Time Marches On
Chapter 13
Noah was a good baby and Christine knew she was already getting attached. The part that had hurt was that Mike had initially lied to her about having been involved with someone but in his shoes, she wasn't sure she would tell either. Noah had expedited things. Mike arrived back with the necessary items and Chinese food. Once Noah was settled in the crib, they sat down to eat.
"I want to call the girls before it gets too late." Mike remarked.
"Yeah. Once we eat. Do you want me to give them some story or just the truth?" Christine asked.
"I think the truth is more painful but necessary." Mike said.
"I agree." Christine answered.
"What's on your mind?" Mike asked. He had always been able to read her.
"I am not mad about Noah…or even Maddie. What I am unhappy about is that you initially told me there wasn't anyone." Christine answered with a shaky voice. For all she had been through, she was still scared sometimes. She knew Mike would not hurt her, but the fears came up.
"I didn't want to hurt you. I was afraid if I told you there was, it would hurt you. All I can promise you is that I didn't love her." Mike said.
"I would have preferred to just know." Christine told him.
"I know. I thought I was doing best at the time but by yesterday, I knew I was wrong." Mike answered.
"If you hadn't gotten the call about Noah, would you have told me?" Christine asked.
"I think so. Guilt probably would have worked." Mike told her.
"Good answer." Christine said with a smile.
"I…do need to apologize though; well for a lot, but specifically for forcing you to have sex. I knew you weren't ready and it was horrible of me." Mike said.
"You didn't force me. If I had told you no at any point, you would have stopped." Christine assured him.
"Still…I shouldn't have pushed you. You wanted the connection back but you were not ready." Mike commented.
"And now, its like I crossed a major hurdle. I feel like I took back part of myself and we will be doing it again soon. Seriously, I did not feel like you forced me into something I didn't want." Christine answered.
"If you're sure?" Mike asked.
"Positive. Now; are you ready to call the girls?" Christine asked.
"Not particularly but I need to." Mike said and Christine reached over and squeezed his hand. He pulled his cellphone out and punched in Sasha's name. After a few pleasantries with her, she handed the phone over to the girls and left the room. Mike had the phone on speaker, allowing them both to talk and Sasha's was also on speaker.
"Hi, girls." Christine said, taking the lead.
"Hi, Mom and Daddy." Hannah answered.
"Girls; Dad and I wanted to talk to you about something. Are you both listening?" Christine asked.
"Yeah." Katie said seriously.
"Alright. We were gone for a long time and in that time…Dad got a little lonely. He dated someone for a few months and the relationship is over. It was before you girls and I came back on scene, but there was a result…a baby. The lady didn't want her baby and your dad didn't know about him until late yesterday. We went to the hospital to see him and I got attached immediately, so we have him with us now. He is going to be a part of our family. Do you girls have any questions or concerns?" Christine asked.
"Can she take him back?" Katie asked.
"No. Your mom and I are on his birth certificate." Mike answered.
"What's his name? Surely, you named him?" Hannah asked.
"Noah Michael." Christine answered.
"Girls, it is important that you know; I didn't stop loving your mom or you guys. Maddie was just…kind of a mistake, but its important that Noah doesn't ever think he is also a mistake. He's tiny now and I know I am asking a lot of you girls but I really hope you girls can accept him." Mike said.
"Its okay." Hannah said.
"Katie?" Christine asked.
"We'll…learn to be okay with it." Katie said. Mike started to say something, but Christine waved him off.
"We love you girls and will see you in a few days." Christine said.
"Love you too." Katie said.
"Love you guys." Hannah answered and Christine ended the call.
"Katie is less than thrilled." Mike remarked.
"It takes her time to digest things. Just make her feel loved once we get back home. She I a good big sister and Noah will have her charmed in no time. Just have some faith." Christine said with a smile.
"Its just that she has been through so much. She really didn't need anymore setbacks." Mike told her.
"True but a setback would have been you leaving with Maddie. A baby is not a setback. Katie will be okay." Christine said. She started to stand up, but Mike gently grabbed her hand and gave her a long kiss.
"I am not going anywhere. Wild horses couldn't drag me away. That is a promise." Mike said.
"I love you." Christine answered just as Noah started fussing.
"I love you too." Mike said. He gave her another kiss and let her hand go; both glad the hardest conversation had been had. Now they just had to get home.