Bitter

Chapter 21

Mike had been making selfish decisions for years. Decisions that pushed his family away and ruined his marriage. Christine had made one poor decision. Mike had made one after another. But, he was doing the most unselfish thing he could do. When he had arrived at the hospital, he asked the nurse if it was too late to be tested as a match for Katie. He could have gone to her room while the tests were being done, but he was worried about the reactions.

Then he was told he was an exact match and met with Dr. Giles; who explained the entire process. Mike immediately consented, filled out the paperwork, called Tom to let him know what was going on and prepared for the surgery. He knew if Katie knew he was the donor; she would refuse to have the surgery so he opted to keep it confidential, knowing that he would have to appear at some point; hopefully once the pain was better.

He woke up in the most intense pain he had ever felt. It felt like he had been cut in half. The nurse rushed in and took his temperature, which appeared to be elevated. He was given a dose of morphine but before he fell asleep; he asked about Katie's condition. He was assured that she was doing wonderfully.

For two days, he was in and out of consciousness. There were times that he felt like he was burning up and other times he felt like he was in the Arctic again. He could have sworn he heard familiar voices but it made no sense because he had asked for it to be kept quiet that he was Katie's donor. On the third day; he woke up feeling completely drained. As his eyes focused, Christine appeared in his line of vision.

"'Bout time." She said simply.

"Ah…so thirsty." Mike said. He was shocked when Christine brought a straw to his mouth and held it while he sipped the ice cold water.

"Your fever finally broke early this morning." Christine told hi

"Katie?" Mike asked.

"She is doing wonderfully, but she has been worried about you." Christine answered.

"Didn't want her to know I was the donor." Mike told her.

"Yeah; that might have worked if things had gone normally, but because you went septic; Tom called me when things got dire. What the hell were you thinking, Mike?" Christine asked.

"I was thinking that it was time I started being more than just a sperm donor. I wanted to do something unselfish for my daughter and I knew if she knew; she would never allow the surgery to happen." Mike said.

"That is probably true. I can understand keeping it from her before the surgery but not me. That was hairbrained." Christine pointed out.

"I thought it was best at the time. Didn't want the attention, I suppose. People talking about how wonderful it was for me to do; considering the last five years." Mike said.

"Mike…what about your career? This could be a career ender." Christine asked.

"Oh, I probably ended that when I told the President off. Right after I talked to you; he wanted me to start meeting about the James. All I wanted was to get here." Mike said and Christine chuckled.

"I texted and you didn't answer?" He was moving around, trying to get comfortable and Christine gently put a pillow behind him.

"So, I am guessing your priorities are finally shifting." Christine remarked.

"I don't know but I am tired of not having a home or family." Mike admitted.

"Mmm. You always had a home and family, you just had to find us again." Christine said as she helped him take another drink.

"I don't think its going to be that easy." Mike remarked.

"No. Katie adores you so no biggie with her, but while Hannah also loves you, you've broken her trust and I am not sure how you will get it back. As far as the boys are concerned; they don't know you. In the past three years, you've been home a total of four days. No birthdays or holidays. Sure, you've called home, sent presents and financially provided for them, but now; they want your emotional support." Christine said.

"And you and I? I'm sure there i anything left." Mike asked.

"I need you to decide if you want us back. Mike, I made one mistake years ago. I have always been sorry for that but it was a one-time thing. I didn't care about the man I slept with. I was bored and missing my husband. I could deal with you being deployed but when you were home; you weren't mentally there. So, I acted out and felt terrible after. I admitted it to you immediately. Perhaps; I should have waited until you got home but I didn't want you to hear it from anyone else and I needed it off my conscious. You turned around and slept with Michelle. I probably could have handled that but then you fell in love with her. It was more intense than anything you and I had ever had and frankly; I was…am still jealous. She got a part of your heart that I always had wanted. After the Red Flu…I thought there was a chance of you and I working it back out but that wasn't to be. You slept with her again and then expected me to just accept Parker…don't get me wrong; I love Parker now but it was really hard then. Now; I am going back to Katie's room. You need to rest and think. Maybe this evening, I'll bring Katie to visit you." Christine said.

"I always loved you." Mike said simply.

"Mike, we built…more of a friendship than a marriage. We slept next to each other, occasionally had sex; but that was as far as we ever got. And of course; the last five years has been a mess." Christine replied. She helped him with another drink and grabbed her sweater.

"If I could figure out a way to build something more than a friendship?" Mike asked.

"If you can, I might be willing to give you a chance but it is going to take a lot. The first and most important thing I ask is for you to reconnect with the kids." Christine answered.

"Okay." Mike answered, not sure what else to say.

"Get some rest. I will bring Katie by tonight and will see about the boys and Hannah coming by, maybe tomorrow." Christine said. She leaned down and kissed Mike's cheek before walking out and leaving Mike to think.