The Gift
Chapter 11
Andrea was a little surprised to find a pretty, dark green wrap dress laying on her bed the afternoon of her 'dinner out' with Mike. There were shoes to match on the floor and a camisole to wear underneath. Ally walked in, carrying a sleepy Molly.
"I knew you didn't have much in the way of nicer clothes, and I found that on the clearance rack, along with the shoes. It'll fit." Ally said.
"Pretty, Mommy." Molly said.
"Thanks, honey. This isn't a date, Ally." Andrea gently reprimanded the young woman.
"You aren't in the Navy anymore. You and Mike are good friends. He's made some mistakes, but there is a spark there. Alright, Molly; you ready for your nap? Maybe when you wake up, you'll see your mommy and daddy before they leave?" Ally said before walking away.
Andrea went to her physical therapy, did some grocery shopping and came home. She showered and shaved her legs, and then slipped the camisole and dress on. It fit perfectly and the shoes were ballet slippers, so she could walk easily. By the time she had done her hair and make-up, Mike was waiting on her, wearing a pair of jeans, button-down, and blazer.
"Ready to go?" Mike asked as he handed her a sweater.
"Yep." Andrea said. They both kissed Molly goodbye and walked out to Mike's truck. He helped her in and began the drive to the restaurant they'd agreed on that morning. Things seemed tense. They were seated quickly once they entered the restaurant and ordered their food. Finally, Mike broke the silence.
"So, do I need to find somewhere else to live?" Mike asked.
"Depends. Do you want to continue bringing woman home and neglecting your daughter? If so, I suppose you do. Mike; I want you to be involved with Molly. I get…you've lost a lot. I also understand that you are afraid of being hurt again. You think if you screw around, scratch an itch but don't get too attached, you will save yourself a lot of heartache, but what about Molly? She doesn't understand it. She just knows that Daddy isn't around a lot and when he is, he ignores her." Andrea chastised Mike. She was keeping her voice down, but she could tell, Mike was becoming angrier.
"She's little enough, she barely notices." Mike stated.
"Are you sure about that? She notices when you aren't home. Deployments are one thing. I get that. But, choosing to be gone? Mike, it's a mistake." Andrea said.
"You know, I never wanted to be Molly's dad. I had it all worked out. I'd make my donation, but you kept pressuring and nagging me to be involved. I gave in." Mike answered angrily.
"Well, I guess you need to make a decision. Do you want to be her daddy or not? The older she gets, the more she'll understand and the more that door will close. It seems to me, after all you've lost, you wouldn't want to lose her too." Andrea remarked.
"Don't use my kid's deaths against me." Mike said firmly.
"Then don't use Molly against me. Look, I know you love Molly, regardless of whatever you say. I see how you are with her. Don't you want that? The Navy won't always be there, the women won't fulfill you and you will be alone. Do you want that? I get that you are afraid of being hurt, but you are not going to find Christine again. They scratch an itch and it feels good for a few hours, but it isn't the same. When you change your mind, call me and we can figure something out with Molly. You are in no mood to hear this now. Good luck." Andrea said before standing up and leaving. She called a taxi and went home.
Mike didn't come home, and didn't call. Andrea put Molly to bed and went to bed herself. While she was running errands the next day, and going to an appointment, Mike had showed up, cleaned his room out and left. From what Ally said, he only kissed Molly goodbye and told her that he would see her soon.
Two Years Later
Molly stopped asking about Mike. To her, he was just becoming a person in a picture. Shockingly, money was put into Andrea's account on the first of every month, and when Andrea called the bank, they told her it was a wire transfer from Mike's account. Apparently, it was some sort of child support.
Occasionally, Andrea spoke to Russ Jeter and Kara. She always passed along her greetings to Mike, but there was never a message back. Both promised to tell him that Molly was alright and Kara had even taken a few pictures of Molly for Mike, but Andrea heard nothing more. Until, Molly caught a cold she couldn't shake, and seemed to bruise extremely easy. Before Andrea knew it, she was in a living nightmare. Leukemia.
All things were done. Chemo, radiation. Everything. Molly was a very sick little girl. Ally had stayed with Andrea through everything and while the doctor examined Molly, Ally brought something up.
"Doctor, what about a bone marrow transplant?" Ally asked.
"We've already checked. Molly's only living relative isn't a match." The doctor said, pointing at Andrea. It was true. They had discussed it, but it quickly went off the table.
"But what about her dad?" Ally asked. The doctor stood up to his full height and looked at Andrea.
"I thought he was a sperm donor? You went to a sperm bank?" The doctor asked quietly.
"Not exactly. That was my first…plan, but a friend stepped up and donated. I've just lost touch with him and have no idea how to reach him. Our mutual friends are out of touch right now." Andrea explained. She was a little aggravated, but things were becoming hopeless.
"You need to find a way to get in touch. He might be Molly's only chance." The doctor said. He walked out before Andrea could say anything else.
"Do you have some inside track to Mike? I have no idea how to reach him, and I haven't heard from Russ or Kara in months." Andrea asked Ally.
"I…he texted me his new cellphone number about a year ago. I haven't heard from him since. I would text him pictures of Molly occasionally, but never heard back. I didn't call him when this started, because I thought you needed to." Ally admitted as she looked at her feet.
"I need his number." Andrea said.
"He might not answer if its from you. Use my phone. I'll stay with Molly." Ally said as she handed Andrea her cellphone. Andrea nodded, kissed the sleeping little girl and walked to the atrium area in the hospital. She could only pray that Mike would answer. On the third ring, he finally answered.
