The New Ship

Chapter 7

Mike wasn't sure what to even do on a date and thankfully, Grace was a bit more sure. She got into the truck wearing blue jeans, a plaid button down with a gray t-shirt underneath and a ball-cap, kind of matching Mike's attire. She kissed his cheek and began plugging in an address to his GPS.

"What's that?" Mike asked.

"There's a Food Truck thing and its close to the botanical garden. I thought we could eat and then take a walk." Grace answered.

"Perfect." Mike said. It was a date he could agree on.

"Liv was a bit aggravated that you didn't come in." Grace remarked.

"I'll come in to say hi when we get done. I actually wanted to concentrate on you." Mike replied.

"Thanks." Grace answered.

Mike actually did enjoy the food truck festival and visiting with Grace. No one seemed to recognize him or care. They looked like just a typical couple enjoying a Sunday afternoon without kids. The botanical garden was really nice. Mike didn't enjoy it as much as Grace but he did enjoy seeing how enthusiastic she was about it.

All too soon for Mike's liking, it was time to take her home. They stopped by a bakery and picked up a dozen cupcakes for her parents and kids. As soon as they walked into Grace's house, Liv was all over him.

He had missed having a child hug him. And despite Liv's eccentricities, he found himself adoring her. And Eli was a good kid too. He would be glad when the official stuff was done and he and Grace could date publicly.

Mike ended up staying for dinner, which turned into reading Liv a bedtime story and helping Eli with a bit of homework. The only downside was driving back to his lonely apartment.

Maybe he was just feeling lonely. His and Christine's anniversary was on Tuesday. Hannah's birthday would be a week later. Eli was the same age Lucas would have been. Katie would have been graduating college in the next year or so…if everything had been normal. But, maybe he was finding a new normal that he could live with.

Christine would have wanted him to move on. She would have liked Grace and would have gotten onto Mike for waiting so long. In his defense, he'd been busy and now he was thinking about winding down to retirement. Not because of Grace but because it was time.

The next morning, he was to pick Tom and Sasha up at the airport. He was immediately struck on how unhappy and angry at each other they both seemed. Just before they got to the hotel, Tom looked over at him.

"I can't imagine you liking DC, so what's the draw?" Tom asked.

"I kind of like it here." Mike replied.

"Did you meet someone? You aren't wearing your wedding band." Sasha asked from the back seat. Mike immediately kicked himself.

"Your anniversary is tomorrow, isn't it? Seems like an odd time to take it off." Tom remarked.

"I did meet someone and I'm figuring things out." Mike answered.

"Will we meet her?" Sasha asked.

"Possibly." Mike said. He should just be honest but he wanted to protect Grace from any scrutiny. Sasha and Tom would drive her nuts. More than anything he didn't want her scared off.

"Isn't it a bit soon?" Tom asked.

"Its been two years since they found Christine's remains but she's been gone five. Same as Darian!" Mike replied. It was the stupidest question, coming from someone who had moved on within months of Darian's death.

"It's different." Tom answered.

"Actually, he has a point." Sasha remarked.

"Christine would have wanted me to move on. She would have liked Grace…" Mike started.

"As in Senator Grace Montgomery? Mike, what the hell?" Tom interrupted.

"Technically, speaking; there's no reason they can't date. It would be better if word didn't get out before the new ship is formally named, but I don't think there'd be an issue." Sasha remarked as they got to the hotel.

"And its no one's business. I'm no longer a married man and I would have Christine's blessing. That is all that matters to me." Mike said. He put the truck in park and waited as Tom and Sasha got out and got their luggage.

"Will you pick us up at nine am tomorrow?" Sasha asked.

"Yes." Mike answered.

"Okay, we'll see you then." Sasha replied before shutting the truck door and following Tom inside. Mike knew he should have been more welcoming, but he wasn't going to be judged for moving on too soon.