Lots of Love, Mike

“Mike, its Michelle.” She said after hearing Mike’s voice.

“Hi honey are you good?” He said sounding cheerful enough.

“I am, thank you Mike.” Michelle replied.

“And the wonderful Ron?” He said.

“Ron’s good too. I know this may be at the wrong time and you’re all so busy lately but I understand you got a letter from Stella.” Said Michelle deciding to just come out with it, she couldn’t be bothered with pussyfooting around.

“Yes I have, how do you know?”

“Because she wrote to me and enclosed a copy of your letter. I hope you don’t mind.”

Mike was silent

“Mike?” Said Michelle.

“Its OK Michelle, I don’t mind, I’m still in a little shock here.” Mike whispered.

“Do you understand why she did it?” Said Michelle.

“What keep Jessica a secret?” said Mike.

“Yes.”

“May be a little, but why write and tell me? Why not just call me up?”

“She told me she found it easier to write to you.” Said Michelle.

”So you spoke to her then?” Said Mike. He didn’t sound as good suddenly as when he first picked up the phone.

“Yes I have, we’ve made it up and rightly so. I kind of let her down and she’s had to bring little Jessica up on her own.”

“I can’t believe the likeness.” Said Mike

“Me neither she’s just a miniature version.” Said Michelle.

“I’m actually beginning to understand but I think I need to speak to the guys about this.” Mike said.

”Are you sure you’re ready?” Said Michelle.

“I’m sure. We’re so close at the moment and they know something is wrong with me. I need to share it with them. We’re seeing Stella in a week and I hate to say it but I’m not looking forward to it.”

“Oh Mike, this is Stella, she’s hardly changed, she’s as lovely as ever and when I spoke to her on the phone I realised this. She’s been through quite a lot in her life. I should have offered her some slack when all this happened. I was a little selfish when she told me about the baby.”

”So you knew about Jessica a while back?” Said Mike surprised by this.

“Yes, she told me when she found out she was pregnant.”

“And you didn’t think to tell anyone.”

“No.” Said Michelle.

“Oh Michelle.” Said Mike sounding slightly disappointed in her.

“Yes and I can’t believe it myself. I knew and really I could have been the one to sort this mess out and I didn’t. I’m trying to make up for it now, especially to Stella. Please don’t hate her Mike, she needs you and everyone else, she’s always needed you.”

“I know, she was always there for us and so many times she came over to see me and I didn’t appreciate her.”

“Do you appreciate her now?” Asked Michelle. It sounded as though he did.

“Of course I do.” Yeah, he did. He had been a fool in the past.

“Then… try and understand why she did it.” She said.

“I’ll try.” Said Mike then pressed the button on his telephone.

He had a long hard think and decided he wanted to share the news with everyone but then decided that he would keep it to himself for a while longer.

**

“Mum I can’t believe we’re going to be on our way soon.” Said Ryan. He was so excited.

“Neither can I.” Said Stella but she was anxious this time. She wondered who knew about the letter? Had Mike shown any of them? She sighed, her stomach full of butterflies.

There was a knock at the door. It was Margaret and her daughter Sophie who lived next door. Sophie was 15 and both her and her mother were looking after Jessica for the day. Jessica adored Sophie and occasionally her and her mother babysat for her when she needed them to.

She needed them today, because today was the day they were travelling to London to watch Green Day, to go backstage and see them again and Stella’s stomach had been bubbling up with nerves since she woke up.

On the way to London on the train Ryan was sitting opposite her. His eyes were sparkling and he looked so grown up sitting there. He was wearing his black jeans, trainers and a black T-shirt with the American Idiot logo on it. His hair was gelled up kind of into a Mohican and Stella smiled to herself.

“Ryan, how would you feel about going to live in America?” She said to him suddenly.

“You’re kidding right?” He said suddenly taking an interest in what his Mum had to say.

“No, I’m thinking about it and I think it would be good for us to be out in California.”

”Where would we live?” Said Ryan.

“We’d live in Berkeley of course,” said Stella.

“Where Green Day are from?” Said Ryan.

Some kids on the opposite side of the train looked over. They were obviously going to the concert too, they were dressed like Ryan, well three of them were, and the fourth was dressed as a Billie Joe look-alike. Stella couldn’t help but smile looking over at them.

“Keep your voice down, yes where the guys are from.”

“When?”

“I’m not sure, I’m just thinking about it at the moment. I could sell my business and quite easily set up over there. Once the house is gone we can use that money to buy one out there.”

“Mum, I’d love to.” He said and looked out of the window with a smile on his face.

Stella looked out of the window also but her mind wasn’t on the passing scenery, her memories took her back to the last time she actually visited California. It was Mike and Ana’s wedding. What a day that was…

“She’s so beautiful.” Said Stella who was sitting next to Adi. They’d both turned to watch Ana being walked up the aisle holding on to her father’s arm.

“Doesn’t she always though, she’d look great in a sack.” Said Adi glancing over at Ana. Adi had this strange feeling come over her that may be Mike and Ana weren’t right together after all. They’d had loads of ups and downs, but… there was no going back now. They were about to do it, to get married and spend the rest of their lives together.

Stella couldn’t help but glance over at Mike, Billie and Tre. They were all dressed identically in black tuxedos with crisp white shirts and black bow ties. They had white roses in the buttonholes. Stella thought of Jessie then and that brought a tear to her eye. White roses always did that to her, reminded her of Jessie. They looked so handsome, all three of them, they were talented, handsome guys and she couldn’t help but feel proud of them.

The ceremony was gorgeous and it was obvious that Mike and Ana were happy. It was written all over their faces.

