you are welcome anytime." Wolf explained.

"I know, I just don't want to overstay my welcome. I think the world of the babies and I love Jim and Maryann, but those babies belong to them. It would really confuse them if I was around too much. I figured the day after tomorrow, I'll go visit for an hour or so. I just don't want to cause problems with them." Willow commented. Wolf sat down next to her and rubbed her knee.

"Babe, those people love you and they want you involved. You are forgetting something; you are like a daughter to them and you have given them a beautiful gift. They are not going to forget that. They are already calling you Mama Willow to the babies. They are not going to stop that, and you need to just go with it." Wolf insisted.

"And you're okay with this?" Willow asked.

"Yeah, I'm good. I think you will cause yourself more pain if you try and distance yourself. It isn't what Jim and Maryann want and those babies need you too. Stop fighting it so hard." Wolf warned her.

"I suppose you're right. So, I think I know what I want to do this evening. I want to cuddle." Willow remarked.

"Yes, ma'am." Wolf agreed. He quickly dealt with the dishes and changed into his comfortable clothes. They spent the rest of the night doing exactly what Willow wanted. She was in some pain but knew at least her family would keep her company.

By eight am the next morning, Hannah and Mike were there. Hannah had movies, candy, popcorn, lotions, nail polishes and numerous other things. Mike simply wanted to help her carry things over and check on Willow. He chuckled when he seen her nightgown and robe.

"You remind me of your mom wearing that get-up. After she had you, it was her go to." Mike commented.

"And Andrea's too apparently. She's the one that got it for me." Willow said as he helped her onto the couch.

"Yeah, she wears them too sometimes. Especially after she had the twins. She had a c-section then." Mike told her as he gently sit her down and helped her lay down. One of the areas of contention between them was that he wasn't as tender with her as he was with Hannah. He was making up for that since her c-section.

"They are shockingly comfortable. Wolf isn't so wild about it though." Willow commented.

"I wasn't either at first. I got used to them once I figured out that after your mom had you, her body changed. She was pretty self-conscious of it. And I am sure that I could have been more supportive." Mike explained. One of the things he regretted most was how he had treated Christine.

"Dad, Mom loved you. If you were that horrible to her, she wouldn't have had three more kids." Willow stated.

"I could have loved her a lot better than what I did. Alright, you girls good?" Mike asked as he tucked a blanket around both of them.

"We're good." Hannah said with a smile. Mike leaned down and kissed her forehead and then did the same with Willow.

"You girls call if you need anything. Andrea or I will be over in no time. Enjoy your day. I love you both." Mike told them.

"We will." Hannah said. After Mike had walked out; Willow turned the tv on and found the home decorating channel that Hannah loved.

"I wish he wasn't so hard on himself." Willow commented.

"I never knew that he and Mom had so many issues. They sure seemed like they loved each other. I thought they were the perfect couple." Hannah told her.

"They played the part and I think they did really love each other. Dad told in therapy that when they were engaged, he considered calling off the wedding. The understanding I had was that his parents and her parents more or less pressured them into getting married. Mom was such a good person that Dad didn't want to hurt her. He went ahead and married her but was miserable. His parents pressured him to stay in the marriage to save face. A lot…more then I even wanted to know has come out in therapy but essentially, I was the result of them being drunk on their first anniversary. He also thought you and Lucas were a way to keep him interested. MJ too, possibly. But, no doubt, Mom adored Dad and he was…committed to her. I think he loved her more then he realizes, and she definitely wouldn't want him beating himself up." Willow commented.

"Dad beats himself up way too much. I remember before Lucas died, Dad was in the Arctic and we didn't know what was happening. Mom had told us she was having a baby. I was so excited. Mom was too. I remember asking her about Dad and she said she thought he would be happy too, and then added that she hoped. She made a remark that she was really a lucky woman to have the husband and kids that she did." Hannah said.

"Hannah, have you ever told Dad that?" Willow asked.

"Never had a reason to. I will now. I just always thought things were perfect." Hannah told her.

