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Chapter 31
"Mom, can you look at this?" Katie asked as she came down the stairs. Christine was finishing making their lunch and looked at the sketchbook in Katie's hands.
"Is this the house plans?" Christine asked.
"Yeah." Katie said.
"Don't you want to wait until your Dad is home?" Christine asked.
"I'd rather you see it first. If you see something you know Dad won't want, we can change it before he sees it and gets mad." Katie answered. It was going to take a lot to get her deprogramed.
"I'm sure he'll love it." Christine said as she flipped the cover and looked at the front view of the house. It was her dream house.
"We can change the color of the siding or roof…I thought a metal roof might be better. I researched it and found out they last longer than regular shingles. I also incorporated solar panels and a generator into the plan." Katie said. Christine nodded as she flipped through the sketchbook. It had the porte cochere and the back view showed a pool, which Mike had voiced a desire for.
"Honey, this is really nice. I don't see anything I'd want to change, and I'm sure your dad will love it." Christine remarked.
"I doubt it." Katie said as she wrung her hands. A nervous habit she'd picked up, usually when she was concerned about her dad.
"I bet he will be." Christine said. Just then, they heard Mike come in. He was having to tie up some loose ends with the Navy and Christine hated seeing him back in uniform. He dropped his briefcase and kissed her forehead before squeezing Katie's shoulder. "I'll get lunch plated." Christine said.
"I'm going to change out of this monkey suit." Mike said…not noticing the stricken look on Katie's face before heading up the stairs.
"What's wrong?" Christine asked.
"Why was he wearing his uniform? Is he leaving again?" Katie asked. She was shaking and there were tears gathering.
"No. He's retiring. He just had to go in and take care of a few things this morning." Christine explained.
"What if they make him stay in?" Katie said as she paced around.
"That isn't going to happen. Katie, what's going on?" Christine asked.
"I…guess I'm just scared." Katie said.
"Of what?" Christine asked quietly.
"I'm afraid that Dad will have to leave again and those people will find us." Katie replied. Just then, Mike appeared.
"Sweetheart, that is not going to happen. Most of them were killed and the ones that weren't will be put to death very soon. That is why I've been going into the office, to make sure all those loose ends are tied up." Mike said.
"How can you be sure that your people got them all?" Katie asked. Christine had her arms around her and Mike was stroking her hair.
"Intel…good intel. We still have people on the ground down there who are monitoring things very closely. With everything that happened to you, it would help you to have closure and unfortunately, with the nature of your case…it won't happen. All I can do is assure you, you are safe here. They won't get at you." Mike explained.
"Its not me I'm worried about." Katie remarked. Mike and Christine exchanged a look.
"Honey, this family is safe. Nothing will happen." Christine said.
"Katie, is there something I can do to make you believe that you and this family is safe?" Mike asked.
"I don't know." Katie answered. Mike very gently turned her to where Katie was looking at him and he put both hands on her shoulders.
"Katie, I know right now; everything seems dark and you don't know who to trust or how to even put one foot in front of the other. But your mom and I are so proud of you for surviving, for keeping Hannah safe as possible, and for being so brave. I know that I was not the father that you deserved and I am solely to blame for everything that happened to you, but I will ensure your safety for the rest of my life." Mike said before kissing the top of Katie's head. Christine stroked his back, knowing that Mike blamed himself. As much as Katie had to forgive him and trust him again, Mike had to forgive himself.
"But its not your fault." Katie said. Mike was still hugging her and she sniffled into his t-shirt just a bit.
"Thank you for that but its going to take me a while to accept it." Mike remarked.
"I wish you would." Katie commented as she pulled away.
"I'll work on it." Mike replied.
"Mike, you should see the house plans Katie came up with?" Christine suggested, wanting to change the subject.
"Let's look." Mike said as he sat down at the kitchen island and opened the sketchbook. Katie sat down beside him, just as Levi started crying.
"I'll get him." Christine said. She kissed the top of both Katie and Mike's heads before going up to get Levi; knowing both Mike and Katie needed the father, daughter time.