The Gift
Chapter 15
Russ met Andrea at the airport in Belgium. She was glad to see a familiar face and Russ had always been a good friend. He supported her no matter what, a lot like Mike had at one time.
"Mike's apartment is across town, so it's a bit of a drive. I'm sure glad his transfer is going through. I suspect we will all be back before the end of the year." Russ said.
"Yeah; he was nervous about the transfer. So, did you know Jillian?" Andrea suspected.
"I had met her. I don't want to speak ill of the dead, but she was not a great person." Russ said.
"Mike feels a lot of guilt where she is concerned." Andrea remarked.
"Mike carries a lot of guilt and grief. Its almost become a mindset for him. Please don't think he ever forgot about Molly. Once he left, he didn't feel worthy of her love, and didn't know how to come back." Russ explained.
"I should have kept in touch with him." Andrea said.
"To be honest, we all should have been better friends to Mike. I know we have all had stages of anger with him, but it wasn't right. There were times, the friendship seemed a bit one-sided, but we should have been there. Maybe then, he wouldn't be facing this heartache." Russ remarked.
"The entire time, he was wiring money to me. For Molly. I have tried to be mad, but every time I am, I think about that. I am hurt, disappointed, worried about Molly, and not sure what to do. Do I trust him again? I thought I was angry, but now; I don't even know." Andrea admitted.
"I'm sure I am not the first to say this; but you and Mike have something special. Molly bonded you together. You both understand each other's heartbreak. You can be hurt and upset, but the bottom line is; the reason you are in Belgium, to clean his apartment up, take care of last arrangements, and to look after Eli, is because you love Mike…and not as a friend. Once you admit it, I think things will be clearer." Russ advised.
"My nanny says the same thing. Its not the same as with Bill." Andrea said.
"Maybe not, but it is still there. Just think about it. You ready to meet Eli?" Russ asked.
"I suppose. I know next to nothing about baby boys." Andrea admitted.
"He's a sweet boy. I think Jillian lied about his paternity. I see a little Mike in him. Tests aren't back, but she wanted to hurt him in anyway she could. Eli was a good way because Mike adores that baby." Russ remarked as he pulled up to an apartment building.
"I hope for Mike's sake your right, but it won't matter; because he'll raise Eli." Andrea said as they got out of the vehicle, and Russ grabbed her suitcase. They walked into the apartment building, rode the elevator to the third floor and to an apartment. Andrea could hear a baby fussing and as soon as Russ opened the door, Andrea focused on the baby in Kara's arms. He looked miserable.
"I think he's teething." The other woman said. She had a thick accent but had a kind look. She must be Inger.
"Inger, this is a friend of ours, Andrea Garnett. She and Mike share a daughter, the one who has been so sick. She's here to make arrangements and pack Mike and Eli up." Kara explained.
"Wonderful. Mike is a nice man. I've cleaned up as well as possible and gotten boxes. Mike doesn't have a lot here, mostly pictures of his children and Eli's things." Inger explained.
"Thank you. I appreciate it and I know Mike does as well." Andrea said.
"Andrea, per Mike; we had Jillian cremated. The mortuary will send the ashes. Makes things simpler for Mike." Kara explained.
"And I will be close by to help you with Eli, while you pack. He is normally a happy boy but he's had a trying few days. He misses his daddy a lot." Inger said as Kara passed the baby over to Andrea. Eli looked at Andrea for a moment and then put his head on her chest. As Andrea looked at the baby, she saw what Mike was talking about. Eli had Mike's eyes.
"Well, Eli; Daddy loves you too and he misses you a lot. We'll have you back with him in a few days or a week." Andrea told the baby boy who was falling asleep. She was rocking him back and forth and humming low.
"I'll show you where the diapers, wipes, bottles and formula is kept. Mike has been sleeping in Eli's room. I've cleaned Jillian's room out with the police helping." Inger said.
"I see. Well, thank you." Andrea said. She put the now sleeping baby in the crib and followed Inger around, so she could show her things. Packing the apartment wouldn't be hard at all. There was some baby paraphernalia but there was not much else. She would pack Mike's pictures in her suitcase, because they were prized possessions, and Eli's essentials, and then ship the rest back. Mike had already told her the furniture could be donated or sold. It would be fairly easy. Hardest would be flying back with a baby.
In no time; everyone had left and Eli was still sleeping. Andrea texted Mike to let him know she had made it and was with Eli, even snapping a picture of the baby and sending it to him. He sent her a picture back of Molly, sleeping next to him. It was the perfect exchange.