The New Ship
Chapter 25
"Thanks for understanding about the house not being done. You can stay with us until we can get it set up. Grace said she would be happy to help." Mike said as he led Tom through the house.
"Thank you. How's she feeling?" Tom asked.
"Pretty sore and she's hesitant to take anything because of the babies." Mike explained.
"Triplets, I read? How do you feel about that?" Tom asked.
"Right now, I'm just thrilled she's okay…and that they are okay." Mike said.
"I know these babies cannot be a replacement for the three you lost but…it'll help, I think." Tom said.
"Its overwhelming, honestly. And with that media outlet suggesting I was the one who threw Grace down the stairs…" Mike admitted.
"I figured Grace's statement would put that to rest." Tom said as he checked his empty fridge.
"It has for the most part. Some echoes of it but nothing major. One of the media outlets unearthed a police report from way back. Christine also fell down some stairs, I was home. There were suggestions I pushed her down them. She refuted it but the police report does cast a light. In that case–she miscarried a baby. She didn't even know she was pregnant. I don't even know how they found it." Mike admitted.
"That's bull. I saw the way you treated Christine. You worshipped the ground she walked on…and you are the same with Grace." Tom said.
"Well, its the suspicion. I would never, ever hurt a woman like that. Its a slow news week." Mike replied.
"Can I issue a statement? I do remember Christine falling down those stairs. I didn't know she miscarried, though." Tom said.
"She wanted it kept private. The baby would have been an oops baby and she was only about four weeks along." Mike explained.
"This was about a year before we sailed for the Arctic, wasn't it?" Tom asked.
"Yeah." Mike answered as he fiddled with a light.
"You and Christine really started having issues then?" Tom remarked.
"We did. She refuted that I pushed her down the steps but I suspect she wasn't so sure. I was behind her and we had been arguing. But…no, I would have never done that." Mike said.
"I'll issue a statement. Unfortunately, the one person who could help you, isn't here. And I also know, Christine would have never stayed with you if she truly suspected you of that. She was no doormat." Tom said.
"Its just the stain of it, and if it'll harm her career." Mike remarked.
"We'll see." Tom answered.
"How are you doing with your break-up?" Mike asked.
"Its actually went better than I thought. And Sam texted me last night. Made my day." Tom said.
"I encouraged them to get in touch." Mike replied.
"Its going to take some time, I think." Tom said. He followed Mike out of the house and locked up.
"One step at a time." Mike replied. They walked into his house and was greeted by Liv, wearing a purple cowboy hat, rainbow leotards, a neon green tutu and a bathrobe. "Liv, what are you wearing?" Mike asked.
"My first day outfit." Liv said.
"You're paying for your raising." Tom commented with a laugh.
"No doubt. Liv, where's your mom?" Mike asked.
"She has a headache. She's in your bedroom. Its dark in there." Liv replied.
"Normal with a concussion." Tom remarked.
"Yeah. I'm gonna go up and check on her. Make yourself at home. Liv, behave yourself, please." Mike said.
"I'll keep an eye on her." Tom said. Liv responded by sticking her tongue out at Tom.
"In advance, sorry." Mike said as he headed up the stairs. He walked into the bedroom he shared with Grace and slipped his shoes off before climbing in next to her. The drapes were drawn and she roused slightly.
"The kids?" Grace asked weakly.
"Eli is with your dad and Liv is auditioning for Next Top Model. Tom said he would keep an eye on her." Mike said.
"Oh, they're a match. I hate migraines." Grace remarked.
"Its the stress." Mike replied.
"Hey…your record will stand for itself. Christine refuted you pushing her down the stairs in that report and I can prove you weren't home with me. You are starting to doubt yourself." Grace said before giving him a gentle kiss.
"Christine used to have migraines. Showering helped." Mike remarked with a laugh.
"I would normally take you up on that. One of us should be a good host to Tom. You could give me a massage though?" Grace suggested.
"Gladly." Mike agreed. He helped Grace sit up and began massaging her shoulders.
"Mike–I was going through some stuff in the closet earlier. I found that book over there on the nightstand. I didn't read much but I think its Christine's journal." Grace said as she pointed at the leatherbound journal. There was a whole box of them that Mike could not read.
"Yeah. I've never been able to read it." Mike said.
"Maybe you would feel some closure?" Grace suggested. She reached up and patted his hand. "Look–I didn't read much, but Christine was definitely in love with you. She might have been disillusioned and lonely, but she lived for the day you retired. If you had pushed her down those stairs and caused her to miscarry…she would have not been so in love with you. Read the passage I marked." Grace said.
"Okay." Mike agreed.
"I am going to rest. I love you, Mike." Grace replied before giving him a long kiss.
"I love you too." Mike said. He kissed her again and smiled as she settled back into bed. He tucked the blankets around her and headed downstairs with the book. Liv was watching a movie and Tom was occupied in his bedroom, so Mike settled in his chair and opened the notebook to the passage Grace had marked.
"July 8th, 2012,
Today Mike and I fought about him taking the garbage out. Pretty routine argument for us but I was walking down the porch steps with the garbage, tripped and landed on my belly. Mike immediately came to my aid and took me to the hospital because my stomach was really hurting. The doctors reported it to the police because Mike told them he was behind me when I fell.
So, now the police are threatening to report it to NCIS about Mike pushing me down the stairs. I wrote out a statement that Mike hadn't pushed me…I tripped on a baseball Lucas left out. I don't think they believe me, but I know Mike would have never ever done something like that.
Worse yet, I was pregnant. Very early on and I miscarried. I didn't even know I was pregnant. Mike genuinely feels badly. Even though we had decided we weren't having more kids, it hurts. That baby could have drawn Mike and I closer. I'm trying to not show Mike how badly it hurts.
Most people think he is cold and unfeeling. I know better. He's a big teddy bear with the kids and with me, he has been so careful and protective. At least last night, he slept next to me. That hadn't happened in a long time. He wrapped his arms around me and it reminded me of the old times. Maybe we can find a way back to each other. In any case–I love him still and I know he would never ever hurt me."
The journal entry brought tears to Mike's eyes. He remembered the time well and for a while; he and Christine were closer. They talked and communicated better. And right up to the time that he left for the Arctic, he slept next to her every night.