Bad Goodbyes
Chapter 7
Logan kept Kaitlyn up all night and she was miserable. She wasn't even sure what was wrong with him, and didn't want to ask for help. She wanted to prove to her parents that she could handle Logan. Finally, about seven; her mom stepped into the bedroom and handed Kaitlyn a warm bottle.
"Mom; I want to breastfeed him." Kaitlyn said. Christine sat down on the end of the bed and motioned for Logan. Without knowing what else to do for her son, Kaitlyn handed him over and then handed the bottle to her mom.
"Its breast milk, but some you pumped. Your upset and he's feeling it. It comes out in the milk." Christine said as she gave Logan the bottle and began gently rocking him.
"Dad wants to take him away." Kaitlyn said as she leaned against the dresser.
"No. He wants to protect you and Logan. What he is suggesting is out of an abundance of love and caution. Its nothing against you. I promise. And another thing; this isn't your dad's fault. Its mine. I should have realized what was happening to you sooner. Should have protected you. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me. Your dad has always been your hero. Let him be again." Christine said. Kaitlyn thought for a moment and sat down next to her.
"Mom, what's going on between you and Dad? Hannah said she came downstairs last night for a drink and you and he were hugging." Kaitlyn asked.
"I don't know. We will figure that out after the divorce, but you have to figure this out before. Honey, he loves you and he loves Logan. He won't take your son away from you. He will make a way for you to keep him. We get that you want to be Logan's mom, but you aren't just a mom. Your also our daughter, and Hannah's sister. Someday, you might be someone's wife and someone else's mom. You will be an employee and co-worker, a friend, a neighbor. In doing this, you will be able to be all those things well. I know it's a lot to ask, but trust your dad. Before; he never did you wrong, correct?" Christine asked.
"Correct. Its just scary." Kaitlyn admitted.
"I know, sweetie. I truly think it is the best decision for you and for Logan, if I have an opinion in it." Christine told her. Kaitlyn looked down at Logan and smiled. The baby had taken his entire bottle and was almost asleep.
"He's done, Mom." Kaitlyn said as she put a burp clothe on Christine's shoulder and took the bottle.
"How about this? He will probably sleep for a few hours. Why don't I take him, and you get some rest?" Christine suggested as Logan gave her a big burp and a sigh.
"That does sound good. He didn't sleep at all." Kaitlyn said as she gave Logan a kiss.
"I know. You just sleep. If he wakes up again, I'll give him another of the bottles. Calm down a little." Christine said before giving Kaitlyn a kiss on the forehead. "And don't forget; Dad and I both love you very much. SO much more then you could ever imagine and we are proud of the mother you are to Logan. I am sorry for what happened to you and if I could make it up to you I would." Christine said.
"I love you too, Mom and I know. I just hope you work things out with Dad. I always hoped you would work things out with him." Kaitlyn remarked.
"We'll see." Christine said before leaving Kaitlyn alone. Kaitlyn decided to heed her mom's advice and laid down.
Hannah was reading on the couch, and Mike was in his recliner, half asleep. Christine gently laid the baby on his chest and covered them both with a blanket. Mike gave her a smile and kissed their grandson's head.
"Did you get Kaitlyn settled?" Mike asked.
"She was going to try and rest." Christine answered.
"Good." Mike said. Christine bent back down on the guise of giving Logan a kiss, but also gave Mike one on his cheek. What shocked her was he turned just enough so that the kiss landed on his lips and with his free arm, he pulled her closer. She finally pulled back.
"That felt good." Christine remarked just as Mike's cellphone rang. He rose up and she took Logan so he could step out on the porch. A moment later, he stuck his head in and called for her. She handed the baby over to Hannah and followed Mike out.
"Its my attorney. About the divorce…our divorce." Mike said and Christine nodded.
"Okay, you're on speaker." Mike said.
"Alright. I pulled the paperwork on your divorce…Mark Allen was the attorney?" Mike's attorney, Simon Adams asked.
"Yes, that's correct. He was my attorney. Mike didn't have one." Christine answered, totally confused.
"He didn't actually file any paperwork and the hearing that you had; where you thought the divorce was finalized…it wasn't. The entire divorce was a sham, thus your marriage to Mark was also a sham. He also never filed a marriage license for you and he. You didn't even commit bigamy." Simon explained. Christine was stunned.
"So, Mike and I are still married?" Christine asked.
"Correct. There is absolutely nothing saying you were divorced. There is record of the hearing, but without papers being filed, it doesn't matter. Of course, record keeping during the Red Flu is a bit scattered, but I have triple checked things." Simon answered.
"What about Kaitlyn, though?" Mike asked.
"I still think she needs to sign over her rights to you. The court is sending Mark a notice that due to lack of paperwork on his part, the marriage was never valid. They are also looking into his law license." Simon explained.
"I never actually saw his diploma, but he said he went to Georgetown." Christine told him.
"Okay, I will pass that along. So, the two of you have a choice to make. Due to the amount of years, either of you would have grounds for divorce due to abandonment, but you also have the choice of…working it out. Trust me, I have checked into this so-called divorce. You are still very much a married couple. I don't know whether to say congratulations or not, but it does stop one headache. I also have spoken with law enforcement, and they are doing a report up for child molestation, fraud, domestic violence…the list goes on." Simon told them.
"Thank you. We will let you know what Kaitlyn decides. The ball is in her court right now. And…we'll figure things out." Mike said.
"Perfect. Thank you." Simon answered, hung up and Christine sighed in frustration.
"I should have known! Damn him." Christine said and Mike nodded.
"I get that its frustrating for you, but I have to say; I am not exactly sad about it." Mike admitted.
"Me either, now that I think about it." Christine remarked and wrapped an arm around Mike's waist.
"It does mean that I cheated on you…with those one night stands." Mike remarked and Christine laughed.
"That's nothing compared to what I did. I just hope you can forgive me." Christine said. Mike turned to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Already done." Mike said.
"I hate to say it, but Mark won't give up so easily. He's going to pull something." Christine warned into Mike's chest.
"We'll be ready for it. In the meantime, you and I will figure some things out." Mike said before giving her a kiss. Her lip was still split and it hurt a little, but she didn't mind in the least.
"This feels really good. Just holding me like this. We do have to tell the girls." Christine said.
"I don't think they'll be heartbroken." Mike answered as he took her hand in his own and led her inside. Hannah was still on the couch, but was now reading her book to an awake Logan. It made Mike and Christine both smile. It gave them both something to focus on.
I'm sure there are some errors in the legal side of the divorce thing, but I'm using some artistic license for this!