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Chapter 38
As the days went by; the inflammation went down some, but Mike had not regained feeling in his lower extremities and there were times his hands and arms were numb. He was irritable and Christine made the decision that the kids stay home. She didn't want them to have to deal with Mike's moods. There were times she fought tears back and didn't respond to him.
Fortunately, Tom wrapped the investigation up. Todd had been arrested and the man that shot Mike was also apprehended. Due to Mike's consultation work, he and his family had been targeted and at some point, he would have been blackmailed. It was over, but Mike and his family would have to pay the price for years to come. Christine was growing increasingly exhausted but didn't want to leave her husband's side, despite his insistence that she leave him alone. One afternoon, after physical therapy; Mike was shifting around uncomfortably.
"Babe, are you alright?" Christine asked.
"I…its hard to explain. I felt something pop during PT and now…I kind of feel my toes. And my back really hurts a lot." Mike stated. Despite being irritable, he had barely complained of pain, so Christine knew he was really hurting. Still, it was a ray of hope.
"I'll get the nurse." Christine said.
"First; can you take this blanket off? I also kind of feel hot." Mike asked. Christine immediately complied and watched as Mike moved his big toe on his left foot and then moved the toes on his right foot. All Christine could do was give a shaky laugh. She leaned over and gave Mike a kiss on the lips, which he actually responded to. He hadn't since he woke up.
"I'd better still go get the nurse." Christine told him and he nodded. A moment later, the nurse and then Dr. Gentry came in and began examining Mike. He was responding to painful stimuli on both feet and was also feeling the urge to go to the bathroom. It was a good sign but he had a long way to go. He let Christine and a nurse give him a bed bath and Christine shaved his face. Mike even teased her a bit about growing a beard. He ate fairly well and the doctor had him given muscle relaxers in hopes that it would relieve what felt like a spasm in his back. As he was settling for a nap, he gestured for Christine to sit down next to him.
"Tomorrow, I want you to go home for a while. I'll be okay. When you come back, do you think you could bring Hannah with you? And that necklace?" Mike asked. Christine cuddled into his side and smiled up at him.
"Of course. You ready to talk to her?" Christine asked.
"Yeah. Its time." Mike said.
"I agree." Christine stated. She leaned over and gave Mike another long kiss.
"I know I have to talk to her and I need to as badly as she needs to hear it, but I have no idea what to say." Mike remarked.
"An apology and an I love you would go a long way, I think." Christine said.
"Yeah." Mike agreed. He yawned and then groaned in pain. The muscle relaxers were making him sleepy.
"Just go to sleep. I love you." Christine said.
"I love you too. Why don't you stay here next to me?" Mike asked. Christine knew the nurse would disagree, but she couldn't refuse Mike anything. He quickly fell asleep and before she realized it, she was asleep with her head on his shoulder.