Chapter 25

"What? Where? When?" Nathan asked excitedly. Then, he added, "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," she replied, picking up the album off the floor. "I can't forget his eyes. I met him in Nexus."

"So, it wasn't that long ago?" Nathan was nearly trembling with joy. "Tell me."

"Well, there's not much to tell, but when Bourne was attempting to overtake the colony, we were all brought into a conference hall in the colony. We were told we all had to keep quiet, but it's not so easy for a baby to understand that. When Charlie started fussing, one of the soldiers approached me. I was frightened at first. I thought he was going to scold us, possibly hurt us. I didn't know. Instead, he handed me a box. I remember just giving him a look, but he smiled and nodded. Inside the box were some supplies for Charlie-diapers, wipes, some crackers, even some juice for her. It was enough to keep her satisfied until help arrived. That's when you came in. I never saw him again after that. I was hoping to thank him."

Nathan just stared at her for a few moments, allowing what she had just said to sink in. Finally, the reality hit. "You're telling me my son is a soldier for Macronesia?"

"I know one thing when I saw that young man; he was no Macronesian solider," Kristin insisted. "He may have looked like one, but there was softness in his eyes…your eyes, Nathan. He has your eyes; Michael has his eyes. I can't explain why he came in with Stassi and Bourne, but I highly doubt he supports them in any way," she defended.

Nathan shook his head. "You don't know my son." With that, he quickly retreated from the room, heading towards the door.

Kristin followed him. "Where are you going?"

"Out," he answered. "I need some time alone, to think." He turned the doorknob.

But, Kristin placed a hand on his. "Nathan, if I've said anything to upset you, I'm sorry. Can't we talk about this?"

"Later; I really just need some time. I'm sorry." With that, he gently pushed her hand away and headed out the door.

Kristin sighed sadly. She wondered what Nathan had meant, that she didn't know his son. Did that mean he thought Robert could support Macronesia? She knew what it looked like, but she also knew how Macronesia worked. When Bourne overtook a new territory, citizens were forced to serve him or be killed, unless they were lucky enough to escape. It seemed perfectly logical that Robert could have simply been a victim of circumstance. Why would Nathan think otherwise?

She heard the boat engine start; Nathan was leaving. She wished he would talk to her, but she obviously couldn't force him. Just like Michael, she had to give him time. She only hoped that when he returned, he would be able to talk to her.

Michael heard the noises coming from outside as well. He quietly headed downstairs to see Kristin looking upset. "Grandma, where's Grandpa going?" he asked.

Kristin turned to him and forced a smile. "Oh, hi, Sweetie; Grandpa's just taking a little trip into town. He'll be back later. Is Charlie still sleeping?"

Michael nodded. "Yeah, I walked by her room, and she didn't make any noises."

She nodded. "You want to see what I've been working on for you?"

"For me? What?"

She held out her hand, and Michael grasped it. "Come on."

Kristin did her best to put Nathan out of her mind for the time being; she had to focus on Michael, and she didn't want him to sense any possible turmoil. She showed him the scrapbook. "These are pictures of your father when he was younger. I thought you'd like to have this to help you not feel so sad."

Michael looked through the photos. "Wow! My dad looks like me," he noted.

She smiled. "He certainly does." She continued to watch as he leafed through the album. "I'm sorry I don't have any pictures of your mother for you."

Michael shrugged. "It's OK; I remember what she looks like. She's really pretty," he said, "like you."

Kristin blushed. "Thank you, Darling."

"My dad told me that he and Grandpa used to fight a lot," Michael said after he finished looking through the album. "He said Grandpa was close-minded. What does close-minded mean?"

"Uh, it means not being able to be open to the ideas of others. In other words, Grandpa's too stubborn to accept anyone who doesn't think like he does," Kristin explained.

Michael nodded. "Yeah, that's what my dad said. When I first met Grandpa, I was scared. I thought he was going to be mean, but I think maybe my dad was wrong about him. He doesn't seem close-minded."

"Well, I can tell you that Grandpa can be very stubborn sometimes," Kristin admitted. "But, I think it's different with fathers and sons. Grandpa probably just wanted what was best for your father, and he may have pushed your father just a little too hard. Parents are notorious for that. I've done it with Cynthia on occasion," she admitted. She paused. "Did your father ever mention anything else?"

"Yeah, but I can't remember it all. I remember asking my dad about his parents, and he said that we couldn't see them. He said Grandpa wouldn't accept him. He said…" He looked at Kristin sheepishly. "I can't remember anymore."

"Oh, it's alright, Honey. I'm sure when Grandpa gets back, he'll be able to tell us more," Kristin assured him.

At that moment, she heard Charlie fussing. "You want to help me?" she asked Michael.

"Is it alright if I go outside to play instead? I didn't get to play with Max outside."

"Oh, of course, Baby. Have fun." She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Listen, if you see Grandpa, tell him to come find me so I can talk to him, OK?"

"OK," Michael promised. He started out the door. Then, he turned. "Grandma?"

"Yes, Baby?"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," she said with a smile. "Glad I could help."

Michael nodded and headed out the door with Max.

Kristin headed up the stairs and took Charlie out of her crib, got her changed, and brought her back downstairs to entertain her.

Hours later, she started getting dinner prepared. Nathan hadn't returned yet, and she was getting worried, but she tried not to let the children know that.

After dinner was ready, she waited for a bit before serving it. She hoped Nathan would show up any moment. Michael was in the living room playing with Charlie, so she hoped she had a little time.

But, finally Michael came in. "Grandma, is dinner almost ready? I'm getting hungry."

