Peaceful
Chapter 13-1 year later
Christine smiled as she watched her family laughing and talking over their presents. She was fixing Christmas breakfast and Jacob was playing with wrapping paper and boxes, having just recently turned a year old. They had done a lot of recovering and Mike had opted to retire rather than deploy again, making Christine happy. The girls were still catching up on schooling and there had been a lot of therapy, but they were doing better every day.
Charlie had killed himself in jail, finishing out that chapter of their lives. Jacob would never have to know that Mike wasn't his biological father, unless they choose to tell him once he was older. For now, Mike was his 'dadadada' and both father and son couldn't be happier. As she watched them from the kitchen, Jacob had held his arms out to Mike, who immediately picked him up.
"I think he's hungry." Mike remarked.
"Almost done. Hannah, could you set the table please?" Christine asked her younger daughter. Katie had stepped outside with Monster, who was now full-grown.
"Yep." Hannah said. She jumped up and immediately began setting the table. Mike came up behind Christine and kissed the back of her head.
"Did you like your earrings?" Mike asked.
"I loved them. Thank you." Christine said. She turned around and gave both Mike and Jacob a kiss.
"I really couldn't outdo last year." Mike remarked.
"I didn't expect you to and neither did the girls. Did you like your presents from them? They took great pride in picking them out." Christine asked. A new leader wallet from Katie, and a photo frame from Hannah, with new family photos.
"I loved them." Mike said with a smile.
"Good. I have something else for you, but you won't get it until tonight so you have to be patient." Christine told him with a wink. He looked at her suspiciously but they were distracted by Hannah bustling around the kitchen, and Monster running back inside.
The rest of the day was relaxed and calm. They even slept some. Jacob was a little harder to relax with but he also had two older sisters that loved helping with him. Finally, they were able to get him to go to bed after reading a story with Mike and cuddle time with Christine. The girls didn't require anything more than a kiss good night. By the time Mike came upstairs from letting Monster out one last time, and getting her settled in Hannah's bedroom before locking the house up, Christine was showered and ready for him. As soon as he stepped into their bedroom, he noticed the silky robe.
"That's new." Mike remarked. Christine untied it and he smiled when he saw the silky negligee.
"This is too. I just hope you don't mind the scars." Christine answered before Mike gave her a long kiss.
"Are you sure?" Mike asked. He had been unbelievably patient, supportive, and encouraging, but he had never pushed Christine into something she wasn't ready for. Sometimes, it become kind of lonely for him; especially when the girls couldn't hug him for a while.
"I am. I want this with you. I've talked to my therapist a lot about it." Christine said. She began unbuttoning his shirt but Mike gently grabbed her hands.
"You stop me if it becomes too much, okay?" Mike asked.
"I will." Christine said with a smile. He turned away for a moment to lock the door and then very gently helped her out of the robe and into the bed.
A few hours later; Christine smiled over at her sleeping husband. There had been a few moments she doubted herself, but Mike had been amazing. He was patient and gentle, telling her several times that they could stop. But, she persisted and they had finally reestablished the physical aspect of their relationship. She was thankful they had waited so long because it had taken her a while to get used to Mike again. And now; they were completely together in every aspect and she couldn't be happier. In his sleep, Mike pulled her closer and she laid her head on his chest, thankful for how everything had happened.
The End
