Bitter

Chapter 14

As Mike suspected, things did get bad. Christine was fortunate to have such a stockpile of food and to know how to stretch a meal. To make Mike feel better once he deployed, Andrea Garnett had moved in. She worked a lot but Christine didn't mind her being there. It gave her another adult to talk to, especially as Katie declined. Christine knew she was probably losing her daughter and all she could do was make sure she was comfortable.

Mike wasn't able to call home a lot and so Christine was essentially a single mom. It made her a bit nervous that he was in the Med, because that was where Michelle had been last before the Red Flu hit. He could find her and leave Christine…not that their 'marriage' was normal. It was little more than an arrangement. Christine missed her husband but she knew Mike had stopped seeing himself as a husband before the Red Flu. Liam was just the result of an oops, although Mike did love the little boy. One day, Andrea walked in with a weird look on her face and finally, she pulled Christine into Mike's home office.

"What's wrong?" Christine asked, immediately knowing it was something with Mike.

"There was an attack at Rota. Mike and the crew got out alright but there was some ground personnel that didn't make it, including Michelle Boylan." Andrea started.

"So she was alive?" Christine asked.

"She was, but she isn't now. But there is more. While there, Mike somehow managed to end up with a three-year-old, Parker Boylan. The timing would be right that he could be a result…" Andrea said and Christine nodded.

"I don't think you are done." Christine said.

"No. They were looking for some special seed that is supposedly immune to this famine. Mike had them and somehow got separated and they believe he's injured. They are currently looking for him. Parker is on the James and the crew is currently caring for him." Andrea explained.

"I frankly don't give a damn about Parker. I do care about rather my husband is found." Christine roared.

"Christine…if they can't find Mike…Parker will be coming back here to you." Andrea said.

"Doesn't mean I have to accept him." Christine said. She knew she was being unfair and it could easily be her with a child that didn't belong to Mike.

"And if they both make it home?" Andrea asked.

"Mike will have to figure that out. He needs to remember that he still has three kids that need him and love him. He'll be fixated on this boy and forget our three." Christine said.

"Christine, just take a breath. I know you are worried about Mike. More than you're angry at him. Now, unless they find him soon, the news will break about him being MIA. You need to think about what to tell the girls. You can leave Parker out for now but they may need to know about their father." Andrea said.

"Fine. One more thing to stress Katie out with, as if Mike leaving isn't enough." Christine answered as she walked out of the room.

Christine had to sit the girls down and explain about how Mike was lost and possibly injured. She did leave the part out about Parker, really not knowing how to explain it. The girls didn't know about the infidelities and she wasn't sure how she felt about Parker. She still loved Mike and if asked, she could love another little boy. And maybe Mike was just helping Michelle's son get somewhere safe?

Katie ended up in bed and Hannah was glued to every news program. Liam was still little and barely knew Mike. He didn't understand. He was still figuring out how to walk. Christine got him and Hannah settled into bed, checked on Katie and headed to bed herself. She just didn't fall asleep until about four am, worried about Mike. She was an irritable mood while cooking breakfast for her family the next morning when Andrea came in from work with a smile on her face.

"They found him. Injured but in stable condition. They have him on the James and they are patching him back up." Andrea said. Katie looked relieved and Hannah smiled. Liam just gurgled happily in his high chair.

"Good. I'm glad." Christine answered.

"He'll call when he's able." Andrea told Christine.

"I'm sure he will." Christine said before passing the other woman a plate of pancakes. Katie narrowed her eyes at Christine but didn't say anything. The girl was entirely too perceptive, just like her dad.