Never Again, Again
Chapter 18
Mike was glad that Christine and his kids were okay. Seeing those people in the train cars really bothered him. It would take a long while to get things lined out. Fortunately, the remaining crew had survived.
Tex had been shot but was already driving his nursing staff crazy. Jed had been beaten but was already on the mend. All in all, things were better and he was allowed to drive his family back across the country to St. Louis. On that drive; he was able to see just how much damage had been done to the country and it was very disappointing.
The house was ransacked but the President had arranged for it to be cleaned and repaired. The first night they were home; he helped Christine settle James and Julia down for the night.
Both babies were perfect to him. He had always loved having girls so Julia had him wrapped around her little finger already. James could never replace Lucas but having a new baby boy did make Lucas' death hurt a little less. He was also glad to see that Christine was doing well with the twins and she and Hannah had seemed to find some solid footing.
Katie worried him. She was still a shell of the young girl she had been a year before. She got winded easily, had almost no energy and had lost confidence due to the scars on her face. He had hoped that in the months that he was away, she'd gain ground, but she hadn't.
The kids were all asleep and Mike climbed into bed next to Christine and smiled down at her. They were both worn out and Mike knew better than to expect sex. Plus, they had a lot of stuff to work out.
"I know it's a bit soon; but do you have any idea how long it will be before you ship back out?" Christine asked.
"No clue. The President is wanting to restructure the government and Tom and I will have to help." Mike answered.
"You hate stuff like that." Christine remarked.
"I do but it will put me home for a while at least. That is what's important." Mike said. He leaned over and shut the light off before giving Christine a long kiss.
"And time for us to work things out too." Christine said.
"Yeah. I thought of that too." Mike said. He snuck another kiss. He was very aware that they had to talk but he was never very good at that.
"Mike; we have to. I know you don't like to, but if we don't get to the root of the problem that drove us apart, it will fester." Christine told him.
"Me cheating was what drove us apart." Mike said.
"It was the final nail in the coffin, but a lot of things led up to it. And not all of that was your fault. We need to figure that out." Christine said.
"You know; I never loved her and it was only a one time thing." Mike remarked.
"And I believe you. Now; lets both get some rest. We can't fix this when we are both exhausted. Besides; James will be hungry again in an hour and I'd like a bit of a nap first." Christine said.
"You know; you can pump and I'll get up with them." Mike said.
"I know and I will do that but they are both so young." Christine answered. She cuddled close and put her head on his shoulder.
"I guess that's my cue to stop talking?" Mike remarked.
"It is. I'm exhausted." Christine answered. She gave him another kiss and smiled at him.
"Okay." Mike said. He was still wide awake and didn't want to sleep but he was facing long hours at work. He needed to and once Christine fell asleep, he was lulled asleep by her soft breathing and her warm body next to his. Hopefully, the nightmares wouldn't visit him that night.
