Friends
Chapter 11
Mike could tell something was on Christine's mind, more than a new job and everything that was going on between them. She was hiding something. Sasha emailed him the report from when Christine and the girls had been found and Mike began reading through it and making notes, until he got to one phrase.
"Possible blood-loss due to childbirth"
Mike double-checked that he was reading the report correctly, and then that it was talking about Christine. He searched the report for further information on the baby and there was nothing. Nothing. Mike stowed the report away and waited for Christine and the girls to get home. He had no idea how he was going to talk to Christine about whatever had happened. While he waited, he called Sasha and turned her to trying to figure out what had happened.
It actually explained Christine's reaction to Mike at the hospital initially and how he noticed sadness cross her eyes. He had thought it was because of Lucas. He thought about telling her that he knew but he didn't want to cause any argument or undue stress. His girls seemed oblivious to anything going on with Christine. That night when they went to bed, Mike pulled her close, feeling the need to comfort her, even though she wasn't asking for it.
"Everything okay?" Christine asked.
"Yeah. Just wanted to hold you." Mike said before giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"I don't mind that. I had missed this." Christine admitted.
"Me too." Mike answered.
"I am nervous about leaving you alone through the day." Christine remarked.
"I am doing just fine. I nap a lot." Mike said.
"Its just…if I lost you because I was at work…I would never forgive myself." Christine replied.
"I'm not going anywhere." Mike answered before giving her a kiss.
"I hope not." Christine answered. It was an odd remark but Christine didn't know that Mike knew about the baby. Mike waited a moment or two and looked down at her. There were tears in her eyes and she was biting her lip.
"Christine, I know about the baby. I read the report. There was a line in there about you losing blood due to childbirth. I don't know what happened to the baby though." Mike said. At that point, the sobs started and all Mike could do was hold Christine. She cried for several minutes and Mike thought she might have cried herself to sleep.
"I don't know what happened to her either." Christine said.
"When I realized what the report said; I called Sasha to look into it. Normally, I would be in the investigation, but not right now." Mike said.
"I…don't want to know if she died. I know she was the product of a rape but…she was so perfect and sweet." Christine replied.
"Why did you have to leave her?" Mike asked.
"The people that were holding us told me that I had to leave her in that…church. I laid her down on one of the pews and made sure that she was warm enough but…there's no way." Christine explained.
"Christine, this is not on you. You have always been a wonderful mother and wife. Why didn't you tell me or someone initially?" Mike asked gently.
"I was afraid of losing this. I was afraid that you would find out that I left that baby and you'd think I was some awful…person." Christine explained.
"You've carried this around for the past year and a half?" Mike continued.
"Yeah. I haven't even told my counselor." Christine replied.
"Look at me?" Mike ordered and Christne raised up. "Christine; I love you. I spent the past year and a half running. That you would blame me for everything that had happened to you. Even now, I am afraid of that. So; we let Sasha and Tom conduct the investigation and we heal. I don't know if they'll find that baby. If they do and it's possible; her place is here with us. You love her, as much as you love Katie and Hannah, as much as you still love Lucas. And because of how much you love her, I'll love her." Mike explained.
"But I abandoned her?" Christine asked.
"You were forced to." Mike answered.
"I am…so tired of carrying this." Christine remarked.
"Then let me help you." Mike replied.
"Can you please hold me? I know your chest is hurting…I'll be careful." Christine asked. Mike was stricken by how vulnerable she seemed.
"Anytime." Mike answered. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her shoulder.
"I love you." Christine remarked, sounding sleepy.
"I love you too." Mike answered. Within a few moments, Christine was sound asleep. It was not that comfortable for Mike but he would never tell her that. Now, he could only pray that Tom and Sasha would be able to find the baby.