Never Again, Again

Chapter 8

Mike knew something was off between Christine and Hannah, but he hoped it would get better. A couple days after they set sail, Kara agreed to stay with the girls, so that Dr. Scott could assess Christine. The ultrasound was not the highest technology but Mike smiled when he heard the heartbeat.

"Everything okay?" Mike asked Dr. Scott.

"Looks to be. Good strong heartbeat. I thought I heard an echo but I think I'm mistaken. Please remember though; I am not an ultrasound tech or an OB-GYN. As soon as we land, we need to get you checked out, Mrs. Slattery." Dr. Scott said. Mike helped Christine sit up and helped her wipe the jelly off her stomach.

"Doc, she seems bigger then she did at this stage in any of her other pregnancies. Doesn't make sense because food hasn't been plentiful." Mike remarked.

"Mike; if that is your way of saying I'm fat…" Christine started.

"You might just be carrying differently. Maybe the baby is bigger too?" Dr. Scott suggested with a smile.

"I hope not! They were all nine pounds or bigger." Christine commented.

"Doc, you said you heard an echo, you thought. Could it be twins?" Mike asked, knowing he was pushing his luck.

"I think I might have been mistaken. I shouldn't have even mentioned it." Dr. Scott answered.

"As long as the baby's heart is healthy, its fine." Christine said.

"I have no reason to believe that the baby has any heart problems or any others, for that matter. Of course, remember that I am not an OB-GYN and the James simply doesn't have the technology to give a more conclusive answer. And I can't tell what the gender is either." Dr. Scott said.

"Either is fine." Christine said with a smile. Mike nodded in agreement. He would be happy regardless, but he would love to have another boy. He adored his girls but having a boy had been so special.

"Just make sure you get plenty of rest and as much exercise as possible. You will be due the first part of March." Dr. Scott said before they parted ways. As they walked towards Mike's quarters, he decided to bring up a sore subject, Hannah.

"So, now that we know the baby is okay and that Katie is recovering; what is going on between you and Hannah?" Mike asked.

"Has she said something?" Christine asked.

"No. Honestly, when I asked her; she clammed up." Mike answered.

"So, why do you think something is going on?" Christine retorted.

"Why are you getting defensive?" Mike asked. Christine just looked at him in frustration. "Look, I can tell something is off. I don't care to deflect for you but I have to know why." Mike said as he stopped in a p-way.

"Because she is alive…not dead like Lucas. She is healthy…not sick like Katie!" Christine said. Mike pulled her into a room, apparently some sort of ward-room. Thankfully, it was empty.

"Christine, she is a child. A seven-year-old. She cannot shoulder this." Mike said.

"I know, Mike. I know I am wrong for it, but I don't know how to fix it. Every time she opens her mouth or wants me to cuddle with her…I just start wanting to spit nails. And I hate myself for it, far more than I hate her." Christine said as she began sobbing. Mike sat her down on the couch and then sat next to her.

"I don't think you hate her. I think you are angry and you resent that she is healthy, but I don't think you hate her because if you did, you wouldn't feel so badly about it." Mike said.

"So, how do I fix it? I don't want this. Hannah deserves better." Christine asked. Mike put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close and she put her face into his chest and began crying. Instead of saying anything else, he just held her.