The New Ship
Chapter 12
Grace watched as the President presented Mike with several more awards. He was humble and hated the attention. Eli was fascinated by all the pomp and circumstance and Liv was bored to tears. Grace didn't miss the looks that Tom Chandler was sending her way, especially once Mike sat back down next to her and Liv settled in his lap.
With his free hand; he squeezed Grace's, while explaining something to Eli. Mike was amazingly patient with the kids. She could only imagine what he had been like with his own. Hannah's birthday was the next day and Grace knew he was dreading it. The odd thing was Lily's birthday and Hannah's birthday was on the same day. They would both be in bad shape.
Shockingly; Grace, her parents and the kids had been invited to Mike's retirement party that his friends were hosting for him. Kara Green had the hostess job down pat and she made them all feel welcome. Grace's parents left with the kids just when the festivities started. It was much more fun-filled and the kids seemed to enjoy it much more. Mike was boisterous and Grace was a bit concerned about getting him home. He had drank a fair amount. Russ Jeter helped Grace get Mike into her SUV and smiled at how Mike immediately reclined back.
"Sorry. I don't think he drinks like this normally." Grace remarked.
"He doesn't. He likes an occasional beer or glass of scotch but he rarely does this and if memory serves, tomorrow is a rough day for him." Russ said.
"Yeah. Hannah's birthday." Grace said.
"He told me it was also your older daughter's birthday?" Russ mentioned.
"Yeah." Grace said.
"Just lean on one another." Russ said.
"You were one of the only of Mike's friends that spoke to me. I know they don't think I'm a good match." Grace remarked.
"Its not you. Its that we've gotten used to Mike being alone and taking care of all of us. He's prioritizing his own happiness for a change. It can be startling. Mike is well-loved. I think everyone here who loves him is scared of him being hurt." Russ replied.
"I care about him." Grace said.
"Care or love? He might need to hear 'I love you.' Its been a long time." Russ said before walking to his own vehicle.
At least Mike was a happy and funny drunk. Kent had been mean and abusive. At one point on the drive home; Mike started singing. It was obnoxious and Grace feared he would wake the kids up when she helped him up the stairs, but as soon as they got to the bedroom, Mike pulled her close and gave her a long kiss.
"You gonna undress me?" Mike asked.
"I think you can manage that." Grace said as she stepped away to shut the door. "What are you doing?" Grace asked. Mike was doubled-over, reaching for his shoes.
"Untying them." Mike answered. He had straightened back up to look at Grace.
"Sat down on the bed. I'll help you." Grace said.
"Happily." Mike answered. He complied and smiled down at Grace while she knelt down and helped him out of his shoes.
"Alright, socks too?" Grace asked.
"Yeah. I can do it?" Mike said.
"I'm already down here." Grace answered. She pulled the socks off and sat back down next to Mike. He was unbuttoning his suit coat.
"I am glad to be out of this monkey suit." Mike said. He stood back up and put his suit coat on the chair across from Grace's bed.
"You really enjoyed yourself." Grace remarked.
"Yeah. I guess I did go a bit overboard. Don't worry. It doesn't happen often." Mike said.
"Good. While you finish up; I'm going to go check on Eli and Liv, okay?" Grace asked.
"Okay. Liv won't be happy that we didn't tuck her in." Mike remarked.
"We'll make up for it tomorrow night." Grace answered. She gave Mike a kiss on the forehead before leaving him for a moment.
Both kids were sound asleep so Grace went downstairs, locked the house up, set the alarms and went back upstairs. Mike was in his boxers, laying on top of the covers. Grace walked into the walk-in closet and changed into her pajamas. By the time she walked back in, Mike was under the covers and she joined him.
"I left some pain-reliever and water on the dresser. You will probably need it." Grace said.
"Are you mad?" Mike asked.
"No. Not at all. Just tired and not looking forward to tomorrow." Grace answered.
"Yeah, me either. Least I'm not alone this year." Mike remarked. He wrapped his arms around Grace and kissed the top of her head.
"That is true." Grace answered. She leaned up and gave Mike another kiss.
"Thank you." Mike said.
"Thank you more." Grace answered.
"Grace…can you have more children?" Mike asked. It shocked Grace.
"Technically, yes. Why?" Grace asked as she turned on her side towards Mike.
"I…it might just be because of my anniversary and Hannah's birthday…but…" Mike started.
"Because you are wanting a baby?" Grace asked.
"I don't know. I love Eli and Liv and I would never want them to think they weren't enough. They are definitely not a replacement, but I find myself doing the same things with Eli as I did with Lucas and Liv reminds me alot of Hannah and Katie both. I honestly don't know if having a baby at this stage would even be wise." Mike said. Grace was shocked he used the word 'love' to describe what he felt towards her kids.
"Mike–I can't just have a baby. Politically…I can't. Certain things would need to take place and I'm not sure if we're there yet." Grace warned.
"But medically, you could if you wanted to?" Mike asked.
"Yes." Grace answered.
"Sometimes, I think you don't love your career as much as you like to think you do." Mike remarked.
"There is probably a basis to that. But I am mid-term and I vowed to keep my home state's best interests at heart. Texas is still…very wholesome." Grace replied.
"Yes and some of the things you and I have done are not so wholesome." Mike answered.
"It would be frowned upon if it was found out that we were practically living together." Grace said.
"Not to sound full of myself…your public image won't suffer because of me." Mike replied.
"I know. Let's just get through tomorrow. It'll be hard for both of us. Then we'll talk about next steps." Grace answered.
"Aye, aye." Mike said before giving her a soft kiss. It quickly become passionate. "Do you want to take advantage of me?" Mike asked. It made Grace laugh.
"What a proposition? But, not tonight." Grace answered. Mike immediately pouted.
"I'm a consenting adult, fully in change of my facilities…faculties…." Mike replied. Grace laughed.
"Obviously. How about…the night after tomorrow?" Grace answered. Mike gave her a pained look.
"I don't think we are at the stage of scheduling sex. But we don't have to tonight." Mike said as he pulled her onto his chest. Grace took a deep breath and smiled. Kent would have just forced her to have sex. Mike at least gave her a choice.
"Mike…I do love you. I know you may not be there yet with me." Grace said. Mike rubbed her arms and kissed the top of her head.
"I love you too…even if you are scared I'll do the same things as your first husband and that just being with me will hurt your public image." Mike answered. He pulled the blanket over her and rubbed her back as she got sleepy.
Grace knew she was going to have to let go of what happened with Kent. Mike was ten times the person Kent ever was and her kids and parents adored him. She didn't even care about her career. Mike made her feel whole in a way she hadn't for a lot of years.