The Gift
Chapter 6
The Nathan James didn't arrive until about eleven pm one night two weeks later. Andrea had offered to pick him up, but Mike declined the offer. She was shocked to find him at her front door at midnight.
"I was hoping I could see Molly. I know she's sleeping and I won't wake her up." Mike asked. Andrea tied her robe a bit tighter and held the door open for him.
"You are welcome anytime." Andrea told him as she led him into Molly's room. He walked to her crib and smiled down at her.
"She's grown so much." Mike remarked.
"She stretches out like that when she sleeps. I almost hate it because I think I want her to stay at the baby stage forever." Andrea said. She could tell that Mike was wanting to hold Molly, so she leaned down and picked the sleeping baby up. Molly snuggled up but Andrea handed her to Mike. She could immediately see the emotions play across his face. "I'll just be in the living room. Take all the time you need. She loves to be rocked." Andrea said, pointing over at the rocking chair. She left the room, and heard Mike sit down in the rocking chair while she was still in the hallway.
Mike was in the bedroom for over an hour. Andrea finally looked in and found him sleeping in the rocking chair with Molly in his arms. His cheeks were wet, and she was okay but was watching him. Andrea very carefully got Molly out his grasp, but still woke Mike up.
"Is she okay?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. Why don't you go to sleep? Couch is a pull out and Ally won't mind." Andrea offered. She hated the idea of Mike being alone. He seemed fragile.
"If you don't mind? I left my rucksack in the living room." Mike asked. Andrea was settling Molly back down, who was suddenly revved up.
"Of course." Andrea said. She would be lucky if Molly went to sleep at all, but would never say a word. She had a sneaking suspicion Mike wouldn't mind. He quickly got ready to sleep and smiled down at Molly.
"I'm afraid I've revved her up. I can stay up with her." Mike offered.
"Nah, you were sleeping in the rocking chair just a moment ago. You need to rest. I'm gonna get her a warm bottle. Sometimes that calms her." Andrea said. Mike immediately took Molly while they walked out to the kitchen and she prepared the bottle. Instead of taking the baby back, she handed him the bottle. He walked to the couch and sit down with her on the couch. Andrea was a little shocked when he began singing to Molly, in a language she didn't know. It wasn't familiar. In no time, Molly was sound asleep.
"Its Gaelic. I have no idea what it means, but my grandma always sang it to me, so I learned it and sang it my…other kids. It always put them to sleep too." Mike admitted.
"Its sweet." Andrea said.
"I don't want to be Uncle Mike. I miss being a dad too much. I don't know how to work any of this out, but I want to be her dad." Mike told her. Andrea sat down on the couch and smiled down at Molly.
"We will figure things out. That can all be done tomorrow…or later. She is lucky to have you." Andrea said. Mike smiled down at Molly and then kissed her on the forehead.
"I'm luckier to have her. Thank you for this." Mike answered.
"No reason to thank me. I'll put her back in her crib and grab you a pillow and blanket. You can pull the bed out if you want, or just sleep on the couch." Andrea told him. She took Molly out of his arms and patted his shoulder.
"Thanks." Mike said. As Andrea walked away, he stood up and began pulling the sofa bed out. The family type feeling made Andrea smile all over again. She had missed that.