Lost Loves

Chapter 15

Christine had to admit that sleeping next to Mike was a little awkward. It had been years since she had slept next to him, but she didn't remember him being so restless.

Judging by the number of scars dotting his torso, he'd had a share of his own nightmares. It made Christine feel badly because Mike had been so focused on her issues and he obviously needed help with his own.

When she woke up; Mike's arm was draped over her. For a moment, she panicked but she calmed down, hearing Mike snore. If it was Charlie, he would have already forced her to have sex.

Mike got up and fixed pancakes for the kids and her. It was a new tradition that she enjoyed thoroughly. The only complaint she had was Mike let Samuel and Sophia go a bit crazy with the chocolate chips in their pancakes, but given all they had gone through, they were both indulgent.

Mike honestly spoiled all four kids. With Katie, he spent time with her. Coffee dates and playing basketball at the nearby park. With Hannah; they talked a lot. Christine would frequently find them sitting on her window seat talking. And she had forgotten how good he was with small children. The twins adored Mike, especially Sophia.

They had literally everything they could need and want, but something was still missing between Mike and Christine. As she watched Hannah and Katie throwing blueberries at Mike, and him trying to catch them in his mouth; she realized she had to just start trusting him again.

Their Saturday was pretty relaxed and they ended up all sleeping in the living room. When Christine woke up, her head was on Mike's shoulder. He smiled down at her and she leaned up and gave him another shy kiss.

"That's becoming a habit too." Mike remarked.

"Do you mind?" Christine asked.

"No." Mike answered. Something about his demeanor changed and Christine caught it immediately.

"What's wrong?" Christine asked.

"I'm afraid someday I won't be able to stop at just a kiss or sleeping next to each other. I don't know if I can trust myself." Mike admitted.

"I hope I'm not pressuring you?" Christine asked.

"You aren't intentionally. You are simply trying to recover." Mike said.

"Oh, Mike. I didn't realize…" Christine started.

"Hey, I told you it was alright. I just don't want to be the cause of you becoming afraid." Mike said.

"I suppose I just want to be normal." Christine remarked.

"Christine, before you can move on; you have to redefine normal. Whatever it is, I'm in. You just have to decide what you want." Mike answered.

"Mike, thank you for being so patient. I just want to be the wife you deserve this time around." Christine said.

"You are." Mike said before kissing the top of her head. She put her head back on Mike's shoulder and quickly fell asleep.

Christine loved how easy things were. Of course, they had to recover but Mike made things easy. He would go shopping and Christine never had to leave the house. The time would come that she would have to, and she wasn't scared; especially with Mike next to her. She just hoped that time would heal all wounds.