W00T! this is the final installment to this story, and i hope the ending is to everyone's liking. thanks again for everbody's time and support! hugs...even tho i dont like white chocolate ;)
Nearly six months after discovering Sara was pregnant with his child, Michael watched in despair as she packed the remains of her belongings in the infirmary office and prepared to leave.
He knew she had quit her job in Fox River to ready herself for becoming a mother. And to his relief, she already had propositions from a few clinics in town for when she was well enough to start working again. Even so, sadness gripped at his heart during his last appointment with her.
That was five years ago, and he was now gathering his own few items of clothing from his cell. He had successfully served his time. A long, grueling five years of avoiding confrontations with inmates and guards alike. Five years of standing alone in the yard, keeping to himself, trying his damnedest to stay out of any possible trouble.
Sara had visited him often, when she could find someone to watch Rachel. Rachel…his daughter…
A daughter he had never seen. Not once. He forbid Sara from bringing her into the prison. If there was one thing he could still do, it was make sure his child never saw him in chains and prison uniforms.
It was a sacrifice, not being able to see her grow from a baby to the beautiful little girl she was now. He had so many pictures lined across his cell wall it nearly covered it.
And now, he would finally see her face to face. He could speak to her, hold her, and get to know her.
Over the years he'd come up with several of his own made-up bedtime stories to someday tell her. Most contained talking kittens.
According to Sara, they now had three tiny cats running around the apartment, and Rachel spent almost all of her time with them.
Michael slipped into his normal attire for the first time in five years, relishing the feeling. The doors opened and the gate stood before him.
Lincoln stood beyond it, ready to take him to what would now be his family…and his future.
Sara had begged to bring Rachel to see him as he walked through the gates. But that would require her witnessing the prison. He would not subject her to any of it, not even from the outside. So they were waiting at the apartment, and he was certain they were as anxious as he was.
A long hug was his greeting from his brother. A hug so tight he lost breath for what seemed like minutes.
He was glad to see Linc, but the tug in his mind was focused on others, and the moment Lincoln released him Michael was in the car, ready to go.
"You nervous?"
That had to be the 3rd time Linc had asked that. The first two times he had responded with "no"….but in reality, he was nervous…VERY nervous.
"Yeah. I am. What if, what if she doesn't like me?"
It was a pitiful question, he knew, but it had floated in the back of his mind since she was born.
His brother laughed as they pulled into the parking lot.
"Michael, Rachel likes everybody. She just the lovable type of kid. She'll like you, count on it."
Three more stairs….two, one…Lincoln had to push him forward once he reached the 2nd floor.
His feet felt like cement. His stomach was in a knot. He head was swirling with things to say to her.
He was a mess.
They stood before the door, and Lincoln had to knock FOR him.
"Breathe Mike, she's not gonna bite you."
Michael had a feeling that his brother was actually enjoying his unusual nervousness.
A small voice sounded from behind the door.
"I'll get it!!"
Soft thumping came quicker and closer before the knob turned, and there she was.
His daughter.
Light brown hair, ice blue eyes, and a smile to make you melt.
The girl stood in the doorway and stared.
Michael cleared his throat and shifted on both feet.
"Hello Rachel, I'm…"
"Hey Uncle Linc!!!"
She cut him off. She knew exactly who he was. And she was ignoring him.
His heart dropped, until the image of Sara appeared in the door.
"Rachel! Say hello to him. Now."
Michael smiled at the firm, motherly tone in her voice.
But the girl ignored her, too, and slunk behind her mother to avoid eye contact with him.
Sara sighed, and stepped back to let them inside.
Hugging him tightly, she gave him a look of apology.
"She's just shy, Michael, give her some time…"
Nodding, he avoided looking down at the small hands gripping the back of Sara's pants legs.
Lincoln brought a voice into the unnerving silence.
"So, Rachel, you gonna give me a hug or what?"
Michael felt a twinge of pain when she instantly let go of her mother to run grinning into his brother's arms.
He understood, however…she knew Lincoln. She didn't know him.
It would take time, but he hoped it wouldn't take too much…
Rachel turned from Linc's hug to peer at him suddenly.
It was as if she had just now realized he was even there.
As if she just now decided she would acknowledge him.
"Hi…"
The tiny voice finally spoke to him.
A reflexive grin overcame him.
"Hey. I'm uh…Michael, your…your Dad."
He wanted to slap himself for stuttering in front of Lincoln and Sara.
He waited for a response from her.
She only stared intensely at him.
Sara's hand rested on his shoulder from behind him. He relaxed at her touch, and continued to be patient.
What Rachel did next surprised him.
She lifted her arms.
His daughter wanted him to pick her up.
Michael's heart nearly stopped in that moment, but he forced it to keep beating at a normal pace as he leaned down to grasp the child that was now trying to hide a smile.
It was a moment he had waited for for five years. And it was exactly as he'd pictured it.
Sara joined the hug, and Lincoln began to back away before she pulled him into the huddle.
Now if only there was someone to take a picture and turn it into a Christmas card….
Christmas. It was almost Christmas. Michael had completely forgotten that it was December.
He looked down at the little girl in his arms.
"Rachel, what do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?"
He figured Santa was as good a conversation-starter as any.
Her eyes lit up and she pointed to the orange tabby kittens playing on the floor beside them.
"Another one!"