North Stars
Chapter 8
The girls were thrilled when they found out that Mike was retiring. The President a lot less so. Mike was trying to negotiate terms, but President Reiss was blocking him at every turn. It was frustrating and he was talking about another war. And of course; deploying Mike before the retirement went through.
Christine was handling it, but Mike hated it for her. She had been so excited about his retirement and to see that disappearing was disheartening for her, but she assured him if he had to go, she and the girls would be home when he got back. It still filled Mike with dread. And finally, the call came that Mike had to ship out the next day; giving Christine very little time to get him ready. She had set Katie to making some baked treats for Mike, sent Mike and Hannah to the store to get some supplies and began doing his laundry. Mike walked into the laundry room after they returned and smiled at Christine folding t-shirts.
"Sorry for how rushed all this was." Mike said.
"Its not your fault. I don't have much use for that President though." Christine remarked.
"You and me both." Mike commented.
"Any indication how long?" Christine asked.
"No. I wish I could say but I don't want to be wrong." Mike answered.
"I hope by our anniversary. I was really wanting a nice couple's weekend or something." Christine remarked.
"When I get back; we will have a couple's weekend regardless of rather it is our anniversary or not. You start making plans on what you want." Mike said as he pulled Christine into a long hug.
"I know that you'll come back but I am still scared." Christine admitted quietly.
"That is a promise. I will be back as soon as I can get here." Mike told her. Instead of saying anything else; he gently rocked Christine back and forth. He knew better than to promise coming back but he had to give Christine and his girls the needed reassurances.
It was a quiet night at home for them. A good dinner and cuddles on the couch; watching a movie. Mike spent a bit more time with both girls before they went to bed, knowing he was leaving very early in the morning. He and Christine talked until just after midnight before falling asleep in each other's arms.
Six am came early and Mike woke both his daughters up before he left, wanting just a few more minutes with them, even if they were drowsy. Christine had fixed him a quick breakfast to eat before he left. His transport arrived at seven fifteen and he barely got a chance to give his wife and daughters kisses before they were honking.
He had promised to email and call but it took sometime getting underway. Mike was still the Admiral of the Fleet and had four destroyers and an aircraft carrier to keep going as they sailed towards the Baltic. He just hated being gone after so many years apart.