Together Again
Chapter 6
It was not an easy conversation to have with the girls, and Mike wished they could wait until after Monday when he had a better treatment plan and prognosis. He had told Christine it was not a big deal, but he had not been completely forthcoming with her, and she knew it. He was happier that she would be taking care of him, rather than going to some strange hospital or hospice, if it came to that. Monday, she sat through the scans and listened to the oncologist's nurse practitioner as she went over wound care and removing the stitches. Finally, the oncologist, Dr. Evans came in. Mike made the introduction, and Dr. Evans sat down across from them.
"Alright. So, we got the prostate cancer, and I don't expect any further issues from that, but…there is a mass the size of a golf ball on the left lower lobe of his lung. There is also a nodule on Mike's thyroid that needs to be removed. My concern is, where this is all coming from?" Dr. Evans asked.
"9-11. He was on special assignment from Chicago Police Department to New York. He worked the pile." Christine answered. Mike never admitted to it. To him it wasn't such a big deal. It had only been four weeks out of his life twenty years before.
"It wasn't a big deal." Mike insisted before squeezing Christine's hand.
"Actually, it is. It tells me how I need to proceed. We need to do surgery on both masses as quickly as possible so that it doesn't spread further. Let me step out and get the date and time…that is, if you want surgery?" Dr. Evans asked. Mike and Christine exchanged a look and he nodded yes. After he stepped out, Christine put her arm around him.
"It'll all be okay." Christine said.
"You know, if it wasn't for you and the girls, I'd just let it spread. I didn't have much to live for." Mike admitted.
"Those are just masses, not necessarily cancer. And yes, we want you to fight for us." Christine answered. She leaned over and gave him a sweet kiss, but it was only a reminder of the things they might never get to do again. Physical intimacy was a big part of their relationship before.
"I'm really sorry you have to deal with this so quickly. It's not fair to you or the girls." Mike told her.
"In sickness or health." Christine said just as Dr. Evans came in. He smiled at them and sat back down.
"Next Monday at eight am. Same place as before. It is important that you realize just because there's masses doesn't mean it's cancerous, however if there is an impact on surrounding area, we will surgically remove the mass and area around it." Dr. Evans explained.
"Thank you." Mike said. He and Christine both stood up.
"Go about your life this week and Weekend. Enjoy your time together and Mike, what you and I discussed last week…you can try. Just take it easy. No straining. Let her do the work." Dr. Evans said with an ornery look. It was only until they were in his truck that she spoke up.
"I can only guess what he was referring to." Christine said with a smile that Mike matched.
"You mind doing the work?" Mike asked.
"I think I could handle that. The girls won't be home until later." Christine said.
"Good. I need some time with my wife." Mike said with a smile. He continued the drive home and by the time they pulled into the drive, they were both in the mood. They barely got to Christine's bedroom and were pulling each other's clothes off.
"I'll be careful." Christine promised. They finished undressing each other and he groaned as he laid down. "This is a bad idea. I read up on the surgery you had and…" Christine started. Mike pulled her on top of him and gave her a long kiss.
"We don't even have to go all the way. Remember before we got married?" Mike asked. Christine had been a virgin when they got married, although Mike had pushed the envelope as far as he dared.
"Yeah, that was fun." Christine admitted. Mike could tell she was thinking back.
"Our parents wanted us to be married because if was good for their business. They just never expected us to like one another." Mike remarked. It made Christine laugh and she laid down next to him.
"In all fairness, we only had a week to get used to the idea of getting married. I still can't believe my mom left me alone with you. You had a reputation." Christine said with a laugh.
"You wanted to be a nun. I had to corrupt you early." Mike teased.
"Remember our wedding night?" Christine asked.
"Oh, God; yes. I felt like I had raped you afterwards." Mike said. He covered them both with a blanket. Talking and remembering was actually more cathartic than having sex.
"I was so embarrassed. I'd never seen a naked man before. Yes, you and I had fooled around a time or two, but I had been on the receiving end. And you had drank quite a bit that night. You did give me a glass of wine to calm me." Christine reminisced. It made Mike smile. He kissed her forehead and drew her closer.
"I didn't want you to think I was a total jerk. You might not have wanted to get married, and I wasn't interested in either business, but I knew I had the prettiest girl in Chicago. I didn't want you to run off to the convent." Mike said.
"Nah. I was a little bit intrigued after that first night. And then you drew my bath and fixed my breakfast. I figured I would give you a chance. And I never regretted it." Christine answered.
"Good, me either. My grandma ordered me to at least treat you with respect. She was against the whole arranged marriage. She thought we deserved a chance to fall in love, date and all that. It was her that helped me pick out your rings, get my apartment ready to bring a young bride home to, and taught me how to treat you properly." Mike remarked, remembering his beloved Grandma Hannah.
"And she was who paid our rent while you went to Academy, and cheered me on when I got the job dispatching." Christine said. Mike leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"I know you wanted to do what the doctor suggested but can we just lay here and talk?" Mike asked. Christine smiled and nodded.
"With clothes? I'm not eighteen anymore. Women my age don't lay around with no clothes on anymore, not that I ever did." Christine asked. She slipped out of bed and put a nightgown on and handed Mike a pair of pajama pants and boxers.
"You could. I am so glad I found you and the girls. I wouldn't have wanted to face this alone." Mike admitted.
"You'll never face anything alone again." Christine said. She cuddled up and smiled at him. It was not what he had planned once he was cleared, but he liked remembering back when he and Christine first got married.
I plan to expand a little further on Mike and Christine's past in the next chapter, probably after I get home.
