Falling Back in Love
Chapter 4
They had landed in St. Louis and after the landing party had inoculated a huge group of people, a hotel agreed to put the crew that wouldn't be on the docked ship in nice suites. Christine was beyond ready to get off the ship. Not because of being so close to Mike though. She was enjoying his company, surprisingly. It was just very tight in his stateroom. As Mike led them through the halls of the hotel with their few belongings, Christine had to wonder what would happen next. She knew that they had been talking to a judge and the President had been given the Oath of Office. She figured it was only a matter of time before the matter of a divorce came up. Mike let them in and the girls immediately ran for the bedroom that had two double-sized beds.
"I'll…sleep with one of them." Christine said. The other room had a king-sized bed in it that Christine would love to share with Mike but that wasn't going to happen. That part of their marriage was long past.
"Nah, you take the bed. Chances are, I will be in the ballroom until the early hours of the morning. You might as well sleep in there. You know, if you wanted; I could get a couple dresses delivered and you and the girls could get dressed up and come down there?" Mike offered.
"Thanks, Mike but I think the girls need some time to just rest up." Christine said. The truth was, she really wanted to go with Mike but it would be too much like a date.
"Or I could see if one of the enlisted want a little extra money. They could say up here and you could go down there?" Mike offered.
"Mike, truly thank you; but your sailors will want to be at the party and the extra cash won't matter because I would guess the money will devalue. Besides, wouldn't it seem like a date?" Christine asked.
"A little. Been a while since we did that." Mike remarked as he put her bag into the other room.
"Yeah, it has." Christine said as she fiddled with the bag she was carrying.
"I need to shower, shave and put my uniform on. Could you tie my tie? I'm terrible at it." Mike asked as he started for the bathroom Christine would be using. The girls had their own.
"Of course." Christine answered to Mike's back. He walked into the bedroom and then the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Christine sat down on the couch with a huff. Too bad she couldn't Google how to save her marriage that six months before, she tried to throw away.
Mike left a short while later with a promise that he would send supper up. Christine was in the middle of French braiding Hannah's hair when there was a knock on the door. Christine tied the braid off and went to the door. It was someone from the hotel with a cart of something. Christine opened the door and the room service person smiled at her.
"Commander Slattery arranged for supper and something to keep you and your daughters occupied." The man said as he rolled the cart in.
"Thank you. Do I need to tip you?" Christine asked. Mike had left her some cash.
"Your husband took care of that. Thank you, ma'am." The man said before he left. Christine looked at the cart and laughed. There were movies that the girls would enjoy, junk food, and all sorts of nail polishes and make-up to play with. Mike knew his daughters well. On top was a note with Mike's distinctive handwriting on it.
"To my favorite girls. I love you, Daddy."
Christine smiled at the note, clearly written for his daughters. Mike was a really good dad. He adored the kids. Once Christine had gone back to work after having Lucas, her focus was not on her kids. It was on her career and whoever she was sleeping with at the moment. Her priority was not her kids and definitely not her husband. She deliberately picked fights with him, knowing what buttons to push. And now it was too late. She was lucky he was even helping her, let alone treating her with kindness.
The girls ate the food and watched the movies while they polished their nails and played with the make-up. Since the note was for the girls, Christine didn't eat any of the food. She was hungry but was worried that Mike would be upset that she had ate food that was meant for their kids.
It took awhile to get the girls settled and asleep. Christine ate a pizza crust after they went to sleep and then settled down herself. It felt good to take a good, hot shower and lay down in the big bed. She had trouble falling asleep. The next thing she knew, it was daylight and Mike came through wearing the same uniform but with blood on the white shirt. Christine immediately got worried.
"Did your stitches open up?" Christine asked as she jumped out of bed. She didn't realize how short or how low-cut her nightgown was but Mike gave her weird smile.
"No. I'm fine. Here's a robe." Mike said as he handed her one of the hotel robes. Christine put it on as she assessed Mike.
"You have blood all over and you have been out all night. Mike?" Christine asked. She figured she would get some angry retort but Mike just took his jacket off.
"I intended on coming back up about one or so, but there was an incident. Rachel was shot and I spent the night interrogating the suspect and looking at surveillance videos. I just came back to shower and change clothes. Did the girls enjoy their stuff?" Mike asked.
