Before Everything
Chapter 11
The fortunate part of the government coup was that it kept Mike at home for a while. He worked with the new President to begin rebuilding the Navy and he was home every night. The girls loved having him home and Christine was thrilled, despite Mike's short temper and sudden reluctance concerning the new baby. She could only hope that once the baby arrived, Mike would come around.
Christine spent the last month of her pregnancy on bed rest due to pre-eclampsia and had to have a scheduled C-section. Mike was there with her, but he was a thousand miles away mentally.
It wasn't until they had closed Christine up, checked the baby over and were taken to a regular room to bond with their baby, that Mike even cracked a smile and it was only at a name Christine had suggested.
"Would you like to hold him? Once the girls get here, they will claim him." Christine asked.
"I suppose." Mike said as he took the baby out of Christine's arms. He sat down next to Christine on the bed and repositioned the baby so they could both look at him.
"He just such a doll. Mike, thank you. I know you weren't sure of all this, but I know you love him deep down. I just wish you would come back to us. You're here but you aren't here. I hope you know how the girls and I love you." Christine said as she stroked Mike's cheek.
"I love you all too. I am just so scared to lose you all. It would destroy me." Mike admitted. While Christine stroked his cheek, he was stroking the baby's cheek.
"You're stuck with us for life, however long that is. Seriously, Mike; I know you went through hell, but you are not in that hell anymore. Come back to us." Christine said.
"I'm really trying. I am. I have an appointment with the counselor next week. I am taking advantage of my paternity leave, unless you need me home?" Mike asked.
"I will be fine. If it means you getting some help, then its fine. I can't fix this for you, but I do love you enough to know I can let you go long enough to fix it. Now, what are we going to name this little guy?" Christine asked. Mike was still holding the baby and had his little hand wrapped around Mike's index finger.
"Promise not to laugh at my suggestion? We can shorten it." Mike said.
"Okay, as long as it's not Hubert; its fine, I'm sure." Christine said.
"William Jed. For Mason and Jed?" Mike said.
"I love it. Not Mason, though?" Christine suggested.
"I do like Mason better. Wasn't sure how you'd feel." Mike said.
"I think Mason Jed is a good name for our boy." Christine said before giving Mike a kiss.
"Let's just call him Mason though. Did he just smile?" Mike asked as he looked down at their baby.
"Maybe. He might be ready to nurse." Christine said as she lowered her gown and Mike helped her position the baby. He almost looked saddened that he wasn't holding him. Mason immediately began nursing and had kept ahold of Mike's finger. He had Mike's coloring and was bigger than their other babies. Christine's biggest concern was that he would resemble Lucas and be painful to look at. Thankfully, so far; he didn't. Of course, he was still very small, but it made Christine feel better.
Long after Mason finished nursing, they stayed like that; holding him, talking about how he looked. Mason had gone to sleep in Christine's arms. Mike had long since texted Andrea to let her know that mom and baby were fine, and the girls could visit. For Mike and Christine, it was intimate and something they needed to reconnect.
Later that afternoon, Andrea brought the girls in for a visit. In typical Kaitlyn fashion; she immediately bonded with her baby brother and in typical Hannah fashion, she held back. Mike made a point to pull her onto his lap and cuddle her closely. One of the reasons he was going to counseling was to deal with the animosity concerning the little girl. He felt it would always be between them.
"What do you think of Mason?" Mike asked.
"He's okay." Hannah said as she played with Mike's sleeve. Mike wrapped his arm around her a bit tighter and kissed the back of her head.
"Sweetie, just because we have Mason now, doesn't mean we don't love you anymore…" Mike started but Hannah turned to face him.
"I know you don't really love me; I just hope you still love Lucas too." Hannah said and Mike groaned. No matter how many times he told Hannah that he still loved her and still loved and missed Lucas; it didn't seem to sink in.
"I do love you and I still love and miss Lucas. Mason is just someone more to love." Mike tried explaining but Hannah rolled her eyes. She had hit the tween stage with full force.
"How long are you home?" Hannah asked.
"Awhile but I don't know exactly. I am on paternity leave for the next six weeks though. I have to help Mommy out and I will be able to spend all kinds of time with you and Katie." Mike said.
"You'll spend time with Mommy, Katie and Mason. Not me." Hannah said. Despite her words, she had burrowed deeper into Mike's embrace. Mike had figured out; Hannah would say one thing, but her actions said something else. He had to learn how to read her body language.
