Married into the Navy
Chapter 9
It was two weeks. Two agonizingly long weeks. Christine was beginning to wonder if Mike wanted nothing to do with her, and that was why he hadn't come to the farm. It didn't make sense, because Mike would never abandon his girls. Finally, she worked up the courage to text Russ, hoping he would give her a clue. His text back was simply telling her to be patient.
Christine finished the dining room table and didn't take any new assignments, not knowing what Mike would want to do. He wasn't much for farm-life, so if he allowed it, she would follow him to wherever he wanted to go. She also began making plans for her cows, sheep, goats, chickens, dogs and cats. She just hoped Mike would show up, so she knew what her next step was.
The girls cleaned the house from top to bottom and helped with some fence repairs around the farm. They wanted the place to look good for their dad. Christine could only hope that he wouldn't be disappointed. Surely, Russ had told him about the thriving farm and Christine's furniture business? What was taking so long?
Finally, nearly three weeks after Russ' visit, an unfamiliar dual cab, Ford truck pulled into the driveway. It was a truck that Christine could only hope for someday and would certainly make her business easier. Hannah was helping Christine paint the barn and turned in time to see the driver get out of the truck. She practically threw her paintbrush at Christine and went on a dead run.
"Daddy!" Hannah screamed as she ran towards Mike, and he met her halfway. She threw her arms around him and he picked her up off her feet while they hugged. As desperately as Christine wanted to talk to Mike, have him hug and kiss her, she held back. Hannah deserved her private moment with her father. As Christine walked closer, she could hear both Mike and Hannah crying.
"I have missed you so much, bug. So much!" Mike said as he pulled back to assess Hannah. It was then that he caught sight of Christine. She held her breath for a moment, not knowing what to expect. He might reject her, but instead, he held his arm out for Christine. She didn't run like Hannah, but her feet carried her to Mike a little faster than normal, and she quickly found herself in his arms. He still hadn't released Hannah, but was also hugging Christine, and kissing the top of her head.
"I've missed you so much." Christine said as she kissed Mike's cheek. She had thought about a kiss on the lips, but it would be presumptuous. He was probably only here for their girls. In any case, it felt good to have his arms around her.
"I've missed you too." Mike said. He didn't seem to have the same hesitation she had, because he bent down and gave her a long kiss on the lips. He finally pulled away, but only because Hannah was dancing around happily.
"We'd better go inside; Mom and Kaitlyn will be wondering." Christine said. She still had her arm around Mike's waist, and he had an arm around her shoulders. With the other hand, he grabbed Hannah's and they began the walk inside.
"Russ told me that this might be a bit interesting with her." Mike remarked.
"Daddy, Kaitlyn has really missed you, don't let her make you think she hasn't. She just acts all tough." Hannah said from Mike's other side.
"Hannah's right, Mike. I think a lot of it is a coping mechanism. She uses grumpiness to mask fear." Christine explained just before they walked into the house.
"I hope that's all it is. I don't think I could handle her rejecting me after all these years." Mike admitted. Just then, they came around the corner to the kitchen where Kaitlyn was helping Nancy cook dinner.
"Hey, look here. Long time, stranger." Nancy addressed her son-in-law with a grin. She had always adored Mike and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. Christine was watching Kaitlyn and noticed how nervous she seemed. Was she afraid Mike would reject her too, due to her behavior before he left?
"Kaitlyn, its okay. Dad has missed you too. Just give him a hug." Christine told her quietly.
"But, what if he doesn't want me to?" Kaitlyn whispered.
"How about this, hug him and find out. I promise, he does." Christine told her and then pushed her towards Mike. As Christine expected, Mike pulled Kaitlyn into a bear hug and kissed the top of her head. She could see him whispering something in her ear but didn't know what it was. Kaitlyn was nodding into Mike's chest and had her arms wrapped around him. The way he cradled her, it reminded Christine of how he had been when the kids were babies. Gentle.
Dinner was a loud affair. Both girls were vying for Mike's attention, telling him about their schoolwork, the farm, Christine's furniture business, and numerous other things. Nancy would chip in, but Christine stayed pretty quiet, unless she was addressed. She was nervous that Mike would just take the girls and run. She had kept them away from him for years. She couldn't explain the kiss but knew it might have only been for show.
She did her chores by herself, to give Mike a chance to visit with the girls before bedtime. It did add another question. Where would he sleep? Kaitlyn and Hannah shared a room, Nancy had her own on the first floor, and Christine had what was the master at one point. She would sleep on the couch and let Mike sleep in her room. He was a guest after all, unless he had other ideas. Christine just wasn't sure she was ready for other ideas. They needed to talk.
