Mistake
Chapter 22
"Maybe it would be better if Billy and I stayed in my room until Maddie gets back." Hannah suggested. Mike had gone too far. He had slapped her across the face and her eyes were shining with tears.
"Hannah, I am sorry." Mike said. It wasn't adequate. Hannah deserved so much more.
"I am too, Dad. I just don't want you to do the same to Billy." Hannah said.
"I wouldn't." Mike tried assuring her.
"I…always thought you wouldn't do this to me too but you did. Until Maddie gets back, this might be best. I can keep Billy occupied and only come out to use the bathroom and to get our dinners." Hannah said.
"Hannah…please. I am sorry." Mike begged. He started to touch her cheek but she pulled away.
"I know you're sorry. I…just want to protect Billy." Hannah said. She walked into the bedroom wing of their house, where Billy already was. Mike sat down in his chair and looked at the ceiling.
He wasn't even sure why he had slapped her. She had backtalked a bit but nothing bad. He had never laid a hand on one of his kids until that day. He had seen children's bodies after being murdered by their parents when he was a cop. He had seen children broken and bloody at their parents' hands…and now, he was at the same level.
He was in his own world when he heard a car pull into the driveway. He was shocked to see that it was Maddie's. She had only been gone about six hours. He stood up to greet her and saw another young woman get out of the car. He stepped out onto the porch and realized the young woman looked a lot like he had imagined Katie looking.
"Mike…uh…so, Mama and I did some checking. Then some driving. This is Katie…your Katie. She was very close to death and Hannah wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. A doctor and his wife found her and nursed her back to health. She really wants to visit with Hannah and Billy." Maddie said.
"Hi." Katie said quietly.
"Oh, Katie." Mike said as he pulled her into a hug. She was very tense and if she found out what he had done to Hannah, there would be no chance that he'd have a relationship with either of his daughters.
"Where are they? I'll get them." Maddie asked.
"I'll get them. Can you get her settled? I'll get her bag and yours shortly." Mike asked. He had to beg Hannah to not say a word.
"Of course." Maddie agreed. She reached up and kissed his cheek before following him into the house with Katie in tow. He smiled at Katie before walking to Hannah's bedroom door and knocking on the door. She and Billy were sitting on the bed playing a card game.
"Hannah, can I speak to you for a moment?" Mike asked. She immediately began biting her lip but followed him into Billy's room. He shut the door behind her. "I am not going to hurt you. I don't know a lot of details, but Katie wasn't dead. Maddie found her somehow…" Mike started and Hannah's tears overflowed.
"I'm sorry." Hannah said between sobs. Mike took a chance and pulled her into a hug.
"Why?" Mike finally asked. Hannah was hanging onto him for dear life.
"I left her. I didn't know." Hannah sobbed.
"You were a young child. You couldn't have. Now…I do need to ask a huge favor. If Maddie or your sister finds out about what happened earlier, I'll have hell to pay. Not that I deserve it, but I would just like to have you all together. Please?" Mike begged as he wiped the tears off her cheeks.
"Okay." Hannah agreed.
"I will find a way to make it up to you, sweetheart." Mike said before kissing her forehead. At least there wasn't a mark on her cheek but it was hard to tell with the tears.
"You don't have to. I'll be okay." Hannah agreed.
"Thank you, honey. Now, go wash your face. I will get Billy." Mike said. He kissed her forehead again and smiled down at her.
"Okay." Hannah said. They parted ways, her to wash the tears away and for Mike to introduce Billy to his oldest sister.