Time Marches On
Chapter 12
It had all been a terrible mistake on Mike's part. Hurting Christine. Having sex with her when he knew she wasn't ready. All of it. And now he had to figure out how to tell her about Maddie and the baby she had just had. A beautiful baby boy that Maddie didn't want and Mike did. He got out of the taxi the next day to go and tell Christine. She could do any number of things. Leave him. Divorce him. Take the girls.
As soon as he walked in, she gave him a bright smile and a shy kiss on the lips. She loved him and he didn't deserve her. Maddie had been a mistake and the baby that was still at the hospital, waiting to be picked up was a result of that mistake. He just wasn't sure how to tell Christine. Perhaps he should have been honest with her when she asked? He hadn't wanted to hurt her.
"Earth to Mike?" Christine asked.
"Yeah, sorry. Did you need something?" Mike asked.
"Was just asking if I needed to get dressed for dinner out?" Christine asked.
"Actually, can we talk?" Mike asked as he gestured at the couch.
"Sure." Christine answered with a smile. She sat down on the couch and as soon as Mike sat down next to her, took his hand in her's.
"So…the day before yesterday when you asked about me being with anyone in the time you were gone…I was not honest. I didn't ever care about anyone like I did you, but there was this woman right after I got out of the Navy." Mike started.
"I suspected so." Christine answered gently.
"Maddie was her name. She was young. Looked a great deal like you. I was missing you and things went too far, but I never cared about her." Mike continued.
"Mike, its okay. I suspected something had happened." Christine said.
"Except its not. She got pregnant. I didn't know until yesterday. She'd had him early yesterday morning. Didn't want to keep him. Before she gave him up for adoption, she called me. I really don't know why. I went and saw him at the hospital today. I thought I wouldn't care…couldn't…but…" Mike paused as he rubbed his face with his free hand.
"You do." Christine finished for him.
"I didn't even hold him but as soon as he wrapped his hand around my finger…you know how babies do? I just…couldn't walk away but I didn't sign anything until I talked to you." Mike said.
"Did you see Maddie while you were there?" Christine asked.
"No. She'd already signed herself out." Mike answered.
"When is he due to be released?" Christine asked.
"He can be now. They were just waiting on me." Mike told her.
"Alright. We'd better go get him." Christine answered before standing up.
"Christine; I can't expect this of you and the girls…" Mike started.
"No, but you already love this baby. It would not be right to tell you no. Besides, I'm sure the foster care system is a mess. We can ensure this baby has a loving home." Christine told him.
"Are you sure?" Mike asked as he stood up.
"I love you, so yes." Christine said with a smile. She paused putting her shoes on and gave him a hug.
The ride to the hospital was quiet and they were let into the maternity ward immediately. As soon as Christine laid eyes on the baby boy, she picked him up and began rocking him back and forth, reminding Mike of how she had been with their three babies. The nurse was having Mike sign paperwork, but he really only wanted to watch Christine.
"He doesn't have a name. The mother gave us no indication." The nurse told Mike. He looked to Christine and smiled at her.
"Any ideas?" Mike asked.
"When I was pregnant with Lucas, I considered naming him Noah Michael. It was a name that always stuck with me." Christine said. Mike nodded at the nurse and she wrote it on the paperwork.
"Last name?" The nurse asked.
"Slattery. Christine; do you want your name on the birth certificate?" Mike asked.
"Of course." Christine said.
"Perfect." The nurse answered. Mike filled out the paperwork and while they worked on discharge papers, he concentrated on Christine. Noah had his head on her chest and was watching her closely as she fed him a bottle from one of the other nurses.
"He likes you." Mike remarked.
"The nurse said they could give us a car seat so we can get him home. When we get to the hotel, you will get a crib delivered from the front desk. I'll get him settled while you get supplies. We'll need diapers, formula, some basic clothes. Nothing too major. Just a few sleepers and such to get us home with. I can get more later. You'll also need to deal with the airline." Christine ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." Mike answered.
"And once you get back tonight, we'll call the girls and explain." Christine said.
"Thank you." Mike said simply. Noah was all about Christine and really wasn't even noticing Mike. He just wrinkled his eyebrows at Mike when he heard his voice. "I know, buddy. She's much prettier than me." Mike said with a laugh.
"He can just see me. Your face is harder for him to see. Give him time. He'll get used to you." Christine answered. Just then a nurse brought in a car seat and Christine settled Noah into it with a minor amount of fussing. Mike and Christine both signed off of the birth certificate and Mike was given all the necessary paperwork and a diaper bag. He didn't necessarily need to rush out for baby items, but he would for Christine's peace of mind.
Mike had the town car stay outside and Noah was quickly settled into the back seat between him and Christine. She was very attentive to him, singing little songs to him while Mike made mental lists up. Once they got to the hotel, Mike got the crib and headed upstairs with it. Christine had taken Noah on up and was sitting on the couch with him. Before Mike left again, he sat down next to her.
"Would you like to hold him?" Christine asked.
"Of course." Mike said. Christine passed Noah over, and the baby immediately started fussing. "He really doesn't like me at all." Mike remarked.
"Give him time. This is a scary new world for him. While you're out, do you think you can find some take-out for our dinner? I am getting a bit sick of the café and room service." Christine asked.
"Of course." Mike answered. He leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.
"He'll be okay. We all will be." Christine said.
"I'm worried about the girls. You too, of course, but the girls…" Mike started.
"They love you. Let me be the one to explain it but they will be fine." Christine said.
"I love you." Mike said simply.
"I love you too. Now, go. I am hungry." Christine answered.
"Yes, ma'am." Mike answered. He passed Noah back to her and gave her a long kiss before leaving them as Christine began singing lullabies to Noah, the same ones she sang to their three babies.