Tempest
Chapter 9
Once Mike told Hannah that he wanted to plan a nice date with Antonia, she was fully on board. The hard part was that Antonia really didn't like going out to eat. So, with Hannah's help; Mike cooked dinner. Hannah decorated the outside patio and helped Antonio find a nice dress. Before the dinner, Mike was in his room getting ready, when Hannah knocked on the door.
"Aren't you going to wear a tie?" Hannah asked from the door.
"I suppose I should but I'm not sure which one. Can you help me?" Mike asked. Hannah bit her lip and Mike nodded. "You're safe with me, remember?" Mike asked. He could have just picked the ties up and showed her, but Hannah was going to have to learn.
"The blue one? It'll match her dress." Hannah said.
"Okay. Thank you. So…I was looking through some of my stuff, trying to find my cuff-links. This was your mom's bracelet. Would you like it?" Mike asked. He showed her the bracelet and she smiled.
"Yeah!" Hannah said. He motioned for her wrist and quickly fastened it.
"That actually was from when you were born. It was her push present. I don't know where the ones from Katie and Lucas are, but I'm glad for whatever reason, that got stuck in my stuff." Mike explained.
"Push present?" Hannah asked.
"A present the father of the baby gives to the mom. For giving birth. I never could give expensive gifts but I always tried to get your mom a little something and some flowers." Mike explained.
"This is pretty. Thank you for giving it to me." Hannah said.
"Of course. I wish I had more from your mom." Mike admitted.
"Do you have any photos of her?" Hannah asked.
"Actually, I do. This is from when you were born. She's holding you." Mike said as he handed her a framed photo that he had also been meaning to give her.
"She looks really happy." Hannah remarked, looking at the photo.
"She was. She was really proud of you. Of course, she was of Katie and Lucas too, but she loved when you all were small." Mike said. He noticed the tears gathering in Hannah's eyes. Instead of waiting for the right time; he carefully took the picture out of her hand and pulled her into a hug.
"I miss her so much." Hannah sobbed.
"I know you do." Mike said. He rocked her back and forth. He wondered if she was reading that he was wanting to be more serious and formal with Antonia and was trying to erase Christine from his life. He wasn't, of course, but Hannah was still so young. "Honey, I will always love your mom. Please don't think I don't." Mike said.
"I know. I just really miss her." Hannah replied.
"Are you okay with me…I suppose dating Antonia?" Mike asked.
"I love Antonia." Hannah answered.
"I know you do, but that doesn't mean that you're okay with it." Mike remarked.
"It is sometimes hard to see you with her, but I really do love Antonia and I know Mom would want you to be happy again. Its more…I'm afraid you and she will decide you don't want me and Hunter around anymore." Hannah said.
"Not a chance. You and Hunter are a package deal for me. And I think Antonia will agree. She loves you, as much as I do, I suspect." Mike said.
"I'm a reminder of all you've lost." Hannah replied. She was trying to brush the tears away but they just kept coming.
"And you are also the reminder I need of when I was truly happy. The reminder that I can be again. Honey, we've both seen entirely too much loss. Your mom would want us both happy again. Is that fear of yours why you have trouble seeing Antonia and I together?" Mike asked.
"Yes." Hannah answered.
"And that's it?" Mike asked.
"Yes." Hannah repeated.
"I do want something more with Antonia but if it means that much, I will hit the pause button. Just think about it a bit for me? I promise, you and Hunter will always have a home with me." Mike said as he wiped a tear off Hannah's cheek.
"Okay. Thank you." Hannah answered. Mike kissed her forehead and gave her another long hug. "I think I got some tears on your shirt." Hannah remarked.
"Its okay. Antonia will understand. Now, did you get you some dinner?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. I'm gonna eat in the kitchen. Everything is ready downstairs. Hunter is asleep." Hannah said.
"Perfect. Remember what I said. I love you and you will always have a place here with me and Antonia wants you here. Wants Hunter." Mike said. Mike handed her the photo and gave her some tissues to wipe the tears away with just as Hunter began crying.
"I'd better get him before Antonia does. He'll spit up or slobber on her dress." Hannah remarked.
"Remember what I said." Mike said before she left the room, allowing him to finish getting ready.