Married into the Navy
Chapter 2
Departures were always hard on the kids. Even Kaitlyn shed a few tears when Mike left. Of course, she was still angry and defensive towards Mike, and refused to hug him. Christine could tell that tore Mike to pieces and she felt badly for him. She stepped out on the porch as he waited on Russ to pick him up. He'd given her the keys to his truck, his checkbook and some cash.
"I know you said you wouldn't be able to call or email, but as soon as you can; could you? For the kids." Christine asked.
"Absolutely. They tell us we will be home before Thanksgiving. Just a cold-weather weapons test in the Arctic. No worry where this is concerned." Mike said.
"It's a deployment so we will be worried. I am sorry for Kaitlyn. If you don't care, I might call our marriage therapist and see about finding her someone to talk to." Christine mentioned.
"I think that's a good idea, but I don't foresee Kaitlyn giving in. I have a feeling this will set the course of our relationship. Too late now." Mike said as he maneuvered the rucksack around.
"Too late for what?" Christine asked.
"I think us divorcing is going to permanently damage my relationship with Kaitlyn and we have done everything we can do to save it. I don't know what else could be done." Mike said. Christine noticed the sadness in his voice. Mike hadn't really wanted a divorce, still thinking they had something. They just couldn't stay in therapy forever.
"Mike; I will hold off on filing until you get back, maybe even wait until after Christmas. We both agreed this was the only answer left. We've done the counseling, we've taken time away, we've done everything I know to do to save this. I don't want this to be contentious." Christine said.
"I don't either. I just want to…I guess, still be friends once its all said and done. I think that is best for the kids and for us." Mike said.
"Consider it done. Mike, I will always love you as the father of my children. You gave me three very precious people. I want you and Kaitlyn to have a good relationship and so I will do everything in my power to make that happen." Christine told him.
"I know and I will always love you, as the mother of my kids. It's a mutual feeling. I just seen Russ' vehicle, but promise me; you will take care of our babies and yourself?" Mike begged. It was the same line he used before every deployment and Christine was thrilled to be included.
"Of course." Christine said. Russ had pulled into the driveway and Christine leaned up and gave Mike a kiss on the cheek.
"Please, hold off on the divorce, and take care of yourself and the kids." Mike said before walking away. Christine watched him get in the car and drive away before walking back inside. The kids were all in the living room, not really talking, just staring into space.
"Kaitlyn, can you help me in the kitchen, please?" Christine asked. Kaitlyn groaned in response but got up and followed Christine into the kitchen.
"Let me guess, your mad because I wouldn't give Dad a hug." Kaitlyn said.
"Kaitlyn; your dad will be gone from four to six months. He is the only father you will ever have. He has fought our divorce with everything he has and is still fighting. He didn't want this, and we have agreed that we will remain friends after, because we don't want you kids to have parents that are constantly bickering. We both love you, and that won't change no matter what you say or do; but please try to be a bit more pleasant when your dad does come home. And I will be holding your feet to the flame on this. Clear?" Christine asked.
"But, he…" Kaitlyn started but Christine held her hand up.
"No. He didn't cheat. He didn't beat on me, and he always treated me with respect and love. Our reasons for divorces are our own, but he isn't divorcing you kids. I have no doubt, once he gets back and the divorce goes through, he will still want to be every bit as involved. Stop acting like this, because it simply doesn't make you an attractive person. You can be as pretty as can be, but if you have a black heart, you are rotten at the core. Its like an apple. Pretty on the surface but rotten on the inside. I am not saying that you are, but if you don't stop this; you will become like that." Christine explained.
"Sure, whatever." Kaitlyn said as she stalked off into her room. Christine could only shrug her shoulders. The younger kids were occupied so Christine decided to call her mom. Her mom, Nancy always had the right answer. And thankfully, she picked up immediately.
"Mike get off?" Nancy asked.
"Hey, Mom; how are you? Yeah, he left a little while ago." Christine answered. Nancy had always adored Mike.
"How are you and the kids? I know the day he leaves is always hard on you all." Nancy asked.
"Hannah and Lucas are pretty blue, and Kaitlyn is handling this with her normal attitude. She wouldn't give Mike a hug before he left." Christine said.
"Well, when you were her age, you had the same attitude. You are paying for your raising. The bright side is, she will grow out of it. You did." Nancy said.
"The thing is what damage will she do to her relationship with her father. I know with the divorce, I shouldn't care; but I could tell how badly Mike was hurt this morning and he had to leave." Christine commented.
"It will all work out. You know how I feel about the divorce. I still don't want it for you. Mike still loves you." Nancy argued.
"And I still love him as the father of my children. We have agreed to come out of this as friends and to co-parent the kids. I don't want to constantly bicker with him." Christine told her as she poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the island.
"If you must get divorced, that is the only way to go. I just don't think divorce is the answer for you." Nancy said.
"Mom; we've done everything. Therapy, seen a priest, took date nights and even long weekends. What else is there to do?" Christine asked.
"Just keep fighting for your marriage. Honey, I was married to your father for almost forty years. He was a lot like Mike, and when he was in the service, I did feel like you and I were on the backburner. And we were, because what he was fighting was bigger than either of us. Yes, Mike is gone a lot, but when he is home; there isn't a more devoted and loving husband and father." Nancy continued.
"Then why is he willing for us to divorce?" Christine asked.
"Because, sometimes, you have to let someone that you love go. If you are meant to be you will come back together in the oddest way. I think you and Mike are meant to spend your lives together. He doesn't want to make an enemy of you." Nancy said.
"I suppose. He'll be back before Thanksgiving. Will you try to come out?" Christine asked. Nancy lived in Oregon and she and Christine rarely saw each other. Mike and Christine hadn't been able to afford to go out there, and Nancy lived on a fixed income.
"I am already saving my money. I may not be there for Thanksgiving though. May wait until closer until Christmas." Nancy answered.
"That'll be nice. We can bake to our heart's content. Course, I will have to work." Christine commented.
"How's work?" Nancy asked.
"Its not great and I will have to find something full-time when Mike and I do divorce." Christine said.
"And what are the kids up to this summer with Mike gone?" Nancy asked.
"Lucas has a day camp that he will go to while I am at work. Hannah also has a summer school program that she is really excited about. Kaitlyn thinks I should leave her at home, but I don't agree. She will be staying with Darien Chandler." Christine explained.
"I agree. She's too young. No telling what trouble she would get into with no supervision." Nancy said.
"Exactly. So, I'd better fix some lunch." Christine said.
"Alright; remember what I said. Use these months to evaluate rather you really want this divorce. I think Mike will give it another chance if you do. Just give it some soul-searching." Nancy said.
"I will. I love you, Mom." Christine answered.
"I love you too." Nancy said before hanging up.
Christine prepared her kids their lunch and realized, she was already starting to miss Mike. Even with their separation, he was only a call away. He would help her with the kids and the pick-up and drop offs. She couldn't even vent on the phone to him. It would be a long few months.