By the time Christine got inside, Kaitlyn had already helped Nancy into bed, Hannah and Mike had cleaned dinner up and both girls were ready for bed. They gave Mike hugs and kisses, and he promised them he would be there in the morning. While he watched the girls fall asleep, Christine locked the house up, and made up the couch so she could sleep. She was just getting comfortable when he came downstairs.
"Chris, I can sleep on the couch if you want me to." Mike offered.
"Nah. You'd be uncomfortable all night and besides, you're the guest. It would be bad manners to make you sleep down here." Christine said as she sat back up. Mike sat down beside her and took her hand in his own.
"Chris, I know that we have a lot to talk about, but there is no point in neither of us sleeping. We can go upstairs and share a bed, and tomorrow, when we both aren't so tired, we can start sorting things out. I won't pull anything. I've been without for almost seven years, what's one more night?" Mike teased.
"Alright. I wanted to suggest it, but I didn't want to seem presumptuous, especially since I was the one that pushed for a divorce in the first place." Christine remarked.
"The one thing I ask is, can we put divorce talk on the back burner for a while? I have spent the last six years; looking, investigating, grieving and missing you. I don't want to jump back into a divorce. I was never on board with it, but to make you happy, I would have signed those papers. If there is any hope of this marriage surviving, we have to not allow that word in our vocabulary right now." Mike said firmly.
"Hannah might just get her fairy tale ending." Christine commented as they stood up and started walking up the stairs.
"Huh?" Mike asked, in obvious confusion.
"When we first come here, and even now, she was absolutely convinced that you would find us, and that you and I would work everything out. It almost become like a fairy tale with her and she's never quite given it up." Christine said.
"Well, I'm hardly Prince Charming, or whatever the hell I would be in a fairy tale." Mike said grumpily.
"No, more like the frog that turned into a prince after a kiss." Christine teased as they walked into the bedroom.
"Did you build this?" Mike asked as he looked at the bedframe. It was a little feminine, painted white, with white beadboard.
"Yeah. When I first started. Whoever lived here before, had a fully set up wood shop. It honestly become a source of income, but I enjoy it. The bathroom is over there, if you want to get ready." Christine said, pointing him towards the bathroom so she could change into her pajamas.
"Hey, I am really proud of you. I know its been difficult, but you have done so good. I knew you would, but I am still proud of you." Mike said before kissing her forehead. It was sweet and reminded Christine of what they had been like when they were dating and first married.
"Thank you. Russ told me you made Admiral of the Navy? Is that like SECNAV?" Christine asked.
"Kind of, but less political." Mike explained loosely.
"I don't guess I had ever heard of it." Christine admitted.
"It's a position that hasn't been around since World War II, but they resurrected it because SECNAV had no real military experience. I work on behalf of the Navy and Marines and work with the top brass in the Army and Air Force. We try to dumb it down for the SECNAV. When he first started, I had to explain to him how sonar worked on a submarine." Mike explained. He was obviously proud of his position, which led to another question. Would he stay?
"I see. Well, I have to be up at five to milk. I'm going to go ahead and get ready for bed." Christine said as she pulled pajamas out of her dresser.
"To answer the question, you are afraid to ask, but the girls already have, I have decisions to make. I have gone as far as I can in my career, and I am not certain I could leave you all again. Just give me a bit of time to make those decisions." Mike said before kissing her hands.
"Alright. I just don't want to pressure you and then have you resent us." Christine said.
"I wouldn't. I've been without you all for long that resentment is another word not in my vocabulary. Now, lets get ready for bed?" Mike suggested. He pulled his pajama pants out of his suitcase and walked into the bathroom. While he showered, Christine changed into her pajamas and settled into bed.
Within just a few minutes, Mike came out of the bathroom and crawled in next to her. He wasn't wearing a shirt, and it was hard for Christine not to sneak looks. He had always stayed in shape, and there were plenty of new scars, but if Christine had been standing up, she would have been weak in the knees.
"You checking me out?" Mike teased.
"Maybe." Christine responded. She could feel her cheeks go red but turned over to shut her bedside lamp off. As soon as she turned back over, she found herself wrapped up in Mike's arms. Instead of fighting it, she just sunk in. It was the first time she had really felt normal for six years. Her family's survival wasn't completely dependent on her and she quickly found herself falling asleep in Mike's arms.