Bitter

Chapter 16

It took longer than expected for Mike to get back. There was some drama while they were still in the Med and then they had to stop in Norfolk, before heading south to get to the gulf and up the Mississippi River. Christine didn't ask for a lot of details when she talked to Mike, and so when he called that evening that they would be docking about eleven, she got the girls to go to sleep, and headed to meet him.

She didn't have a choice but to tell Katie and Hannah that Mike was bringing home a little boy, but she had left out the part where Mike was his dad. Mike could explain all that. It allowed her to prepare for Parker, who would be with Liam in his bedroom. Mike had given her Parker's sizes and what his interests were or seemed to be so he would feel at home immediately. It was almost midnight before Mike carried the sleeping little boy off the ship, with his rucksack on his back and a midshipman carrying a box. She was handed the box and led Mike to the truck.

"Is that too heavy?" Mike asked.

"Its fine and you've got your hands full. I did pick up a booster seat for him." Christine said.

"Thanks." Mike answered. He settled Parker into the seat and after a minor amount of fussing, Parker fell back asleep. Christine gave Mike the keys and they began the drive in absolute silence. About a mile before they got home; Christine finally spoke up.

"Did you sleep with her?" Christine asked. He gave her a disgusted look.

"That isn't your business." Mike answered.

"Actually, it is. Last time I checked; we were still married." Christine said.

"Not by my choice. I would have already divorced your ass if it wasn't for this damn pandemic." Mike said.

"What's stopping you now?" Christine asked.

"I need you to take care of Parker." Mike admitted.

"Ah, I see." Christine said sarcastically.

"The Navy needs me and Parker needs structure. A home." Mike answered.

"And what about Katie, Hannah and Liam?" Christine asked.

"So, my proposition is a purely financial one. I do what I do. You stay at home with the kids, where you've always wanted to be. We live separate lives. I provide for you and the kids. I come into town a couple times a year to see them. I'll stay at a hotel." Mike said.

"And we stay married because?" Christine asked.

"It looks better. Discreetly, you can see who you want. I will be." Mike answered as he pulled into the driveway.

"Mike…the kids need you home more than a few times a year. Katie, especially." Christine said.

"I have a job to do. Katie and the others will just have to learn. I will provide for you all very well, so you will barely know the difference." Mike replied.

"Do I get a choice in this?" Christine asked.

"I suppose you could file for divorce, but I would make sure there was no alimony. You'd have to sell this house and go to work. Katie too." Mike answered.

"You have me over a barrel. Katie can't work and there's so many appointments. I would never be able to hold down a job." Christine remarked.

"Exactly." Mike answered before opening the truck door.

"Is there a version of this that we could work things out? Have a normal marriage?" Christine asked.

"No. I don't want that and if you think about, neither do you." Mike said. He opened the back door, unbuckled the car seat and got Parker out.

"And Parker?" Christine asked.

"I think its important that he's raised with his siblings." Mike answered.

"I'm not his mother." Christine pointed out.

"Part of this is that you will be what he needs. He won't remember Michelle and it's a damn shame. You can't be her but at least give Parker something." Mike answered.

"Sometimes I wonder if it would have been better if I had died. Rather from the Red Flu or when I cut my leg open. My question though…when I almost died on the table after I had Liam, you donated blood for me and I remember how scared you were. Your problem with me is that I've lived and Michelle didn't. Would she let you do this? I have a feeling, no. She would tell you that you're being a jerk. I'll raise Parker so that you come around and see your other kids, but I do ask that you come home…six times a year and call weekly. Send letters and emails, texts to the girls. Stay here. We can make a bedroom out of the office. It'll look better anyways." Christine bargained.

"Sure, whatever." Mike said. She unlocked the door and let him in. He immediately carried Parker into Liam's room and settled him into the bed. He had had the wisdom to have him in a pair of pajamas before leaving the James. "Where's that box? His teddy bear was in it and he gets really fussy without it." Mike asked.

"Living room. I'll get it." Christine answered. She walked in and got the bear and smiled at the way Mike was checking on Liam when she walked back in.

"He's grown." Mike remarked.

"He'll be a year old next week. Will you be here for it?" Christine asked.

"Probably." Mike answered. He stroked Liam's hair before stepping away and tucking the blanket around Parker. In better lighting, Christine could see some of Mike's features on Parker.

"We'd better let them sleep." Christine said. She led him out and walked to the kitchen, pulling a plate out of the fridge and putting it in the microwave to reheat. "I'll make you a bed up on the couch. It'll have to suffice until we get your room set up. That'll be done in about two minutes." Christine told him.

"Perfect." Mike said. Christine went to the linen closet, allowing herself just a moment to let the tears fall and to wipe them away. She knew she shouldn't agree to Mike's plan, but it was better than not having him in her life or in the kids' lives at all. She would just have to swallow her pride.