Five Years Later
Chapter 56
Gabby was completely content to cuddle all day which didn't hurt Mike's feelings one bit. It didn't really help with his feelings where Grace was concerned. It made him wish he could go back in time and hold her that close again. It also made him regret the fact that he had rarely held Hannah like that. She had been the baby that loved to cuddle and he had rarely done it.
A little after two he packed Gabby up and headed into town to get the two boys. Polly had texted him that they would be home about five and would need to go straight to church for mid-week services. He agreed to just meet her there. It would be easier for her. He hung around town, waiting on Hannah. When he saw her walking toward the truck, he immediately noticed that she was holding her side.
"What happened? You're holding your side and you look like you're in pain? And you're knuckles? Were you in a fight?"
"Kind of."
"Hannah Elizabeth Slattery! You know better! Two weeks ago, you were in a car accident and your insides were in a mess. A punch to the stomach could be fatal!"
"Carly…"
"I don't care about Carly. I care about you. You should have showed better judgement."
"But she…"
"Hannah, I don't care."
"Obviously."
"What's that mean?"
"Daddy, can we go home? I need to go to the bathroom."
"Yeah, Max. Headed there now. Hannah, what did you mean?"
"Not like it matters."
"Young lady, when we get back home, you are to go to your bedroom. I will bring you dinner and I want you to think about your actions and what it could have caused."
"Yes, sir."
Mike rolled his eyes and the rest of the drive was quiet. Even the boys and Gabby were quiet. As soon as he pulled in, Hannah grabbed his keys and headed inside, Max was right behind her. Matty helped Mike with Gabby's diaper bag and a toy that she had thrown on the floorboard. He was aggravated and Matty was picking up on the vibe.
"Daddy?"
"What, Matty?"
"Are you mad at Hannah?"
"A little."
"She's afraid that you won't love her anymore."
"I still love her. I'm just disappointed."
"What's that mean?"
"Ah. It means that I expected better out of her and she didn't do that."
"Oh. Well to her, it makes it seem like you don't love her. I think she got hurt but she doesn't want to tell you. What did that other girl do?"
"I have no idea but it's not a good enough excuse for fighting."
"You should ask her. She may have a good reason."
"Matty, there isn't a good reason to fight especially when you can get seriously injured."
"Isn't that what you were doing when you were a sailor?"
"Ah…"
"I'm going inside. I'm gonna check on Hannah and get her a band aid."
"Why does she need a band aid?"
"For her hands. They were all bloody. And I'm gonna give her a big hug."
"Um, okay."
Mike and Matty headed inside and Mike got him a couple band aids. He hadn't handled things correctly with Hannah again. It wasn't saying much for his parenting skills, that he was letting his six year old handle it. Max was watching a movie while he fixed supper. Gabby was in her bouncy seat, sleeping. Matty came out and tugged on his shirt.
"Yes, son?"
"Hannah is really upset and she threw up in her trash can. I think there is something really wrong. There was blood in it. She told me not to tell you."
"Matty go watch the movie with Max. You did the right thing." Mike picked Gabby up and laid her down in her portable crib. He called Grace to see how far she was from being off work. She would be home in about five minutes. He explained what was going on. She would take his truck to church with the kids and he'd take her Explorer. He would be taking Hannah to the hospital. He headed for her bedroom and found her lying on the floor, next to the trash can. There was a small amount of blood in it and she was pale.
"Hannah, sweetie. Come on. We need to get to the hospital. You're bleeding inside."
"Just leave me. It's not like you care."
"I care about you. If I don't get you to the hospital, you could die. If I have to carry you out kicking and screaming, I will but you're going."
"Yes, sir." She went to stand up but her legs gave out. Mike caught her and stood her back up, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.
"I got you, baby. Come on."
By the time he had gotten her into the living room, Grace was home and in the kitchen. She was on the phone with the school, and was finishing up supper. She hung up and followed him out the door.
"I spoke with Principal Hayes. Carly started the fight. As near as he knew, Hannah only hit back once. She took several blows to the stomach. She told them she was fine. That's why they didn't call you. She didn't want them to. She was afraid that you would be disappointed."
