Not Alone

One

(A/N- Yes, another damn story from me. At this point Harlow and Mike are on hiatus and this story has been consuming my life. Thanks to Rashell and Nikki, I am publishing it. Here's some helpful hints for understanding the communication- if just italics it is probably just someone using ASL or writing something down. If you see this "' that means it's signing and speaking at the same time. Hope that helps with understanding the communication going on. There will also be some chapters that have a present day (2015) insert where Mike is filming and others will not. The ones that do not is because the previous chapter is interconnected by a day or a couple of days where no insert is needed.)

*2015*

I entered the kitchen of my house spotting my wife at counter putting together the fruit salad that was notoriously always in our home. Not only was it something that we enjoyed snacking on, but our kids loved it too. It was healthy, nutritious and tasty so that was a huge win for us, especially when the kids asked for it as their snack. Placing my hands on her waist, I kissed her head softly before placing a few to the skin of her shoulder that was in view thanks to her tank top.

'What are you doing?' Eden signed to me taking her two hands and using her index finger and thumb moved them apart and together while lowering her eyebrows.

'Nothing,' I signed back making a circle with my hand gaining her attention on my face. "'I'm going to film the video in my studio.'"

Eden nodded. "'Okay. Have fun.'"

'I love you,' I signed gaining a smile from the woman in front of me.

"I love you too," She replied with just her voice tilting her head up allowing me to kiss her lips.

Walking into my studio, I sat down on my computer chair opening up the software I needed to film this video. It wasn't one I would have ever thought I would make. I definitely wouldn't have thought I would be making it thirteen years ago, but here I am. "'Hi, I'm Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park,'" I said while signing along with my words. "'I am going to talk about my involvement with creating the artwork for the HCOA 5K shirts and posters along with what got me interested in being an advocate for charities assisting those who cannot afford devices or education based around being deaf or loss of hearing. I am also going to try my hardest to sign as I talk, but there may be some signs I don't have knowledge of. I apologize ahead of time if that happens.'"  I took a small break knowing that sometimes that it was needed thanks in part to how many times Eden runs her hand up her arm telling me to 'slow down'. I earned my nickname for a reason obviously. "'Thirteen years ago, I met the woman who is now my wife. When I first noticed her it was in the catering area of an arena I was playing at. Her beauty is what had initially grabbed my attention, but it was more than that made me stay and fall in love. Like everyone who is deaf can attest, there is no physical evidence that would outwardly point to the knowledge that they can't hear and that was the same for Eden. I fully admit that I was not the brightest at first with noticing what made Eden unique. In fact, I had to have someone point it out to me...'"

*2003*

I remember when I first saw Eden. She walked into the catering area that we had at every arena we visited for our shows. There was nothing that particularly stood out about her. She was just beautiful and throughout the time I sat eating with a couple of the other guys I kept glancing over at her. I noticed that unlike everyone else she sat by herself while she ate and would sometimes be typing on her phone other times she would just be eating. This would happen day after day whenever she would come into the room. Never with anyone. Always by herself. That made me feel sad. We had always tried to make sure that everyone who toured with us felt like part of a team. Like part of a family and yet, she was by herself while everyone else had at least someone joining them. The sounds of conversation and laughter filled this room yet she was quiet and reserved.