New Chances

Chapter 5

Ellie was shocked just how different Mike was from Jack. He was a kind and generous lover. Ellie had been used to everything being about Jack feeling pleasure, and nothing for herself. It had made her hate sex with Jack, but with Mike; he gave as good as he got. For Ellie, he become something of an addiction, she just had two kids and a full-time job.

Charlotte was already better and Mike had made a point to spend time with the kids. He didn't want them to feel neglected, especially with Ellie spending as much private time with Mike as she could get. Thankfully, Gwen supported it.

Mike had to go to San Diego for two weeks, which was incredibly lonely for Ellie. She concentrated on her kids and her job, but she missed Mike and her mom knew it. The day Mike was due home, Ellie had managed to be off the next day. She walked into her apartment to see her mom looking at a newspaper ad with houses.

"Is this you dreaming again?" Ellie asked as she sat down next to her.

"Kind of. I'm figuring it is only a matter of time before you and Mike move in together. It would be easier on the kids. I'm just hoping I will be able to move with you all." Gwen remarked.

"I'm not certain Mike is ready for the whole house in the 'burbs." Ellie commented.

"Isn't he though? Didn't he tell you he needed to talk to you when he got home?" Gwen asked.

"Yeah, but who knows why? He could be breaking up too." Ellie said.

"I seriously doubt it. Is he here yet?" Gwen asked.

"Yeah. He pulled in as I was leaving the gym. I didn't want to meet him at the door. It would look desperate." Ellie answered.

"Better go take a shower. I'll handle the kids, but you'd better put an appearance in before bedtime." Gwen said.

"Mike will want to see the kids too, you know." Ellie remarked.

"I know. You just don't want the kids to start resenting the relationship; which is why I think moving in together would be a good thing." Gwen said.

"Alright. Have they said anything?" Ellie asked.

"Not to me, but it isn't too big of a stretch of imagination. Just see what he has to say." Gwen said.

"Yes, ma'am." Ellie agreed. She went in for her shower and then dressed in a sundress that Mike had commented on when she wore it last. The kids were playing in Ollie's room, so Ellie kissed them both goodbye and promised she would be back before bedtime. The kids were just thrilled that Mike was back.

Mike answered as soon as Ellie knocked and gave her a long and very passionate kiss. She started unbuttoning his uniform shirt, but he stopped her and led her to the couch.

"Don't get me wrong, I want to do that. I just want to talk first." Mike said.

"What's wrong?" Ellie asked, suddenly nervous.

"Nothing is wrong. I have just been thinking about it since I've been gone. It is not fair of me to ask you to be away from the kids so much. I…love your kids and I don't want them to resent me. I just haven't figured out how to make this easier for them." Mike said.

"My mom made a remark that she figured we would be moving in together sooner or later. I wasn't sure you were ready for such a commitment." Ellie commented.

"I don't think its me that is afraid of commitment. I think its you. You are afraid to put yourself into a position of being hurt again. I am not Jack. I have my own concerns regarding our relationship, but it involves losing you all." Mike said. He had put an arm around Ellie and hugged her closely.

"Do you think we are moving too fast?" Ellie asked.

"Glaciers have moved faster. The thing is, I like you just fine as you are, but if we were to move in together; I would want you to quit your job and try and get your GED so that you could go to nursing school if you wanted. I know that one of the things Jack did was to financially isolate you, and I would essentially be doing the exact same thing, but I want you to feel you have more choices in life. The first step in that direction is to give you more of an education. We also would want to find someplace bigger than my apartment or yours." Mike explained.

"And what about my mom? I couldn't just leave her." Ellie asked.

"We would find a place large enough for her to have space of her own. I wouldn't ask you to leave her here or anywhere." Mike assured her.

"That tells me that you are nothing like Jack, because he would have never wanted my mom to move in with us." Ellie remarked.

"So?" Mike asked.

"I think it would be smart. I have been worried about how the kids felt too. Of course, moving in, you'd have them underfoot constantly. That might get aggravating." Ellie said.

"I have missed having kids. I know Ollie and Charlotte don't replace my three, but they…its just cathartic for me to have them around." Mike explained.

"Alright but where?" Ellie asked.

"I thought we might meet with a realtor whenever you're available. Do you have a lease here? Mine is only month to month." Mike asked.

"Mine is too. I have tomorrow off, work a twelve on Sunday and then every other night for two weeks." Ellie said.

"That is exhausting." Mike remarked.

"Yeah, exactly." Ellie said.

"Do you have an issue with quitting?" Mike asked.

"I am obviously concerned about being totally dependent on you; but I also know, I have to trust you at some point." Ellie said. She leaned over and gave Mike a long kiss.

"We should go back to your apartment. I have missed the kids. Did your mom have a dinner plan?" Mike asked.

"I think leftovers." Ellie said.

"How about Chinese food? I've been craving it." Mike asked.

"Sounds good to me." Ellie answered as they stood up. As she waited while Mike changed his clothes, she focused on a picture of Mike's kids. There was something familiar about his oldest daughter, but Ellie couldn't figure out why. Instead she just concentrated on Mike, her kids and her mom. They had plans to make.