I've been working on my holiday prompts, so I was behind on my regular stories. Please enjoy!
The Gift
Chapter 25
As Andrea suspected, Mike didn't have a good reaction to Kaitlyn offering to help them. He might have been willing to go along with it in the morning, but his daughter putting a check in his hand was another thing altogether. As he and Andrea got ready for bed, he let his frustration out.
"Its like she is trying to buy my love." Mike commented.
"Maybe she is, and maybe she wants to help you because she loves you." Andrea suggested.
"She'll hold it over my head for the rest of my life. I ripped the check up." Mike said.
"Mike; we do need a bigger house. Even before her accident we did, and now we really do. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Besides, have you told her that you ripped the check up?" Andrea asked as she lotioned her legs down.
"No. I will in the morning." Mike said. He sat down on the bed and took his watch off.
"Maybe a small part of Kaitlyn is wanting to buy your approval and love, but more than that, she wants to help. In the past few weeks, you've worked so hard on your relationship with her. Not allowing her to help will be like a slap in the face to her. I truly think she is doing this out of love." Andrea told him.
"Maybe, but I doubt it. I am sure she has an ulterior motive." Mike remarked.
"Mike; do you love Kaitlyn?" Andrea asked.
"What kind of question is that?" Mike retorted.
"A valid one." Andrea said.
"I spent days in the hospital with her, and then brought her home with us when it was time. Andrea, I still can't forgive that she lied for years; allowed me to go through hell. And deep down, she knows that I can't." Mike answered.
"Mike; keep your voice down. She can hear you. One way or another, we have to find a new house. We are both month to month now, and I can't afford any additional on a mortgage, and I know you can't either. This is really our only option." Andrea told him.
"I honestly don't care if she hears me. She knows she did wrong. It might be wrong, but I simply cannot forgive her." Mike said.
"Do you want to lose her again? Mike; somewhere deep down, you love her. I know you do. You wouldn't have kept her baby pictures around if you didn't. You wouldn't have stayed with her after her accident and you wouldn't have brought her home. You wouldn't have fought for her to get the settlement she got, and you wouldn't have made certain she had in-home health aides and therapists. You wouldn't have built a ramp for her on the porch or rush home to help me out. You may act all big and tough, but the second she is in pain or needs something, you melt." Andrea said.
"I just don't like accepting money from my own kid. And I do think she is trying to buy my love and forgiveness." Mike remarked quietly.
"I think you are right, but you should tell her you will give it to her freely. I get it, you are angry about the lies, but Kaitlyn was a young woman when I hired her. She desperately wanted to be close to you, to be a part of a family. She thought by telling you that you were a horrible father, and that she hated you, she couldn't be forgiven. She watched her mother, sister and brother die, before she was fifteen. I honestly don't even know how she is a functioning member of society. You are hanging onto your pride and not forgiving her, but if you ask me; she has spent the past several years giving away her pride and integrity, just to be close to you. Look at it from her place. All she wants is you. What she did was wrong, but she did it for all the right reasons, and now, she is simply wants your love. If she is trying to buy it, show her you love her anyways, money or not." Andrea lectured.
"But how?" Mike asked.
"I don't know." Andrea admitted.
"I have an idea. When I went back to Norfolk, to clear out the house; I found Christine's jewelry box. Maybe its time I gave that to Kaitlyn. Do you think that would help?" Mike asked.
"I think it wouldn't hurt. Do you work tomorrow?" Andrea asked, since it was Friday night.
"No. I have it off. Thank goodness. I'm about wore ragged." Mike admitted.
"Go to sleep." Andrea said simply as she gave Mike a kiss. Their relationship was still a little informal, but it worked for them. She cuddled into his arms and they both fell asleep quickly.
Thankfully, Eli slept through the night and was happy when he woke up to Mike being home. Mike had been on the go so much that Molly and Eli rarely saw him due to him going into work by seven am, and sometimes not getting home until after ten pm. While Andrea got Kaitlyn ready for the day; Mike spent some time with Molly and Eli, and made breakfast for the entire family. Mike was holding Eli when a certified letter came from his attorney in Belgium. Andrea handed it to him and took Eli.
"I bet it's the DNA results." Mike remarked as he looked at the envelope and back at the baby boy who was busy stuffing Andrea's hair into his mouth.
"Are you going to open it?" Andrea asked. Kaitlyn was occupying Molly and Mike looked at the envelope nervously.
"I need to. He is mine regardless, because he has no one else, except for you, Kaitlyn and Molly. I guess I will always wonder." Mike said as he watched Eli.
"Would it help if I opened it and told you?" Andrea asked and Mike nodded. She handed Eli back to him and took the letter. Within a few seconds, she had the letter opened and was reading it. Shockingly, Mike was Eli's father. "Mike; it says that there is a 99.99% chance he is your son. He's yours." Andrea said as she passed the letter over. She started to take Eli, but Mike didn't want to let him go as he read the letter.
"Why did she tell me he wasn't?" Mike asked. He'd put the letter on the counter and was cuddling Eli close.
