The Gift
Chapter 9
Mike did exactly what Andrea advised him to do. There were few nights Mike came home. Andrea kept her opinions to herself, even though it bothered her a great deal. She just hoped the phase would pass quickly.
Mike was working a lot and when he got off work, he went to a local bar, usually leaving with a different woman. It wasn't like him and he knew it, he thrived being in a relationship. He just didn't want to put his heart on the line. So, in doing what he was doing; he was scratching an itch and protecting himself. It worked for him, even though he knew it frustrated Andrea. The responsible thing to do would be to stay home with their daughter.
One night, he came home after midnight, expecting everyone to be asleep. Molly was sound asleep, but he was shocked to see Ally in the kitchen. Normally, she was asleep before Andrea.
"You're home early…or late." Ally remarked.
"Yeah. Did Molly go down without a fight?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, but don't pretend you care." Ally said.
"Excuse me?" Mike asked.
"You are gone every night, not for work. You brought a woman home last week. It bothers Andrea, you know?" Ally remarked.
"She told me to date." Mike stated as he got the stuff for a sandwich out of the fridge.
"Responsibly, yes. But the real problem is, she is in love with you. I get that you don't reciprocate those feelings, so at least respect her enough to be appropriate. Besides, couldn't it be dangerous for a man in your position?" Ally asked. Mike was stunned.
"What do you mean?" Mike asked.
"You are highly recognizable. Second-in-command of the ship that saved the world. You kept your sanity when Chandler didn't. People look to you. If this gets out, it could destroy your career. Just takes a paternity lawsuit or a woman wanting fifteen minutes of fame." Ally stated.
"Not what I meant." Mike said as he put his sandwich together.
"Andrea? Seriously? You didn't know?" Ally said.
"No, and I think you're wrong. We had Molly through AI." Mike objected.
"I know, but I also know a woman in love. She wouldn't be so disappointed in your behavior if not. She would never say a word, but this behavior is crushing her." Ally said.
"She hasn't said a word." Mike argued.
"Have you given her a chance to? If you bother to come home; she is generally asleep. She is still recovering and exhausts easy. Come home some night before midnight and talk to her. I think you'll figure it out. Those other women…they're a cheap thrill, but my guess is; you are going to get bored quickly. I think you enjoy being in a committed and loving relationship. You just don't have to look far to find it." Ally said before she walked away into her own room. It left Mike stumped.
Ally was right about one thing. He was getting bored. Sure, it was fun, but he liked being settled. Molly gave him someone to love, which was something he missed. But Molly wasn't the end all. Mike knew he needed a partner.
Andrea was actually a lot like Christine, personality wise. Organized, compassionate, easy to talk to and a good caretaker. There might have been issues with Christine, but she was a good person. He just had to figure out if what attracted him to Christine, attracted him to Andrea. The last thing in the world that he wanted was to hurt the mother of his child.