The Secret
Chapter 16-Present Day
Chloe had been shocked by Mike's admission, but she had to concentrate on things at work and getting Mike settled into the house once they got back to St. Louis. She purposely made sure he was settled in a room far enough away from her own. She didn't need to make the same mistakes she had made twenty-five years before.
Emma's birthday was coming up and it caused Chloe to rehash a lot of memories and anger concerning her birth. The problem was, she wasn't angry at Mike and she also couldn't be angry at a woman who had died a horrific death. And then there was Hannah. While she looked very similar to Christine; her personality was more like Mike's and she had wormed her way into Chloe's heart with barely any struggle. Finally, one evening; Chloe sat down to make plans for Emma's birthday. It had been just her and Emma for so long but Chloe felt the need to include Mike and Hannah. Mike came out of her basement, having utilized her home gym and sat down next to her. Too close for Chloe's liking.
"What's this?" Mike asked.
"Emma's birthday is coming up. Normally, we have our traditions, but now that you and Hannah are here, I knew you would want to spend some time with her so I am going to do a dinner for her." Chloe explained.
"I very much want to spend time with her, but I doubt she wants me anywhere near her on her birthday." Mike commented.
"Well, I am going to force the issue." Chloe remarked.
"I don't want to make things uncomfortable. Any idea what I can get her?" Mike asked.
"She has expensive taste. Some piece of jewelry. I've bought her a new purse." Chloe said.
"I want to spoil her. I do have some of my mom's jewelry that I found at our old house. Her pearl earrings that my dad bought her for her thirtieth birthday might be nice. She gave them to Christine as a way to bridge a gap." Mike remarked.
"That is a very sweet gift but I'm sure Hannah would want them someday. Did you ever find them?" Chloe asked.
"No. I concentrated so hard on finding Christine and the girls that I kind of missed them. It sounds terrible now, and chances are they died. They would be elderly now." Mike admitted. Chloe could tell he was ashamed of the fact.
"They loved you a lot." Chloe remarked.
"I was all they had. Christine hated them and she didn't like the kids being around them a lot. I always encouraged her to take them home for the holidays if I was on deployment so my parents could see their grandkids. She would, but didn't let the kids around them, even though she was visiting her parents and family. It was hard for them." Mike commented.
"Mike; your dad was one of the toughest people I ever knew but he was also one of the kindest. In hindsight, all those mornings that I served him breakfast; I should have told him I was carrying his granddaughter, but I didn't. My point is; if anyone could have survived everything that ensued, it would have been your parents. Maybe its time you looked for him and your mom. You'll always wonder." Chloe said.
"I suppose I am scared. When I found out that Christine and Katie died, it crushed me. And then I never got confirmation of Hannah…plus Lucas…I couldn't take another death. Dad would get a kick out of us now. The whole scenario. He never wanted me with Christine and had specifically mentioned you a few times." Mike said.
"Being scared is normal but you got one miracle with Hannah. Maybe you'll get another?" Chloe suggested.
"Perhaps. So, what do I need to do for Emma's birthday? Besides the earrings." Mike asked as he pointed at the notebook.
"Maybe take Hannah to get her something? I will write down a few things she likes. We've also talked about redoing her bedroom to something more adult." Chloe said.
"I've thought about paying off her student loans but I wasn't sure of the banking information. Do you know what she owes?" Mike asked.
"Around $30,000 but she has been completely resistant to me helping her and that's a lot of money. I've even suggested I pay it off and she pay me back at no interest but Emma is stubborn. I'm not sure how she would feel about you doing it." Chloe warned.
"I was thinking it would be more." Mike remarked.
"She had a few scholarships and her payments have been ridiculous." Chloe said.
"Look; I have it. I just want a way to connect with her but I also don't want to buy her love…or seem like I am. I just hate seeing her so stressed out about money. The other day, when we went for coffee; she wanted some of the ground coffee they had there for here but didn't buy it. I assume due to money." Mike said.
"Probably and I agree that you don't want it to seem like you are buying her love. Let me talk to her again. Maybe I can talk her into letting you and I pay it off and then she can make lower payments to us. I realize you are willing to do it on your own but it might sit better if its from both of us." Chloe suggested.
"Okay. You mentioned getting stuff for Hannah to give her? Maybe you can help us find stuff? Maybe that coffee and some other things in a nice basket?" Mike asked.
"Sure. I think she would like that a lot. She loves Hannah at least." Chloe remarked.
"The one advantage I have. Thanks, Chloe. I think I'm going to take a shower and head to bed. Just let me know what you need from me for Emma's dinner." Mike said as he stood up.
"Mike; look for your parents. You never know. Who would have ever thought Hannah would be out there somewhere? If you find that they died, then Emma and I will be here for you. If you find that they lived, then we will finally get to introduce their granddaughter to them." Chloe said. Mike nodded, patted her shoulder and left the family room, heading up the stairs. It left Chloe alone to reflect again on the past.