Hearing the knock at the door.
"That will be Michael. I'll let him in."
Walking to the door Stella tried to hear what Mac was saying to those poor kids. Not hearing anything she let Michael in.
"Hey mom...where's Maddy?"
"She's in the den with the rest of the family."
As Michael, Anya, and the kids walked down the hall Stella knew this was her chance to interrupt.
"Mac...Michael's here."
Looking at the kids Stella tried not to smile. They looked almost perplexed.
"Alright love. We're coming."
Getting up Mac took his wife by the hand and led her out. Leaving MJ and Leanne behind.
"Did you get any of that MJ?"
"No...that was weird. Why would he have us sit there for twenty minutes and not say anything?"
Shrugging it off MJ knew the time had come to talk with Anya.
"You're shaking MJ. It's going to be okay. We'll get through it together."
Walking out hand in hand they seen everyone talking in the den.
"Hey MJ....how you doing bud?"
"I'm fine dad. Can we talk?"
"Sure...let's go."
"Anya too."
Michael raised an eyebrow...Anya..not mom, he had called her Anya.
"You can use my office MJ."
Nodding to his grandfather he left the room.
"What's that all about?"
"Anya has TPSD. While MJ was in the Hospital she said some pretty heartbreaking things that hurt MJ really deep. They haven't spoken since he woke."
"Aww...that has to hard on everyone. I hope they can mend. I seen alot of PTSD myself while overseas with Mathew. It's a very difficult thing to overcome. It's not going to be easy for them to mend."
In Mac's office there was silence. No one knew where to start.
"How about I start? Michael I know I hurt you really bad with my words. Everything I said that day is unforgivable. I know that. I also know there was no excuse for it. Even with PTSD I had no right to say those awful things. I was very stressed, scared, angry, confused. I guess I didn't want to see you hurting anymore. As selfish as that is...it's the truth. Your suffering frightened me into facing my own fears. fears that I thought were buried.
I don't expect you to ever forgive me Michael. Hell...I can't even forgive myself. But I hope we can at least start to rebuild what we've lost. Hopefully one step at time we can get back what we had before."
Michael softly caressed his wife's hand. She was being so brave. He knew how hard it was for her to admit she was ill. But he also knew the treatments, the councilling, were working.
"I'm willing to try and heal us Anya. But you need to understand that it's not going to be easy. Those things you said broke my heart. Whether you were ill, or not....that was uncalled for, especially for your child. I heard every word you said that day. I faught so hard to make it known that I could hear you. Cause I wanted you to stop"
MJ could feel his eyes mist up. God he hated this. Hated the pain, the hurtful words. Everyday he was forced to relive the nightmare of Anya wanting him to die. Leanne leaned over and wrapped her fingers in his. Giving him her strength, her warmth, but most of all her love.
"I know you did Michael...I know you heard your dad and I arguing. I could see you try and fight...and I'm so sorry it lead to your stroke."
"Listen son...I'd like you and Leanne to come to one of your moms councilling sessions. I think it will help you understand better."
"I'm sorry dad. I said I'll try and heal us. But I'm not ready to take that step yet. I will be polite, caring and understanding to Anya. But as for being a family...I can honestly say we will never get that back."
"I understand Michael. That's all I ask."
Getting up MJ walked over and gave Anya a small embrace.
"I hope you can understand dad."
"I do son. I also won't ask for more then that. Just know that we love you."
Hugging his dad tight. He took Leanne's hand and left the office.
"Are you okay Anya?"
"I am Michael. We've taken a huge step today. I understood it would take a while. Now let's get back to seeing Maddy and the boys. I'm sure you have alot of catching up to do."