The Gift
Chapter 20
Mike was stunned by Andrea's revelation about Ally. He had given up all hope. Of course, he remembered the conversation that Ally referred to, but it made no sense. Why did Ally think she had to live under an assumed identity to be close to him? How had she watched him grieve for years and never said a word? He finally sat her down on the couch and sat down in a recliner.
"I just don't understand why you never told Andrea or I? I remember the argument, but it wasn't that big of a deal. It was a sentiment most military kids feel at one point or another." Mike asked. He didn't want to set Ally completely off, more for Andrea and Molly.
"I don't know. I just figured that you were so angry that even if I told you who I really was, you'd never accept me. Maybe I was right." Ally remarked as she picked at her fingernail.
"Ally; in this case; the lie is so much worse. Andrea is prepared to forgive you and you are in her employment. It would have just been so much easier if you had told us from the beginning. I get that you love Molly and even Eli, and I appreciate that. I can forgive Kaitlyn for what she said all those years ago, but I'm not certain I can forgive Ally for lying to me all these years." Mike said. He knew he was being cruel and he should be taking a gentler approach.
"Should I leave?" Ally asked, all while wiping tears away. As Mike watched her, he remembered holding Kaitlyn as a baby, watching her take her first steps, cuddling with her as she got older, how heartbroken he had been when she said she hated him, and how he had grieved for her. Was it right to reject her now? He stood up, walked to the couch, sat down next to her, and put his arm around her.
"No. I don't know how, but we'll figure this all out. Its just so confusing why you would ever think you couldn't be loved because of that comment. Trust me, I knew even then that it was just a kid thing. Sure, it hurt. I knew you resented me being gone so much. I was still Hannah and Lucas' hero, but I wasn't that person for you anymore. I had to deploy so quickly, I didn't have a chance to fix it. I suppose I have that chance now." Mike said.
"I didn't mean it but you were gone so fast, I didn't have a chance to say anything any different. I was going to apologize when you came home. Beg for forgiveness, mercy…even for your love, but then everything happened." Ally remarked.
"I was going to do the same thing. That was supposed to be my last deployment. Your mom wanted me home more, so it was either a desk position and move, or retirement. That comment was an eye-opener for me. I just don't understand why you never said who you were and how you kept this up for all these years?" Mike remarked.
"There were times when it was so hard. When Molly was sick, especially. I was tested for her bone marrow, and I kept thinking; no way would I be able to explain if I were a match. I wasn't. I should have called you sooner, though." Ally remarked.
"Probably so. We just have to figure out a way forward, but I think the first step is, you are not Ally. You're Kaitlyn. It'll be a hard habit to break, but its necessary." Mike said. He knew it was splitting hairs, but calling his daughter by an assumed name just didn't work for him, even if Allison was her middle name.
"Okay." Ally answered. Mike pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. The rest would be all figured out later.
I know the Ally/Kaitlyn storyline is hard, especially with the names, so I will call Ally Kaitlyn from here on out, not that there are many more chapters left. Thanks for the reviews.