Chapter 28 – Hannah
Chapter Twenty-Eight
HANNAH
“ H ave you talked to Michael at all?” Maya whispers, sidling up next to me.
I glance at her art class, busy knitting and crocheting away. It’s been a week since Katie asked me to help her create a present to cheer up her dad, and I still don’t have an answer for her.
I don’t have an answer when it comes to anything.
“No,” I admit to Maya.
I want to talk to Michael. Of course I do. Just like I want to be with him, just like I want his arms around me every night and his smile greeting me every morning.
But I feel frozen by the unknown. Things might be simple in my little bubble that encompasses Knit Happens and my weekly classes and meetups with the girls—and a flare here and there—but at least I know what to expect. The biggest curve balls that come my way are having to shut down the shop for a day because of a flare or scrambling to find supplies when an order is late coming in.
I’m safe here in this bubble. Lonely, yes. But safe.
The bell rings, and the kids abandon their projects—all except Katie and Rose, who keep their heads diligently bent over their work.
“Okay, everyone,” Maya calls. “Gather your things.”
Katie looks up and right at me, questions in her eyes. Questions I’m not sure I have answers to.
Standing, she strides over to me. “Have you come up with anything for my dad yet?”
I draw a deep breath. “Uh…no. But you know him a lot better than I do, so whatever you decide to make for him, I know he’ll love.”
Her face falls in disappointment. “Oh.”
I feel like I’ve kicked a puppy. Is this part of some plan she has to get Michael and me back together?
My heart wrenches. “I can help you brainstorm.”
Her lips twist. “He likes this cartoon. Gravity Falls .”
My heart breaks as I remember the date in the fishing shed when we watched that. “Oh. Okay. You could do some amigurumi and crochet him a character from the show.”
She nods slowly. “Yeah. I think Dad would like that.”
“What would I like?” Michael’s voice asks, and I freeze.
My gaze darts to the door, where the last few kids are filing out. Only Maya and Rose are still in the classroom. And Michael.
Tall, strong, dependable Michael. A lighthouse in the darkest night. The man who has gone above and beyond for me multiple times.
Not once has he turned his back on me because of fibromyalgia. Not once has he gotten angry because plans have changed. Never has he treated me like some kind of invalid. And if it’s ever frustrated him, he’s never shown it.
So what am I doing, pushing him away? Don’t I know that it doesn’t get better than what’s standing right here in front of me?
I could live the rest of my life in a bubble of semi-predictability, but the joy I feel will never come close to what I’ve experienced with Michael. Being with him, taking a chance with him, is the best choice for me.
No—it’s the only choice.
I swallow hard, my heart racing a million miles an hour. “Katie has been trying to think of something to make you to cheer you up…since you’ve been down lately.”
He blinks, mouth dropping open in surprise. He quickly collects himself, though, as I bite my lip. Should I have not said that? I don’t have a game plan here, other than, hopefully, ending up back with Michael.
“Yeah.” He clears his throat. “I haven’t been feeling that great.”
His gaze darts over my shoulder, and I turn to see Maya, Rose, and Katie all watching us. My face warms.
Maya tries to play it off by walking past us and fiddling with some artwork on the wall, but the two girls just blatantly stare at us. Katie even raises her eyebrows, urging us to go on.
“Um.” I shove my hands into my jeans pockets. “Yeah, I haven’t been feeling great either.”
“You’re over your flare, it looks like. That’s good.” His gaze softens as he drinks me in, real concern there, and I realize how worried he must have been about me this last week and a half. “Would you like to talk in the hallway?”
“Yes,” I nearly shout.
I follow him into the hallway, empty except for the occasional footsteps and voices echoing along the walls. Taking my hands from my pockets, I fold my arms. Then twist my fingers. Then smooth my hair.
I don’t know what to do, don’t know how to start this conversation.
So, maybe I should just go for it. Take the leap from the plane and embrace the free fall, no matter what the outcome is—be it soaring like a bird or hitting the ground with a splat.
“I’m sorry,” I say, and the words just flow forth, like the cork has been popped and I can’t stop them even if I want to. “I made a mistake. I want to be with you, Michael. I love you and Katie, and yes, I want to move in with you. The idea of losing you, yeah, it scares me, but breaking up just because of that fear would be punishing myself. It doesn’t make any sense. There’s always risk to life, and I—I love what you do.”
Tears fill my eyes, and I let them fall. “You help people. You’re a true hero, and I’m so proud of you. You’re…you’re amazing.”
I draw a deep breath and wait. Michael just stares at me, studying every inch of my face. It’s impossible to read his thoughts, and inside, I have my fingers crossed, praying that he forgives me and takes me back.
And if he doesn’t…
I’ll live, but will I ever get over it?
No. Because a man like Michael Greer only comes along once in a lifetime, and I would be stupid to think I’d ever meet someone half as amazing as him again.
“Hannah.” He steps closer, so close I have to tilt my head back to look at him. His hands find mine, fingers twisting together, and it’s like I’m drawing the first breath of my life. Like I didn’t know I was only half alive until now, this moment when he smiles down at me, blessing me with his love.
“I love you,” he says simply, reaching up to touch my cheek. “And after I kiss the hell out of you, I’m renting a moving truck and taking your things to my place. Tomorrow.”
I half laugh, half sob, and his lips crash into mine, stealing my breath and my heart. He slips his arms around my waist, cradling me close. Everything in the whole universe slides into perfect synchronicity, and it just clicks.
Me. Him. Together.
What could be more right?
The classroom door opens behind us, and I break the kiss to look over my shoulder.
Katie and Rose poke their heads out the door. “Are you back together yet?” Katie asks. “Because I just found a unicorn pattern I want to do instead of Dad’s gift.”
Michael and I both burst into laughter.
“You can get started on that.” Michael’s hands linger at my lower back, and I can feel how much he’s restraining himself in front of the kids. “We’re back together.”
Katie’s eyes widen. “Yes!”
She and Rose slip back into the classroom, and Michael pulls me close again, pressing his lips to mine and filling the whole world with glitter—and unicorns.
Lots and lots of unicorns.