Together
Chapter 26
True to his word; Mike was there Friday afternoon to pick up Christine and Lucas. He had called every night throughout the week, and even visited Wednesday night. He was sweet and tender to both Christine and the baby. She wasn't sure why there had been a change of heart, but she would take her victories where she could get them. At least there would be no more babies, since Mike was pretty clear in what he thought of expanding their family. That night, as Christine tried to get settled in bed, Mike brought Lucas to her to nurse.
"Kathleen is going to stay next week to help you out. I will take her to the airport next Saturday." Mike said as he held Lucas so Christine could adjust her clothing.
"Good. I was going to need help and I knew you would have to go back to school Sunday night." Christine remarked.
"Yeah. So, I spoke with the Commandant. I have to finish out this semester but after that; I will be a junior, which means I can move off-campus. Most juniors take apartments, but since I have a house already, I'll be allowed to live here. Especially since I am within a fifteen mile radius for the base." Mike explained.
"Great! How much longer until the semester is over?" Christine asked. She took Lucas from Mike, and he immediately latched on.
"Three more weeks. There will be times I have to do night exercises, that I won't be home for. I have those now, but because I live elsewhere, you never had to know when I wasn't coming home." Mike told her.
"Well; I will be glad to have you home most nights. The girls will be too." Christine answered before giving Mike a long kiss.
"I will be too. I will just have to study a lot to keep up my GPA." Mike warned.
"Mike; we will be happy because we are together. I will do my best to keep the kids out of your way when you are studying, but I am really happy." Christine said. Lucas detached and gave Mike something of a smile.
"He definitely has a personality." Mike remarked as he tickled Lucas' cheek.
"He needs to eat a bit more. He might sleep longer." Christine said as she rubbed a nipple alongside Lucas' cheek to make him latch back on. The trick worked and Lucas began nursing again.
"That never worked with Hannah." Mike said.
"He's his father's son." Christine teased.
"I never have to be tricked into doing that." Mike remarked.
"Given. At least now; you won't need to worry about me getting pregnant." Christine remarked.
"I just hate why. To have to have a hysterectomy in your twenties." Mike said.
"I've had two healthy babies. That was my goal and I've accomplished it. Now I won't have to deal with birth control, periods or any of the other related problems. Sure; it has thrown me into menopause but that doesn't mean I am old." Christine told him.
"And I won't have to deal with condoms." Mike said.
"Not with me. Just if you get with someone else. Then I do expect you to utilize them, even with me. I don't want you bringing home anything nasty." Christine answered. She was completely serious. She had been raised to know that Mike would not be faithful. She could only hope he would be careful.
"That won't be happening." Mike told her.
"Mmm. Don't promise something you can't or won't be able to accomplish. My dad was never faithful, and I am sure yours wasn't either. Its not a matter of if you have an affair, but when. We just have to make the boundaries now." Christine said.
"I am going to prove you wrong, you know?" Mike asked.
"About what?" Christine asked. Lucas was finished and so she handed him to Mike while she fixed her clothing.
"I am going to be faithful to you." Mike insisted.
"Mike; I am sure that at some point my dad said the same thing to my mom. Don't make promises you can't keep. Once you graduate, you will be gone anywhere from six to ten months a year. I'm sure you will get lonely in that time. I can promise you fidelity, but I don't expect the same from you." Christine said.
"And I will prove you wrong." Mike told her and she only groaned in response.
"We'd better go to sleep." Christine answered as she settled into bed. Mike changed Lucas' diaper and settled him into the bassinet, before climbing in next to Christine. It was the first time in a month that they had slept in the same bed, and Christine was glad to have him next to her.