"I see. Where's Carly?"
"Juvenile Division took her into custody. Her mom is trying to get her out of it. Is saying Hannah started it but there is video footage."
"Alright, well I'm taking your sister to the hospital. Hopefully she won't need another surgery."
"Call me."
"Will do."
Mike kissed her goodbye and waved at her as she walked in. Hannah was awake but looking out the window. She was quiet and so pale. Mike grabbed her hand and squeezed. He was feeling horribly about everything. The trip to the hospital was quiet, she wasn't interested in talking.
They performed multiple tests on her at the hospital. Thankfully her lung hadn't been punctured, there were no broken ribs and her liver was in good shape. She had a small cut in her mouth that might have caused the blood in the vomit. They thankfully saw no signs of injury to her stomach. Her knuckles were properly bandaged and she was released. Mike helped her out to the Explorer. He called Grace and Polly to let them both know Hannah was okay. Hannah had stayed quiet the entire time.
"Okay. I'm starving and I know you must be too. Pancakes?"
"If that's what you want."
"Hannah, I'm sorry. I know you're mad. You again, have the right. I said what I said out of concern for you. Can I ask what why she started the fight?"
"Remember that girl in the class that's blind and deaf? I was helping her in music class. She loves it. She can't hear the music but I let her feel my throat so she can feel the vibration of me singing. Carly made a remark that it was stupid and I was stupid for trying to help them. I stood up to go to the teacher and Carly grabbed me by the arm and hit me in the stomach several times. I only hit her when she tried to hit Faith. Faith didn't understand what was going on. The teacher had stepped outside to get another teacher to help her pull us apart."
"Okay. I was totally wrong. And I'm sorry. I do wish you had told the school so they could have called me."
"I know. I just didn't want you to get mad at me."
"Why?"
"I'm confused?"
"Why would I get mad? You were defending someone who couldn't defend herself? Why would I be mad?"
"Because I had gotten in another fight."
"That you didn't start and you didn't really defend yourself. You only fought back when someone else was in danger. Was it that you thought I would be mad or because of you fighting again, you would lose my love?"
"Pretty much."
"Hannah, it's not that simple. If anything it makes me love you more. I know I've set things to make you always wonder if I love you or if there is going to be something that you do, which will cause you to lose it. I can tell you, it's not going to happen. I love you. My parenting skills where you're concerned it questionable at best and this won't be my last screw up. But I do love you. Never doubt that."
"I love you too, Daddy. I do want some pancakes."
"Well then let's go." Mike leaned over and kissed her on the side of the head and then headed to a restaurant to get the requested pancakes. Supper was enjoyable and she made several jokes. He would be having a meeting with the principal, counselor and Carly's mother the next morning. Grace had spoken further with the principal and learned that Carly's mom, Carol Robbins would try to use her position on the school board to intimidate Mike. Principal Hayes had already warned that he would be referring to Mike as "Admiral Slattery." He was getting tired of Ms. Robbins using her position especially now that Carly had landed a kid in the hospital.
Grace and Matty were already home and she was trying to get him geared down for bed. The next night would really throw his routine since they would all be at Grace's apartment. Hannah went to do her homework, Grace was packing in her bedroom and so Mike cuddled with Matty. The little guy was exhausted and didn't want to sleep in his own room. Mike was stacking parenting fails up and so he just tucked Matty into his bed. At least Polly understood. He kissed both girls good night and made Hannah promise him that she would wake him up if she needed to. After locking up, he laid down next to Matty who immediately rolled onto his chest.
A very loud storm rolled through during the night and Matty woke up crying. He was still on Mike's chest and wrapped his arms around Mike's neck. Mike rubbed his back and held him close but Matty was wide awake.
"I'm scared, Daddy. But I know I'm safe. When am I gonna get muscles like yours?"
"Several years. Just try and relax. Remember what I said about Mommy telling you that she loves you when it rains?"
"Yeah. But I thought she would be mad because I love Polly. It hasn't rained lately."
"Oh no. She would love Polly too. She'd want you to have someone like Polly. "
"I wish I knew more about my mommy. It makes Hannah and Grace sad to talk about her."
