Learning to Live Again
Chapter 9
Despite his issues with their marriage, Joey helped Mike get a marriage license and a judge to marry them. One that wouldn't ask any questions. Bobby's appointments went well, and he would have new glasses in no time.
Mike made a point to have Libby, Joey, Tamara and their kids out for dinner Tuesday night, because by Wednesday; he'd be married to Libby. She wasn't entirely unpleasant, and she really cared about Bobby. She also was pretty in her own way; Mike had just always had the dark-haired beauties like Christine. Andrea had been a deviation but at the basis of their relationship was friendship. He didn't even have that with Libby.
His guests all went home that night, and Bobby went to sleep. As he sat down on the couch, he remembered the night before his wedding to Christine. He had been nervous, but this was completely different, because going into his marriage to Libby, it was already doomed to fail. He seriously doubted that he or Libby could even grow to love one another.
Mike didn't sleep that well that night and by seven, was up to fix Bobby some breakfast. Bobby never complained about anything and was happy no matter what Mike did. He was thrilled with the oatmeal and toast Mike made him and didn't seem shocked that he was being held out of school. He didn't understand the specifics, but he did know that Mike and Libby were marrying, and that Libby would be living with them. He had cleaned out a bedroom down the hall from his that Libby would sleep in.
Mike put Bobby in khakis and a button down and even wore a suit and tie. He had Libby's wedding band and she had his. When he pulled up to the courthouse, he met Libby and her family and began the walk. She was wearing a floral knee-length dress and blue cardigan. Mike offered her his arm as they walked into the judge's office.
The one thing Mike hadn't thought of was kissing his bride. He could see Libby tense a bit, but they had to make it seem believable for the judge's benefit. He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.
Joey and Tamara took them to eat and then they parted ways. Libby had her clothes and personal items packed. She'd be leaving her furniture in the garage apartment, since living at Mike's house was not a permanent situation. While they waited on her to come back, Mike called Katherine. She already knew they were getting married and wished them the best. If she knew the true circumstances behind Mike and Libby's marriage, she didn't let on.
Libby arrived about three and Mike helped her carry in her bags and boxes. While he cooked dinner, Bobby helped Libby put her items away, make her bed and personalize her space. Mike had made a point to keep her bedroom away from his, but if Family Services checked, they would have to some up with something.
Supper was quiet and Mike could tell that Libby was nervous about something, especially as they put Bobby to bed. Mike read a book while Libby worked on lesson plans. Finally, he broke the silence.
"I think I'm going to go on to bed. Its been a long day. Do you need anything before I go?" Mike asked.
"No…you don't expect me to…you know?" Libby asked. Mike turned back to her and noticed her trembling.
"No. If I expected that of you, I would have demanded you to move into my room. Libby, I know we hardly know or like each other, but I will not harm you in that way. I seriously doubt it will come to this, but if we do spend a night together, it will be something we both do willingly. There would be no coercion involved. I maybe an asshole, but I am not a monster." Mike said before walking out of the room.
Libby rubbed her face in pure frustration. Joey had told her that he had told Mike their story. She would have preferred he not know. She didn't want his sympathy. She wasn't even sure what she wanted but sympathy wasn't it. She wanted Mike to feel the same attraction she felt. She wanted a normal marriage. One where she climbed into bed next to her husband every night, to cuddle, to make love and to share a life.
Libby shut the lights off and locked all the doors before heading to bed herself. She checked on Bobby who was sound asleep, and she could hear Mike snoring in his own room. Sleep came easily for Libby and she didn't worry about Mike coming into her room, since he was so repulsed by her.
They were all sleeping soundly until Bobby began screaming. Libby jumped out of bed and put her glasses on, and she could hear Mike in Bobby's room. Libby didn't even care about her flannel pajama pants or large t-shirt as she walked into Bobby's room. Bobby was sitting on Mike's lap and Mike was rocking him back and forth gently. He was wearing a pair of gym shorts and no shirt and his hair was mussed up.
"Is he okay?" Libby asked.
"Yeah, he has these pretty much every night. I should have warned you." Mike commented. Bobby was getting sleepy with Mike's gentle rocking.
"Its alright. Bobby, do you want to tell us about it?" Libby said as she sat down next to Mike on the bed.
"No. I just want to go to sleep." Bobby said. Mike and Libby both stood up and Mike laid Bobby down on the bed and tucked the blankets around him.
"Tomorrow while you're at school, I'll trim that tree so its not rubbing against the window." Mike assured him. Libby was shocked by how gentle and loving Mike was to the little boy. For a second, she could imagine him being as gentle with their baby.
"Okay." Bobby said sleepily.
"Get some sleep, sweetie." Libby told him as she stroked the side of his face. In no time at all, Bobby was sound asleep, and Mike and Libby left his room.
"I think the tree branches are brushing against the window and waking him up, besides having a nightmare. I'll take care of it in the morning." Mike said.
"I would have just thought it was a nightmare." Libby said.
"My younger daughter had night terrors. Before every deployment, I always trimmed the trees and bushes around her window, made sure the screen was good and secure and that nothing could hit the house. It helped a lot." Mike said. They were standing in the hallway outside of Bobby's room, listening to his soft snores.
"That makes sense." Libby remarked. She didn't know what else to say when Mike remembered something with his wife or children. He had obviously loved them deeply and it had to be incredibly painful.
"Just a kid thing although Bobby has had a life that would lead to a lot of nightmares anyway. You'd better get to sleep. You have work in the morning." Mike said.
