Good Start
Chapter 11
Mike was tired because he was having to work quite a bit of overtime. Christine was frugal but having a baby was more expensive than they had imagined. And she had even mentioned already wanting another one. Mike loved Katie but wanted to wait a few years. His biggest hope was that he and Christine could develop a normal marriage before a second baby came along.
Sure, they had sex frequently when she was pregnant. She would kiss him before he left for work and when he got home, but he wanted a marriage where they loved each other. Of course, he thought the world of Christine but he didn't love her. So, he put her off having sex because he didn't want to chance her getting pregnant again just yet.
Early the next morning, Mike slipped out of bed and headed upstairs, knowing his dad would be awake. His dad always had the best advice and would not judge Mike. Sure enough, he found Joe in the kitchen; drinking coffee and reading the morning paper.
"Mom and Grandma still asleep?" Mike asked as he got a cup of coffee for himself.
"Yeah. Saturdays are their sleep in days. You're up early for a day off." Joe remarked.
"Yeah. Couldn't sleep." Mike answered.
"Doesn't look like you've been sleeping too much lately. In your particular job, that could be dangerous." Joe said. He had wanted Mike to go into construction like him, but he was also proud of Mike's career.
"I have a newborn." Mike said.
"Who is already sleeping through the night. Or most of the time, she is. What gives?" Joe asked.
"Everything is fine." Mike insisted.
"You've been working overtime and you took the security gig last week at that concert. So money is tight." Joe remarked.
"Having a baby is more expensive than we thought." Mike admitted.
"It always is. I didn't pay the hospital bill off from having you until Susan was two and didn't pay hers off until she was five. And of course, diapers and clothes are expensive nowadays." Joe said.
"Laurie had clothes from Mackenzie. And we are managing. Just don't have a lot of extra." Mike said.
"Mike; I know you love your career but maybe its time to think about something else. No cop I've ever known has been able to make it on one job. Normally, they work two to three so their wives can stay home and then the wives go to work when they can. I've also known a lot of cops who get killed because they are exhausted." Joe said.
"I have no idea what else I would do if I wasn't a cop. I can't exactly go to college now." Mike said, rather sarcastically. His dad handed him the newspaper, open to an ad about the Navy recruiting people.
"I was in the Navy and loved it. Both your grandfathers were in the Navy during World War Two. It is an option." Joe said.
"Those guys don't get paid much better than cops." Mike said.
"No. But they have free medical for their families and themselves and housing. Its not perfect. You'd have to move a lot and you would miss chunks of Katie's childhood, but you would be in better shape and Christine could stay home with her. And any others you might have." Joe answered.
"Christine already wants another one. Katie is only six weeks old and she's mentioned it a few times." Mike said.
"Well, you and your sister are Irish twins. That first couple years was rough but we managed." Joe commented.
"Susan and I are a year and twenty-eight days apart, so we are almost not." Mike argued.
"Don't split hairs. By definition, you are. But, I think there is another reason besides money and Katie being little that is stopping you." Joe said.
"And what's that?" Mike retorted.
"You and Christine got married because she was pregnant. You probably barely knew her so you certainly don't love each other. Your mother and I had hoped that having a baby would connect you but sometimes that doesn't work as well as one might wish." Joe said.
"She and I are godparents to Mackenzie. We knew each other. We just hated…or she hated me." Mike said.
"I don't think that's the case now. And I don't think you hate her." Joe replied.
"I don't want to have another baby and not love my wife and for her not to love me." Mike admitted.
"Well, its certainly better to love your wife. So, you and she need to fall in love." Joe said.
"Look at you being all romantic." Mike teased.
"Son, more than anything; your mom and I want you to be happy. You enjoy being a husband and father and you do like Christine." Joe said.
"So, how do we build what you and Mom have?" Mike asked.
"You can't because it took us almost thirty years to build it and there are days that we can't stand each other, but those are the same days we make sure we settle those disagreements before we go to sleep. But you can develop it and I do agree that waiting to have another baby is wise. Christine enjoys being a mother and she adores Katie. Just be honest with her and tell her why you are apprehensive. I think she will understand it better than you realize, Son." Joe said. Mike nodded but concentrated back on his coffee cup, knowing convincing Christine would be harder.