"Oh, yeah. They loved it. Mike, can I order something to eat this morning? I thought that the food was for the girls since that was how the note was addressed. I didn't really eat last night and I'm a bit hungry. Besides, how's Rachel?" Christine asked.
"Rachel died. Sorry, I know the two of you had become friends. The guy that shot her was apparently a lone wolf but was part of the Immunes. Its all a bit confusing and the investigation is preliminary. Law enforcement is a little scant here and because of my experience, I was assigned." Mike answered. Christine looked away in pain. Another death.
"I'm sure you enjoy that. You miss being a cop." Christine said as her stomach growled.
"I do. Christine, for God's sake; order yourself some room service. I never meant for you not to eat. Yeah, the stuff was for the girls but I would have never withheld food from you. Ever. I don't know when I'll be back but I'll try to be back by this afternoon. I am also going to be meeting with a representative from Michener's office to find us a house." Mike explained.
"Us?" Christine asked hopefully.
"Uh, yeah. Its easier right now for me to get you all a house and then move into a BOQ later. We'll just have to put up with each other a little longer. Sorry." Mike answered.
"Right, of course. Its not been so bad." Christine said. Mike was getting a uniform out of his suitcase and his shaving kit off the dresser.
"No, it hasn't. Just eat. Can you order some coffee?" Mike said before walking into the bathroom and shut the door. Christine picked up the phone and ordered pancakes, sausage and bacon, along with coffee and juice for the girls. She could hear them rustling around in the other bedroom. She hoped Mike could at least sit down and eat with them before he started his day. Partly for the girls, but she had found herself missing him when he was gone. It reminded her of when they were first married and she counted the moments until she heard his key in the door. When they had been madly in love with each other and cheating was years in the future. What she wouldn't give to go back.
Their breakfast was delivered just as the girls came out and were greeting Mike. He lightly explained why he had been gone all night and that he would be gone through the day but would hopefully have a house to move into when he got done. The girls were concerned they weren't safe but Mike assured them they were. Christine had been setting everything up and purposely sit a place or Mike at the table. He sat down next to her and began wolfing his food down.
"Mike, slow down. You'll give yourself indigestion." Christine ordered.
"Yeah, sorry. I just need to get going. I have to meet with Tom and Michener to give them an update on the investigation." Mike explained.
"Daddy, can you take a whole day off with us soon like you used to?" Hannah asked. Her hair was still in the French braided pigtails and she looked adorable. Mike's heart would melt.
"I will try my best. I'll be deploying in a couple…" Mike started.
"Seriously? You're deploying again? Why can't you just take a land position? We know you don't love Mom anymore but you could at least try and love us." Kaitlyn said before running into the girl's room and slamming the door. Mike looked at Christine uncertainly.
"Mike, eat. I'll talk to her in a bit once she's settled down. Just remember, she is at a weird age. Nothing is going to be perfect." Christine said. She wasn't phased by Kaitlyn's moods. Partly because she was used to them and knew they were normal. What did phase her was how Kaitlyn had worded things. Mike didn't love her anymore but Kaitlyn was afraid that he would stop loving her. That had to change.
"She just misses you a bunch when you aren't home. You make us feel safe." Hannah offered.
"I miss you girls too. I really have got to get going. Hannah, behave for your mom. I love you." Mike told her as he stood up and kissed the top of her head.
"I love you too, Daddy!" Hannah answered.
"Chris, if you need anything, call room service. Don't hesitate to order lunch. I should be back before supper." Mike told her.
"Okay, thanks. And Mike, Kaitlyn loves you too." Christine answered. Mike just nodded and left. Christine should have added 'and so do I' but that would have been terribly awkward. What she wouldn't give for Mike to touch her again, to kiss her, hold her. She could be a better wife to him if he would just give her a chance. But he had given her dozens of chances and she didn't take them. He was just done. Could she even blame him? And besides, he had his own affairs. Granted, it was only to get back at her and he hadn't cared about those women. It wasn't until Christine admitted that she cared about Peter that Mike was done with their marriage. Before it had all been about sex. Love had never factored in.
Christine had spoke with Kaitlyn and explained that Mike would try and spend as much time with them before he deployed. Kaitlyn was not happy but it would just have to do. They spent their day watching movies and talking about the house that Mike would find. The girls had dreams of their own rooms and big yards and pools. Christine just wanted to share the master with her husband but that couldn't be shared. She let the girls have their own dreams and kept her own to herself. Finally, about four; Mike came in, obviously exhausted.
