Star Pupil
Chapter 3
Tom loved watching the family reunite, but it did leave a problem. Mike lived in the BOQ. Not large enough for his large family. Katelyn would have to go back to school, but Mike and Christine would want a space for her, and Tom suspected that Mike and Christine wouldn't be sharing a room immediately. It put his mind into overdrive. Finally, he got Mike aside to ask him.
"Mike; you are going to need a place. Of course, you're welcome here, but isn't it time to start looking?" Tom asked.
"Yeah, I suppose so." Mike asked as he watched Aaron play a video game with Sam.
"Do you want me and Sasha to start looking, so you can concentrate on Christine and the kids?" Tom asked and Mike looked back at him.
"Sure. I took a few days off. I wanted to spend time with them and get them situated." Mike said.
"Well, your welcome here, but you'll need a place for them soon. You know, Miller is selling real estate now?" Tom mentioned.
"Yeah. That's who I'd call. I would like some sort of farm, I think. At least with some land." Mike said and Tom nodded.
"Okay; I'll send him a text. Five to six bedrooms with a master?" Tom asked.
"Yeah. Christine needs her own space right now. She'd also like a nice kitchen if possible." Mike answered. He was watching Christine and Sasha wash dishes.
"I'll call Miller." Tom said and Mike nodded. Katelyn was sitting on the couch, reading her copy of Moby Dick, and Mike sat down with her, mostly to talk. Tom walked into the office, and called Miller. Thankfully; he answered on the second ring.
"Admiral?" Miller asked. Tom wasn't always good at staying in touch with people that had been hurt because of him.
"Yes; Miller. Listen, I heard you were selling real estate and Admiral Slattery is in need of a house. A large one. Five to six bedrooms. Nice kitchen. Maybe some land." Tom said.
"Alright…I'm assuming in this area?" Miller asked.
"Yes." Tom answered.
"Alright. I have something in mind. Six bedrooms, including two complete master suites. Large kitchen. Move in ready. Is on ten acres. Now; why does he need such a large house?" Miller asked.
"I found his family, and there's some circumstances." Tom said. Going into detail was not a good idea and Miller would never ask for specifics.
"I will see what I can do." Miller promised.
"And Miller; Christine has been through hell. This house needs to be really special for her. It needs to be a place to heal." Tom said.
"I'll do my best. May involve Courtney. You know how she is." Miller said.
"Alright. Thank you." Tom said.
After he hung up, he realized he hadn't talked about budget or any other specifics. Hopefully, Miller wouldn't go crazy and think Mike could afford a mansion. Five to six bedrooms would be expensive enough. Thankfully; Tom and Sasha had a large basement that the Slattery family could take over, with a couple bedrooms and a bathroom. It wouldn't be ideal but would be better then anything else. He would give Katelyn a ride to school in the morning.
It took a bit to get them all settled, but Tom enjoyed hosting them and Sasha didn't seem to mind. Even Sam and Ashley got in on it. It was becoming a family project and Tom couldn't be happier with that. Mike had done a lot for them. It was time to pay back some of that.