"Yeah, and it will be an interesting day. I'm sure the principal will have something to say about my sudden marriage." Libby remarked.
"Why does the principal have to know the truth? Yes, tell him you've married, but tell him that it is a normal marriage and not what it actually is. I understand you wanting to tell your brother and family, but not everyone has to know." Mike asked.
"I suppose you are right, but he is sure to have something to say. He's Oliver…my ex-fiance's best friend. If it wasn't for my having tenure, I wouldn't have a job." Libby explained.
"So, tell him you are blissfully happy and that you were so happy, you didn't want to wait around for a normal engagement. He doesn't have to know." Mike said.
"I'd be lying." Libby objected.
"We are both lying about a lot. What's one more lie?" Mike said before walking to his own bedroom and shutting the door. Libby went into her own room, laid down but never really fell asleep.
Libby walked out that morning, after showering, doing her make-up and trying to look like she had rested. Thankfully, Mike had made waffles and she could quickly eat. Things were going great and she and Mike were even being civil until she walked out and looked at her car. There was a flat tire and she was going to be late. It would have been a catastrophe the day before and she wasn't sure Mike would even help her.
"Uh…Mike; could you run us to school? I have a flat. I'll call Joey and see if he'll change it." Libby asked.
"I'll take you and I'll change the flat." Mike told her as he grabbed his wallet and keys. He followed her and Bobby back out and they walked to his truck.
As Mike dropped Libby and Bobby off at the school, she was shocked that he leaned over and kissed her forehead, but then noticed the principal glaring at them. Libby smiled at Mike and patted his cheek before grabbing Bobby's hand and walking into school. She wasn't worried about her job because she had had a talk with the superintendent the night before she got married to Mike. A woman who had been like a mother to her and someone who knew the truth about her bizarre marriage.
Bobby was particularly attentive in class and had agreed to move closer to the front. Since he had new clothes and seemed in better shape, the other students included him. During art class, and her planning period, Libby looked at her phone. Tamara had texted her a cute picture of her niece and nephew, her friend; Miriam had texted checking on her. Miriam was the superintendent. And there was also a text from Mike.
"Tire was dry rotted. I've ordered new ones. I'll take you to school tomorrow." Mike said. He was definitely to the point.
"All four? I can't really afford that right now." Libby asked.
"Yes, all four. There were wires showing on two of them, one was dry rotted and the other looks bad. I will cover it. You also need brakes. The car is at the shop." Mike texted back.
"Why would you?" Libby asked.
"Because right now, I am responsible for you. I promised your brother that I wouldn't let you get hurt. I can't very well let you drive around in a car that isn't safe, now can I?" Mike answered.
"I suppose not. Just not sure when I'll be able to pay you back." Libby texted.
"Don't worry about it. We do need to have a conversation about finances at some point, but it can wait until we are face-to-face." Mike responded.
"Is this all normal? Remember, I've not been married before. Joint checking accounts and such?" Libby asked.
"Christine and I had joint accounts. Its easier. She handled our money. I don't know how it'll work with us, but its really not difficult to get used to." Mike explained.
"Okay. My class is getting back soon. I'll be done quarter 'til four and I'll keep Bobby with me. I can text you?" Libby asked.
"That's fine." Mike answered.
Libby spent the rest of the afternoon teaching her class. She had worked with the kids to learn her new last name, because despite having an unusual name, she would be using Mike's last name. Poor Bobby was completely confused because he had gone from calling her Miss McDonald to Mrs. Slattery, but at home he could call her Libby.
There was no school the next day, but Libby had grading to do over the weekend and Bobby had plans of helping Mike outside. Finally, a little before four, Mike walked in and Bobby ran to give him a hug. Libby smiled watching them. She could only imagine how Mike had been with his own kids, watching him with Bobby.
"Ready to go?" Mike asked.
"Yep. I have some grading to do this weekend, but you boys will be able to work outside." Libby said as she grabbed her purse and tote bag and shut the lights off. She followed Mike and Bobby out to his truck and smiled at the way he shut her truck door after getting Bobby secured. He could be a perfect gentleman when he wanted to be.
"Grading can wait until tomorrow though. I invited your brother, sister-in-law and the kids for supper. I saw Tamara at the store." Mike said.
"Oh, that's great. I was missing the kids." Libby admitted.
"But not your brother or sister-in-law?" Mike teased.
"Abby and Andy are cuter." Libby said.
"I can agree with that. Especially Abby." Mike remarked.
"I would have never taken you for a person who enjoyed babies." Libby said.
"I loved when my kids were that age. Their whole world is you." Mike said. Something had changed in his voice and Libby could hear a hint of sadness. She reached over and squeezed his hand on the console.
"I am certain they loved you dearly, even as they got older. As good as you are with Bobby, how could they not?" Libby said.
"My oldest was at a weird age. I'm pretty sure love had been replaced by contempt. Hannah and Lucas were still pretty sweet though." Mike reminisced. Up until that point, Libby hadn't known any names.
"I'm sure your oldest loved you too. What was her name?" Libby asked.
"Kaitlyn. I always called Kate. She liked it better." Mike supplied.
"I'm sure Kate adored you. I've seen your pictures. Don't tarnish your memories of her by thinking she didn't. And if nothing else, hold onto your love for her. Grief is the last act of love and I don't think you will ever stop grieving because you'll never stop loving Kate." Libby said.
"Thank you." Mike answered simply. What shocked her was that he kissed her palm. It was a simple, but very intimate gesture. She just wished she knew what was going on in his mind. They were all in uncharted waters.
