I Need You

Part 4

"I think one of these days we'll turn into pasta." Maria said, picking up a mouthful with a fork, as Gabi and Michael laughed, while eating dinner.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. That's just about as much as I can make." Michael looked at his daughter sympathetically. "You don't have to eat this, I can order something?"

"No, it's okay Dad." Maria waved it off. "It's not that it's bad, it's just... it's the same thing over and over again. Mom knew how to make other things."

Sighing, he nodded, suddenly losing his appetite. "I know. Well, she's not here though."

But not five minutes passed, when the three of them heard the front door being unlocked, Stevie having followed their voices, appeared in the dining room. 

"Hey."

"Mom!" 

"Hi, sweetie." She smiled, hugging Maria tightly, who ran up to her. 

Maria was only twelve years old. She wasn't expected. Stevie and Michael had tried everything various doctors suggested, but nothing worked. Although, when they finally gave up, soon they found out about their little miracle baby. That is also why they chose the name, Maria, because she definitely was wished for.

"Gabriel?" Stevie looked over at her older daughter.

"Hello." Was all Stevie got, before she got up from the table and stomped up the stairs and into her room. 

Michael noticed the sad look in his soon to be ex wife's eyes. "Hey, Maria, could you give me and your Mom a moment?"

"Sure."

When left alone, Michael didn't seem as welcoming either anymore, standing up and reaching for the plates to clear off the table. 

"You don't have anything to say to me?" Stevie asked, following after him into the kitchen.

"I know you don't." He replied, referring to the night before.

"I'm really sorry I left like that. I... I had a meeting early in the morning, I had to get to my place for a change of clothes."

"And during the whole day you just couldn't pick up the phone and call me?"

"I didn't... didn't know what to say to you." She admitted, avoiding his eyes. 

"Tell me, why did you do it? Why did you come here in the middle of the night and then got in bed with me?"

"You were the one who asked me to."

"Yeah, well I didn't ask you to get on top of me." He said angrily. 

Stevie knew he was mad, but he was never the one to showcase it, rather bottling up his emotions, so he wouldn't hurt her with his words. She did feel bad for what happened and she somehow wanted to fix it, yet she wondered if by doing that she wasn't going to make it all even worse.

"I'm sorry." She understood it wouldn't do much, but she honestly felt like it. 

"Why are you here now? Again?"

Shrugging her shoulders, she rested against one of the kitchen counters, folding her arms over her chest. "I missed all of you. I missed this, our family."

"Oh my God!" Michael couldn't help his frustration. "You were the one who filed for divorce! You were the one determined to get out of this marriage as quickly as possible, getting your stuff packed, the second you told me we were done! What the fuck changed? Why this sudden need to be back here? It hurts me, you know? I'm trying to accept it that you're leaving me, but then you come back and I can't be sure when you will leave again."