Five Years Later

Chapter 55

Mike hung up heavy wooden blinds in the living room and the bedroom that Grace would be using. He put a deadbolt on the back entrance, with keys for Grace, Alec and Maggie and himself. He installed the chain bolt on the front door. The windows were double checked. Alec came in with the black light and luminal. There was no more visible blood anywhere other than the grout stain that he had already covered with the area rug. They went back to the office to review the notes on the investigation.

Tamara and Sarah Gibson had been best friends. Once Mike arrested Sarah, it become clear that Sarah's long crime spree had came to an end. After she killed herself, Tamara's husband Jerry called her and Tamara told Daniel while she was working as a jailer. She hadn't anticipated Sarah leaving the note with all the victim's names. She blamed Mike, Grace and Hannah for Sarah killing herself. When she shot into Grace's office, it was simply because all three of them were together. She had every intention of killing all of them. She hadn't counted on Mike seeing her or Kirk tackling her. Her husband's only crime was telling Tamara that Sarah had committed suicide. With that, the investigation was finished and Grace could put the pieces of her life back together.

Mike took her to lunch at Maggie's with the dual purpose of walking her through her apartment. What made him feel terrible was that he planned on simulating the first part of her attack. Alec knew what he was going to do and had forewarned Maggie. Mike wasn't even sure he'd be able to do it but he would rather it be him. She trusted him completely. They were walking through the apartment and she was doing well. She had turned her back to him and it was the only opportunity he would have. He came up behind her and grabbed her around the neck. He was as gentle as possible and she was fighting back. She scraped her heel down his calf, elbowed him in the ribs and got loose of his arm around her neck. She had swung around to punch him and stopped mid-air. She had done well.

"You didn't tell me you were going to do that here?"

"I told you I was simulating the attack as much as I could. Part of that was being in the same place that your attack happened. Grace, you can be mad at me if you want but you did really well."

"I'm not mad. Just surprised. Did I hurt you?"

"I'm okay. Ready to get out of here now?"

"Yeah. That did me in. I know you were being gentle but you're really strong."

"You used my strength against me which is what you needed to do. I hope I didn't hurt you or scare you?"

"No. If it had been anyone else, maybe. Let's get out of here."

"You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, I think so."

Mike nodded at her and handed her the keys to the new locks. Alec had also changed the lock to the front door. She looked around and nodded at him and headed for the door. Mike followed her out. He was immensely proud of her. She had reacted exactly how he wanted her to. His ribs were a little on the sore side but he was glad.

He took her back to her office and went to pick the boys and Hannah up. They were all going to meet out at Polly's that night. Pastor John was going to meet with them at Polly's to make things easier. He'd had to postpone the night before. Hannah agreed to watch the kids while Mike and Polly met with him. The boys stayed in Max's room playing and Hannah took Gabby to her bedroom to play.

The meeting with Pastor John went better than Mike figured. They spoke about Polly's anxiety of Mike becoming a cop again and his concerns of the meaning of submission. Polly had asked Mike to not say anything about her insecurities regarding her body and Mike being satisfied with her. They went over the plans for the ceremony. They both wanted it kept very short and sweet. The meeting was over soon enough that Mike and Polly ran into town to get the marriage license. Hannah had things well in hand. Grace and Ryan were going on a 'date.' After signing all the necessary paperwork and receiving the license, they decided to get a couple frozen pizzas so they didn't have to cook. They were both excited for the rest of the week to go by. As they were driving back to Polly's house, they started discussing how strange everything was.

"So, a month ago you and I didn't even know one another, and Saturday we'll be married. It's strange how quickly everything has happened." Polly was holding his hand on the console of the truck.

"Any doubts or second thoughts?"

"Nope. I have missed being married. Having someone to lay down next to every night, to laugh with and cry with, to share parenting responsibilities with, financial concerns, the whole bit. Even having to my husband's laundry."

"If I had realized that you missed doing a man's laundry, I would have brought some to you! But I do understand what you're saying."

