Chapter 3

As the next few weeks passed, I didn't hear from Jason and I couldn't have cared less. Mike and talked and texted daily while he was on the road. The kids and I watched him on RAW every week and I couldn't wait to see him again. The episode of RAW that was right before the 4th of July holiday, I sat in the livingroom with the kids and watched Mike's match, which was the first match of the night. Mike was in the ring with Dolph Ziggler when something happened and Mike couldn't get back up.

I tried calling Mike, but there was no answer. I sent him a text to call me that I just saw the match and that I was worried about him. About an hour passed and Mike called me back. He told me that he was going to be out of action for at least 8 weeks. I told him to come here and I would help take care of him.

A few days later, Mike was set up in a local hotel and I took some time off from work to help him get better. By the second week, he was walking better and his knee was healing. My kids were on summer break and Kelsey's 12th birthday was coming up and I didn't know what to do for her. I thought Mike might have some fun ideas.

"Mike, Kelsey's birthday is coming up in two weeks and I don't know what to do for her. Do you have any ideas?" I asked.

"Has she gone to Disneyland yet?" Mike asked.

"Once, with her dad during winter vacation. It rained the whole time they were there." I answered.

"Why don't we take her and Tyler to Disneyland then." Mike responded.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah. We can stay at my condo in LA. And its only a 7 hour drive down there." Mike answered.

"I think she would like that. I wonder if we could arrange a special birthday breakfast with some of the characters." I responded.

"I think I could pull some strings." Mike stated.

Two weeks later, Mike, the kids, grandma and I were on our way to Los Angeles. Grandma was thankful that Mike offered his condo for us, but because of the stairs, she opted to stay in a hotel near Disneyland. Mike made all the arrangements for her so it didn't cost her a thing.

That night after getting Tyler to bed, Kelsey opted to stay with grandma at the hotel, Mike and I curled up on the couch and turned on a movie. Mike's condo wasn't as big as I thought it would be, but for a single person it was fine.

"Michelle, you know all things happen for a reason, right?" Mike asked.

"Yes." I answered.

"I think that you getting that package deal and us meeting was fate working in our favor." Mike responded.

"I would have to agree." I stated.

"What I'm trying to say is that, I'm falling in love with you and I can't imagine my life without you in it." Mike reponded.

"I feel the same way. I haven't been this happy in a very long time." I stated.

"I love you." Mike told me for the first time.

"I love you too." I responded.

Mike then stood up and turned off the movie and the lights before taking me by the hand and led me into his master bedroom. After closing the door, Mike walked over to me and pulled me into his arms and kissed me tenderly on the lips. That night we made love for the first time before falling asleep in each other's arms.

Kelsey's birthday breakfast with the Disney characters was a huge hit with both kids. Grandma had a lot of fun as well. As we walked around Disneyland, Mike and I held hands and had fun with the kids. Our vacation was short, but well worth the trip. Mike drove us back up to the Bay Area.

Over the next month, Mike spent more time with my family and my kids were excited to have him around. One afternoon after I had just gotten home from work, the kids were doing their homework and the door bell rang. I walked over to answer the door and saw two military officals at my door. Mike had followed me just in case.

"Can I help you?" I asked after opening the door, but not the screen door.

"Yes, ma'am. We are looking for Michelle Grey." the first officer answered,

"That's me. How can I help you?" I asked.

"May we come in?" the second officer asked.

"My children are home. I would prefer to do this out here." I answered as I stepped out onto the front step with Mike.

"Alright. We are here to offically inform you that Sgt. Jason Grey was killed in action." the first officer told me.

"Are you sure?" I asked as tears filled my eyes.

"Yes, ma'am. We are truly sorry. He didn't change his notification papers and you are still listed as the primary. Will you be making the funeral arrangements as well?" The second officer asked.

"I can do that. Please inform his parents." I answered as Mike held me.

"We can do that. He had two life insurance policies. Even though he has another child with another woman, your children are the only ones entitled to the benefits. And we will issue the payments to you Ma'am." the first officer stated.

"Ok. Thank you." I responded.

After the officers left I broke down and cried. Mike just held me close and let me cry. The biggest worry for me was going to be tell Kelsey and Tyler that their dad was dead. After walking back into the house and washing my face, I sat the kids down with Mike and told them the news. Tyler cried in my arms and Kelsey ran to her bed room and burried her face into her pillows and cried.

Over the next few days, I made all the arrangements for Jason's funeral and called everyone I knew who was a part of his life. The only person I called and told not to show up was his girlfriend and her family. She was the sole reason my marriage ended.

The day of the funeral arrived and Mike rented a large town car for us. The service was nice and the burial site was pleasant. It was a nice day and not too hot. Tyler sat in my lap at the burial and Mike was on my left side, Kelsey sat on my right side and grandma was on the other side of her. The 21 gun salute scared Tyler and made both kids cry harder. The kids were presented with the folded flag, but Kelsey had her head burried into my grandmother's arm. Tyler took the flag and held it close to him.

After the funeral, we all went our separate ways. After taking grandma and the kids home, Mike wanted to take me out to get away from it all. I told him that I needed to be there for the kids first. Kelsey walked over to us and wrapped her arms around me.

"Mom, go out. It's ok. Oma is here with us and I know that Daddy died fighting for our freedom. We'll be ok." Kelsey told me.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to be mad at me later for going out." I asked.

"I'm sure Mom." Kelsey answered.

"Alright, let me get changed and we can go." I responded.

Once I was ready to go, Mike and I headed out in my car. Mike drove us into San Francisco and down to the piers. I was a little confused as to why Kelsey told me to go out when I know she wanted me at home. What I didn't know was that Mike had set this up a few days ago, before Jason was killed. Mike drove us over to Koit Tower and parked the car.

I normally wouldn't go up in Koit Tower since I'm afraid of heights, but since I was with Mike, I took a deep breath and walked up the stairs with him. It was roped off when we got to the top and I couldn't figure out why the guard let us past the ropes. Once we were on the top level of the tower, I saw a violinist waiting for us and he started playing as soon as we walked up. The sun was also setting and it was a very romanitc setting.

"Michelle, I know that we haven't been together very long, but I am deeply, madly in love with you. I can't imagine being with anyone other than you. I love Kelsey and Tyler as if they were my own and I would love nothing more than for the four of us to be a family. Will you marry me?" Mike proposed as he got down on his good knee.

"Mike, I love you too. Yes, I will marry you!" I responded as he slid the ring on my left ring finger.