She nodded. "Of course, Honey. Go wash up, and I'll get Charlie ready."

"OK," Michael said obediently. He headed upstairs to wash his hands while Kristin put Charlie in her high chair. She knew she at least had to feed the children; she, on the other hand, wasn't feeling very hungry.

Michael came downstairs a moment later, sat down at the table, and started eating while Kristin fed Charlie. "It's really good, Grandma; thank you."

"You're welcome, Honey," Kristin answered, but her mind was miles away.

"Grandma?" Michael asked.

"Yes?"

"Is Grandpa coming home soon?" Michael asked hopefully.

She stopped and looked at him. "I hope so, Baby. I guess he's just running a little late." She fought back the tears that threatened to fall, swallowed hard, and forced a smile. "I'm sure everything's fine." She put another spoonful of food into Charlie's mouth. She then felt a small hand on her shoulder.

Michael rubbed her shoulder gently. "It's OK, Grandma. I miss him too."

Kristin gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Honey. But, don't worry about me; you just worry about eating dinner, OK?" She didn't want Michael feeling any worry, but she knew he did.

After the children were fed, she got them ready for bed. She read Charlie her story, alone, and laid her down. Then, she set to reading Michael his story.

"Grandpa always reads my story," Michael protested.

"I know, Honey, but he's not back yet. It's just for tonight, OK?"

"Could I stay up and wait for him? Please?" He gave her his notorious pout that he used when he wanted something.

She sighed. Under normal circumstances, she would have caved in, but she knew Nathan would have hell to pay when he did return, and she didn't want Michael to be a witness to that. "Not tonight, Honey. I promise I'll try to do it just like Grandpa."

"And do all the voices?" Michael asked.

"And do all the voices," Kristin confirmed. "Is it OK?"

"I guess I don't have much of a choice," Michael said. "But just for tonight."

Kristin's reading was very satisfactory, Michael thought. "I guess that wasn't so bad," Michael said when she finished.

Kristin chuckled softly. "Thank you." She gave him a kiss and a hug. "Goodnight, Sweetie. I love you."

"I love you too," Michael answered.

Kristin turned down the light and started to shut the door when Michael stopped her.

"Grandma?"

"Yes, Baby?"

"Can you have Grandpa come say goodnight to me when he comes home?"

"Of course I will. Sweet dreams." Then, Kristin headed back down the stairs. She cleaned up the dinner dishes, put away the leftover food; she did all she could to keep herself busy, but still, no Nathan. She then felt something down by her feet. Max was pawing at her foot.

"Oh, alright," she said. "Let's go outside."

She headed out the door with Max. She sat down on the back porch while Max ran around.

Not long after, she heard a boat in the water, and she knew Nathan was finally back. She stood and walked towards the dock. She waited patiently for Nathan to notice her, arms crossed over her chest.

Nathan tied the boat up and turned to her. "I guess you're angry with me," he noted.

"You guessed right. Nathan, where the hell have you been? We've been worried sick about you," she said gently.

He walked past her. "I told you I needed some time to think. There was nothing to worry about."

"Well, did you succeed in clearing your mind?" she asked, following him.

"Somewhat."

"Nathan, would you stop for just a minute?" she asked.

He turned to her. "Can't I go back in the house? It's late, and I'd like to eat some dinner."

"Fine, as long as you promise we can have a talk when you're finished."

"Not tonight; I'm tired."

"And you don't think I'm tired? I've been dealing with the children all afternoon while you were out doing God knows what. I've been tending to Charlie, trying to make excuses for you because Michael kept asking what was going on. And, I couldn't even tell him what it was because I don't even know. Nathan, I'm your wife, and I think you owe me some sort of explanation," she said.

He turned away from her, but didn't walk away. He knew he'd hurt her, confused her. But, he was just as confused himself. He knew she needed some answers. "I have a confession to make."

She put a hand on his shoulder. "Nathan, you know you can always talk to me."

He looked at her. "I know. Robert and I never had the best relationship. In fact, I remember the last conversation we had. The war was still going on, and he announced that he no longer wanted to be in the navy. As you might guess, I took that rather well," he said sarcastically. "One thing led to another; words were said. I yelled, Robert yelled; Carol yelled at both of us. It was a mess. I'd told him that if he planned on turning his back on the military that he was also turning his back on me. I told him that if he left, that he was dead to me. I told him I never wanted to see him again."

Kristin was silent for a while, trying to think of something to say. "So, that only added to the guilt when…"

"When we thought he was lost at sea," Nathan finished. "I never forgave myself. Carol said she never blamed me, but I could never be sure. I guess it doesn't matter. Now, it looks like I have a second chance. I've decided I need to try harder to find him. I made a promise to Michael, and I have to keep it."

Kristin wrapped her arms around her husband and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry you dealing with all of this. If you would have told me, I could have helped you sooner."

Nathan returned the hug. "I know, and I am sorry that I worried you. But, I really needed some time. I should have called to let you know I was alright, I suppose."

The two stayed that way for a while. Then, Nathan asked, "Did you eat dinner?"

She shook her head. "No, I was waiting for you."

"Then, why don't we go inside? I know I'm starving."

The two went back inside, Max following behind. They ate and talked quietly. Then, they headed upstairs. Nathan looked in on the children, giving them both kisses and hugs as promised. Then, he and Kristin headed to their own room to do a little more reconnecting of their own.

After Kristin was asleep, Nathan was still wide awake. He had made a decision, and he wasn't sure how to tell her. But, he knew he had to find his son, even if that meant hurting the ones he loved.

A/N: Since I got this chapter finished early, I'm trying to get another one out today as well. Thank you.