Bitter

Chapter 8

Mike had to admit, he had slept better next to Christine then he had for quite awhile, even before the Red Flu. Beforehand, in no scenario; he could never imagine himself back with her. She was the mother of his children but he had hated her. Had she not cheated, he wouldn't have and wouldn't have endangered his career. Now; he didn't care about the cheating and somehow, beyond his own belief; he had realized he didn't hate Christine, but he wasn't sure it was the definition of loving again.

He had loved Michelle. Had he not been married and needed to provide for his family; he would have quit the Navy to be with her. But, he had kids that had needs and the Navy helped with that. And since he had to stay in; he couldn't be with Michelle, since she wasn't going to quit. Now, Michelle was most likely dead, and Christine was alive and honestly needed him.

Despite the way he acted about Katie's illness, he loved his daughter deeply and wanted her medical needs taken care of. He could tell she was in pain and he would be glad to get both his daughters into his home where he could help them recover from the trauma of the past couple months, at least until he deployed. As he helped Christine into the house, she smiled up at him.

"This really is nice, Mike. I love that the living area is so open." Christine said.

"Yeah, its in the center. The primary bed and bath is on one side, with the garage, pantry and laundry room towards the front. The other three bedrooms are on the other side." Mike explained, knowing Christine didn't have the energy to explore her new home.

"Mom; this kitchen! When you feel better, you'll love it." Katie said as she opened drawers and cabinets in the kitchen.

"I already love it, but yes; I will love using it." Christine said.

"There's a generator too for when the electric goes off. I will show you how to use it once you can." Mike told her.

"Okay. Mike; can you help me to the couch? Or bed. I'm just so sore." Christine asked and Mike immediately nodded.

"How about just in here so you can be close while I fix lunch?" Mike suggested.

"Perfect." Christine said. He helped her settle onto the large sectional and Hannah immediately settled next to her.

"Mom, my bedroom is so pretty! It's this soft pink." Hannah said.

"Andrea helped me a bit. I think it was a bit cathartic for her with Lily dying." Mike explained quietly.

"It looks really nice in here. We'll have her for dinner before you all leave." Christine answered. Mike wondered if she was suspicious, but after losing Michelle, Mike was not going to endanger his career or put his heart on the line again. With Christine, he knew what he had. They were friends and maybe even loved each other, but it was not like it was with Michelle. It was just consistent. Mike had just enjoyed the spontaneity.

"Dad, can you open this can for me? The can opener is hard for me and I wanted to start lunch." Katie asked as she handed him a can of soup.

"Sure. I'll help you." Mike said as he got up from the couch. He opened both cans of soup and helped Katie make the sandwiches and set the table. He could tell Christine and both girls were tired, and the last several months were catching up. Afternoon naps would be in order, which made him wonder about his sleeping arrangements with Christine.

Lunch was very informal and Mike settled both girls into their new bedrooms with their very few belongings and then looked towards the extra bedroom and then the primary. Of course, he was a gentleman and would stay in the extra so Christine could have the primary, but he was worried about hearing her if she needed help, which led them to sleeping next to each other again, and eventually that would lead to other things that he wasn't sure he wanted with Christine again.

Despite all that, he laid down next to her when she settled for her own nap and quickly fell asleep. Problem being was, when Mike woke up next, Christine's head was on his chest and her good leg was wrapped around his legs. It had always been a normal sleeping position for her, even at their worst and Mike didn't want to wake her up because she was sound asleep and if he was honest, he had missed that. But, she could never be Michelle.