Better Together
Chapter 3
As was their norm, Christine helped Mike pick out a gift for Katie's birthday. She hated that she had told him that easily and she knew he was already digging into it. She didn't mind it because she knew that Mike would, but she hated that he treated her with kid gloves now and that it could draw Mark back into her life.
Katie had wanted a dinner at home, so Christine spent her day at home cooking all of Katie's favorite foods. It made her a bit sad because she had never been able to hold or celebrate her other daughter. And Mike seemed to sense it and kept a closer eye on her. He was amazing through it all. They had just sat down to dinner when Mike made an announcement that surprised even her.
"So, my assignment is changing and I will be in St. Louis for a few months." Mike told the girls.
"Will you be getting a place?" Hannah asked, obviously thrilled to have her dad close for a few months.
"You are more than welcome to stay here." Christine offered.
"I will think about that next step but for the time being; I will take your mom up on her generosity." Mike said.
"It'll be nice to have you here." Christine said. She noticed her daughters exchange a look but ignored it. They would try to matchmake her and their dad at some point.
"Maybe the two of you could go on a date or something?" Katie asked, just cutting to the chase. So much like her dad.
"Katie!" Christine exclaimed. Mike had choked on his sweet tea and Hannah was trying not to laugh.
"What? You're single now. You trust Dad so there isn't that obstacle." Katie said.
"Its not been that long since I divorced Mark or Andrea died. I'm sure your dad is needing more time." Christine said. She saw the sadness cross Mike's face and the fact that he looked down for a moment worried her. She shouldn't have brought it up.
"Almost a year." Hannah remarked.
"Let's change the subject. Katie;have you and your friends decided if you are going to France next year?" Christine asked.
"We're going but we are going to put it off another year and do more of a tour of Europe. Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland." Katie said.
"Spain is nice too." Mike commented.
"I want to go to Ireland someday." Hannah remarked.
"Maybe we take that trip sometime." Mike said with a smile. Katie and he were close, but there was something special between him and Hannah. It had always been something Christine had treasured.
"Mom could go with us." Hannah said and Christine put her head down.
"They are determined." Mike remarked quietly.
"Sorry, Mike. I didn't put them up to this." Christine said.
"Its alright." Mike said with a smile for her.
"Alright; presents!" Katie said.
"Hannah, could you help me clear?" Christine asked. Hannah immediately jumped up and as they carried the dishes and serving platters to the kitchen, she voiced her concerns. "Honey, grief takes time and your dad really cared about Andrea. I would never want to hurry his emotions where she is concerned." Christine warned.
"You both still love each other, though." Hannah stated.
"We are friends and we love each other because we share you girls, but those days are over for us." Christine answered.
"Are they?" Hannah asked before walking back into the dining room. Christine grabbed the cake, pie plates and clean silverware before joining her.
Katie loved everything and they enjoyed the home-made chocolate cake that Katie had requested. After dinner, Christine was loading the dishwasher when Mike carried in glasses. The girls had gone upstairs and Christine and Mike were alone again.
"I'll rinse these." Mike said.
"Thanks. Sorry the girls kind of put you on the spot in there." Christine said.
"Its okay. They hate seeing either of us alone. Its natural what they are doing. Before, you were married to Mark and I was with Andrea. We didn't give them much of a chance." Mike said.
"Still, its too soon." Christine said.
"Christine; Mark beat you senseless. I get you aren't sure if you can trust alone right now, but don't close yourself off to it. You are still a beautiful woman and you were always a good wife. The girls know you are lonely, but they don't know your reasons don't necessarily include being single." Mike commented.
"And you?" Christine asked.
"I'm committed to helping you out. Beyond that, I don't know." Mike said.
"Did you really get reassigned?" Christine asked.
"I…am taking some vacation time. Gearing down for retirement." Mike answered.
"I'm not the cause, I hope." Christine said.
"Not directly. More than anything; its time. I miss the girls and having a place of my own. Miss the day to day. A lot of my friends are in St. Louis, or travel here frequently." Mike explained.
"And that will give you time to find what you and I talked about the other night." Christine said.
"And to be here for the fall-out with Mark. And if we find her, there is bound to be fall-out." Mike said.
"Mike; you don't have to do this. I shouldn't have even told you but I don't want you to feel obligated. If he finds out you are even here…he could hurt you. Mike; if that happened, it would destroy the girls and I." Christine insisted.
"Mark won't hurt me. Don't worry." Mike said.
"Just be careful; Mike. He is…horrible. I know you were a cop but you've not met anyone like him before." Christine told him.
"Chris; I have met a thousand just like him. They abuse, humiliate, scare and manipulate. And I am not scared of him…and someday; I will make it to where you aren't either." Mike insisted. He kissed her temple and walked back towards his room. Christine could only shake her head. Sure, it felt better that someone knew her secret, and she knew Mike would never tell another soul, but it caused her to worry about him. As abusive as Mark was, Mike was honorable. He would do right by her, even at his own cost.