Bitter
Chapter 11
Despite all the issues; Mike still made Christine go weak in the knees. She could tell when he left; he regretted that night, but it was already done and over with and all they could do was move forward. Slowly but surely, Christine recovered, the girls adjusted and society was getting back to a norm. But, there had been an after affect of that night before Mike deployed. Christine was pregnant.
After Lucas was born; the doctors had told Christine that she couldn't get pregnant again. It had been a difficult pregnancy, and with finally having a boy; their family was complete. Mike had wanted a larger family but financially; three kids made more sense. He happily went along with not having anymore. Now, Christine wasn't sure what he would think.
Connectivity was an issue so Christine couldn't tell Mike. She missed him being there. Thankfully, the pregnancy had been a breeze so far. Despite her age, everything was checking out perfectly and the baby, a boy, was doing wonderfully. Honestly, even though her marriage was a bit of a mess, Christine couldn't be happier. The girls were even happy about a new baby. Mike just needed to come home.
Everything was fine until one day, Katie turned on the news and they were immediately greeted with Mike's bruised and bloody face. He and members of his crew had been taken hostage in Vietnam. Suddenly, nothing was good. Christine tried to call Kara Greene and Tom Chandler and got nowhere. Then Jed Chandler showed up at her doorstep. As soon as she answered the door, he focused on her swollen belly.
"Jed? Have you gotten word?" Christine asked.
"You need to get the girls and yourself packed up. You're coming with me." Jed insisted.
"I need to stay where Mike will find me." Christine said.
"Christine…you have yourself, Katie, Hannah and this baby to think of. Mike may not make it home this time and you can't trust the government. They are calling the James crew traitors. After Tom, Mike is the heir apparent. He would be the head of the Navy, but they want someone they can control and Mike can't be. The only way they can control Mike is through you and the girls. So, they can't get ahold of you. And as soon as they are done with you; they will slit your throats. It won't matter that the girls are still children and that you're carrying an innocent baby." Jed said.
"Back to the cabin?" Christine asked.
"Maybe eventually. They will look for us there. C'mon. Pack." Jed ordered. Christine finally nodded and let Jed into the house.
"Girls, we need to pack up again. Minimally." Christine said. Katie and Hannah exchanged a look but nodded before heading to their bedrooms.
"Christine; do you have any food? I need to pack that up as well." Jed asked.
"There's a cold room downstairs. I've been canning things. Get whatever you think we'll need. Everything is labeled." Christine answered.
"Perfect." Jed answered before running down the stairs. Sam and Ashley had came in and had began helping the girls and Christine.
Within a half hour, they had left the house that Christine loved. Hopefully, they would find their way back but for the time being, she had to trust Jed. This time, there was so much more at stake and she would have no way of knowing if Mike was safe. He must not be a hostage now, but he was far from safe.
