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Chapter 26
Hannah gave Christine her letter the next morning before school and it was disappointing at best. She had put very little effort into it, and there really wasn't an apology. Mike was spending the day, getting ready for his trip; packing, restringing his fishing pole and cuddling with Joy. He went to a promised lunch out with Kaitlyn and to a play at the school with Christine for Henry and Rebecca, never saying much about what had happened the night before. But, Christine knew that the physical pain was minor compared to the emotional pain Hannah had inflicted on Mike. All he could really do was throw himself into parenting Kaitlyn, Henry, Rebecca and Joy. After the kids came home from school, Mike went out to play soccer with Henry and Rebecca, which Christine read the letter.
"Father;
Mom is making me apologize to you. I am grounded all month and can't do anything fun. I don't see that I did anything wrong.
Hannah."
Christine wasn't sure it would do any good to make Hannah rewrite the note, but she also wasn't sure giving it to Mike was a good idea. He knew she had grounded Hannah and was requiring her to write an apology note, but the note was not an apology. Just then, Mike, Henry and Rebecca came inside. Henry was crying and Mike lifted him up onto the counter.
"He fell and scabbed up his knee pretty bad." Mike explained.
"There's rocks in it." Christine said as she looked at the knee.
"How about you hold him and I'll doctor it?" Mike suggested and Christine nodded. She sat down next to Henry and held onto him while Mike cleaned the wound and bandaged it. "All better now!" Mike assured the little boy, who had not been a fan of the peroxide Mike used.
"It hurt." Henry said. Mike helped Christine down and then lifted Henry down off the counter.
"I know, son. I had to get the rocks out so they didn't cause an infection and cause more pain. I'm sorry." Mike explained. He had knelt down next to the little boy and was wiping the tears away.
"Daddy; did your eye hurt?" Rebecca asked. She had been worried about the cut and bruise all day.
"Yes, it does." Mike admitted. Rebecca walked up and kissed Mike's cheek, right on the cut.
"I hope that helps." Rebecca said.
"It does. So, I leave tomorrow to go fishing with some friends. You two will behave for your mom and help her with Joy?" Mike asked.
"Yeah." Rebecca said earnestly.
"Yeah, but what Hannah? Is she gonna behave and help?" Henry asked.
"I don't know, but as long as the two of you promise; I will be fine." Mike answered. Both kids smiled at him and hugged him around the neck. Over their shoulders, Christine gave Mike a smile.
Later that night, after the kids had all gone to sleep, Mike found Christine in the bedroom they still shared. She handed him the letter and could tell it hurt, but he still was willing to try with Hannah. All Christine could do was try to be the peacemaker. She laid down next to Mike in the bed and was a little surprised when he turned on his side and wrapped his arms around her.
"Mike?" Christine asked. She was even more shocked when he turned her enough to kiss her. As badly as she wanted it; Mike was still grieving for Maddie. It wouldn't be right. "Mike, please stop. I want this, but you are still grieving and it wouldn't be right." Christine said, but Mike didn't stop and the kisses were becoming more intense.
"Please?" Mike asked simply and Christine gave in. She nodded at Mike and began helping him with clothes, all while kissing him. It was what she had wanted for nearly five months but not like this.
The entire time, Christine wondered if Mike was mistaking her for Maddie. A few hours later; after Mike had fallen asleep, Christine got up and got dressed. She still wasn't sure Mike had realized it was her and as she passed a picture of Maddie, she realized there was a definite resemblance. Christine looked in on all the kids, even Hannah before going back to bed. In his sleep, Mike wrapped his arms around her and snuggled close.
"Mmm, that feels good; Maddie." Mike said in his sleep and Christine closed her eyes in pain. As much as she loved Mike and had wanted him to make love to her; it hurt more then she'd ever believed possible.