Peaceful

Chapter 3

Christine smiled as they pulled up to the two-story house that Mike was calling home. It was larger than anything they had ever lived in and it looked like her dream home, with a large front porch. Mike guided them into an entryway and helped them shed the blankets that they had used as coats. The girls were both smiling happily.

"It smells like a home." Hannah remarked.

"Its warm. Mom; look at the kitchen! And the living room. We can have board games." Katie said.

"Do you guys want a tour? I have no idea what my friends have done." Mike asked. Just then a pretty red-haired woman bounded down the steps. "Ladies, this is Courtney Miller. She's married to one of my former crew members. Her family runs a charity that helps displaced people get re-estabolished. She was making sure you guys had beds and such for tonight." Mike explained.

"Yes. Its nice to meet you all. So, there is a good dinner in the oven waiting on you all. I also filled the pantry with groceries and everything else that would be needed. Sir, your downstairs was in good shape. Of course, we couldn't paint upstairs, but we made the bedrooms up; except yours. We also made sure the bathrooms were set up." Courtney said as she led them up the stairs.

"This first room is mine. I can move to the couch downstairs if you girls would be more comfortable, though?" Mike asked.

"No. We'll be fine. It'll be nice to have you so close." Christine said.

"Alright, this first bathroom will probably be what you girls use. I stocked it with all the necessities. Also, both of your bedrooms have queen sized beds so you can sleep together if you're more comfortable. Sometimes, kids coming out of complicated situations don't want their own rooms. Mrs. Slattery; this is the room I imagined for you. It's a bit larger and I put a bassinet in it for when the baby arrived. There's also some supplies in the closet for him." Courtney said as she opened the door. The room now had a beautiful queen sized bed with a white wood frame. There was a quilt and coordinating throw rugs, pillows and curtains in addition to matching white wood furniture. It was a beautiful room, and Courtney had snagged a few family pictures out of Mike's room and distributed them through the room. In the corner, there was a bassinet with stuffed animals sitting in it.

"Its absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much." Christine said. Mike saw the tears welling up in her eyes and took her hand again. The girls had wondered off and Mike gave her a gentle smile.

"In the closet, we stowed some baby gear. And there's clothes in here for you as well." Courtney explained as she opened the door to the walk-in closet. Christine smiled in response as she held one of the onesies for the baby.

"Thank you." Mike said for her.

"Yes, thank you." Christine said, snapping to attention.

"I think the girls have claimed their rooms, but would you like to see?" Courtney asked.

"Sure." Christine said. Mike led her and Courtney into the hallway and they smiled as they walked in front of one of the doors. Katie and Hannah were sitting on the bed looking at a teen magazine. The room was tastefully done with pastel colors.

"Can we both just stay in here? Its close to Mom. And that way when the baby is born, he could have a room of his own." Katie asked. Mike glanced at Courtney, hating that she had put work into both rooms.

"Its fine. I thought that might happen." Courtney told Mike quietly.

"Sure." Mike answered. He smiled at both girls, glad they were getting comfortable. "If you and the girls want to shower and get comfortable, I can take dinner out and set the table?" Mike asked Christine.

"That would be wonderful. Thank you." Christine said. She reached up and patted Mike's cheek affectionately before he followed Courtney downstairs.

"Sorry about the bedroom." Mike told her.

"Its okay. I kind of thought it might happen. Besides, you might end up needing it regardless. Christine really seems to love you." Courtney said.

"I suppose. We had hit a really rough patch before I left for the Arctic, and given everything that has happened, there is no chance we will ever have a normal marriage." Mike said.

"Don't ever doubt what can happen when two people love one another. And I think that is something the two of you have down pat. Just find a way to accept that baby as your own. That'll be hard but satisfying. Christine and the girls have plenty of everything and I think you will be okay grocery and meal wise for a few days, but if you need anything, please call." Courtney said as she gathered her purse. Mike helped her into her coat and handed her notebook to her.

"Let me know what I owe you." Mike said.

"No worries. Take care." Courtney said before leaving the house. Somehow, Mike's truck had been brought back and was in the driveway. Mike slipped upstairs and took his uniform off, replacing it with a pair of sweats and a hoodie. He went back down and took the chicken parmesan out of the oven, the salad out of the fridge and fixed some garlic bread while he waited. Finally, Christine and the girls all came downstairs. He poured glasses of milk and smiled as they helped themselves to hearty servings.

"This looks and smells so good." Christine said as she took a bite. Hannah's left arm was broken but she was still struggling with cutting the chicken up. Mike took the plate and cut the meat up before handing it back with a smile.

"Thanks, Daddy." Hannah said with a smile. Mike winked at her. Katie had taken another piece of bread and was eating it happily. Christine was savoring every bite.

"Not sure I have much in the way of dessert. There might be some ice cream in the freezer, though." Mike told them a few minutes later.

"Its alright, Mike. Honestly; once this is all cleaned up, we might go to bed. We are all exhausted. Its kind of a let down for you, I know and I am sorry." Christine said.

"Its alright. I'm just so glad to have you three back. I have missed you all." Mike said.

"Even me?" Katie asked. Mike and Christine exchanged a look and Christine turned back to Katie.

"Honey, your dad missed you. We are all tired and there will be plenty of time to talk later once we are all a bit better rested. Once we've had time to digest. Your dad has made it clear that he missed you and is glad you are back. Now; let's get this all cleaned up and we will go to bed." Christine insisted.

"Katie; I did miss you and I am glad you're back. I know things between us wasn't good, and I have regretted that. Can you just give me another chance?" Mike asked. Christine almost laughed because they both had said the same thing essentially to each other.

"Katie, how about you sleep on it?" Christine suggested. She rubbed Mike's arm in hopes of calming him a bit. He wasn't upset but she didn't want him to scare the girls. Katie nodded in response. Mike reached to touch her arm, but withdrew. He was scared to touch any of them, for fear of being rejected. Christine and the girls cleared up the dishes and food, and began washing up. A few minutes later, Christine found Mike outside on the back porch, smoking a cigar.

"If you ladies need to go to bed, go ahead. I'll lock up and be up there soon. And I promise, I won't hurt any of you." Mike said. Christine patted his arm and smiled at him.

"I know that and deep down, they do too. Now; I am going to ask. How do you feel about this baby? I know it's a hard pill to digest and if you just can't; I understand. We will figure something out with the girls." Christine asked.

"Its…hard. But I love you so I will find a way to love him. I do think it's a very brave thing you are doing. We could arrange an adoption if you aren't sure. I'm sure I can find someone who will be good parents for him." Mike offered.

"I appreciate that. I just feel that this baby is being placed in our lives for a reason and after losing Lucas, I am not sure I could give him up. I know that hurts you and I am sorry." Christine answered.

"I can't say I understand, but it does make sense. I will find a way to wrap my head around it all. Just a bit overwhelmed at the moment. All I want to do is hug you. Hug the girls, but I guess that is probably not something I can do." Mike said.

"Mike; I was able to stop them from being raped. And I tried to stop the beatings as much as possible. Just take your time. It'll happen, probably sooner than you think." Christine said. She stood up and hesitated a second before kissing Mike's cheek before walking back in the house.

She had anticipated their reunion being hard on her and the girls,but had never anticipated Mike would be the one struggling. And worse, she had no idea how to help him. She understood the hesitancy where the baby was concerned. He had always been so rock solid and so dependable. Even when she wasn't sure she wanted to stay married before he left for the Arctic, she knew he was still invested. It made her wonder if there was someone else and she had no idea what she would do without him.