The Secret
Chapter 14
The weekend was surprisingly relaxing despite all the emotional upheaval. Mike had hoped for and prayed to be reunited with Hannah and it was finally happening, but Hannah had been through hell. And then there was Emma. Mike struggled with her. She might have always wished for her dad to be a part of her life, but now she struggled.
The common thread was fortunately Chloe. She forced Emma to be respectful and helped with Hannah. She also was good to talk to and Mike was looking forward to living with them. They spent the rest of the weekend fishing and talking. Late, the last night they were at the resort, Mike walked through the living area and saw Chloe sitting outside on the porch. She was reading something, but with her hair down and no make up; she reminded him of all the same girl from those years before.
"Its late. Are you ready for bed?" Mike asked.
"I'll go in once I finish this chapter." Chloe said. He sat down next to her and looked at the book for a moment. It was one she had been trying to finish over the long weekend.
"Good one?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. I don't read like I used to. I miss it. I got busy raising Emma and building a business." Chloe remarked.
"Are you sure about me moving in? I don't want to cause problems." Mike asked as he picked at his hand.
"I think its best. It will help Hannah, so she's not uprooted more than once, and with Emma. And the girls are close." Chloe said. It was true, whatever feelings Emma had about Mike, she was good with Hannah and they were developing a good relationship, not so different than what Hannah and Katie might have had.
"They are. I'm glad for that." Mike admitted.
"Mike; just be patient with her. With Emma. Still invite her for breakfast, for lunch, sporting events and whatever else. Don't give up. She's waiting for that. I know my daughter." Chloe remarked.
"It was easy with my other kids. Of course, now with Hannah, I'm not sure how easy it will be. But, I knew them from birth. I don't resent the decision you made, but I can't help thinking of all the 'what ifs.'" Mike said.
"Its hard not to. I keep wishing I had had the courage to contact you or tell your parents." Chloe said.
"Its done. Can't be undone. My question is, how will you handle Hannah knowing what her mother did?" Mike asked.
"Hannah is an innocent child. She has been through some sort of hell, and doesn't have fond memories of her mother. She does of you. I won't cause her further problems and I hope you can trust me on that." Chloe answered.
"Christine didn't delight in motherhood. I was the one who wanted kids. When I would come home, she couldn't understand that I didn't want to be constantly on the go with her. I wanted time with my kids. Christine didn't. Didn't want me to spend time with them and I regret that now. I should have seen what was going on. You make it seem so effortless with Emma and even Hannah." Mike remarked as he picked at his hand.
"I've been there since day one with Emma. You will find your footing with her if you keep trying. As far as Hannah is concerned, she loves just relaxing. Watching a TV show while you share a blanket. She is a bit of a cuddler. I fought Emma a bit on fostering but she has been a joy despite all the issues. And I think if Emma sees you with Hannah, she might start trusting you a bit. Emma did ask a question that is kind of bothering me." Chloe told him.
"What's that?" Mike asked.
"She asked me if there is something between you and I. Especially since you're moving in, I think we should figure that out." Emma replied.
"There is something odd but I can't put a finger on it." Mike remarked.
"An attraction?" Chloe asked.
"I suppose, but its not like I know." Mike said.
"You and Christine were never attracted to each other?" Chloe asked in confusion.
"No. You know some of the story already, but I was the jock. She was the cheerleader. It was just assumed and then we got serious. Or she did. Then she said she was pregnant so we got married. Then she wasn't pregnant. I suppose I've only ever been attracted to one woman and it wasn't my wife." Mike said.
"Who? Mike; I am going to ask a question and you may not want to answer. Did you love Christine?" Chloe asked.
"I…loved her but I didn't love her the way I should have, I suppose. You knew my parents and my dad worshipped my mom. She was it where he was concerned. I wanted a relationship like that. I suppose I still do and I never had it with Christine. She hated when I did something simple like open a door or try to help her down an icy sidewalk, but then complained that I never did anything. My dad never did major things for my mom. There was never jewelry or expensive trips. But he would pick flowers that she liked. He would save his money up and buy her a cheap pair of earrings she had wanted. She made her own dresses and he always made sure she had pretty fabric to do it with. Christine never wanted that. I bought her a sweater once for Christmas. She hated it and never wore it. If my dad had bought my mom a sweater, she would have worn it every chance she had. I suppose I shouldn't have based my relationship on theirs though." Mike explained.
"I never had any sort of example of a relationship but it sounds to me like your parents had a good one. As far as your relationship with Christine, it was flawed obviously, but Hannah can't know that…or you have to at least convey that you and Christine loved one another enough to create a beautiful family. Let Hannah fill in the blanks." Chloe said.
"If I had known about Emma…I would have done everything differently. I'm not angry at you or her. Just…Christine and it is wrong to be angry at a dead woman." Mike remarked.
"I know you won't do this, but I am going to say it anyways, don't let that bleed over to Hannah. I think of how things would have been different too, but I can't let it make me miserable." Chloe said.
"What do you think would have happened?" Mike asked.
"We would have found a way to co-parent Emma. I doubt we would have married because I was never really your type but we would have found a way to be friends." Chloe answered. Mike stood up and smiled back down at her.
"I did say that there was only one woman who I was attracted to and that it wasn't Christine. I was attracted then and now. But unfortunately right at the moment, if I acted on it, our daughter would probably murder me in my sleep." Mike said. He bent down and kissed Chloe on the top of the head before walking away, knowing he had left Chloe stunned.