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Chapter 32
Mike had cut away from the investigation a little earlier on Thursday. He wanted to make his anniversary special for Christine and so, he went to a jewelry store. He quickly settled on a pair of diamond earrings for Christine, but as he walked through the store, he noticed a case of necklaces. He fixated on them. He knew Christine probably wouldn't want one, but he was thinking about Hannah.
She had worked really hard to make sure his anniversary dinner with Christine was special. He desperately wanted to work things out with her, but he had never been good at apologizing and admitting his wrongs. In order for his relationship with Hannah to heal, he was going to have to. She was scared to talk to him and he hated that. Finally, the saleswoman who had helped him with the earrings, approached him.
"Your wife is a lucky woman to get both earrings and a necklace." The woman said. Her name was Sarah and she had been very helpful.
"Actually, no. I was thinking for my daughter." Mike answered.
"How old?" Sarah asked.
"She'll be eighteen soon." Mike answered.
"Ah, for her birthday. These lockets would be nice." Sarah said, pointing at the display. Mike didn't have it in him to say that he was trying to apologize. Mike finally settled on a silver one on a long chain, shaped like a heart.
"That one." Mike told her and she got it out of the display case.
"Its very nice. Don't you want to know the price?" Sarah asked.
"Its not a birthday gift. Kind of an apology. So, no price is too high to pay." Mike remarked.
"Alright then. I'll be right back." Sarah said after she took Mike's card to pay for the necklace. She walked away, and Mike took his phone out. There was a text from Tom, but he decided to look at his pictures. Before, Christine and his girls were found, he had taken pictures of pictures with his cellphone so he could carry the pictures with him everywhere. He found one of Hannah when she was about two. In the picture, Mike had returned from deployment, and he was he was holding Hannah. She was giving him a kiss on the cheek and he had a smile on his face. The picture made him a smile until Sarah approached with the earrings and necklace. Mike signed the ticket and went on his way.
When he arrived home, Christine was resting. She was still in physical therapy and it exhausted her. The twins were watching cartoons, Katie was working on her college classes and Hannah was sitting on the couch, playing with Joy. He sat down next to her and smiled at Joy, who gurgled at him.
"How are you feeling?" Mike asked.
"A little sore. I had a doctor's appointment and it didn't go well. Mom can explain it all, but they think I may have to have a little procedure." Hannah said.
"Mom texted me. So, I bought her a pair of earrings for our anniversary. Want to see them?" Mike asked.
"Yeah!" Hannah answered. Mike took the earring box out of his pocket and opened it. He knew it would be appropriate to give her the necklace, but he needed to wait. "Oh, Dad. Those
"I hope. So, what are the plans tomorrow?" Mike asked.
"Your reservation is at McGregor's steakhouse at seven. There is also an art fair in that same area Mom might like if she is feeling okay. PT is really exhausting her." Hannah answered.
"Okay. Pretty low key." Mike remarked.
"Is that not okay? I can figure something else out." Hannah asked, in a worried tone.
"Its perfect. I don't want to exhaust Mom. No worries." Mike told her. Just then Christine came out of the bedroom into the living area. Mike slipped the earrings back in his pocket and smiled at Hannah.
"You two still conspiring?" Christine asked with a smile.
"Not at all." Mike answered. He exchanged a look with Hannah and they both started laughing in response, which caused Joy to giggle in response and Christine to look at them suspiciously.