Together
Chapter 21
Too soon, Mike went back to work. He did make the arrangements that if something happened to him, Christine could keep Katie and they would be taken care of. And then on September 11th, 2001; the Twin Towers were struck in New York City; along with the Pentagon. Almost immediately; Mike was deployed with a group of other Chicago homicide detectives to assist NYPD. He was gone for weeks and while he was gone; Christine found out she was finally pregnant.
He didn't get home until almost the middle of October, and by then Christine was beginning to show. She didn't want to tell him on the phone and so she were a bigger shirt when she picked him up at the headquarters. She could see the exhaustion on his face, and didn't like the way he was coughing. He was quiet the entire drive home and went in for a shower as soon as they walked in. Katie was at school, so Christine fixed Mike a cup of soup and prayed she found the best way to talk to him. Finally; he came out and ate the soup while Christine cleaned the kitchen.
"So, when do you have to go back to work?" Christine asked.
"Monday. They gave us all the weekend off." Mike answered.
"Good. You'll have time to get rested up. You look exhausted." Christine said as she sat down next to him. She hoped he would notice that she had gained weight.
"I am tired." Mike admitted.
"Mike…uh…I didn't want to tell you over the phone…I'm pregnant. Right at twelve weeks now." Christine said. Mike only blinked in response. Not the reaction she had hoped for. She thought he'd be thrilled. "I'm sorry…I thought you'd be happier. We had tried so hard, for so long for this." Christine said.
"Its not…that. Its…look; I'm happy about the baby. But the timing is bad." Mike said.
"Why? We've been married for several years now. We've got money in savings and Katie is older now." Christine asked.
"I'm thinking about quitting the force and joining the military. Specifically; the Navy. I even talked to a recruiter already." Mike told her.
"But not me?" Christine asked, immediately getting angry.
"I haven't signed up. It's just something I'm kicking around." Mike told her.
"You would be gone for months at a time." Christine remarked.
"Yes." Mike agreed.
"Would we have to move?" Christine asked.
"Probably. Due to my experience; the recruiter is wanting to get me into the Academy in Annapolis. It's a four year program. They don't usually take married people for that though." Mike told her. It didn't sit well with Christine.
"So, what's your plan? Divorce me? What about Katie? This baby?" Christine questioned. Instead of saying anything; Mike turned and put his hands on both her shoulders.
"Absolutely not. I would prefer being an officer, but we will have to see if they relax some rules. With 9-11, they will be and that might be one of them. It just maybe tight for a while, financially." Mike answered.
"And a baby complicates things." Christine added.
"It does, but we'll manage. I know how badly you've wanted this baby." Mike said.
"And you haven't?" Christine asked.
"Men think differently about babies, but I am happy." Mike said simply.
"I just thought it would be a good time." Christine said as she buried her face in Mike's shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and just held on. She didn't like how his breathing sounded, but she concentrated on just holding onto him; knowing the next months would be painful at times.