Better Together

Chapter 9

The kiss was almost Christine's undoing. She had forgotten how good of a kisser Mike was. So much better than Mark. In the days that passed; there were a few stolen kisses when the girls weren't around and Audrey slowly began adjusting to her new home and environment. Mike was wonderful with Audrey and the little girl already adored him. The night before Christine was to meet with the social worker; Mike found her outside, deep in thought.

"Thought you might like another glass of wine." Mike said as he filled her wineglass up.

"Thanks. I am nervous about tomorrow." Christine admitted.

"Whatever you decide; I'll be here for you and Audrey." Mike assured her. She knew he was hoping she would decide to put him on the birth certificate and to marry him, but she was scared most of him being hurt. Mike was still her best friend and she didn't want him harmed.

"I appreciate that. Has Katie said much more to you?" Christine asked. In the week that had passed; Katie had barely spoke to her, despite living and working together.

"Not much." Mike said. She suspected there was a lot more to 'not much' but she just accepted it, hating the distance between her and Katie. Usually; it was her trying to patch up disagreements between Mike and Katie, not Mike trying to fix things between her and either of their daughters.

"She thinks I really hurt you." Christine said.

"I admit; you did but I also understand your point. I will continue working on Katie regardless of what you decide. Just don't give up on her." Mike told her.

"Thanks, Mike. I think I am going to go to bed. I'll just take this with me." Christine said. She stood up and picked up the wineglass. Mike also stood up and kissed her forehead. Instead of letting him pull away, with her free hand; she pulled his face back to hers and gave him a long kiss on the lips. She wasn't sure what even came over her, other than Mike was willing to forsake his own happiness to protect her and her daughter. "Can you come upstairs with me?" Christine asked softly. Mike gave her a surprised look but nodded.

"If you are sure." Mike said. She nodded at him and led him back into the house. They had shut the exterior lights off and Mike locked the doors as they walked through them. The alarm was set and they headed up the stairs.

"Audrey has done well in her room this week but we will lock the door." Christine said as she locked it behind Mike.

"Are you sure? We don't have to do anything if you don't want to. I don't want to scare you or…" Mike started. Christine sit the wineglass down and shut Mike up by giving him a long kiss, all while unbuttoning his shirt.

"Just let me…okay?" Christine suggested. She had only had two glasses of wine but she was still having lapses in judgement…and she didn't care. If Mike was willing, she wanted him.

"Okay." Mike said. She nodded at him before finishing with his shirt and then lifting his t-shirt over his head. She had stopped to kiss him when Mike spoke up. "May I?" Mike asked pointing towards the zipper at the back of her dress. She nodded and he began working the zipper down gently.

"You are still just as gentle as always." Christine remarked. Mark had torn many of her dresses in frustration. Mike nodded but very gently pulled the dress away and helped her step out of it. Christine tried to cover herself up but Mike shook his head.
"You are perfect." Mike whispered. He threw the blankets and sheet back and helped her onto her bed. They spent the next several minutes kissing, and then the remaining clothes were thrown off the side of the bed. Mike had let Christine take the lead and they spent hours reacquainting themselves with each other.

It wasn't until light began streaming through the windows that Christine realized what she had done. She had given Mike the wrong idea. And she had no idea what to do. It was entirely her fault. Mike, of course, had been incredible. Sex had never been their issue. Non-communication and Mike's mind being with the Navy had been the issue. As she moved around, Mike began rousing. Christine got out of bed and put her robe on, wondering what to do next.

"Hey." Mike said quietly from behind her.

"Mike…this was a mistake. I should have never let you…" Christine started. Mike immediately got out of the bed and began finding his own clothes.

"This was all your idea." Mike said.

"You should have known better. You took advantage of the situation." Christine answered. Mike quickly dressed and walked to the door.

"Just remember that it was you that wanted this. Maybe I took advantage, but I wouldn't have. I just wanted you back." Mike said before walking out.

Christine sat down on the end of the bed, regretting everything. Having sex with Mike, the way she had spoken to him; but before she could address it; she heard the front door slam. She let the tears slip out of her eyes, until she heard Audrey come to her bedroom door.

"Can Mr. Mike make me his pancakes?" Audrey asked.

"How about I take a quick shower and I'll make you some pancakes. Can you go play in your room?" Christine asked.

"Yeah." Audrey said before disappearing back out the bedroom door. As Christine showered, she began wondering if she had robbed Audrey of the one good thing she had going for her, Mike. It wasn't until after she got out of the shower and was getting ready for the day, that she heard police sirens and an ambulance close by. She was stripping her bed when Hannah rushed into the bedroom in a panic.

"Mom; something happened outside and a policemen came to the door asking for you. Its something about Dad." Hannah said.

Christine rushed for the door and found Katie talking to the police officer. He asked to speak with her privately and Katie was not happy but went back inside with Hannah and Audrey.

"Ma'am, I am Officer Rivera. I understand that Admiral Mike Slattery is your ex-husband?" The officer asked.

"Yes." Christine answered.

"And Mark Ross was your other ex-husband?" Officer Rivera asked.

"Yes." Christine said, immediately noticing how Officer Rivera said 'is' and 'was.' At least he had used present tense with Mike.

"We are still figuring out what happened but it appears Mr. Ross was waiting outside and when Admiral Slattery came out to run; there was an altercation. Mr. Ross pulled a gun on Admiral Slattery, but there was a struggle for it, and the gun went off twice; hitting and killing Mr. Ross, but also hitting Admiral Slattery. Once in the chest. Very close to his heart. Paramedics are transporting him to the base hospital." Officer Rivera explained.

"Okay." Christine said, not knowing what else to say.

"He said before he lost consciousness that you were his emergency contact?" Officer Rivera asked. After Andrea died; Mike had changed his legal paperwork to state that Christine was his emergency contact, not wanting the girls to have to make any decisions. Legally; Katie and Hannah were adults but Mike felt more comfortable with her.

"Yes." Christine said.

"You will need to go to the hospital. There will be decisions to make." Officer Rivera said.

"Of course; thank you." Christine answered.

"A detective will meet you there for a formal statement." Officer Rivera said. Christine nodded and walked back in. She explained what had happened to the girls; and Katie immediately took exception to the fact that Mike had named her as his emergency contact.

"I am eighteen. I should be making his decisions for him." Katie complained as Christine put her shoes on.

"Katie; concentrate less on the fact that I am his emergency contact and more on the fact that your father needs us." Christine said.

"No, he needs Hannah and I. We are his relatives." Katie remarked.

"Katie, I am headed to the hospital. If you want to go with me, fine. If you want to complain; think about your dad. He choose me to be his contact so there was no drama but he would also want you there when he wakes up. Now, get ready. I will be leaving in five minutes." Christine told her. She headed back downstairs where Hannah was getting Audrey a quick meal of frozen waffles.

"You'll have to eat them with no syrup and in the car." Hannah said.

"It'll be okay." Christine said. She ran her hand through Audrey's hair and kissed the top of her head. Finally, Katie appeared and they headed to the hospital. It was too quiet in the car and they were let onto the base immediately. As soon as they got to the hospital, Katie tried to take over, but Christine maintained her dominance. Mike was in surgery and would be for several more hours. And through it all; she beat herself up.