Train of Thought
Chapter 6
Thankfully, the adoption went through and Peter was legally theirs, just in time for their new arrival. Piper Grace was the perfect addition. She was a surprise but Mike and Christine also weren't very careful.
Unfortunately, Mike had to deploy when Piper was only two weeks old due to some new virus that was attacking the plant life. They had plenty of food but things were becoming desperate.
Mike had had Andrea Garnett move in to help Christine, combine resources and to add another adult to the house. Christine was glad for the company. One night, about two am; she was awake and was nursing Piper. She was a bit surprised when Andrea knocked on the bedroom door and stuck her head in.
"Andrea, I'm sorry. Did Piper wake you?" Christine asked as she covered herself up.
"No. I just received a phone call. Mike…was stabbed on a land mission. They found him and he's going to be okay. But…he was dosed with something. There still figuring that out. Rios will call with updates." Andrea explained. Christine began tearing up immediately.
"And he's okay?" Christine asked.
"He is. They think whatever the drug was won't have a lasting effect." Andrea answered. Piper was done nursing so Christine handed her to Andrea while she repositioned her clothes. "She looks like him. The eyes?" Andrea remarked.
"Yeah, very similar to Katie when she was that age" Christine replied.
"She is just precious. She's going to love it when her dad gets home." Andrea said as she handed Piper back.
"He has loved getting new photos of her. Of course, of Hannah, Katie and Peter too, but its different with Piper." Christine remarked.
"He'll be okay, Christine. He has a lot of people here who love him. And he loves you all." Andrea said before leaving the bedroom.
Piper wanted to play instead of sleeping. She was full of smiles and giggles. Her smile was like Mike's as well. Finally, about five; Christine got her to sleep. Instead of sleeping herself; she just held sweet Piper until her phone rang about six.
"Mrs. Slattery?" Rios asked.
"How is he?" Christine asked.
"He's lost a fair amount of blood. We are not sure what affect the drug will have on him. It was a hallucinogen though. He's in and out of consciousness. I believe he will come out the other side of this. He just needs to get this drug, whatever it is; out of his system." Rios explained.
"Can he talk?" Christine asked.
"He's resting but as soon as he is able, I will have him call. I promise; he's okay and he will." Rios said.
"Please tell him we love him." Christine answered.
"I will, ma'am. Have a good morning." Rios said before hanging up.
Christine knew she would have to tell the girls about their father's injury. She just didn't know how and right now she wanted to just hold their sleeping baby and hope Mike would in fact be okay.