"I found a house but it will be a couple days before its ready. They're painting it and fixing a few things. Girls, I went ahead and picked out paint for your rooms. Purple for you, Kaitlyn and pink for Hannah. I had to get the color choices quickly. Chris, I kept the rest of the house pretty neutral but they said it could be changed as needed." Mike said as he sat down on the couch and took his boots off. He looked exhausted.
"Sounds good." Christine told him.
"It comes fully furnished and I think you'll like it. Four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Dream kitchen too. Open concept. The first floor is pretty open. Big yard and a pool and hot tub. Needs some yardwork." Mike said. He had relaxed onto the couch and was starting to slur his speech.
"It sounds really nice. Mike, why don't you go in and go to sleep for a bit. You're exhausted. I'll wake you up about six so you can eat." Christine offered, pointing at the bedroom she had slept in the night before.
"Good idea. Sorry, girls. I really wanted to spend some time with you. Chris, could you help me with the bandages? I think they need changed. I've had some seepage through the day." Mike asked.
"Of course." Christine said. Mike stood up and gave both girls kisses before walking into the bedroom. Christine followed him and watched as Mike took his BDU jacket and T-shirt off. He was still in great shape but Christine was worried about the bandages. She could see seepage on the white bandages. She pulled out the extra gauze that Rios had given her and cut away the existing bandages. Sure enough, the wound looked angry. It was showing signs of infection. "Mike, I really think you need to show this to Rios. I think its becoming infected." Christine said.
"I mentioned it to him. He gave me some more antibiotics but when I seen him, he didn't have any bandaging with him. Said to just keep an eye on it. I am so tired." Mike admitted. He had been working a lot while recovering from a fairly serious injury.
"Okay. I will do that." Christine said as she wrapped the bandages around Mike's bicep.
"Didn't think you cared." Mike remarked.
"Six months ago, no. I would have been rubbing dirt in it…but something has changed." Christine admitted.
"Peter died and you don't like being single. I'm your only option. I just don't want to be a rebound until you find someone who tickles your fancy more. I can't go through that and more so, I can't put our girls through it. As badly as I might want it, I can't. You don't have a good track record." Mike told her. His words stung but he was right. She had strung him along for years.
"Right, sorry." Christine said.
"Stop saying you're sorry. You have never been sorry and what's the point in being sorry now. Too much water under the bridge. Now, I'm going to sleep. Please wake me up by six or six-thirty?" Mike asked.
"I will. Mike, I hope you realize how sorry I really am. I know I can't go back but I would if I could." Christine said.
"Yeah, me too. If it had just been the affairs, I might have gotten past it but it was the fact that you fell in love with someone else. I just wanted you to love me like that." Mike said.
"I…you're right. Get some rest." Christine said as she squeezed Mike's good shoulder. She walked out of the bedroom and settled next to the girls. Before too long, Mike was snoring.
Christine and the girls watched movies while Mike snored in the next room. She finally ordered supper and walked in to wake Mike up. He was laying on his side, with a family picture tucked in next to his chest. She could have sworn there were some wetness on his cheeks. Was he crying for the son they both lost or for the family that they had given up hope of having? Could she make him fall in love with her again? How did it even happen to begin with?
"Mike, wake up. Supper will be here soon." Christine said as she gently shook him awake. He looked at her in complete disorientation and then pulled her down next to him, landing a kiss on her lips. It was passionate and he was pulling at her shirt. What was going on?
"C'mon, Sally. Come to bed." Mike said and Christine thought about slapping him. She didn't look anything like Sally and yet, Mike was dreaming about her. Had he cared about the other woman? His hand was on her breast and his eyes were dark with lust.
"No, Mike. It isn't Sally. It's Christine and you don't want me to come to bed with you. You said so yourself." Christine said as she took Mike's hand off her breast and got up. It had been disheartening. If he hadn't said Sally's name, she would have probably gotten her hopes up.
Ten minutes later, Mike walked out of the bedroom, dressed and completely unaware of what had happened. For Christine, it was hard to eat with Mike and spend time with their daughters. Not because she was angry with him, but it gave her a glimpse of how he had felt when she told him that she had loved Peter. No wonder he had given up hope. It hurt so badly.
