The Gift
Chapter 12
Mike was miserable. He had missed Molly a thousand times, but he had burnt that bridge. There was no way that Andrea would allow him back with their little girl. Once Mike found out that Eli might not be his, it really made him realize, he was alone. He loved that baby boy, but even he was smart enough to know; Eli might not be his. It hadn't stopped his heart from getting to involved.
Career wise, Mike was good. His personal life was a disaster. He'd been warned. Andrea, Ally, Russ and Kara. Even self-absorbed Tom had told him that Jillian was a mistake. They had all pretty well washed their hands of him after Eli's birth. Jillian ridiculed Mike in public, embarrassing them all. Russ and Kara were also in Brussels, and Mike spoke to them occasionally, but they had no patience for his personal life. They didn't know about the beatings he was taking.
Mike was in between a rock and a hard place. If he defended himself, Jillian would call the police. He would be arrested and his career would be ruined, so he would be unable to financially care for either Molly or Eli. He also couldn't afford a second apartment, and as long as Eli was living with Mike; he could see that he was cared for. His neighbor lady, fortunately, understood and frequently took Eli while Mike was at work, caring for him while Jillian partied.
Motherhood didn't suit Jillian at all. Mike remembered how protective Christine had been of their babies, and how Andrea had spoiled Molly. Jillian was the polar opposite. Mike would come home from work to find Eli crying in his crib, with a diaper that hadn't been changed all day. Jillian never even took Eli out of his crib.
He had realized after Eli's birth that Jillian had a drug habit, and quickly she had made no point to hide it from him. He had stopped giving her money, not wanting her to use it buy drugs, and personally made sure Eli had formula, diapers and everything he needed. Even before Eli's birth, any romantic notions about their relationship had left Mike, and he knew divorce was impending. Then, Jillian told him that Eli didn't belong to him, but she would 'allow' him to take him for twenty thousand dollars and that she wanted a divorce. He had been heartbroken. Hearing her every day, screwing anyone with a pulse in his apartment, not caring for their son, and partying at all hours had angered him. She had been beating on him since Eli was born, and Mike had allowed it. He didn't want the little boy to be hurt. Then Andrea called him and told him Molly was sick. He called his neighbor lady and she told him she would look out for Eli. He took the baby to her, knowing he couldn't take the baby back to the United States with him, and walked back into his own apartment. He immediately heard Jillian in her bedroom, having sex with some random guy. Usually, he did his best to ignore it, and certainly never confronted her, but that day was different. He jerked the door open and looked in at her and whoever the guy was.
"I have to go back to the United States for a bit. Inger has Eli. Said she could watch him the entire time I am gone. Don't overdose." Mike said before he walked back into the living area. Jillian was at his heels and spun him around by the elbow.
"What about my money?" Jillian asked.
"I haven't come up with it yet." Mike answered.
"If you want the kid, you will. God knows, I don't." Jillian admitted.
"I'm working on it. Don't tear my place up and don't take Eli back if you aren't willing to take care of him appropriately." Mike said, just as Jillian slapped him across the face.
"You're being awfully demanding." Jillian said as she lit a cigarette.
"Don't smoke those in here. Even though, Eli isn't here; it stays in the air. I don't know when I will be back. I've got some business to take care of. Clean this place up while I'm gone." Mike said as he grabbed his suitcase. He walked back across the hallway to give Inger some money for Eli. He had already gotten her a few bags of diapers and bottles of formula. It gave him a chance to give the baby another kiss goodbye. Right or wrong, he loved Eli and Eli was attached to him. On his way to the airport, Mike called Kara, hoping she would help him. It was another bridge he had burnt.
"Kara?" Mike asked as soon as the phone was answered.
"Mike? I'm shocked your calling. What now?" Kara asked, obviously exasperated by him.
"Could you do me a favor? I know it's a lot to ask." Mike asked.
"Does it have to do with Jillian?" Kara bit back sharply. She hated her with a passion.
"No. Andrea called me. Molly has Leukemia and its hopeless. I am on my way back to the States to see if I match her for a bone marrow transplant. I left Eli with my neighbor, Inger. I was hoping you would keep an eye on them. I left money with Inger, but I would feel better if someone I trusted looked in on them and Inger knows you." Mike asked. Kara had gasped midway through.
"I didn't realize. Yeah; I will keep an eye out. How long do you expect to be gone?" Kara asked.
"I honestly don't know. I'm going to see if I can come up with some money while I'm in the States to pay Jillian out." Mike answered.
"I understand why you would want to, but what if she demands more money later?" Kara asked.
"I don't know. If its enough to get Eli away from her, then it'll be worth it." Mike responded.
"It just could be a lot of heartache. I understand protecting Eli, but if he isn't your son, it might be a losing battle." Kara said.
"Or she might not fight it. Motherhood isn't her thing. She doesn't even love the baby. I know he might not be mine, but I love him anyways." Mike remarked.
"Well, I will keep an eye on Inger and Eli. Let me know how Molly fares, please?" Kara asked.
"I will. Thanks, Kara." Mike answered before hanging up.
Mike hadn't been able to get a good flight, and had to fly coach, something that was not comfortable due to his large frame. He was also worried about Eli and Molly. He prayed that Inger could keep Eli from Jillian and that he was a match to Molly. Despite everything, he had never stopped loving the little girl and would be totally heartbroken if she died.
Kind of overlaps the previous chapter but from Mike's POV.