Together Again
Chapter 3
Christine let Mike into her house, worried about what he might think. She had decorated it for her and the girls, having given up on being reunited with him. It was fairly feminine and was probably smaller than what he would want, considering his new rank. She was too exhausted to go into a long and drawn out conversation, and hoped Katie would be working late so that she wouldn't have to mediate between her and Mike immediately.
"This is really nice." Mike commented with a smile.
"Thank you. We've only been here for about six weeks and we did a lot of the work ourselves." Christine admitted, a bit ashamed.
"What kind of work?" Mike asked as he took his coat off. Christine hung it in the coat closet and gestured to the kitchen.
"We restored the original pine floors, repainted every room and all the woodwork. In the kitchen, we tiled. I had to hire out for new cabinets in there and in the bathrooms, in addition to counters; but it was perfect for us." Christine explained. She walked Mike into the large kitchen; her happy place. Attached was the dining room and living room. She was proud of the house, but knew that it was not going to meet Mike's exacting standards.
"It looks great. Why don't you lay down? You've got to be exhausted." Mike suggested.
"I am. Hannah's game is at six and she has practice until. I assume you want to go?" Christine asked.
"Absolutely." Mike answered.
"Katie just texted that she is working until at least nine pm. Neither know that you are here. It might be a surprise." Christine said as she fixed herself and Mike each a bagel. Mike had sat down at the kitchen island and watched her work.
"That'll be nice." Mike said.
"Mike…Katie…it might not be real comfortable to begin with. She is pretty angry that you never found us." Christine said simply.
"I figured there would be something, but was beginning to wonder if it wasn't you. I was worried you had found someone else." Mike remarked. It surprised Christine, but she had wondered the same about Mike. There was the pretty secretary who seemed very jealous of Christine. She had refused to pass any messages along to Mike, and then there was Commander Greene. It had been six years and their marriage hadn't been very strong before.
"No. Not me. You?" Christine asked as she sat the plate down in front of him, along with a cup of coffee. She had heated up some bacon, cut a tomato and some lettuce so that they would have sandwiches.
"No. Never seemed right." Mike admitted. He was wearing his wedding band, which to Christine was a win. She'd had to sell hers years before. It still felt very stilted between them.
"I'm glad to hear it." Christine said simply.
"Chris…what's going on here? You seem…off. I can't put my finger on it and I don't want to make assumptions. I know you're tired, so if you want to wait, we can, but you are worrying me." Mike asked.
"I tried to get ahold of you, Mike; but your secretary would never connect me with you. I am afraid…you'll be ashamed of me and the girls. It took me a few years to get on my feet but this house…my job…it may not be your thing. I've missed you every day, but I suppose we need to decide if we are going to try and make a go of it again." Christine explained as tears rolled down her cheeks. It was a very real fear for her. Instead of saying anything; Mike turned to her, and wrapped his arms around her.
"It is going to take us a bit of time to get used to one another again. For me to rebuild a relationship with the girls. As far as the house and the job; I'm honestly proud of you. You picked up the pieces and moved along. You raised the girls and you built a home for the three of you. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I promise." Mike told her.
"But Katie?" Christine said into Mike's chest.
"She and I were struggling before I ever left. I will have to figure out a way to fix things with her, but that is not your fault." Mike said.
"I know this sounds silly, and you don't have to go to sleep; but could you lay down with me?" Christine begged. She didn't care about sex at this point. She just wanted Mike to hold her while she fell asleep.
"Of course." Mike answered. He kissed her forehead and pointed back to their food. "First; I think you need to eat. Then sleep." Mike told her.
"Yes. That pastry and fruit was just not enough." Christine said.
"I will need to stop sometime and get a change of civilian clothes. I don't want to go to Hannah's game in my uniform." Mike remarked.
"I will leave my keys out. You can just take my car." Christine answered.
"Alright. Once you fall asleep; I will. Where's your wedding band and engagement ring?" Mike asked as he squeezed her left hand.
"When the famine hit; I had to sell it to feed myself and the girls. Sorry." Christine answered him.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I would have much rather you sell it then starve. We can buy you a new set. You were probably due one to begin with anyway. Those weren't the best rings anyway." Mike told her as they continued eating.
"They were special, though." Christine remarked.
"And they served their purpose. I'll find you something just as special." Mike said. She kind of resented how blasé he was about things, but it would be something she'd get used to.
"Alright. You done?" Christine asked; pointing to his plate.
"Yes, ma'am." Mike answered. She quickly washed their dishes up and led Mike into her bedroom. It was painted a dark blue-gray due to her working nights, and had darker window treatments, but otherwise; was fairly feminine. She had a wrought iron bedframe, and the bed was done with a floral quilt, and rag-rug on the floor that Hannah had made in art class.
"I'm going to take a quick shower; but make yourself comfortable. I left my keys out on the island for you and there's a store down the street; next block over." Christine explained as she grabbed some pajamas out of her walk-in closet. She could already imagine Mike's clothes hanging in the closet and it made her smile happily.
"Will do." Mike said. He pulled her in for a kiss, which could have turned passionate if Christine hadn't yawned. It made him laugh at her.
"So tired." Christine admitted as she walked into the bathroom. She could hear Mike walking around in the bedroom and when she walked back in; the bed was ready to be slept in and Mike was on one side of it; wearing his boxers and a t-shirt.
"Hope its okay; I hung my uniform up in your closet so it wouldn't wrinkle. Felt weird to lay down in it." Mike remarked. She gave him a sleepy smile and climbed in next to him.
"Its perfectly fine. I suppose I shouldn't have just assumed you'd be staying here." Christine said.
"Easier for me to. I live in a BOQ so I don't really have a home. It only makes sense. I want to be close to you and the girls." Mike told her as he pulled her onto his chest.
"You still make the best pillow ever." Christine teased. For the first time in years; she felt safe. She felt comfortable and secure. There was going to have to be some tough conversations in the near future, but for now; things felt so much better than it had only hours before. And with any luck; Katie would have a better reaction to Mike than what Christine was anticipating. She found herself drifting off to sleep with that hope.
