Home for the Holidays
Chapter 7
Hannah went upstairs before Mallory and the girls got home and worked on her apology letters. She didn't want her dad to be disappointed or ashamed of her anymore. Knowing he was, had really hurt. She had texted Charlie and told him that she was breaking up with him and immediately handed the phone back to her dad, she didn't want to see the response. The letters were hard to write. She had decided to write one to her dad too. It had just seemed right. She had heard him leave the house and then come back in with Tommy. She also heard Mallory and the girls come in and her dad telling them to give her some privacy. The first letter she wrote was to her dad. She felt it was actually more important than the other two.
"Daddy,
I know you didn't say anything about me writing you a letter but I felt like I should and I also know you want to put all this behind us, but I thought you deserved a more formal apology. I am so very sorry. I am afraid this will always hang over us and things will never be normal again. I wish I could go back in time and never say that stuff and never treat Mallory like I did.
You had told me that you were disappointed in me and while I know I am deserving of that, I don't like it. I want you to be proud of me and I know you aren't right now. I want to earn that back.
I love you so much,
Hannah"
Hannah took the letter in and put it on her dad's nightstand. She propped it up on a picture of her, Emma and their dad at his Medal of Honor ceremony. They were both kissing his cheeks and he looked so proud and happy. She wanted him to be that proud of her again. She headed back into her bedroom to write the letters to Mallory and Tom. She could hear her family downstairs laughing and talking and while she knew she could go downstairs, she felt excluded. She sit back down at her desk and started Mallory's letter.
"Mom,
I am really sorry for how I've acted with you the last couple months. You have shown me nothing but love and kindness and you deserved to be treated better. You are definitely not the typical stepmom and I appreciate that about you.
I love how happy my dad is with you. I know he loved my mom but with you, it's different. You're each other's soulmate and I hope someday I can find a love like what you have.
I know Daddy is disappointed and ashamed of me which means you are too, probably. I hate that almost as much as I do with him being disappointed in me. I want to fix that.
Daddy said that you felt badly for how you spoke to me last night. Don't. I deserved it and much worse than what you said.
I love you,
Hannah"
Hannah took Mallory's letter into the master bedroom and sit it next to a picture of her, Mallory, Sailor and Emma at a ladies luncheon at their church that took place on Mother's Day. Emma's arm was still in the cast due to the injury to her shoulder and arm from her abduction and Sailor had only lived with them for about two months at that point. Despite all that, they all looked happy. Hannah headed back into her own bedroom to write the last letter. It was almost suppertime and she was hungry and tired. Tom's would be slightly easier to write.
"Uncle Tom,
I owe you an apology for putting you in the situation you were in last night and I need to thank you for convincing me to go back to the hospital room. I'm not sure I would have had the courage to if you hadn't literally steered me in that direction.
You are owed a huge thank you for everything you've done for my family over the last two years and even longer than that. You've been our friend and advocate all along.
I love you,
Hannah"
Hannah felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She knew the hurt would stay for a while and her dad would still be ashamed of her but she was starting to feel better. She didn't really even care what happened with Charlie at that point. She sealed the letter to Tom and wondered if she could go downstairs. She still felt excluded from her family.
"Hannah, supper is ready. Come downstairs."
Hannah headed down the stairs and joined her family at the table. She ended up sitting beside her dad. They joined hands and her dad said the blessing over the food. He squeezed her hand and let go.
Supper was lighthearted and fun. Hannah didn't feel the least bit left out and they all discussed plans for Christmas which was in two days. As promised, she washed all the dishes but Mallory insisted on helping her while Mike and the younger kids watched a movie.
"Daddy had me write apology letters and yours is on your dresser."
"Okay. He told me. I owe you an apology for…"
"No, you don't. I have been horrible to you and you deserved better. You had a right to say what you did."
"I love you, sweetie. Go sit down with your dad and the kids. I'll finish in here."
"I love you too. You sure?"
"Yep, go."
Hannah settled on the couch next to her dad. Emma and Sailor were on his other side and Tommy was sleeping in his arms. She cuddled close to him and he smiled over at her.
"Tom and Mallory's letters written?"
"Yes. I also wrote one for you. It's on your nightstand. I thought I needed to."
"Alright. I'll read it before bed. I ended up blocking Charlie from calling and texting you. I'll call the school and speak with them before you go back to school. Things may be a bit rocky for you there, and I am sorry for that."
"Part of the consequences."
"Yeah, it is. Relax, Hannah. You're tensed up."
Hannah nodded at him and put her head on his shoulder. She realized how tired she was and ended up falling asleep. At some point, she felt Mallory put a blanket over her and kiss her on the forehead. She felt safe.
Emma and Sailor went up to bed and Mallory brought both letters down when she took Tommy upstairs. Both her and Mike cried reading them and somehow Hannah slept through it all. Mike wanted to correct her but the truth was, he was disappointed in her and the knowledge of that seemed to do more than any other punishment could. He decided to just let it lay and Mallory agreed. Mike finally woke Hannah up and gave her a kiss goodnight before she headed upstairs.