Together
Chapter 16
It took a bit for Christine's hormones to start lining out. One day, she would be happy. The next, she would be mad and crying. In the midst of it all, Mike had been promoted to detective and was assigned to homicide on the South Side of Chicago. The best part of it was that Sergeant Hicks had been promoted a short time before, and Mike was partnered with him.
It all meant a lot of overtime, but that also helped them move into a two-bedroom apartment, in the same building. Katie had started walking and kept Christine on her toes, but she loved every minute. She was starting to talk about trying for a baby again and Mike was afraid she would end up disappointed. One night; he got home late and she was in their bedroom, waiting. He showered and climbed in next to her. She smiled over at him before giving him a kiss.
"How was your day?" Mike asked.
"Good. Yours?" Christine asked.
"Long. But I like the overtime." Mike commented.
"Yes, its nice. So, I talked to your Grammy. She and Kathleen wants to watch Katie Friday night, and I checked your schedule. Barring overtime, you're off. I got tickets to that comedy club you like. I won them, actually." Christine explained.
"You are asking to go on a date?" Mike asked.
"Well, I suppose that's what it's called. They can watch her through the night." Christine added.
"I'll see if I can figure out getting off on time. With a Friday; its hard to say." Mike told her.
"Okay. I really hope we can do something, even if its not the comedy club." Christine remarked. Mike gave her a kiss before pulling her onto his chest.
"We will figure something out." Mike said.
"I feel like I only talk to Katie, and that isn't always fun." Christine told him. Her parents had distanced themselves from her, and Mike felt badly for her. Her days consisted of caring for Katie.
"Are you regretting telling your mom to leave the hospital?" Mike asked.
"Maybe a little, but its not like we were that close to start with." Christine admitted.
"Christine; I know this is hard. I wish we had the extra so that you could put Katie in day care a day or so a week. You could meet your cousins or friends for lunch." Mike said.
"Mike; I don't have friends and my cousins have their own husbands and kids." Christine said.
"Why don't you have friends?" Mike asked.
"Mmm. I was on one track although school. I was going to be a nun. That doesn't lend itself to friendships. Then I got married suddenly. I suppose Kathleen is a friend but she's a bit on the wild side. I've never drank before and I don't want to start now. At least not like she does." Christine said and Mike groaned. His little sister was a bit of a partier. He really didn't want sweet, innocent Christine out with her.
"I'll see what I can do." Mike answered before kissing Christine's forehead.
"A date night is something you can do." Christine said and Mike nodded.
"Definitely planning on that." Mike said as he snuck a hand under her nightshirt and cupped a breast. He gave her another kiss.
"You aren't too tired?" Christine asked.
"Nope." Mike answered. Christine smiled in response and nodded. Mike turned her back on her back. She sat up enough for him to maneuver the shirt off. He groaned in appreciation at the sight. "Condom or not?" Mike asked.
"Not." Christine answered.
"Good." Mike said.
An hour later, Mike smiled down at his sleeping wife. They were totally spent. He hoped that at some point, without too many issues, she would become pregnant. He was certainly doing everything in his power to make it happen. They were quite sexually active and he was completely satisfied with Christine, in contrast to his 'love 'em and leave 'em' behavior from before his marriage. He surprised even himself at times. Did it mean he cared for her more than he was willing to admit? He had figured out he was very capable of loving someone, because he loved Katie.
He was going to have to find a way for her to feel a bit more fulfilled. She adored Katie and took good care of her, but it would be hard to be totally focused on a nearly two-year-old constantly. Maybe his partner had an idea. He kissed her forehead again and pulled the blanket over her. She was not wearing a stitch of clothing and tended to get cold. It was just another way he 'cared' for her. He just wasn't good at vocalizing it. Maybe someday.