"Maybe she didn't know, or maybe she wanted to hurt you. But that doesn't matter, because Eli is your son and you don't have to share him with anyone." Andrea told him. Eli gave her a smile but he was all about his daddy.
"What if I wanted to share him with you?" Mike asked.
"I will help you with him in anyway possible." Andrea answered, not knowing what he meant.
"I know, but I meant…I'm not very good at this. I suppose what I am asking is, do you want to share him in a more legal sense?" Mike asked.
"Adoption?" Andrea asked, still not understanding.
"Not only that. Something…more between you and I?" Mike continued.
"Mike; just spit it out." Andrea instructed.
"I…love you. I was hoping you'd marry me." Mike finally said. He looked at her for a moment and then back at Eli, who was humming in approval. Andrea paused and then wrapped her arms around Mike and gave him a soft kiss around Eli.
"I love you too and I will marry you, but I want you to talk to Kaitlyn first before I say yes." Andrea answered and Mike nodded.
"I have to admit, I am a little scared." Mike remarked. He looked towards where Kaitlyn was reading to Molly.
"Just talk to her. Tell her that you think she is trying to buy your love, forgiveness and approval with buying us a house and paying off your debts. Be honest. I'll handle Eli and Molly." Andrea told him as she took the baby boy.
"Alright." Mike agreed. He gave her a kiss and then gave Eli a kiss on the forehead. One thing was for sure; he adored Eli. "I'm going to get the box." Mike said before walking into their bedroom. Andrea went in and got Molly, taking her into her bedroom.
Mike approached Kaitlyn nervously. He had hurt her repeatedly, even after her accident. He finally sat down next to her on the couch and put an arm around her. She gave him a slight smile and leaned into him. He had put the box on the table next to him, but took a moment, just holding her.
"Dad, what's wrong?" Kaitlyn finally asked.
"Nothing major. Andrea told me what you were wanting to do, but I have some concerns." Mike started.
"Dad; I want to help you. I remember you having to work like this when I was little, and I want Molly and Eli to have you home more. If I can help make that happen I will." Kaitlyn explained.
"I understand that. My concern is, by buying a house, and helping me with my debts, you are trying to buy my love and my forgiveness. Is that correct?" Mike asked gently. He still had his arm around Kaitlyn and she had burrowed in.
"Maybe a little." Kaitlyn admitted.
"And I've probably made you feel like you have to do something like this to make it happen?" Mike continued.
"A little." Kaitlyn answered. It honestly broke Mike's heart.
"Honey; I know I have been…a little harsh with you. A lot harsh. You never deserved that. You always had my love and you have my forgiveness, both Kaitlyn and Ally. You don't have to buy or build us a house to get it because I will happily give it to you for free. Now, having said all that; I should have given this to you before your accident. Its your mom's jewelry box. I found it in Norfolk. Most of the jewelry is pretty inexpensive but its your mom's." Mike said as he handed the box to Kaitlyn and opened it for her.
"Thanks, Daddy. This means a lot. I've wanted to ask you for a picture, but was afraid you'd tell me no. I really miss them." Kaitlyn said.
"I'll get some for you and I miss them too." Mike said.
"Mom was the last. Hannah died a day or so before her, and I never told Mom. I think she knew though. She cried so hard when Lucas died and I didn't want her to do that again. She was so weak and tired. She told me, no matter what; I had to find you and take care of you. I told her that I was scared because of what I said, and she said it wouldn't matter to you. That you would love me no matter what. I wish I could tell you she didn't suffer, but she did, Dad. She fought to stay with me, but her heart finally gave out. Hannah and Lucas both went quick, but Mom fought. It was so hard to watch, but I stayed with her the whole time. Held her hand. I don't know why I didn't catch it." Kaitlyn said before completely breaking down. Mike wrapped both arms around her and just held her.
"I wish you didn't have to stay with her, but I am glad you did. Your mom is at peace now. She is with Hannah and Lucas, and she is watching over you now. I promise, sweetie; she is proud of you. You got to me, and you took care of me and mine and you continue to do that. Is buying the house and taking care of the debts a way to keep your promise to your mom?" Mike asked and Kaitlyn nodded.
"It is. I know its stupid, but I think she will lead us to just the right house. I love this house, but the new house will be a home. I just want a home." Kaitlyn explained.
"Alright. We will find a house. Something else, I asked Andrea to marry me and she said yes…as long as I fixed things with you. I hope they are fixed?" Mike asked and Kaitlyn nodded vigorously.
"Yeah. I am happy for you and Andrea. I always thought you belonged with one another…after Mom died of course." Kaitlyn said.
"I'm glad. Listen, a part of me will always love your mom. We spent a lot of good years together. Andrea isn't her, but she's as close as I can find. I'm not replacing your mom. I think she would want me to be happy, though." Mike told her.
"She would. Dad, I am fine with Andrea. I love her. Its all good." Kaitlyn said with a smile.
"She loves you too." Mike answered. Instead of doing or saying anything else, he pulled Kaitlyn close and held onto her tightly. Everything else would work out.