Ryan had been fidgeting on her lap for most of the ceremony. He too was dressed in a mini tuxedo. He looked so cute but Stella knew that by the end of the day his shirt would be hanging out, the bow tie probably lost and the jacket would probably have stains on it. Then she smiled thinking about Mike, Tre and Billie and thinking that by the end of the day their attire would probably look something similar to Ryan’s.

Mike and Ana had booked Stella to take the wedding photographs and she was so honoured to do it. The posing took ages but Tre and Michelle were quite close by nearly all the time looking after Ryan. He was three years old and such a handful, totally unpredictable. He was a true free spirit and sometimes Stella found him difficult to handle.

The meal was gorgeous and everything must have cost a fortune and Stella was dying to hear Ron play in his band. They were booked to play for a couple of hours but then Michelle was rushing off with him to another gig. Stella hadn’t met him properly and couldn’t wait to.

Then everything after that happened in a blur. While the band were playing Tre asked her for a dance and she agreed. Michelle said she would watch Ryan but before Tre had even taken Stella in his arms a scream rang out and Stella recognised it. It was Ryan.

She glanced over and he was in a heap on the floor with a cut on his head that was bleeding quite heavily. Tre and Stella ran over to him.

“You’d only just left and he climbed on the table and… fell off.” Said Michelle. “He was so quick, I couldn’t catch him.” She sounded quite distraught.

“Its OK Michelle, I know what Ryan can be like.” said Stella bending down to him. The cut was bleeding quite heavily so she took a clean napkin from the table and held it on his head. He was crying so Stella sat him on her knee to comfort him. The napkin was covered in blood but the bleeding wouldn’t stop and what also worried Stella was that Ryan was becoming drowsy.

“Ryan? Come on sweetheart; don’t go to sleep now.” She said rocking him back and forth.

“I think he may need to go to the hospital.” Tre said. He was crouched down beside Stella and holding Ryan’s hand. Stella lifted the napkin and the cut was still bleeding.

“Its not stopping.” said Stella looking concerned, her eyes wide.

“I think he may need a couple of stitches.” Said Tre putting his hand out on her arm.

“Do you think so?” said Stella. She felt sick all of a sudden.

“I think so.” Said Tre kindly.

“I agree,” said Michelle, “come on, I’ve got the car here, I’ll drop you at the hospital.”

Tre noticed the fear in Stella’s eyes.

“Hey, its OK Stella, I’ll come too, I’ll just let Billie know where we are.” He said.

Tre was back in less than 30 seconds then scooped little Ryan up and carried him to Michelle’s car; he could feel Stella shaking alongside him.

The hospital wait was dreadful. Stella looked over at Tre with Ryan on his lap. He was so good with him. Tre’s beautiful white shirt was covered in splatters of blood but he was holding his hanky over the cut and making Ryan laugh by telling him silly jokes, making faces and singing little rhyming songs to him.

They were called into the cubicle by a nurse who examined Ryan’s cut, Ryan crying all the while, insistent that he didn’t want to be put down on the bed but wanted Tre to keep hold of him. Tre said it was fine but Ryan still screamed the entire time that they stitched him up.

The nurse said to keep an eye on him closely to make sure that he didn’t throw up. If he did, they were to bring him back to the hospital immediately.

They got into a taxi and went back to the hotel where the wedding reception had been held. It was past midnight and had been a long day, Stella yawned and this set Tre off yawning too. The wedding was over by the time they got back, just Billie and Jason White sitting in the lounge area having a nightcap.

“How is the fella?” Said Billie coming immediately over to them.

“He’s ok but I just have to keep an eye on him,” said Stella. “I’m going to take him up to bed and get some sleep myself. It’s a shame we missed everything,” she said.

Tre was carrying Ryan and indicated to Billie that he was taking Ryan up with Stella.

The hotel room was luxurious and expensive, a far cry from the days where they could hardly afford anything. Stella’s business was successful too; they were all doing so well.

Tre laid down Ryan on the bed and Stella took off his little shirt and trousers leaving him in his underpants.

When he was settled with the covers thrown over him Stella brushed his hair away from his bandaged forehead and kissed him gently. He was asleep already.

As she turned to Tre Stella burst out crying, Tre immediately came over to her and held her.

“He’ll be fine, it’s been an emotional time, don’t worry, these things happen with kids.” Tre said holding her close.

“I know its just that, I turned my back for a second and…”

“Hey.. it’s no ones fault,” said Tre stoking her hair.

“But what if he’s sick during the night?” Said Stella looking up at him, her eyes anxious.

“Do you want me to stay here with you?” Tre nodded over to a couch on the other side of the room.

“Would you?” said Stella, relief evident in her face.

“Of course, I don’t mind, just let me go and get out of this suit then I’ll be back.”

When he was gone Stella undressed and got into bed, snuggling up just behind Ryan.

Tre wasn’t long getting changed and when he came back he had on one of his old t shirts that Stella had seen before and some long shorts. He settled himself down onto the sofa, making himself comfortable.

“Tre?” She said looking over.

“Yep,” he said stopping plumping up his pillow.

“I could do with a hug,” she said hesitantly.

Tre came across the room, got into the covers and snuggled up behind Stella.

She immediately felt comforted. It was going to be OK she thought as Tre wrapped his arms around her protectively. All three of them were soon asleep, snuggled closely together in a bed that could have easily slept 10. They were like a little family.

The train journey seemed to take ages and Stella kept glancing at her watch every five minutes. Finally they pulled into the station.

Not long now she thought. I’m going to be seeing them all again and I’ve decided that this group of people after Ryan and Jessica are the most important people I’ve ever known. It’s been two years, how foolish to leave it that long.

Then she felt apprehensive remembering her letter to Mike and her confession about Jessica.

He must hate me.