"They miss her."
"You don't?"
"I do. I think about her a lot. When you smile at me, it reminds me of her. And I love it."
"Oh."
"And when you laugh, it reminds me of Lucas. You know when I tickle you? It's because I want to see your smile and hear your laugh."
"It doesn't make you sad?"
"Nope. It's the same as when you give me a hug. I feel all warm inside."
"Oh. So it's like Mommy and Lucas are giving you a hug?"
"Yep, you could say that. So Grace gave me some stuff of your mom's and I haven't gone through it. Do you want to help me? As long as you promise to go to sleep when the storm ends?"
"Okay."
Mike helped Matty up and stood up and grabbed the box that had sit on his dresser. He had every intention of going through it and putting it away before Saturday, it just didn't feel right to have it sitting there while being married to Polly. He sit down next to Matty and opened the box.
There were pictures, ticket stubs, her wedding band and engagement ring, her mother's ring that Mike had gotten her for their tenth wedding anniversary. Christine's mother's pearls were in it. He would give Grace the mother's ring since she had essentially become Hannah and Matty's mom. Hannah would get the pearls. He told Matty that when he was older he would get the engagement ring and wedding band. They looked at the pictures. They were mostly of Mike and the kids. There were a few more of him and Hannah including one after her ear tube surgery where she was sleeping on his chest. He would keep that for himself. Matty was getting sleepy and when they took everything out of the box, there was a note at the bottom. It was addressed to Mike in Christine's bold handwriting. He settled Matty down and the little guy fell asleep on his chest. Mike wasn't tired and so he decided to read the letter.
"Mike,
If you're reading this, something happened to me. I have had a really bad feeling about this pregnancy. I'm not sure why exactly. They tell me the baby is healthy and developing normally but I think something might happen. I just hope the baby will be okay. Not sure I can survive losing another child.
I didn't tell you about the pregnancy when you called because what you were doing was so important. If you knew I was pregnant you would find a way off the Nathan James to get to us. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have you here but the world needed you to do what you're doing.
I could have been a better wife, more supportive of your career. But don't ever think that I didn't love you. I was thrilled when I found out I was pregnant because I knew we would stall the divorce talk for at least awhile. I never wanted a divorce and I don't think you did either. We still loved each other too much. Or at least I did. I am sure you did too. That last night before you left for the Arctic? It was amazing. We may have both been drinking, but it left us with a lasting gift.
The one thing I hope is that you find the kids somehow. Fix things with Hannah. I know you have always loved her and I have told her that. She is going to need for you to be the best father you can be. You'll have the job of two parents and you'll have to love her enough for the two of us. I do hope you find someone to love. You need that and the kids need that. If the baby makes it, he or she will need a mother figure. Just always remind him (I think it's a boy), that I love him too.
I hate the idea that I will be leaving Grace responsible for so much. I know she'll fight to keep the baby and Hannah. When you find her, let her be the adult. It'll be hard, I'm sure. But she'll need that. I moved the kids here because there were reports that there were communities that had been untouched by the virus.
You were an amazing husband. I never one time doubted your love. I wish I hadn't griped so much about you being away but when you were home, you made me feel like I was an amazing mom and wife. That's all I ever wanted to be. I only got a college degree to pacify my parents. The one thing it got me was an amazing husband and kids. Whoever you end up with, I am sure you will choose well. Do her a favor; let her sleep on your chest. I always loved that, I felt so safe and loved.
I love you so much,
Christine"
Mike wiped tears away and looked towards the sleeping Matty. He was definitely a gift. One that he would be forever grateful for. Matty repositioned himself and grabbed a handful of chest hair. It hurt but made him smile at the same time. He leaned over and put the letter in his nightstand and shut the light off. He wrapped both arms around his sleeping son and kissed him on the forehead.
Mike never really fell back asleep. He stayed focused on Matty. About five, Hannah came in. Her stomach was hurting a little bit and she wanted to be close. He managed to scoot himself to the middle of the bed and let Hannah lay down next to him, pulling her onto his chest. She also went to sleep pretty quickly and he stayed awake focusing on both of them. It made him wish Grace would come in and lay down too.
