Tempest
Chapter 6
The President was not impressed with Mike's retirement, but his commission was up anyways. Mike was able to negotiate a nice package for himself and Antonia, Hannah and Hunter would be well cared for.
Mike hated retirement parties and he could tell that Hannah was nervous, but about the same time that Mike noticed it, Henry Bell had gone over and struck up a conversation with her. And shockingly, Hannah seemed to be holding her own. She was even letting Henry hold Hunter.
Mike decided to invite Henry for dinner sometime since he had been assigned to SouthComm. He'd talk to Antonia about it. He didn't want to push Hannah, but it was healthy for her to develop friendships and Mike trusted Henry to not get any ideas. Besides getting Henry assigned to SouthComm, Mike had also made sure Henry had time to visit his sister and niece in Texas.
Finally, all the pleasantries were done and Mike packed the gifts and his family up. Hunter was asleep as soon as he was laid into his car-seat and Hannah also seemed tired. He drove them home and sighed as soon as he pulled into the garage. He carried Hunter in and handed him back to Hannah so she could get him to bed.
"He really needs a bath but he's so sleepy." Hannah remarked.
"Bathe him in the morning. We don't have anything. Do you need help?" Mike asked.
"Nah. I'm gonna give him a bottle so he sleeps most of the night and put him to sleep. He really liked Henry." Hannah remarked.
"Henry is a good guy and babies are good judges of character." Mike replied. Hunter was awake but having trouble began fixing a bottle while Antonia put his gifts away.
"I guess." Hannah said. Mike handed her the bottle.
"Sleep tight, sweetie. Do you need me to carry him up?" Mike asked.
"I can get him. Thanks, Dad. I am really glad you'll be here all the time now." Hannah said.
"I'm glad to be home full-time now. Now, go get some rest and wake either of us up if you need anything." Mike said. He so badly wanted to give Hannah a hug but it was a no go, so he kissed Hunter's little hand and smiled down at him; glad he could at least do that. As soon as she got to the top of the stairs, Mike turned back and smiled at Antonia.
"She is very happy." Antonia remarked.
"And you?" Mike asked.
"I understood you having to be gone but I am glad you'll be home too. I worried about you." Antonia answered.
"I know. So, have you given any thought to where you would like to go on our date?" Mike asked.
"Not really. You might see if Hannah would help you set it up. She enjoys stuff like this." Antonia said.
"Really?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. She loved helping with your retirement party." Antonia said as she fixed herself a cup of tea. The only thing she ever asked Mike for and wherever he went, he made sure to get her a new flavor of tea or the teacups and kettles she loved so much. "Would you like a cup?" Antonia asked. Mike hated tea but occasionally, he would drink a cup with Antonia because she loved it.
"Sure." Mike answered. He sat down at the kitchen counter and waited as Antonia brewed and fixed his tea. It was the mint that he liked a little and she settled next to him rather than tidying up the kitchen, like she normally did.
"So, now that you are retired, what happens to me? I knew this was not a normal marriage." Antonia asked.
"You're afraid I'll send you back?" Mike asked her gently.
"Yes." Antonia answered.
"I can see why you would think that. Before you needed me for safety and security. Now, you don't and I'm home all the time." Mike continued.
"You can stay here with Hannah and Hunter." Antonia said.
"I can, yes, but honestly, Hannah needs you more than she does me at the moment. You love her and Hunter, don't you?" Mike asked.
"Yes." Antonia answered.
"If there is any hope of Hannah healing, it won't be because of me. She needs you. So…here's the deal. If you want to go back, I'll take you. I'd set you up. But…I would rather you stay here. I don't want for our marriage to continue being need-based. Of course, marriages are always need-based, but I want this one to grow. My first marriage was flawed but there was love and passion there. I want something similar again." Mike explained.
"I do as well." Antonia said.
"So, we build it. We go on dates and such." Mike explained.
"I have never been on a date. My island was poor before the Red Flu, and poorer after. Courtships were about finding a spouse that benefited your family a bit better than they were before. Mario did, but not much by much." Antonia explained.
"Ah, and that is why you weren't sure when I asked you what you wanted to do." Mike remarked.
"Yes." Antonia answered.
"Alright. Well, trust me. I don't want to take you back to Sardinia but I do want you to be happy." Mike told her.
"I want to stay. I love it here. I…love Hannah and Hunter and…I care about you. Perhaps even…maybe I always did." Antonia commented quietly, almost like she was ashamed.
"Perhaps, even love?" Mike clarified, even though he knew.
"Yes. As I said, marriages in Sardinia were need based, back then. It rarely grew to love." Antonia explained.
"Ah, I see. Well, trust me. I will make this fun for you, I promise." Mike said. Antonia reached over and touched his cheek gently before standing up.
"Amore mio." Antonia said. She grabbed her tea and headed up the stairs. Mike pulled his phone out, realizing he had never asked for a translation. He typed the words and language into a website and waited. He was a little surprised to see the words, 'My Love' come across the screen.
It made sense to Mike. She had been saying it from the beginning and now she said it to Hannah and Hunter, in addition to Mike. And he hoped someday, to say it back to her and mean it.