Together
Chapter 27
Living at home was much more exhausting for Mike, but he enjoyed being home too. Sleeping next to his wife every night. Cuddling with his kids and helping with Grandma Hannah, who was a fighter, but was struggling. She now walked with a cane, but if someone stepped out of line, she would hit them with it, as Mike had found out the hard way.
Studying was also harder, but Mike wanted to prove he could make it through the Academy, mostly to his parents. He kept his grades up and was still able to be a husband and father. One Friday, just as he was getting done, he called Christine to let her know he was headed home, and he immediately caught the frustration in her voice.
"Hey; just wanted to call and let you know I was headed home. Do you need anything before I get there? Milk?" Mike asked. It was a normal request.
"No." Christine answered simply.
"What's wrong?" Mike asked.
"Your parents showed up unannounced." Christine answered.
"Shit!" Mike said.
"Careful. I'm holding Lucas and he's picking words up like crazy." Christine warned.
"What's their reasoning?" Mike asked.
"God only knows. I think they want to take Grammy home, but she hit your dad with her cane." Christine said.
"Alright. I'll get home as soon as possible." Mike answered.
"Love you." Christine said simply.
"Love you too." Mike answered before hanging up.
Mike drove to his house and groaned at the rental vehicle in the driveway. He hoped Grammy was giving his parents a piece of her mind. As he got closer to the door, he heard Hannah and Lucas both crying and as soon as he walked in; he saw Christine trying to comfort Katie, all while holding both Hannah and Lucas. He could also hear his dad's raised voice from Grammy's area.
"What's wrong?" Mike asked.
"Your dad slapped Katie when she spilled her Kool-Aide. He yelled and scared her." Christine explained. Mike immediately bent down and pulled Katie away from Christine's leg. She had a red splotch across her cheek.
"Oh, honey. Come here." Mike said as he picked Katie up. She was getting too big to do that with but she loved to cuddle with Mike still.
"Daddy; what's a bastard? Granddad called me a bastard." Katie asked.
"Mike; I had stepped out of the room to change Lucas' diaper so I only know what she's told me." Christine said.
"Its okay." Mike said, more to comfort Katie. He wasn't prepared to explain what a bastard was to his eight-year-old.
"Daddy; he said Mama wasn't really my mom? Not like Hannah and Lucas's mom." Katie asked. Mike groaned in response. He and Christine had agreed early on that they would be honest with Katie about Fiona, but Mike had wanted to wait as long as possible before he explained it. Thanks to his dad, that day had come too early.
"I am your mom in every way that counts. How about this? How about you help me cook dinner so that your dad can greet your granddad and grandma?" Christine suggested, giving Mike time to come up with a plan.
"Okay. Can we make chocolate pudding for dessert?" Katie asked. Chocolate pudding was her favorite, but she only got it occasionally, even though Christine kept the supplies on hand.
"You know what; I think tonight is a good night for chocolate pudding." Mike said with a nod to Christine. He gave Katie a kiss on her reddened cheek and smiled at her. "You might ice down that cheek. Hopefully it doesn't bruise." Mike said and Christine nodded. He gave her a kiss over Lucas' head and tickled Hannah's cheek. He watched Christine walk into the kitchen with all three kids before going into Grammy's living area.
"She is only a little girl. That was not right." Grandma Hannah said.
"She's a bastard and should have been left in Florida; but instead; you funded Alice going to Florida to get her, and encouraged Mike to take her." Mike's dad, Sean said.
"Katie is an innocent child who has already experienced more tragedy than any child deserves. Now, she is going to have to know about it." Mike said.
"She shouldn't even be here." Mike's mom, Teresa lamented.
"I am her father and until she is eighteen; I decide where she should and shouldn't be. And if I can't, Christine can. Now; speaking of being somewhere you shouldn't be, why are you here?" Mike asked.
"I wanted to know where all of my mother's money was going." Sean said.
"And I told you I was spending it how I wanted. I've made sure Kathleen has a little nest egg, and so I can spoil Mike how I choose; and I choose to do it here and now; helping him and Christine." Grammy said.
"Its depleting my inheritance." Sean answered.
"Do I look like I care about that? You got the house and business. I don't have to give you anything else; and I have consulted with attorneys about that and I have also put it in writing, so its legal and binding. You wasted a trip." Grammy said. Mike could tell it made his dad mad, but he didn't care.
"He was successful in upsetting and hurting my daughter." Mike commented.
"Yes, about that. You yelled at Katie; told her she was a bastard, and when she jumped because you yelled and spilled her Kool-Aid, you slapped her. That sweet child cannot help her situation, but she is very well-loved." Grammy continued.
"So there's no money?" Teresa asked.
"There's no money for you all. I spent years supporting you. I gave you a business and a house. If you are running out of money; perhaps you need to be careful about spending. You do not need to go to the spa every week, and Sean; perhaps you need to stop supporting your mistresses." Grammy commented. Mike tried his best to not smile.
"Mother!" Sean yelled and started to go towards Grammy. Mike got between them. In no way would Mike allow him to hurt an elderly woman, even if Grammy could hold her own.
"No. You are in my house and I am telling you to go elsewhere. You aren't here to visit Grammy or the kids. You've had no interest in your grandchildren up to now and you proved that today. I will take care of Grammy and she won't be in some damn nursing home. And I don't care about the money. Now, GET OUT!" Mike said. Both Sean and Teresa looked towards Grammy, who was leaning on her cane.
"I agree with him. Get out. You won't be getting another penny from me. Slapping an innocent child earned you that." Grammy said. She opened the front door and gestured at them. As soon as they were gone, she smiled at Mike. "Son, I know that was harder than you will ever admit, but I, for one, am proud of you." Grammy commented as she walked up to him and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you, Grammy. Now I just have to figure out how I am going to explain to Katie how she came to be." Mike said.
"You knew that conversation would have to happen at some point. I hate that it's so soon. But it was bound to happen." Grammy remarked.
"I know, but she's eight. She isn't going to understand." Mike objected.
"Son; there is only one thing she has to understand completely and that is, that she is loved beyond measure by you and Christine. Nothing else matters." Grammy said.
"I suppose." Mike said and Grammy smiled.
"I know. Just love that little girl. She might have some tears, but she will know how much you and Christine love her." Grammy said before kissing his cheek again and leading him into the family area. Katie was sitting at the kitchen table, stirring up the pudding while Hannah held the bag of ice to her cheek. Christine was fixing dinner, all while holding Lucas. Grammy sat down at the table and Christine handed Lucas over. Mike kissed the top of Katie's head and smiled down at her.
"After dinner; you and I will have a talk. You are not in trouble though. You did absolutely nothing wrong at all." Mike told her quietly.
"Okay. I got a 100% on my spelling test. Mama put it on the fridge." Katie said.
"Good girl. I will look at it. I'm proud of you." Mike answered with a wink. Grammy nodded at him in approval and he smiled back at her. He was not looking forward to the conversation that would occur after supper, but he could make over a spelling test in the meantime and help Katie stir the pudding.