"Plus you make me laugh a lot. That helps." They had pulled up to her house but stayed in the truck.

"You make me laugh too. This isn't where we start making out is it? That would be awkward considering four of our kids are inside, you live in a parsonage and the church is right there."

"How about just one kiss? I think we're both too old for 'making out'."

"I'm never too old…" Polly shook her head and pulled Mike into a kiss. It was sweet and made both of them laugh. They both got out of the truck and headed inside. She had texted Hannah to preheat the oven and the boys were playing on the living room floor while Gabby was in her bouncy seat. Hannah was working on her homework and needed help from Mike.

"Alright, Hannah, what is the radius?"

"Hang on, Daddy. You've got…lipstick on your cheek!" Hannah had wiped it off his cheek and started laughing hysterically. Polly was in Gabby's room changing her diaper and walked in midway through the laughter. It was just slightly embarrassing.

"Alright, Hannah, let's get back to work."

"I think it's cute."

"How do you know it's from Polly? You and Grace have both given me a kiss on that cheek today."

"That's not Grace's shade and I'm not wearing any. It's Polly's shade. Unless you have some other girl kissing on you?"

"Just Gabby. And those don't count as kisses. She just opens her mouth and licks me. It's gross."

"But yet you let her do it?"

"Well it's sweet and when you were a baby, your kisses were more sucking. It was awkward."

"Gross."

"Yes, I know. Now let's get back to this homework because this whole conversation is just weird."

"Okay. But it does prove something. You said you weren't that good of a dad to me, but you let me kiss you like that?"

"You have a point. But that doesn't make me a good dad. Just tolerant. Besides it was really cute when you did it. It was a little hard to say no."

"Mmm, if you say so."

"Okay, radius, Hannah?"

"Four point two feet."

"Correct. And the diameter?"

"Well radius is half so diameter is eight point four. Right?"

"Correct again. Good job. Let's get this stuff put up. I'll help you with it some more after supper, once we're at home."

Hannah nodded at him and took her books into the living room where her backpack was. He was getting dishes out when Polly stood up beside him and kissed him on the cheek.

"What's that for? Not that I mind."

"You just proved something to her."

"What? That I know how to do math?"

"No. You shared a very sweet memory with her. It proved that while you still don't think you were that good to her when she was Gabby's age, you at least would hold her and let her kiss on you. She needed that."

"It was always sweet. She was an adorable baby. And yeah, I held her. Did all the typical dad stuff. But I also left when she was only a couple weeks old and didn't come back until she was walking. About a year old."

"Well, it sounds like you were still bonded. Can you set the table?"

"Yes, ma'am."

They set the table and sit down and ate the pizza and salad. Matty and Max both tried to get out of eating the salad but both boys were scared of Polly's "mom voice." Frankly it scared Mike a bit too. Both boys and Mike ate every bite of their salad. Mike helped her clean up supper and get Gabby settled down. He was ready for them to all live under the same roof. After kissing them good night, he, Hannah and Matty headed for Mike's house. Grace was already there when they got there in her bedroom studying.

Matty begged Mike to sleep in his bed. He knew he should tell him no but he couldn't. He tucked Matty in and promised him he would be in before long. He locked the house up and shut lights off. Hannah had finished her math homework and was reading before bed. He kissed her goodnight and left her to herself. Grace was packing her clothes up which made his heart hurt just a bit.

"So when's the move?"

"Thursday night? And then I'll stay out here Saturday night while you and Polly are away."

"Okay. You'll be by yourself Friday night?"

"Yep, that's the plan. I told Alec, Maggie and Ryan but can you let Polly know too?"

"Yep. I can do that."

"You okay?"

"Just gonna miss having you around."

"I'll still come around."

"I know. I guess seeing you packing your stuff up made it more real."

"Daddy, this is normal. And someday Hannah will move out, then Matty and Max, Gabby?"