"I already have some plans for you and me, sweetie." Mike said. He didn't want to tell her that the therapist he was seeing was also a family therapist; and that he would be taking Hannah to see her. He had told Christine and she was in complete agreement. They had to nip Hannah's insecurities in the bud.
"Oh." Hannah said. Mike could see just enough of her side profile to see the hint of a smile. Christine nodded over at him. She had heard the conversation.
"Hannah, Daddy will help you hold Mason. He's really sweet." Christine said. Andrea took the baby from Kaitlyn and carried him over to Mike and Hannah. Mike cradled the baby close to Hannah and Andrea helped her hold the baby. He could feel how tense Hannah was but eventually, once Mason gave her a smile; she seemed to relax.
"He is kind of cute. Will I have to change his diapers?" Hannah asked.
"No, your mom and I will do that." Mike told her.
"Good. I didn't want to do that." Hannah said.
"Mom and I will take care of him and once he's older, you will be able to play with him." Mike explained.
"I got to play with Frankie a little. He isn't so bad." Hannah admitted.
"Once Mason gets bigger, he'll play with toys and play peek-a-boo. That's stuff you and Katie can do with him." Mike said.
"Alright. Is Mommy okay? She seems tired." Hannah asked.
"She's getting sleepy. She had to work hard to get Mason here. Once you girls leave, I'll take Mason to the nursery and Mommy can have some sleep." Mike explained.
"When will you and Mommy and Mason be home?" Hannah asked.
"The day after tomorrow, possibly. Since Mommy had to have surgery, they want to keep her a bit longer." Mike told her.
"Can we call you tonight before bed? I know you will be all busy with Mason, but you and Mommy won't be there for goodnight kisses." Hannah asked.
"Of course, sweetheart. And we will give you your kisses before you leave." Mike said.
"Alright." Hannah said. She was shifting around and Mike maneuvered Mason to where he was holding him instead of Hannah. She was perched on his knee and shocked him when she bent over and kissed Mason on the top of the head. The baby opened his eyes and smiled at Hannah.
"I think he loves his big sister. He's smiled most at you." Mike said. He wasn't about to tell Hannah that Mason was also passing gas.
"He is kind of cute. He looks like you." Hannah said.
"Is that your way of saying that I'm cute?" Mike teased.
"No, Daddy; you aren't cute." Hannah said with a smile.
"Oh, that hurts. I bet Mommy disagrees?" Mike teased back.
"I don't think so." Hannah said. Mike stood up and carried Mason to Christine.
"Hey, babe; Hannah said I'm not very cute." Mike told Christine.
"I have to agree with her, Mike; after all, I do your laundry. But you are a keeper. You give me cute babies." Christine said with a smile. Both girls groaned and Andrea laughed.
"Alright, girls; give your parents and brother a kiss. We have big plans for a slumber party tonight. Pizza, popcorn, movies, and chocolate." Andrea explained to Mike and Christine. Katie immediately gave her mom and then Mike a kiss. Mason had had several kisses. While Mike hugged Katie, Christine gave Hannah her hug and kiss. Then it was Mike's turn. He held onto Hannah just a bit longer. He had told Katie he loved her, but while he held Hannah, he whispered in her ear.
"You are so loved by me. Nothing will ever change that. Never doubt that." Mike whispered.
"I love you too, Daddy. I really do." Hannah said.
"I know, sweetie. You have a good time with Andrea. I'll take good care of Mommy and Mason." Mike said.
"You'd better." Hannah deadpanned. She was definitely his child.
"Alright girls, let's go get our slumber party stuff." Andrea said as she gathered the girls.
"Andrea; I told Hannah that she could call before bedtime. Call us if you need anything." Mike said as he handed Andrea some money for their slumber party.
"I will, but they will be fine. You just enjoy your time with this sweet little guy. Christine, you get some rest. Girls will be fine." Andrea said.
"Thanks for keeping them for us." Christine said.
"No problem at all. I am enjoying it." Andrea said before leading the girls out of the hospital room. Christine settled back into the bed, obviously exhausted. Mike walked over and gently picked Mason up.
"Mike; I am exhausted, but he'll want to nurse soon. Just keep him in here. I also would really like to sleep on your chest." Christine asked and Mike was all too happy to oblige her. Mike settled Mason into the bassinet and rolled it to his side of the bed. Christine quickly settled onto Mike's chest and was sound asleep. Mike alternated watching between her and Mason. He was beginning to see a ray of hope. Maybe things would get better.