"Apparently, he made the mistake of telling Mom that he had considered leaving her at the altar when Lucas was about a year old and that he had thought about divorce. She was obviously really hurt. They went to counseling, but he feels he didn't do everything he could have, knowing Mom would compensate for him." Willow filled her in as they ate brownie bites.

"And Mom still adored him. I think if she had survived, they would have still been married. I don't mean that badly towards Andrea and I know Dad really loves her. But him and Mom; they had a special relationship. Its hard to explain but I don't doubt, they loved each other. Dad is too critical of himself." Hannah stated.

"You don't think they would have gotten divorced?" Willow asked.

"No. Mom and Dad always just…got each other. Maybe he and Andrea understand each other better but there was something special. I don't think Mom would have ever divorced him and I don't think Dad could have ever done that to Mom. He…revered her. Still does. Remember them dancing in the kitchen?" Hannah asked.

"Yeah and being grossed out by them kissing. I think they did that just for affect." Willow said.

"I wasn't feeling good that night. I always wanted to sleep between Mom and Daddy when I didn't feel good. Let's just say…I walked in on something. I didn't get it then but now…yuck!" Hannah said, and Willow almost choked on her drink of pop.

"Oh, the visual! You were how old?" Willow asked.

"Ten or so. I don't think they even realized I was in there. They were well occupied. I didn't know what they were doing but got out of there." Hannah explained.

"Did you ever tell them?" Willow asked.

"No. Like I said, I didn't know what they were doing and now that I know, I don't want to embarrass Dad. Or embarrass myself." Hannah stated.

"I don't even want to imagine." Willow told her.

"I'd like to forget but it does tell me, they were happy." Hannah said.

"You know, you might have witnessed MJ's conception, just thinking of the math." Willow teased, and Hannah immediately threw a bag of chips at her.

"The sad part of that is that it's a distinct possibility. Yuck. Just, yuck; Willow!" Hannah said, all while laughing.

"Better you then me. I would have embarrassed them. Since you didn't know what they were doing; what was it you thought they were doing?" Willow asked.

"Do you seriously want this detail?" Hannah asked.

"I'm intrigued by your reaction." Willow said. It was giving her something to laugh about and focus on.

"I thought Daddy was crushing Mom. She was moaning and everything. Fortunately, the sheets were covering them, so I didn't see anything more then Dad's back and Mom's hands." Hannah said with a grimace.

"You are as red as a beet. Now, am I going to be able to face Dad knowing what position he prefers?" Willow teased.

"You are horrible. You've brought up all these memories for me." Hannah told her, covering her eyes dramatically.

"Happy memories?" Willow teased.

"Knowing what I know now, no. Horrifying. But yes, Mom and Dad were happy." Hannah agreed as she pulled her hands away.

"Yeah, I generally am after Wolf and I do that too." Willow continued teasing her.

"Hey, now. I'm eighteen now. Soon as Eric comes back from deployment; I'll plan a romantic weekend. I may be crippled but I'm not dead." Hannah threatened.

"Not saying you shouldn't but Eric is still terrified of Dad. I promise, no romantic weekends for you until he has asked Dad for your hand and gotten you the best ring he can afford." Willow told her.

"He's already said he would have to make senior chief. I don't know how long that will take." Hannah remarked.

"Ask Dad." Willow suggested.

"Ask Dad how long it'll be before Eric makes senior chief, so he and I can have a romantic weekend? Dad will kill Eric." Hannah remarked.

"Oh, yeah. Bad idea. I could ask Wolf. He likes Eric, but he is a bit protective of you too." Willow told her.

"Probably not a good idea because Wolf would harass him." Hannah explained.

"Oh, right." Willow agreed. It had felt good to laugh and visit with Hannah without worrying. Hannah could be a therapist because she could put anyone at ease. It was easy to see why Mike adored her the way he did. They spent the day talking, laughing, watching tv and eating entirely too much junk food. It had taken her focus off not having the babies with her and not dwelling too much on being too involved with her. Hannah, as always was the perfect cure. Hopefully, she would be able to help Mike in the same way.

Okay, maybe one or two chapters. I want to cap off Mike feeling so badly about Christine and then a jump forward. Thanks for all the reviews. And I don't mean to be taking over The Last Ship page on here.