Never Again, Again
Chapter 10
Everything seemed to be going well enough. Of course, the submarine was a stressor. Mike wasn't able to spend the time with his family that he'd like but Christine was doing well enough with Hannah and Katie was slowly recovering. They ended up picking up a bunch of kids and the President, along with a couple 'Immunes' and the man who started it all.
Mike found himself being a detective and trying to keep the entire crew from killing Niels Sorenson. It was something he had struggled with himself, but as a former detective, he had learned to shut his emotions off. Some of the crew was very young and very inexperienced so Mike had to play the devil's advocate even though it hurt. The only one who seemed to understand was Christine. He walked into his quarters after a particularly long day.
"Momma, why are my pajama pants not fitting?" Hannah asked in a whiny voice.
"Because you are growing. I will see if I can rip the hem and buy us a bit more time." Christine explained.
"I can have one of the laundry services people come by. They become pretty good at sewing." Mike offered.
"Do they have extra fabric?" Christine asked.
"Maybe but it would be dark blue or camouflage. Not Hannah's usual pink or purple." Mike teased their youngest daughter.
"That would be okay." Hannah said.
"It could match your dad's uniform." Christine said, knowing that Hannah was less than thrilled.
"Yep." Mike agreed.
"I could make a couple nightgowns. It is less than ideal but it might work. If you can get me the fabric, thread, pins and needle?" Christine asked.
"I will see. In the meantime, Hannah; you can wear one of my t-shirts." Mike said.
"Mike; do you have an extra one of those? None of mine is fitting and it looks funny. I know I am not here for a fashion statement. I can wear a flannel shirt to cover it if need be." Christine asked. She was six months along and as big as Mike had ever seen. She was carrying the baby differently.
"I am sure I do." Mike answered. He stood up to walk into the bedroom and then remembered that his adolescent daughter was convalescing. He knocked and waited. Finally, Katie opened the door. She still got very winded and lightheaded. "Just need a couple things." Mike said and Katie nodded. Her face was horribly scarred from the lesions caused by the 'Red Flu;' making her very insecure.
"Okay." Katie said. She sat back on the bed as Mike went through his cramped wardrobe and found a couple t-shirts and a flannel shirt for Christine. When he walked back out, Christine had her finger in Hannah's mouth.
"What are you doing?" Mike asked, a little worried by the odd scene.
"She has a loose tooth and its driving her nuts. I got it!" Christine said as she held out the tooth. Mike grabbed a tissue and handed it to Hannah.
"The tooth fairy won't be able to get on the ship!" Hannah said with a sob. It was odd for her and Mike put an arm around her.
"Hmm…well, I remember one time when Katie was very small. We lived in an apartment and didn't have a fireplace. She was worried about Santa leaving presents. Wouldn't you know…he was able to come through the shower drain. He had to squeeze himself so tiny, but he managed. I bet the tooth fairy could do the same thing and we just so happen to have a shower drain and vents too. I bet she could get through the vents." Christine said. Mike winked in response. This was the Christine he was used to.
"And I bet if I told my sailors, they would let her through." Mike said.
"Really?" Hannah asked. She was now sitting between Mike and Christine. He stood up and walked to his phone.
"Really." Christine answered. Mike picked up the phone, glad that Russ Jeter answered.
"Russ, I needed to call and give you permission so that the Tooth Fairy could board and leave something under a little girl's pillow." Mike said. He heard Russ laugh in response.
"Yes, sir. Sign of the times." Russ said before hanging up the phone.
"Okay. Master Chief is going to help her board tonight." Mike said.
"See? All taken care of." Christine told the little girl with a smile.
"Yeah. I wish I could see Master Chief help her board." Hannah said.
"But, for her to board; you have to be sleeping. Master Chief will call and ask if you are and if you aren't, she won't be able to." Christine explained. Hannah nodded in agreement. "Now, how about you take these uncomfortable pajamas off and put this on and brush your teeth?" Christine suggested.
"Okay, Momma." Hannah said, grabbing one of the shirts. After she had gone into the bathroom, Mike smiled at Christine.
"You weren't faking that." Mike said.
"I suppose not. But there are times that it incredibly difficult. I just didn't want to rob her of a piece of her childhood. Probably, the responsible thing would be to tell her that there wasn't one, but I just couldn't. They won't have the happiest childhood and I just felt it was the right thing to do." Christine said.
"It was what a loving mom would do." Mike told her as he kissed the side of her head.
"I don't feel very loving to her." Christine remarked.
"You're doing far better than you think." Mike said just as Hannah came back out, wearing the t-shirt that went past her knees.
"Time for her good night kiss." Christine said. Mike kissed Hannah's forehead and smiled at her.
"Sweet dreams. I love you, pumpkin." Mike told her. He made a point to tell Hannah that he loved her at least once a date in case Christine wasn't able to. He knew she did but she was struggling.
"I love you too, Daddy. Momma, is the baby kicking?" Hannah asked Christine.
"He or she isn't too much tonight but I bet the baby might if you put your hand here." Christine said. She maneuvered Hannah's hand to her stomach, and a moment later Hannah smiled.
"I felt it!" Hannah said.
"I think the baby likes it when you do that." Christine said with a smile. She gave Hannah a kiss and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Now, bedtime. The tooth fairy needs to board." Mike said. He gave Hannah another kiss before headed back to the bedroom. After Hannah was out of view, Mike handed Christine a dollar bill. Funny since a dollar had no value at the present time, but Hannah didn't understand that.
"I am beat. I think I am going to head in too. I'll tuck this under the pillow once she is asleep." Christine said. They both stood up and Mike gave her a kiss.
"You okay?" You mentioned the baby hadn't kicked much." Mike asked.
"Yeah. Its fine. It happens." Christine said.
"Just let me know if you need me." Mike answered, hoping everything was okay. Since hearing the heartbeat, he was really excited for the baby. He also knew that Christine would be shattered if something happened to it.
