Hidden
Chapter 30
Mike felt a little sorry for Hannah. She was in severe pain and was an emotional mess. Christine told him it was from the hormones but it still worried him and he knew some of it was probably because of how he had treated her. He didn't avoid her and often times, helped her around the house, but he also didn't interact a lot with her, concentrating on the investigation. One day while he was out with Tom, Christine called him.
"Hey, everything alright?" Mike asked as he looked over notes.
"Yeah. You know how I told you Hannah wasn't eating very good? She asked if you could get her some of the street tacos from the truck on Hancock? They have a sampler with chicken, steak and fish tacos and those are the ones she's asking for. She didn't eat last night at all, and barely ate breakfast this morning. Could you get those on the way home?" Christine asked.
"Sure. Anything else?" Mike asked.
"Lemonade from that place on McCallister and the Death by Chocolate cupcakes from that bakery she likes. She hasn't asked but it might help." Christine suggested.
"Sure." Mike answered. He had made notes of the requests.
"Thanks. She's napping right now. I won't tell her I called and let it be a surprise from you." Christine said before hanging up.
"How's Hannah doing?" Tom asked.
"She's in a lot of pain. Not eating. Cries a lot. Christine is worried." Mike answered.
"And you're not?" Tom asked.
"Maybe a little. As firm as I was when I found out about Todd, its hard to go back on and apologize." Mike admitted.
"Mike; you weren't firm. You were an absolute asshole. When I talked to Hannah the other day; she told me she felt like she deserved everything that had happened to her because of what she did to you. She blames herself for Maddie's death, and now that she may not be able to have her own children, she deserves it. I have no doubt that she'll come out of this, but you could make it easier for her." Tom said.
"I have no idea how to." Mike remarked.
"Let her know you don't blame her. That she didn't deserve what happened. And another thing; this deal with Todd…it was less then consensual. She liked him and all, but she was drugged. He drugged her, raped her and then convinced her that she was too drunk that she didn't remember consenting. Its going to take all of us to convince her otherwise. And counseling." Tom informed him.
"This is so confusing. I'm retired now. Why would I be such a subject of interest to these people?" Mike asked.
"Your consulting work for the Navy is the only thing I can figure out." Tom answered.
"I haven't done any of that since Maddie died." Mike remarked.
"But you still have influence. I don't know. I'm just grasping at straws right now. I suspect we won't know until we catch these guys. At least Wilson is helping." Tom said.
"I still don't trust him." Mike answered.
"I don't either, but everything he has said is proven true." Tom remarked.
"I think on that note, I'm going to go get Hannah's food and head home. Call me if you need me." Mike said before getting up and leaving. He felt a little silly getting the cupcakes, lemonade and street tacos, but if it was enough to make Hannah eat, he was happy to. She was sitting at the dining room table when he got home and Christine helped him set the food up in front of her. Joy was fussy and only wanted Christine, so Mike sat down next to Hannah to try and convince her to eat.
"Mom said you liked these street tacos. I have to say; they do look and smell good." Mike said.
"I don't like the fish taco as much. Do you want it?" Hannah asked.
"I'll eat it if you eat the other two and a cupcake." Mike bargained. Hannah needed to eat a solid meal, but if it took some bargaining to make it happen, so be it.
"Okay." Hannah answered. Mike grabbed a plate, took the fish taco and they both began eating. Hannah was silent the entire time, but she did eat everything Mike had requested and drank a glass of the gallon of lemonade Mike had bought. "I'm really tired again. I think I'm going to take another nap." Hannah told him.
"Do you need help?" Mike asked. Hannah was trying to stand up with great difficulty. Mike took her by the elbow and helped her out of the chair. He walked her to the couch and helped her settle. He even covered her with a blanket.
"Thanks, Dad." Hannah said after a yawn. Mike covered her with a blanket and watched her fall asleep. He walked into the little bedroom where Joy was sleeping and smiled at Christine, who was trying to rock her to sleep.
"What's going on with her?" Mike asked.
"I think she's teething. She's got two little spots." Christine said.
"Seems young." Mike remarked.
"She's almost six months old, Mike. She is just on the small side. Did Hannah eat?" Christine asked.
"She ate the steak and the chicken taco, some of the rice and a cupcake. Also drank a glass of lemonade." Mike answered.
"Good. I'm really worried about her, Mike." Christine said.
"I know. I am too." Mike agreed. Watching Christine rock Joy was transporting him back in time, to the day they brought Hannah home from the hospital, after a NICU stay.
"She seems so little and fragile compared to Katie." Mike remarked as he looked down at the bassinet.
"She is almost two pounds smaller. Katie was nine pounds at birth. She was only five pounds when she was born and has gained some." Christine reminded him from the bed. She was still wore out from the birth and spending a week in the hospital with Hannah.
"I'm glad she's home." Mike said. He still hadn't held Hannah, but tried to seem interested.
"When do you go back?" Christine asked.
"I have a week left. Then back for two and a half months. Maybe when I get home, she'll be bigger." Mike said.
"And we can try for a boy?" Christine commented.
"That too, but we hardly have to try and we can wait a little bit so you have a break." Mike said. He was not a man who believed in keeping his wife pregnant and barefoot.
"I had a good break between Katie and Hannah. Five years. We'll just have to see what happens. In the meantime; you are holding her tomorrow. Period. She needs to bond with her daddy too." Christine insisted.
Mike had to wonder if his reluctance to bond with Hannah when she was a baby had to do with the problems between them now. He certainly cared about her, even loved her, but there had not been a good connection. Maybe it was because he hadn't been there when she was born? But, he hadn't been there when Henry and Rebecca were born and he already adored them. He only knew, he wanted to get to the bottom of it. It might help Hannah in her recovery. He walked back out to the living room where Hannah was sleeping. He sat down in the recliner and prayed he could fix things between himself and Hannah, and between himself and Christine.