Bitter
Chapter 15
Mike smiled down at sleeping Michelle. He knew he had messed up because he knew that Christine still loved him. He was only still in the marriage because of his kids and now Michelle had told him about Parker, a little boy who had already stolen his heart. He slipped out of the bed, needing to get back to the ship. Michelle groaned and opened her eyes.
"Already time?" She asked.
"Yeah. Sorry, but I have to get back before daylight." Mike said.
"Mike…if something happens, promise me that you will take Parker. I know it will create problems at home with Christine, but you will be all he has." Michelle asked.
"Nothing is going to happen and we'll things out once you get back to the states." Mike said. He bent down and kissed Michelle, desperately wanting to stay in bed with her.
"Just in case?" Michelle begged.
"Sure." Mike answered. He slipped out of the bedroom before anything else could be said, looking in at Parker before leaving Michelle's quarters. Fortunately, he was able to slip back onto the James unnoticed and began making his rounds.
Twelve hours later, Michelle's prediction came true and Mike carried Parker back onto the James. To the crew, he was just a scared little boy who had just lost his mother. They were compassionate and kind to him, allowing for Mike to care for him. He finally told Joe Meylan, Sasha Cooper and Kara Greene that Parker was his son. There was some shock, but cooperation.
He left Parker in one of the crew's care when he had to go to Sardinia. What he didn't count on was being stabbed and separated from his crew. Finally, he was found after losing a lot of blood. He was surprised to see Tom with them and when he woke up, Rios promised him that Parker was fine and the crew was caring for him.
Still, Mike needed to see for himself that Parker was alright. He had to be terrified. He was surprised to find Tom caring for Parker when he got escorted back to his quarters by Rios. He settled on the couch and watched Parker playing on the floor for a moment.
"Has he been good?" Mike asked.
"He's been fine. He's three so as well as can be expected. Mike, what the hell are you going to do?" Tom asked.
"Not a clue. Take him home." Mike said.
"To your wife? How do you expect that to go?" Tom asked.
"Probably not great." Mike admitted.
"He is evidence that you messed around with another officer. You can be court martialed. And another thing…I reviewed footage and found footage of you sneaking out of her quarters the night before she was killed at three am. I erased it, potentially damaging my own career to protect your ass." Tom lectured.
"And she is gone now so this is all moot." Mike said miserably, pointing at Parker; not wanting him exposed to the language or details.
"True, but you'd better hope Christine can accept him. What did you plan on telling her?" Tom asked.
"I was going to tell her he was an orphan kid I found." Mike said.
"Too late. Andrea had to tell her. She was worried that it would get out since you were lost and I really don't think the lie would hold. He looks just like you." Tom answered.
"Oh." Mike said as he closed his eyes.
"I've talked to her twice since we found you. She's genuinely worried about you. Katie's had a rough couple days so that has occupied Christine but I would advise you not to lie to her now. And you do need to call her." Tom said as he stood up.
"What's wrong with Katie?" Mike asked.
"She is dying, Mike. The disease is destroying her organs and you need to prioritize your family." Tom answered before jerking the door open and leaving. Mike blinked away tears. None of them had admitted that Katie was dying. Leave it to Tom to jerk the band-aid off and Mike's emotions were raw anyways. He squeezed his eyes closed until the tears dissipated and walked to his desk phone to call Christine. It wasn't until he heard Christine's muffled and sleepy sounding voice that he realized it was two am in St. Louis.
"Sorry, I didn't realize what time it was there." Mike said.
"Its okay. Tom said you were stabbed?" Christine asked.
"Yeah, in the side but I'm back in my quarters now." Mike answered.
"Good." Christine said.
"Chris…Tom said you knew about Parker?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, Andrea told me. You've still got him, I assume?" Christine asked.
"Yeah." Mike said as he watched the little boy playing with his blocks.
"I haven't figured out how to tell the girls yet." Christine admitted.
"I will. He also said Katie wasn't feeling well?" Mike probed.
"No. The news that you were MIA caused a flare up. She's better now, but she was in rough shape for a couple days." Christine said.
"I see." Mike said.
"Mike; just because you are distancing yourself from her doesn't mean Katie stopped loving you. She adores you and she needs you." Christine told him.
"I know." Mike answered.
"So, do the next right thing. As far as Parker is concerned; just get home and we'll figure things out. Another child wasn't in my cards but he is also a motherless little boy and Michelle was special to you. I can't expect you to give him up now. Just don't forget Katie, Hannah and Liam…or Lucas for that matter." Christine said firmly.
"Thank you." Mike answered simply.
"I just have to ask…was I ever that special to you? Don't…lie. I'd rather wait for the answer than to get a lie. Just think about it on the way home. I will tell the kids you love them and we all love you. Get some rest." Christine said before hanging up.
Mike sit back in his chair and watched Parker play for a few minutes. He knew he had to do better but he was just no good at it. Now that Michelle was gone, there were no distractions. He just had to buckle down.