Before Everything

Chapter 10

As Christine predicted, the next day was hard on all of them, but particularly Hannah. She crawled into bed with them about five am and immediately started crying. If it wasn't for Mike leaving the next day, they might not have even celebrated her birthday, but they desperately wanted to remind her of better times. In doing that, they reminded her that her twin brother wasn't there to enjoy it.

Mike and Christine were barely handling their own grief and dealing with a nine-year-old that was also not handling her grief was beyond them. They didn't know what to do or how to handle it. And there were no therapists to go to. It worried them both.

The one good thing about the concern about Hannah was that it didn't give either Mike or Christine time to dwell on their own grief. Thankfully, Kaitlyn was okay with occupying herself throughout the day and offered plenty of hugs and kisses to both her parents. She also was good at keeping Hannah smiling. At wasn't until after dinner that Mike finally broke. They were eating the two birthday cakes and Mike was staring at the chocolate cake that had been Lucas' favorite. He started sobbing and both girls looked at Christine, unsure of what to do. Finally, Kaitlyn stood up, walked around the table, knelt next to Mike and wrapped her arms around him.

"It's okay, Daddy; just let it out." Kaitlyn said quietly. Christine and Hannah had also come around and were hugging him tightly. The cake was completely forgotten about. They all just held each other and cried.

Normally, on the last night before a deployment, Mike and Christine would enjoy some private adult time after the kids went to bed; but that night, they were all too emotionally raw and Kaitlyn and Hannah wanted to sleep between Mike and Christine and they were happy to allow them. They spent the night cuddling, talking and remembering much better times.

Mike had to leave by seven am and the goodbyes were not easy. He hoped to be home by the time Christine was further along in her pregnancy, but no one knew if he would be. He held both girls longer than normal, whispering how proud he was and how much he loved them and then held onto Christine for dear life. Even more tears were shed.

Four Months Later

Mike laid down on his mat, exhausted from blood loss, trying to plan an escape and praying that Tom would find them. He had been beaten and had plenty of new scars, and he just wanted to get home. He wanted to kiss his wife, hug his baby girls and wait for his newest baby. But he had to keep himself and his crew alive first.

In St. Louis, Christine had been in a constant fight with Allison Shaw. Once Tom left and Michener allegedly committed suicide, Christine and the girls were taken to a little cabin in the middle of nowhere. For the first time in months, Christine was terrified. She was being refused care that her doctor had told her was needed due to her age and was worried she would miscarry the baby she had wanted so badly.

Shaw was a psychopath and didn't care about Christine's welfare. She had slapped Kaitlyn across the face and yelled at Hannah. Christine didn't know what was going on but suspected her plans were falling apart. She could only hope that she and the girls didn't get caught in the crossfire.

A full two weeks after the news broke that Allison Shaw had been killed, and on the second day with no food; Christine was shocked to see three men burst into the cabin. A second later, Mike followed, and she threw herself into his arms and began sobbing. Just then, their baby gave a very firm kick. The girls had also thrown themselves at Mike and Christine included them in on the hug.

"Get them to Rios. They need to be checked out." Mike ordered Greene. The two guards were led out in handcuffs and Mike pulled away. Christine could see the exhaustion, bruising and scars on his face and the way his hand remained on her stomach. Their baby was kicking like crazy.

"We're okay. Just very hungry and tired." Christine said.

"We'll get you girls taken care of. Girls, its cool out. Wrap those blankets around you. Chris, here." Mike said as he took his jacket off and wrapped it around her. As Christine looked into his eyes, she noticed, he looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Are you alright?" Christine asked as they walked out of the cabin.

"Just very tired. I've spent the last couple weeks totally terrified." Mike said.

"We will all sleep good tonight." Christine said. They were being put in a helicopter and Mike secured the girls and her. It was cold and Christine curled into Mike's side. Hannah was on his other side and his right arm was behind both Hannah and Kaitlyn. Both girls were getting sleepy.

Christine must have fallen asleep because when she woke up, they were landing on the deck of the James. Like almost five months before, it was sitting in the Mississippi River close to St. Louis. Rios met them on the deck and led them to the medical bay. Very quickly, Christine and the girls were checked over and then Rios suggested checking on the baby. He had an ultrasound ready. His corpsmen took the girls to get food and Mike stayed with Christine.

"Heartbeat is strong, and the baby is very active. Its early but I have a clear picture. Would you like to know a gender?" Rios asked. Mike and Christine both exchanged a look and nodded at him. "Well, please realize, this is not the best machine but there is no mistaking, there is a little boy right there." Rios said with a smile and Christine gave Mike a kiss.

"He is okay, though? Even though Christine hasn't had any food to eat?" Mike asked, watching the screen.

"He is, but she does need to eat soon. Once things settle, you do need to get to your regular doctor but on my unpracticed eye, everything looks normal for a pregnancy at this point." Rios said. He helped Christine wipe the jelly off and Mike helped her off the bed.

"Good. I guess we'd better find the girls." Mike said, almost disheartened sounding. As they walked to the mess hall, Christine finally asked.

"Mike, are you okay? You seem really off." Christine asked.

"Look, I love you and the girls and this baby, more than you will ever know; but I have to wonder at the wisdom of bringing more children into this world. This virus had brought out the lack of humanity and compassion in people. What the hell were we thinking?" Mike asked.

"We were thinking that we loved one another and our kids so much that we had enough love to give to another child. Yes, this has brought out the worst in people, but it has also brought out the best. Community is smaller, we are less tech based. Family and friends are essential because there are so many that have lost theirs. Mike, things are bad, but we still have one another and these beautiful kids. They need you back. I understand you're exhausted, but at least play the part." Christine begged. She had put both her hands-on Mike's face and put her foot between his, to keep him in place.

"You're right. I just need a break." Mike said before leading her down the p-way. They finally made it to the mess-hall, where Bacon had the girls eating a huge buffet of food.

"Miss Kaitlyn couldn't decide what she wanted, and Miss Hannah was much more decisive. There's plenty; Ma'am, Sir." Bacon said before leaving them. Sure enough, there was plenty of food. Mike sat down next to Kaitlyn and helped himself to a waffle while Christine got scrambled eggs, sausage and a biscuit.

They ate in silence, mostly out of exhaustion and needing to concentrate on getting their fill. Mike had already decided that they would stay on the ship that night and then go home. It would be tight and uncomfortable, but they would be together.

Both girls begged to sleep between Mike and Christine, making the small bed even tinier, between Mike's large frame and Christine's growing belly. Within just a few minutes, Mike was snoring loudly with Hannah sleeping on his chest and Kaitlyn's arms around his neck. Somehow, Christine wrapped her arms around them and fell asleep, hoping the nightmare was finally over.