Never Again, Again
Chapter 16
All too soon; Mike had to leave. He would not be there for the twins' births. It bothered Christine but she tried to put on a brave face for him and the kids. The night before he left; Christine woke up to find Mike's hand on her stomach feeling the babies kicking. It made her smile.
"You should be sleeping." Christine said.
"I know. I just wanted to feel them moving. By the time I meet them, they will be at least three months old. If not older." Mike remarked.
"Mike; I know it's hard. Everything will be fine here. You just make sure you come home safe." Christine commented.
"We need names." Mike said.
"James Michael for him. For her; I am struggling a bit. I want something that goes with James though." Christine said.
"Julia Margaret." Mike answered. Christine sat up slightly and looked at him. "It was two names I liked and I just put them together. I also like the name Journey but it's a bit trendy." Mike said. He had never preferred trendy names. Katie's actual name was Kaitlyn, but it was as trendy as Mike got.
"I like it. James and Julia." Christine said with a smile.
"If you want something different…" Mike started.
"No. No, I like Julia a lot." Christine said with a smile. She leaned up and gave him a long kiss. If she wasn't so pregnant; it might have become passionate.
"When I get back; we'll talk. I know that you wanted to solve stuff. I just wanted to enjoy this last night and didn't want to maybe get in a fight so soon before I left." Mike told her.
"I understand. I love you." Christine said simply.
"I love you too. And everything is going to be just fine." Mike said.
Three Months Later
James and Julia were amazing and Christine wondered why she had ever doubted being their mom. Katie was still regaining strength and Hannah was thrilled to be back to school, even if it was 'home school' with Christine. In the afternoons, when Katie, James and Julia were asleep; Christine spent some quality time with her middle daughter and she found that she looked forward to those afternoons.
It was during one of those afternoons that Christine happened to glance at the TV and saw Mike's bruised and bloody face on the screen, saying that he and other members of his crew were prisoners of war. Unfortunately; Hannah seen it at the same time.
"Daddy?" Hannah asked. Her eyes filled with tears and she ran into Christine's arms.
"He'll be okay, sweetheart. He is strong and he loves us. He wants to meet James and Julia." Christine said. She wasn't so confident but Hannah couldn't know that. She only needed strength from Christine and Christine had to be a good mom to her, Katie and the twins. And she had to remain strong for when Mike made it home. If he made it home.
