Together Again

Chapter 11

"I think I am going to go for a walk on the beach." Mike announced at breakfast. Hannah and Christine exchanged a look and all eyes turned to Katie, who hadn't spoken a word yet.

"I guess I am supposed to go?" Katie asked.

"I think it would be a good idea. You've not gotten to enjoy the beach at all." Christine said.

"I suppose." Katie answered.

After breakfast, they began their walk. For the first several minutes, Katie never said anything. Mike was anticipating it being easy. Katie was like him. Stubborn to the core. She hated admitting when she was wrong. Finally; Mike found an old piece of driftwood, sit down and patted it, indicating for Katie to sit down.

"Why?" Katie asked, with her arms folded across her chest.

"Because I am only a few weeks post-op, and I am tired." Mike answered. Katie looked at him for a moment and complied, but stayed away from Mike. "You are too much like me. I wish you were more like your mom." Mike remarked.

"Which one?" Katie asked. They had always been honest with her about her biological mother, Fiona. She adored Christine, and blamed Mike for Fiona's death. They had always just felt that it was better to be honest. Hiding it would have caused a lot worse problems.

"Both, but in this case; your birth mom." Mike answered.

"You don't talk a lot about her." Katie remarked. There was a softness in her voice.

"She was a nice girl. We grew up together. I suppose she thought that she and I would end up together, but your mom…Christine and I were pushed together. No one ever thought we could build a good marriage. Your mom was sent away, before she had a chance to tell anyone she was pregnant with you. The pain she was in…I carry with me." Mike said simply.

"Did you love her?" Katie asked.

"Sort of. Not like I've grown to love Christine. I was an idiot." Mike admitted.

"Still are." Katie commented.

"Sometimes, no argument. I was an idiot when I slapped you that day." Mike said.

"No argument here." Katie repeated.

"Katie…we can't keep doing this. This tit for tat. Not talking and when we do, its an explosion. It isn't just damaging you and I. Its also hurting your mom and Hannah. We have to settle this once and for all." Mike said.

"Can we even do that after so long?" Katie asked.

"That, my dear; is up to you. I slapped you. That was wrong. I will admit that, but it was the only time I ever laid a hand on you throughout your childhood, like that anyway. I was never the father you deserved, and I wasn't there nearly enough, but I did…still do love you. I hate this distance between us. And I know something else." Mike said.

"What?" Katie asked.

"They got the cancer this time, but I was at Ground Zero. I've already lost my thyroid, and a piece of my lung, along with having prostate cancer. It is only a matter of time. It might be thirty years from now. It might be next month. I don't mean to scare you, but I really don't want this between us." Mike said.

"When do you leave again?" Katie asked. It was a change in topic.

"It'll be several months before the training is done. Even than; I am considering retiring. I have to check into a few things concerning benefits and such, but I'm done." Mike explained.

"You told Mom you were done, and then you refused the job in Miami. Then you took off and were gone for years." Katie said.

"All true. This time, though; I am serious. I need to be home with my wife and my girls." Mike said.

"Why now?" Katie asked.

"As opposed to before? Why not now? Katie; I am tired. I have fought hard for years. I didn't get to say goodbye to my baby boy and I thought my wife and daughters were dead. Now, I have a chance to not die a lonely old man." Mike answered.

"Stop talking so much about you dying!" Katie demanded.

"It's a reality, at some point." Mike answered. He stood up; and held his hand out to Katie. Instead of taking it; she stood up and pulled him into a hug. And held on. "I love you, sweetheart." Mike whispered in her ear.

"I love you too, Daddy and I'm sorry. I've let this go on too long." Katie admitted.

"It wasn't all you." Mike said. He pulled away, but kept an arm around Katie as they began the walk back to the cottage. It was exactly what needed to happen. He wasn't certain why there had been a sudden change of heart, but he'd take it.