On the Homefront
Chapter 20
A week later, Mike still hadn't come home. He also never called, something not like him at all, unless he was shipped out. He would have called first. It was hard on Christine, but particularly hard on the older girls. Mike had been helping Kaitlyn with her math and had been the one to take Hannah to her physical therapy appointments. Connor and Sofia also missed him deeply.
All Christine knew to do was keep going. She knew eventually Mike would be in touch and that he would not abandon his children. She just wished that he would give her a chance to explain herself. She sent him daily texts to keep him updated, give him baby name suggestions, and finally almost two full weeks after he left, she got a response when she asked him where his toolset was. She was going to put the crib together.
"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it this weekend." The text read.
"Mike; I've been worried sick. Where have you been? Why haven't you answered?" Christine texted back.
"Investigation. I've been out of pocket. It came off fast and I didn't have a cellphone charger until now. The office was supposed to call you, but I suppose not." Mike responded.
"I thought you were mad because of the surrogacy thing. It was only something I was looking at to help Olivia. I was never going to give this baby up." Christine answered.
"I need to do research on the surrogacy pregnancy and I want you to wait until your healed up from this pregnancy. I didn't react well to it, but we will talk later. I have some stuff to tie up and should be home Friday afternoon. Please don't tell the kids though, in case something comes up. You can tell them you heard from me, that I love and miss them, just not when I might be home." Mike explained.
"Okay. I love you and miss you." Christine answered.
"I love you too and I've missed you as well. I have to go, but I will do my best to get home Friday and I'll explain everything." Mike responded.
"Stay safe. We'll be waiting on you whenever you get home." Christine answered.
It was only Monday, so the week went by at a snail's pace. It rained all week, so the kids were stuck inside. They fought and argued all week, and were on Christine's last nerve. Hannah was in pain and taking it out on everyone, Christine's feet and ankles were swelled, and Kaitlyn was nervous without Mike there. It was a perfect storm.
Finally, late Friday afternoon, Mike's truck pulled in. Christine quietly walked out onto the porch and noticed how tired Mike looked when he got out of the truck. She also immediately noticed the bruises on his face and the split lip. He guarded his ribs when she hugged him and seemed to lean into her.
"What happened? You look terrible." Christine asked.
"Long story. I want to go in, hug and kiss the kids and then take a hot shower. I'm beat. I promise; I will explain everything. Just know, its over." Mike said.
"Okay. Let's go inside. The girls are fixing soup. While your hugging and kissing them; I'll go up and start a shower for you. Its time I returned the favor." Christine answered. She grabbed Mike's hand and led him inside. The kids ran to him and he hugged and kissed them for a few moments. Christine slipped upstairs and turned the shower on. She found a set of pajama pants and a t-shirt and put them on the towel warmer with his towel and when he finally came in, he smiled.
"Thanks. Kate told me that supper would be finished when I got done. Can you help me with this shirt?" Mike asked. He already had his uniform shirt off, but was struggling with his undershirt. As she helped him, she saw more bruises on his chest, stomach and shoulder.
"Mike! You need to see a doctor." Christine said.
"I did. Nothing broken, other then ribs. No internal damages." Mike answered.
"Okay. Well, you take your shower, we'll eat and cuddle with the kids. I'll be downstairs, but let me know if you need anything." Christine said before giving him a kiss. She wanted answers, but she knew not to push Mike. He would talk when he was ready. In the meantime, she would just be there.
Christine put the soup into mugs and put the plate of grilled cheese sandwiches on the coffee table. When Mike finally came downstairs, he started a fire and they all settled on the couch with a blanket over them, watching a movie while they ate. Despite all the unanswered questions, it was exactly what Christine and the kids needed. Apparently, Mike too, because he was sound asleep within a half hour.
I know I left out what happened, but this is about what's happening on the homefront, so its Christine's POV mostly, the story will be told; just a little differently.