Starting Over Again
Chapter 10
Once Christine knew about the plans for the vow renewal, she become very involved. She helped the girls with the menu, choose decorations, and picked Mike's dress shirt and tie. He had put the engagement ring on her ring finger, which led to a sweet kiss. Christine agreed to pictures being taken, but was nervous about the slash mark on her cheek. There was no way it would be healed in time, and she couldn't put make-up on it. The scab had come off, but the scar was very obvious.
"Does it bother you?" Christine asked as they got ready for bed one night, pointing at her cheek.
"It bothers me that it bothers you." Mike answered.
"Its just so obvious and I don't want to explain to everyone what happened." Christine said as she sat down on the bed and got under the covers.
"Then don't. Tell strangers you were in a car accident or something. Those that love you don't see the scar. They see a woman who is learning to be a survivor…who already is a survivor, and not a victim. A scar doesn't take away from that." Mike told her. He laid down next to her and kissed the top of her head.
"Thank you, but if we are ever able to be intimate, how are you going to look at it during?" Christine asked.
"Just like this." Mike said before giving her a long and passionate kiss. It surprised Christine but felt really good. She was shocked at how good and didn't really want him to stop. Her mind told her it was too soon, but her body, her heart thought differently.
"Can you do that again?" Christine asked. Mike nodded and gave her another kiss, just as passionate. "Is it too soon?" Christine asked him and Mike kissed her forehead.
"You have to decide that. I don't think there is a time frame to something like this." Mike told her.
"I don't know what I want." Christine admitted.
"What's your heart telling you?" Mike asked and Christine gave him a passionate kiss.
"That I want this with my husband. I want to take something back from the guy who attacked me. My head is telling me its too soon. You couldn't possibly be turned on by the slash marks and with the knowledge of what happened." Christine answered.
"Well, how about you do what you want, and you will know when you've had enough." Mike said.
"Do you think its too soon?" Christine asked.
"I think you will know. I don't mean this as way to pressure you, but I think you should follow your heart." Mike told her.
"Okay." Christine said. She gave Mike another kiss and gently climbed on top of him.
The next half hour, teenagers would have called what they did as fooling around or getting to second base. Mike seemed to enjoy it and allowed Christine to lead. When they completely broke apart, and were laying in bed breathless, Mike pulled Christine onto his now bare chest.
"Feel better?" Mike asked.
"A little. You have your own scars?" Christine commented as she touched the scar on his stomach.
"Yes." Mike answered.
"Maybe sometime soon, I will feel like going all the way. My ribs were bothering me." Christine said.
"When you are ready, I am here. I just don't want you to feel pressured." Mike told her. She could tell he was getting tired.
"I don't. It honestly felt like I was taking something back. I am tired of being the victim." Christine admitted.
"Good. Now, just relax and don't overdo." Mike told her. She reached up and gave him another kiss. He was asleep in no time, but Christine took the time to just study his features and all the new scars. She had to admit, it felt good to have some power, and she was glad Mike allowed her to have it.