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Chapter 39
Christine agreed to go home and take a nap. It gave Mike sometime to think before Hannah got there. He was still struggling with how to apologize to her. He was glad that Christine would be there. It wasn't that he didn't want his other kids there, he just needed to talk to Hannah most. And he also really didn't like his kids seeing him in a hospital bed. His legs were still mostly numb, but feeling was returning, very slowly. Mike was not a patient man and it drove him crazy. He didn't want the kids to see his frustration and his inability to move and get scared. He wanted to return home, fully capable of playing ball with Henry, lay on the floor and watch a movie with Rebecca, teach Joy how to walk, go for coffee dates with Kaitlyn and just spend time with Hannah.
Finally, about four; Christine came in with Hannah. After a few pleasantries, and Mike being fussed over, Christine handed him the necklace box and told Hannah she was going to go to the cafeteria to get Mike a coffee and sandwich. He could tell Hannah was upset and worried about how Mike would act. She was fidgety and he finally had her sit down next to him on the bed. He pulled the box out from under his blanket and handed it to her.
"What's this?" Hannah asked.
"It's a necklace. I bought it when I bought your mom's earrings as kind of an apology. Hannah; I am not good at admitting my faults or apologizing, but here goes. I went way too far with you. Accusing you of…everything I did, it was wrong of me and I shouldn't have done it." Mike started.
"It hurt. Especially when you pushed me away and didn't want to see me. I was scared you wouldn't let Mom take me to the hospital and would have left me to bleed to death." Hannah admitted.
"I can understand where you got that idea. I would have never let you bleed to death, though." Mike said.
"Dad; you hated me. I don't think you do now, but you did." Hannah remarked. She wasn't making things easy and Mike's legs were cramping. He just had to keep his temper in check.
"I'm sorry I gave you that impression." Mike said.
"Was I right? Dad, that really hurt. Knowing that the man that is supposed to love me unconditionally, hated my guts; I can't explain what that felt like." Hannah asked.
"Honey, I can tell you that I never hated you, but I'm not sure that you would believe me. What I can do is tell you that I love you now, and I certainly loved you before. I know that is hard to believe, but I did. So, what I need is for you to tell me how to make this better? The one thing I will not apologize for is loving Maddie or having Joy. As much as I love your mom, and want our marriage to work out; Maddie was a part of my life and I will always miss her. Your mom understands that and I hope you do too." Mike asked.
"I get that, Dad. I know I acted bad at the time; but I don't really have an issue with Maddie and her place in your life. I only wanted Mom treated well. As far as Joy is concerned, it took me some time, but I love her. I really don't have an answer for you, other then I don't want it to ever happen again. Maybe when you get to feeling better and are on your feet, we can do something together. You take Katie out for coffee. Maybe something like that." Hannah suggested.
"I would love that. I always wanted to but you seemed completely closed off to it." Mike said.
"Yeah. You aren't the only one that has an apology to make. I didn't treat you the best. And hitting you?" Hannah said with a nervous laugh.
"Lets just say we are even. You and I are both alike in that we hate apologizing. Just know that I do love you and I am sorry. None of this was your fault. Does that sound good to you?" Mike asked.
"It sounds fine to me. I love you too." Hannah said before throwing her arms around Mike's neck and hugging him tightly. Mike held onto her for dear life. She still hadn't opened the box but none of that mattered. In their own way, they had made amends and could move forward.