North Stars
Chapter 5
"I don't think I've ever owned so many civvies." Mike remarked as he looked at the back of their SUV.
"Some of that is stuff you insisted I needed; and you didn't have anything but a couple white t-shirts and boxers. It was kind of funny." Christine answered with a laugh.
"Do you think the girls will like their stuff?" Mike asked. He helped Christine into her passenger seat and then settled in the driver's seat.
"I do, but Mike; the problems with Katie are not going to be fixed by buying her things. You've already thoroughly spoiled both girls." Christine warned.
"I know. I thought I might actually take her out for lunch or something this week." Mike said.
"That might fix the problems. Having real conversations. Rebuilding a relationship and trust." Christine told him.
"And retiring?" Mike asked.
"I think it would help both girls but I refuse to pressure you." Christine told him.
"But, you would prefer I retired?" Mike asked as he pulled into traffic to go home.
"Very much so but again, no pressure." Christine answered. She reached over and squeezed his knee before fixing her seat warmer.
"The President has called and texted, wanting an answer…and I have to have one on Monday." Mike told her.
"Mike…after everything; being apart for so long and that strong desire to reconnect with the girls; do you really think you can go back out? I have a feeling it will be harder than you realize. I think if you re-up; leaving will be incredibly hard." Christine asked.
"Do you think you can handle me being at home 24-7?" Mike asked.
"At one time I probably would have said no, but I am ready to get to know my husband again." Christine said.
"I feel the same way about you." Mike said.
"Mike; you know in your heart what to do. You know that you want to be home. The world will understand and the President will find someone else. You don't have to be that person anymore. The world will continue rotating and the Navy will continue existing as it has for over two-hundred years. I don't want to pressure you but I would love to have you there. More than anything; I want you to be happy and I am not sure you can be if you're out there missing us." Christine answered just as he pulled into their driveway.
"I just don't know if I can go back out and not be terrified that I will lose you all again." Mike said.
"I'm not going anywhere but I know what you mean. We'd better go in. Tomorrow; I want you to take the day out with Katie. Lunch or whatever meal. Spoil her a bit just by spending time with her." Christine told him as they both got out of the SUV. Before they began unloading the back of the vehicle; he gave her a long kiss.
"I missed you. I missed talking like this with someone. I love you." Mike told her.
"I love you too and I missed it too." Christine answered before giving Mike another kiss. They grabbed the bags and headed inside, where Katie was cooking dinner. "She loves cooking and I don't mind letting her experiment. We just never had the ingredients until now." Christine explained.
"Its roast chicken with sweet potatoes and regular potatoes. There's onion with the potatoes and I've made an apple salad. I also made a Boston-Cream Cake. Is that okay?" Katie asked.
"Sounds delicious." Mike answered. He gave Katie a kiss on the top of the head and smiled down at her.
"Katie; Dad is going to take you out for lunch and whatever else you two want to do tomorrow. He'll take Hannah out at some point too, but tomorrow is your dad." Christine explained.
"Maybe we can go to that kitchen store? The one you and I saw, Mom." Katie suggested in a small voice.
"We can go to any kitchen store you want." Mike said.
"Oh, be careful with that Mike. That could get you into trouble." Christine told him as she winked at him.
"We'll have a fun day." Mike said.
"Expensive too." Christine warned.
"Ah, it'll be okay." Mike told her. He gave Katie a wink before taking the various bags of clothes to the laundry room, knowing Christine would be talking to their oldest daughter.