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Chapter 2

It all went to hell so fast. The kids got out of school and Lucas went to the boy scout camp that Mike was supposed to go to with him. Before he left, Christine read Mike's note to him because Mike had forgotten to not write in cursive. Mike had promised that he would take Lucas on a camping trip when he got back—just the two of them.

The trip would never happen because Lucas had died of some virus that was ravaging pretty much everyone on the planet. Christine was devastated and she knew Mike would be too. She shouldn't have forced Lucas to go. He hadn't wanted to go without Mike. Christine didn't want to be out the fee and she thought the camp would be good for Lucas, who was not a social butterfly like Katie and Hannah.

Too quickly, their house wasn't safe. Christine hated leaving it. Its where Hannah had taken her first steps. Where Katie left for her first day of middle school and where Christine had brought Lucas home from the hospital to. She could still remember Mike getting home from deployment, thinking he needed to bond with a baby girl and changing Lucas' diaper for the first time.

She was glad she had kept Mike's note to Lucas. The girls had theirs and Christine kept the letter to her from Mike on her at all times. That letter would always bring tears to her eyes and would always surprise her. She had practically memorized it.

"Christine,

When you suggested writing letters to the kids, I wanted to take the opportunity to write you one too. You might not even choose to read it.

I told you tonight that I missed you. I know you know that I didn't want the divorce. I didn't fight it hard because I knew how unhappy you were. Now, I wish I had. If I could only go back in time; I would have been the husband you wanted and deserved.

I don't know if there is a go-back on this. I can't even promise I could leave the Navy, but I would be more present for you and the kids. I wouldn't fight date nights so much. You had an endless list of things you wanted before. I can't promise I would even be able to do ten things off that list but I would try.

Maybe when I get back, I can take you out for dinner.

I love you,

Mike."

Everytime Christine read the note, she teared up and now was no different. Except the safe zone was not so safe and she was going to have to come up with a plan fast. Mike had called, and knew about Lucas. She had told him in code where they were but his call had cut out.

So, she packed the girls up and they began walking. They barely were able to take anything but food and blankets. Christine hated leaving the photo album. She had taken a few photos of them all and put them in her pockets. Hopefully, Mike would find the album and keep it with him.

It seemed like they walked for days, but they finally found shelter in a mobile home. It looked abandoned but there was food in the cupboard. It was warm and there was water. They had been there for awhile, when Christine noticed a military-issued Hum-vee coming down the road. She grabbed her jacket and stepped out onto the rickety porch. She noticed two men getting out of the Hum-vee and immediately recognized Mike.

"Mike!" She yelled. He turned and their eyes connected.

"Christine? Where are the girls?" Mike asked as he got to her. She pulled him into a hug and held on as tight as she could.

"Inside. They're okay." Christine said as she pulled away.

"I went to the park and the house. We were going to check the road to the park before going to the ship. Raise your sleeve?" Mike said. He was uncapping a syringe. She complied.

"What is that?" Christine asked.

"The cure." Mike answered. The shot stung but she immediately felt relief.

"So, what now?" Christine asked.

"The girls get inoculated. We load you and the girls up and get you to the ship." Mike explained.

"Me?" Christine asked.

"Assuming you want to?" Mike asked.

"I won't be separated from the girls so yes. I assume it's the safest place for them?" Christine asked.

"It is." Mike answered. He followed her inside and assessed the trailer.

"It was a safe place. Who is outside?" Christine asked.

"Tex. We picked him up at Gitmo. He's a former Marine." Mike said.

"Girls?" Christine yelled towards the bedroom. They came out and Mike gave them both big hugs before giving them both shots, which Hannah was fairly dramatic about. "Some things don't change." Christine remarked as packed up their clothes.

"Yeah, she was not thrilled that it was me giving her the shot instead of a random nurse." Mike remarked as he helped her.

"How…is this going to work? I'm not a dependent anymore." Christine asked.

"I'll figure that out when we get there." Mike said.

"The girls can go though?" Christine asked.

"Yes, but you are going too." Mike said, as if he was reading her mind.

"I have the shot. I would be safe." Christine answered.

"You just said you won't be separated from the girls. You're going. I'll handle the Navy…which is practically non-existent now, later. I don't think Tom will care as long as we're civil." Mike told her.

"Okay." Christine agreed. She caught Mike's arm before he went for the girls. "Mike, I'm sorry about Lucas. I shouldn't have made him go." Christine said.

"I am too, but I do need to get going" Mike said.

"Girls. Time to go." Christine said. She tucked their few family photos into her pockets and followed Mike and the girls out to the Hum-Vee. As she settled into the backseat, she focused on the family album she had pulled the photos out of. It made her smile.