The New Ship
Chapter 16
Grace did not sleep well at all. She had gotten used to Mike being next to her every night. The way he would throw an arm around her in his sleep and pull her onto his chest. At first light, she noticed Mike's wallet still sitting on the nightstand and normally, she'd never look in it but she was curious.
A few hundred dollars, a debit and credit card, a driver's license as well as an international driver's license, a United Nations card as well as an ID card from the Navy, now stamped with a large 'retired' stamp. But, what shocked her was the school photos of Liv and Eli, as well as very faded photos of his three older kids and his wife, Christine.
She was surprised because the photos were together. A mix of Mike's past and present. She looked again at the family photo of Mike, Christine and the three kids. Katie was about fourteen in the photo but Grace could see the trust Katie had in her father. He had an arm around her shoulders and she was smiling up at him, almost like he was telling her some story.
Lily had never experienced that. What she had experienced from Kent wasn't love. Grace had told Mike that she suspected Kent had been physically abusive towards Lily, but Grace also suspected that he had sexually abused Lily. And as a result; Grace struggled trusting anyone with her kids. But trust was a big thing for Mike…and she loved him.
Grace fixed the wallet, showered, dressed and made her bed. She heard Mike's voice; talking to Eli and Liv; while fixing them breakfast. He was telling them some story while showing Eli how to make the pancakes. Eli was not interested in making pancakes but he was interested in Mike's story.
"What happened next, Daddy?" Liv asked, shocking Grace. It was the first time she had heard Liv say it, but it didn't bother her. Mike looked up and saw her, gave her a brief smile before going back to the story. Grace walked into the kitchen, kissed the top of Liv's head, walked around the island, patted Eli's cheek, and then reached up and kissed Mike's cheek.
"Morning, beautiful." Mike said. He didn't look like he had slept well either.
"Mom; what time do you have to go to the airport?" Eli asked.
"Two." Grace answered.
"Eli; can you get me that syrup, please?" Mike requested.
"Sure." Eli said before handing the bottle to Mike.
"Eli; while Mike finishes breakfast; could you go in with Liv and pick out her clothes for today and make sure she brushes her teeth, please? I'll take care of her hair." Grace requested.
"Yes, ma'am." Eli answered before helping Liv off the chair and leading her towards her bedroom. Grace turned to Mike and knew she needed to apologize.
"Mike–I need to apologize. You have done nothing but love me and the kids. If you'd like to adopt Liv, that is fine. I would like to give Eli the option and I do not know what his answer will be. I don't want him to feel pressured. But, I do love you and I am sorry." Grace said.
"I can understand that. What changed your mind?" Mike asked.
"Hearing her call you 'Daddy' and the way Eli was hanging onto your every word." Grace said.
"I should have warned you about that. It was just…nice to hear, I suppose. I've missed that title." Mike said.
"You deserve an explanation…I told you that I suspect Kent had physically abused Lily, but I also strongly suspect he sexually abused her. Having been a prosecutor; I had interviewed child victims and Lily exhibited alot of the same attributes. Just little things. She never said, of course. So, its hard to trust people with my kids." Grace explained.
"I would never do that. It sickens me." Mike said.
"I only wish now that I had been able to protect Lily and she had had a chance to know you. She would have adored you." Grace replied.
"I would have loved her." Mike said.
"You don't talk as much about your kids. I know it hurts but I hope some day to learn a bit more about them." Grace answered.
"Someday." Mike promised. Grace could tell he wasn't in the mood to talk about them so instead she turned him and hugged him tightly.
"Mike, I love you and I'm sorry." Grace said. He kissed the top of her head and rocked her back and forth several times.
"I love you too and don't worry about it." Mike answered.
"Mike–Mom wanted me to get how many of your friends that will be here for the wedding…assuming you want to go forward with it?" Grace asked. Mike had pulled away and flipped a pancake.
"I do and so far just Russ, the Green's and their kids and Miller and his wife. Gator and his family are maybes, as well as Wolf and Azima." Mike answered.
"What about Tom and Sasha?" Grace asked. She noticed that Mike paused just a bit and a shadow crossed his face. Tom was Mike's best friend and Mike thought of him as a brother. "He doesn't want to come because its me you're marrying?" Grace asked.
"Essentially, but I got a call last night that he was back in in-patient treatment for the PTSD. Sasha said he could check himself out for the weekend but he doesn't want to." Mike answered.
"Do you need to go visit him?" Grace asked.
"He refuses to see anyone." Mike answered.
"Mike, this isn't on you. You've shouldered it too…you just was able to put it in its place. Tom hasn't learned that. If you want to put the wedding off until he can be here; I understand, although I'm not sure he would come out here for it." Grace said.
"I'm not sure he would either. No reason to hold off. I had just thought I would have him as Best Man." Mike admitted.
"I'm sorry, Mike." Grace said. She gave him another kiss, just as the kids came back in. Mike gave them both a smile; but Grace could tell he was hurting.
The kids were excited for their day with Mike. Grace watched Mike interacting with Eli and how he had the perfect mix of being a father-figure and a friend. He had already had the 'talk' with Eli, and while it had made him uncomfortable; he had understood why it was better that he did it, rather than Grace's dad, Rob.
Eli didn't seem to be bothered by Liv calling Mike 'Daddy.' He had just kind of accepted it. The kids opted to stay with Mike while Grace went to the airport to get her parents. While Grace was gone, Mike promised to freshen up the guest room and start dinner. While driving home; she explained everything to her parents. Her dad, usually the strong, silent type, spoke up before her mom did.
"Let him adopt the kids if he wants to and if the kids want. They deserve to have a father–someone who will always love, support, advocate for them and care about them. Someone to loan Eli the money for an engagement ring for his future bride. Someone to walk Liv down the aisle. Someone to give them an example of what it means to love someone when you don't have to. I've always been willing to be their father figure but Mike can be that person. I can go back to just being their Papa." Rob said.
"I had my reservations about Mike, but he has proven himself. He is good for you and for those kids. They light up when they see Mike after school. I don't think you will ever find a better father-figure for them. Who better to love kids who have lost their dad, then a dad who has lost his children? And frankly; I believe he loves them far better than Kent ever did." Mary said.
"Not hard to surpass Kent in that matter." Rob remarked. He had never been a fan of Kent, but seemed to adore Mike.
"I don't know how to have the conversation with Eli without him feeling I'm pressuring him." Grace remarked.
"Just let him know that Mike is adopting Liv and would adopt Eli, if Eli would like him to, but regardless; he will be a part of your family and will love Eli exactly the same." Rob said.
"And it might be better if you or one of us talked to him. Not Mike. Eli might feel if he decides for Mike not to adopt him, that Mike would be disappointed in him." Mary said. They were almost to Grace's house and Grace was glad.
"Thanks. I really am glad to have you both here." Grace remarked as she pulled into her driveway.
"Nowhere else we'd be." Mary said. Grace's dad got out of the car as soon as it was parked and helped Mary out, just as Mike came down the walk. He hugged Mary and shook Rob's hand before helping them with luggage.
"I've got the spare bedroom all ready for you and supper marinating. Figured I'd grill tonight." Mike said.
"That sounds good." Mary answered.
"Did the kids behave?" Grace asked Mike.
"They were perfect angels." Mike said with an ornery smirk.
"Grace; he wouldn't tell you otherwise." Mary said. They all laughed as they walked into the house and Grace smiled up at Mike. She squeezed his bicep and smiled as the kids came running into the living area to greet their grandparents. It made Grace smile at how good it all was.