All Roads Lead Home
Chapter 14
Christine could feel the façade slipping away concerning Mike. He really couldn't be any sweeter and he was trying really hard with the girls. She just hoped it wasn't all an act. As she helped him get settled for the night, she considered his offer to sleep in the bed with him. Hannah was all over the bed and she was getting exhausted.
"So, does your offer still stand? About sleeping in here?" Christine asked.
"Of course." Mike told her. Post shower and bandage change, she helped him into the bed.
"Hannah is so restless." Christine remarked. She handed Mike his book and smiled down at him.
"Remember when she was little and we'd lay her down in the bed the proper way and she would end up with her feet on the pillows and her head at the end of the bed? Blankets and sheets everywhere?" Mike asked.
"Yes. She still tries to do that." Christine said with a laugh.
"No wonder your back was hurting." Mike remarked.
"Its better now but it was really sore this afternoon. Thanks for popping it back in." Christine said. She was standing at the door, but was continuing to talk.
"Good." Mike said.
"You go ahead and relax. I have a few things to do and then I'll come in. Thanks, Mike." Christine said. She stepped out of the room and did the few chores she needed to before changing into her pajamas. Hannah was happy to have her bed back and both girls were already going to bed. When she walked back into the room Mike was occupying, he was dozing off with his book still open. She eased the book out of his hands, took his reading glasses off and shut the light off before climbed into bed next to him. She wasn't even sure why, but she cuddled into his side.
Christine fell asleep and slept better then she had in years. Normally, Mike would have wrapped his arms around her, but due to his injuries, he couldn't and she didn't want to put her head on his chest. Just as the light was starting to pour through the windows, they both woke up and Mike smiled down at Christine. She wasn't sure what came over her, but she leaned up and gave Mike a long kiss on the lips. He was completely accepting of it and prolonged it as long as he could.
"What are we doing?" Christine asked as she pulled away.
"Getting a good night's sleep." Mike said.
"We shouldn't keep doing this." Christine said.
"Why not? We are still married. We are doing nothing wrong." Mike asked. Christine got out of bed and put her robe on, mostly to put distance between her and Mike.
"A month ago, you wanted a divorce." Christine reminded him.
"And I've stopped that. I don't want one now." Mike said.
"Mike; I get it. You can fall in and out of love easily. I can even handle you doing that to me, but you completely neglected your daughters, simply to get back at me. That's what I am struggling with. Of all the people in the world, they deserved your constant love and support. That hurt them." Christine said.
"I've talked to both of them and apologized. It won't happen again." Mike assured her.
"I'm sure it won't, but it happened the one time and that is what I am struggling with." Christine admitted.
"And because of a one-time mistake, you and I can't work through it? I get that I hurt the girls, and I hurt you and I am making amends for that. The girls are forgiving me and learning to trust me again, but you can't seem to? I want to fix this but you refuse and I have no idea what to do, but I do know; if we don't fix it and part ways, neither of us will ever really be happy again, because we are meant to be together. And even you can't argue that. Just think about it. Whatever hoop I have to jump through; I will, but you need to tell me." Mike asked.
On that note, Christine walked out of the bedroom. She knew Mike was right and she knew she had to let the anger go. She had never been good at letting things go, but Mike was right. If the girls could forgive him, why couldn't she? It was time to do some soul-searching rather she liked it or not.