"Ally, what's wrong?" Mike asked.
"Its not Ally. Its Andrea. Before you hang up, hear me out. About six months ago; Molly didn't shake a cold. She bruised for no reason, and had a bad nosebleed. I took her to her pediatrician and she was diagnosed with Leukemia. They've done chemo, radiation and tested me for a bone marrow transplant. I was not a match. The doctor told me today that the only hope was to find a familial match and that if one wasn't located; I needed to take her home and make her comfortable. I couldn't reach Russ or Kara to have you told, but Mike; Molly needs you. I know you are scared of losing someone else, but that will be exactly what will happen if you don't step up and at least get tested." Andrea told him. She could hear Mike gasp at one point.
"What if I'm not a match?" Mike asked.
"Then you can say goodbye to your daughter. Something you didn't get to do with Kaitlyn, Hannah or Lucas." Andrea pointed out. She knew it would strike a nerve.
"I'm in Brussels, but I'll be there, the first flight out. Text me where you are." Mike said before hanging up.
Andrea sent the text and went back to Molly's room. Since chemo stopped working, Molly slept a lot and when she didn't sleep, she cried. She was in a lot of pain. Finally, Ally's phone dinged and Ally smiled when she read the text.
"Its from Mike. He said that he will be here, but it will take a day or so with flights. He has to catch several small flights to get here and there are layovers in three different countries." Ally explained.
"Good. Hear that baby? You just hang on a few more days. Daddy is coming." Andrea told the sleeping child.
Three days later, an exhausted Mike walked in the door. He was older, and didn't look like he had shaved it a day or so, but when Andrea looked at him, the exhaustion wasn't just from travel. His soul was tired. Molly was sleeping again, and Mike was stunned by her appearance.
"She's grown, but she looks so sick." Mike commented. He bent down and kissed Molly's forehead.
"Yeah, they say the treatments have stunted her growth." Andrea said. Ally wasn't there, and Andrea was glad to have the privacy. Mike sat down next to Molly's bed and watched her for a moment.
"Before I came in, I had the nurse do the testing to get everything started. Figured, the sooner the better. I just hope I'm not too late." Mike commented.
"We'll just have to see. So, Brussels?" Andrea asked.
"Yeah. Assignment with NATO." Mike said. Andrea noticed a wedding band on his hand. It didn't match his one from Christine.
"You've married?" Andrea asked, pointing at his hand.
"Oh…yeah. Not exactly a smart move." Mike said, awkwardly.
"How so?" Andrea asked.
"Well, everything you, Ally, Kara, Russ and even Tom warned me about came true. I found someone who scratched an itch, but didn't fulfill me. I'm in a bit of a mess." Mike admitted. Andrea's anger faded, and she actually felt sorry for Mike. She could say 'I told you so' but it wasn't right. Mike needed a friend.
"Mike, talk." Andrea said.
"I met Jillian in a bar. She realized who I was immediately. We started sleeping together, and all of a sudden, she tells me she is pregnant. Wants me to marry her, and you know me. I do. She had a baby boy last winter. Elliott. Of course, I fell in love with Eli. Then about a month ago, she left me. Took Eli with her. Told me that Eli isn't mine biologically. She and I are in the middle of a divorce and custody battle. Legally, he's mine. Of course, in Brussels, Child Protective Services is different. Eli isn't being cared for by Jillian, but they won't take him from her, especially with paternity being sketchy. And of course, I can't afford two houses, so I'm getting a taste of my own medicine as she brings a different guy home every night of the week. Before I left, I found cocaine on the coffee table. My neighbor lady is looking after Eli, but there isn't a lot I can do." Mike explained. It broke Andrea's heart.
"Have you had a paternity test?" Andrea asked.
"Yeah, but results are pending. I have my doubts that Eli is mine, but I still love him. That won't change. He is just a little guy. He doesn't understand. I really felt torn coming here, but I couldn't say no. I can only pray that Eli will be alright." Mike commented.
"I'm really sorry, Mike. I might have warned you, but I didn't wish it on you." Andrea said. She walked around the bed and touched Mike's shoulder, feeling badly for him. She immediately noticed that he winced. "What's wrong?" Andrea asked. She was shocked when Mike took his jacket off, and pulled his shirt up. There were bruises everywhere. "What the hell happened? Brussels is a desk position, I'm sure?" Andrea asked.
"Wasn't work related. Jillian has a hellish temper. Its either me or Eli. And of course, I won't hurt a woman." Mike said. Andrea had straightened his shirt and thought for a minute.
"So, what does she want? Woman like Jillian always want something." Andrea asked.
"Twenty thousand dollars. I just can't swing it." Mike said.
"But I can. The money you've had wired to me for Molly, I've banked. Bought a few things here and there, but there is money in the bank. You've sent me a thousand a month for two years. I have it." Andrea said.
"I can't ask that of you. That money was for Molly and you. No, I've made this mess, and now I have to figure a way out to clean it up." Mike answered.
"I didn't ask for the money. Yes, I used it when Molly needed something I couldn't cover, but its still your money. Consider it a savings account. It'll cover her demand for now." Andrea told him. She reached down and squeezed Mike's hand. All she knew was, if she ever met this Jillian, the woman would have a broken nose. Mike had done a lot wrong, but he was a good person who had been taken advantage of. He was only trying to protect a defenseless baby. Molly was priority number one, with Eli following very closely after. Mike had given her a precious gift once, and it was time she returned the favor.