"Yep and I'll hate it then too."

"I love you, Daddy, but I need to do this. I will still come around and there will be times you'll get sick of me being here."

"Not a chance. Do you need any help?"

"No. I'm about to head to bed."

"Okay, goodnight. I love you too."

Mike checked on Hannah again and headed to bed. It had warmed up and so he just put his pajama pants on. He would explain the scars on his chest and stomach if need be. Matty sensed him getting in bed and curled himself around Mike. He kissed Matty's cheek and fell asleep. At some point through the night he felt Matty more or less climb onto his chest and wrap his arms around his neck. Mike wrapped his arms around him and kissed his cheek again.

Grace and Hannah woke up about the same time and found Mike and Matty asleep in each other's arms. It was so unbelievably sweet and Grace snapped a picture with her cellphone. She was putting a collage of photos together for Mike and it would be included. Hannah woke them up gently and helped Matty up.

He got the kids to school and Grace headed to work. Polly texted him needing help with Gabby. She and Maggie planned on going to the city to buy stuff for the wedding but Gabby was fussing. He immediately responded that he would look after her. He'd planned on a quiet day at home but Gabby didn't need to be in the wind. He pulled into Polly's and headed in. Maggie was already there trying to appease Gabby while Polly got ready.

"Look, Gabby, Daddy's here. You can stop fussing now."

"That's right, Gabby. I got you. Is it her ears again?"

"I think so. I wish they'd just put the tubes in. Aiden had to have them. He did a lot better after."

"Hannah did too. She was about fourteen months when they put them in."

"Didn't realize she had to have them."

"Yeah. I got home from deployment and she had had one ear infection after another for months. Christine was exhausted. Navy doctors don't always listen to the spouses. First appointment I was there for and the doctor immediately agreed to do the surgery. To my knowledge, Hannah hasn't had another ear infection since."

"It's not just Navy doctors. Sometimes doctors in general. They don't always listen to moms."

"Yeah, makes sense. Her doctor does seem pretty attentive. I do think he'll need to operate on her."

"Yeah. I'm gonna get Polly moving. It'll be nice to not have to worry about this little fuss budget."

"Enjoy your day. I got her."

Gabby had her head resting against his shoulder and was playing with the button on his shirt. She was drooling like crazy and seemed to want to suck on the button. He found her pacifier and that appeased her slightly. Maggie and Polly finally came out and helped him get Gabby settled in her car seat. He had a base for his truck already installed. Polly packed plenty of diapers, wipes, formula and food for Gabby to have for a year. He gave her his credit card with strict instructions to use it. She followed him out to help get Gabby settled in the truck.

"You okay, you seem quiet?"

"Yeah, Grace is moving out tomorrow night. I thought I was ready but it hurt to watch her packing her clothes up."

"She needs to do this. She's ready."

"Yeah I know. Just wish I could rewind time back to when she was Gabby's age. Back to when she was content to sleep on my chest all day long."

"Gabby maybe the perfect cure for you today since you're a little blue."

"I'm just wondering if it's going to be like this when they move out."

"Maybe not to this extent. She's the first. She's been through an absolutely horrific experience in the same place she's moving back into. It's natural for you to have some misgivings. Makes you a normal dad."

"I suppose. So don't hesitate to use that card and don't worry about Gabby. I think I'm gonna let her sleep on my chest all day and feel sorry for myself."

"Hang on, I have a gallon of chocolate ice cream in there that you can have. Always makes me feel better. I also have a box of Kleenex, nail polish and a DVD that's a chick flick. Gabby will love the ice cream."

"Haha, cute. Seriously, use the card. I'll get Max. Enjoy your time with your sister. I love you."

"I love you too. Have a good day feeling sorry for yourself." They kissed and then she reached in and kissed Gabby who was already nodding off. He waved at Maggie and drove off. He was looking forward to his day with Gabby. Maybe she would be able to put his mixed up emotions in concerns to Grace moving out in perspective.