North Stars

Chapter 3

There was so much to do. A house to find. Furniture to buy. Deciding if he wanted to retire. Mike was overwhelmed, but even he had to admit it had felt so good to watch his daughters fall asleep and to hold Christine as she fell asleep. Of course, her hair was much grayer now. There were worry lines where her complexion had been perfect years before. She was no beauty anymore but he didn't care.

They had talked a bit before she fell asleep. More planning than anything. They wouldn't deal with their problems until they were both a bit more comfortable and that would never happen in a hotel, sharing a thin wall with their daughters. She was exhausted and seemed to be relieved that she could lean on Mike now. Christine had already told him it had been rough keeping the girls going. Of course, Mike was angry at first because she could have sought him out, but it was over with. He had his happy reunion finally.

At some point; he fell asleep and it was the soundest he had slept in years. Christine had practically melted into his side. About seven, she began moving around a bit and he woke up. As soon as their eyes connected; she smiled at him and then gave him a soft kiss.

"Are you hungry?" Mike asked.

"I am and I'm sure the girls are too." Christine said. Mike started to get up but she stopped him with another kiss. For a few minutes; they kissed and held each other until Hannah called for Christine.

"Its going to take some time to get used to that." Mike admitted.

"Probably, but you really don't mind. So, sleeping arrangements for tonight?" Christine asked.

"I'm going to see if we can get an extra night or two here, and that will give us time to find a house or apartment, at least." Mike said.

"Perfect." Christine answered. She leaned down to give him another kiss before going into the next room. Mike could have slept longer but he got up, dressed and went downstairs. Fortunately, he was able to get an additional two nights at the hotel and if they needed longer they could just keep reserving the rooms. Mike grabbed coffee for him and Christine and juice for the girls before heading back to the girls' room. He also had a newspaper and a few numbers for realtors. The girls were dressed and were straightening up the room when he got there. They both wanted hugs and waited patiently while Christine got ready.

"We do have the rooms for tonight and tomorrow. Can get them longer if needed." Mike told Christine as they drank their coffee.

"Okay. Expensive though." Christine remarked.

"Yeah. I can afford it but I think it would be better if we were in a house. I got a number for a real estate agent. If the girls will be okay; I set up a meeting at ten for you and I to talk to her." Mike said.

"I'm sure they will be alright." Christine said. The girls were in their room; and Christine was making the bed she and Mike had slept in.

"I told her we had to have something we could move right into. She knows a few places. Assuming you want to be in this area?" Mike asked.

"Yeah; I am fine with anything as long as we are all together…at least until you deploy again." Christine stated.

"This afternoon; I have to check in with Tom and to call the President to figure out next steps." Mike said.

"Understood." Christine answered.

"Doesn't mean I'll deploy immediately. Maybe I'm done." Mike said.

"Mike; as badly as I would like that, I won't count on it until I attend your retirement party. And even then, I will know that I still have to share you with the Navy. If you are needed, you go back out. It took me a lot of years to understand that. Don't retire on account of me and the girls. I don't want you to resent us later." Christine said. She stopped and gave him a long kiss before straightening the pillows.

"I haven't decided." Mike admitted.

"I know and I won't pressure you. I will just make sure you have a nice home to come home to." Christine answered. He gave her another kiss and then laughed when Hannah burst through the adjoining door.

"Can we have breakfast now?" Hannah asked.

"Yeah. We will go for breakfast and then you and Katie will hang out here for a bit. Mom and I are going to meet with a realtor to see if we can find a house." Mike answered.

"Will Mom have a good kitchen?" Hannah asked.

"Hopefully, but at this point, we need to just find a house to move into. We will manage with what we find." Christine told her.

"I'll see what I can do." Mike told her. He kissed Hannah's forehead and smiled at her.

"Are you ladies both ready?" Christine asked.

"Yes, ma'am." Hannah said.

"Alright." Christine answered with a smile. Katie had joined them and handed Christine her purse. Mike took her hand and both room keys were tucked into the purse before they headed to a small diner across the street. He told them to order anything they wanted, but Christine opted for the cheapest item on the menu. It was like she didn't want to ask him for anything and he only wanted to give her and the girls the moon.

Katie and Hannah went back to the hotel, and Christine and Mike went to the nearby real estate office and met with their new agent; Hailey. She was barely older than Katie but understood their needs and was willing to drive Christine and Mike to the various houses she had found. The first one; Christine and Mike both hated with a passion. But the second was absolutely amazing, within the budget Mike had set and had some furniture that could be bought with the house. They could even right in. Hailey left them in the kitchen to discuss it and Christine looked out the kitchen window to the pool and smiled.

"So, what do you think?" Mike asked.

"I love it. I can imagine where the Christmas tree will go, and how we can have barbeques out there. Its just so expensive and I have no money to contribute." Christine said.

"I am not worried about that. I set the budget I did only going off my income. Anything you might earn would be extra and I don't expect you to work. Honestly; I think you need to rest for awhile." Mike said.

"And make this a home?" Christine asked and Mike gave her a long kiss.

"If this is the place you want to call home, then yes." Mike answered.

"I love this house, Mike. I want us to be together and anywhere would do, but this house…I can see us growing old…older here. Someday, I see our grandchildren playing in the living room. Holiday dinners and engagement parties for the girls. Its not perfect but its like it is just for us." Christine said.

"Good." Mike said. He gave her a kiss just as Hailey stepped in. "Full price offer. Immediate move in." Mike said.

"I'll call the listing agent." Hailey said with a smile.

"Thanks." Christine answered and Hailey nodded at her as she began making calls. "I need to start making a list." Christine said.

"I need to buy a vehicle too. Probably before I do about anything else. That might be this afternoon's project." Mike answered.

"I have one but its not in good shape. Overheats." Christine said.

"Yeah, I'll buy something new. In time I will get for you and the girls too." Mike said. Just then, Hailey came in with a smile.

"Its yours. Congratulations. The paperwork will be at my office." Hailey told them.

"Great. I'm so excited." Christine said. Mike put an arm around her and kissed the side of her head. As she leaned into Mike, he was thrilled to finally have something, someone and somewhere again.