Lost Soul
Chapter 8
Christine was released the next day, but due to some follow-up appointments, they couldn't leave St. Louis, so they stayed at the hotel. Mike took Josie to a pediatrician to make sure everything was okay. While small, she was healthy, and she loved to eat. Christine already adored her, but exhausted easily. Hannah was still apprehensive, but she was trying. The conversations with his mom and Kaitlyn were not easy, but he knew they would treat Josie well. Kaitlyn had been much more accepting of it then Mike anticipated.
Josie was a good baby and Mike already found himself falling deeply in love with her. It helped that Christine was so accepting of her. He knew that Josie would recognize Christine as her mother and that didn't bother Mike. He just hoped it wouldn't bother Christine. The afternoon after she was released, Mike smiled when he walked in with lunch. Christine was rocking the baby while she talked to Hannah.
"Dad; can I go to the vending machine and get a soda?" Hannah asked.
"Of course. Can you get me a Root Beer?" Mike asked her as he handed her the money. She nodded, and he looked to Christine.
"Just a bottle of water for me." Christine told her and Mike gave her the extra money. After she left, Mike sat down next to Christine and smiled at the sleeping baby.
"She likes you." Mike said.
"She's an easy baby. I think she's gained a bit of weight." Christine said.
"Probably. Do you want me to take her and lay her down?" Mike asked and Christine nodded. He gently took her out of Christine's arms and laid Josie down on the bed. "Is it hard?" Mike asked.
"What?" Christine asked.
"Taking care of a baby that isn't yours but is mine? From an affair?" Mike asked.
"I don't know that I would call it an affair. Besides; when you love someone as much as I love you, you love who they love. Josie is a part of you. If you had a child before we married, I would have grown to love that child. Just as if I would have had one before we married; you would have loved it. Its really not a hard concept. Josie can't help her situation." Christine insisted.
"I'm still getting used to her." Mike admitted.
"You are doing just fine. Besides, you always wanted a big family. And seeing you as a girl dad is hilarious." Christine teased.
"They know how to work me." Mike said. He had always had a soft spot for his daughters, but then again; he and Lucas had been close too.
"I miss him too, Mike. Lucas? The bad part of this recovering is now I have to face grieving for him and what happened to me. Before, I had kind of retreated into myself. There wasn't a day that went by that I forgot him or being a mother, but there was a disconnect. Now, its all at the surface." Christine admitted. It was the most she had spoken about her attack or Lucas.
"Can I do anything?" Mike asked. Not knowing what else to say.
"Just be here when I need you." Christine said. Mike gently kissed her forehead and gave her a hug until Hannah walked back in with the three drinks. Mike helped Christine up and they at lunch in near silence. Afterwards, Christine decided to lay down with Josie, and shockingly; Hannah laid down with her. For Mike; it was a sweet sight, but it made him miss Kaitlyn and Lucas. In a few days, he'd be reunited with Kaitlyn, but like Christine, he was having to face Lucas' death. They would just have to grieve together.