Better Together
Chapter 7
Christine was shocked. She knew Mike's intentions were good and he had always been a good husband. He never beat her. He didn't cheat. He was attentive. Her biggest complaint was him being gone for over half the year. Missing anniversaries, holidays, birthdays, and special occasions.
In appearance; Mark had been similar to Mike and for the first six months of their marriage; he was similar in personality. When she got pregnant with Audrey; he changed. Mike had always been very protective of her when she was pregnant with their babies. Mark was not. He beat her the first time when she was four months along.
Audrey loved her room. From what Christine could tell; she had not been abused. Just never loved. She could give her a home. A family. Her. Mike. The girls. All the things a little girl needed to thrive. Katie and Hannah were well-adjusted, successful young women. She and Mike had done a good job with them. Could they do it again?
Mike kept quiet through dinner and went to bed early. Audrey even asked for him while Christine tucked her in. She had become attached to Mike and he was wonderful with her. If Christine said no; would she be robbing Audrey of the only father figure she would have. Christine just wasn't sure she could trust anyone. Even Mike.
Marriage was intimate and Christine wanted a good marriage. One like she and Mike had had. Many times; she wished she had never insisted on the divorce. With Mike, she was safe. Even when he wasn't home, she had a feeling of security. With Mark, she was terrified most of her marriage. Terrified he would kill her. Fearful that he would start hurting the older girls. Mike had always been a safe harbor for her and now he was offering that again. She heard Katie and Hannah come upstairs so she settled the now sleeping Audrey into her bed and stepped out of the room.
"Is she asleep?" Hannah asked quietly.
"Yes. She loved everything. Thank you, girls." Christine said.
"Thank Dad. He is the one that did everything." Katie said. There was an edge to her voice that worried Christine. Katie was just like Mike. She looked and acted just like him and at times; they clashed but Katie strove to have the same relationship with Mike that he had with Hannah. It tended to cause some trouble and jealousy between the two sisters.
"I'm going to bed. G'night, Mom." Hannah announced before giving Christine a kiss on the cheek.
"Night, sweetheart. Sleep tight." Christine said. After Hannah went to her room; Katie, with her arms crossed over her chest, spoke up.
"What did you do to Dad?" Katie asked.
"Why?" Christine asked.
"He is moping around and said that you had let him down. I'm just not sure what he meant." Katie said.
"Honey; it is between your dad and I." Christine said. She had gone into her own bedroom and Katie followed her in.
"Except it isn't. You are both here and it bleeds over. Now, what happened?" Katie demanded.
"He wants to get remarried to protect Audrey and I from Mark and wants to put his name on Audrey's birth certificate." Christine said.
"Why is that a bad thing? You and Dad are close friends and I know you still love each other." Katie asked.
"Its not the same sort of love. We love each other because we share you girls and Lucas…or…his memory, I suppose. We're friends. But, its not the same as when we were married." Christine insisted as she folded a towel.
"Mom; Dad still loves you like that and he's been through a lot this year. Andrea dying. The James sinking. Seeing more friends die. All the hearings about the James. It is not fair what you are doing to him when he's only trying to help. Stop thinking only about yourself. You could give Audrey something good and Dad would treat you well. By you telling him no; it is like a slap in the face to him. He never hurt you so stop acting like he did." Katie said before walking out. She slammed the door behind her, which immediately caused Audrey to wake up and start crying. Christine headed into the little girl's room and sat down on the bed.
"Its okay. You're safe." Christine assured her.
"Can I sleep in your room?" Audrey asked. Christine knew she needed to get used to her bedroom; but Audrey was four and she needed to bond with Christine since they had missed out on being together. Christine couldn't help but give in.
"C'mon." Christine said. She helped Audrey out of the bed and led her to her own bedroom. She tucked Audrey back in and put her own pajamas own before settling in next to her. Audrey immediately cuddled close and Christine let her fall asleep on her shoulder; all the time wishing she could make amends with Katie and in turn, Mike. She just wasn't sure she had done anything wrong.