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Chapter 15
Christine woke up in the middle of the night. Mike was crawling into bed next to her. She was a bit surprised because he hadn't been able to give her a 'return date.' She cuddled close and wrapped her arms around him.
"How?" Christine asked.
"We were able to slip in without the media knowing." Mike answered. He had taken his shirt off and Christine focused on his side that was still healing.
"That looks painful." Christine remarked. She traced a finger over it.
"A little. Tell me about the wedding plans?" Mike requested.
"I want small. In our back yard, with the girls and your friends here. I thought you could wear either khakis and a button down or maybe your dress whites or blues. The girls have picked out there dresses and I've picked out mine, but I want to surprise you." Christine said.
"What do I need to do?" Mike asked.
"Plan someone to stay with the girls and a honeymoon for us, even if its here…or at a hotel near here." Christine said.
"Aye, aye. I am tired." Mike said.
"Get to sleep. The girls will be thrilled to see you in the morning." Christine answered.
"Ah-huh." Mike answered. He was quickly falling asleep. Christine reached over and shut the bedside lamp off and gave him a kiss. He was quickly asleep and Christine struggled falling back asleep.
As Christine figured, Mike slept late. Almost ten am, which was highly unusual for him. It was hard to keep Hannah from waking him up. He finally stumbled downstairs, still looking exhausted. He hugged and kissed both girls, holding onto Katie a little longer than he might have normally. They went up to get their schoolbooks and Christine began fixing Mike breakfast. He seemed totally lost.
"Katie's emails really helped." Mike remarked, almost as if he was trying to convince himself that he was okay.
"Good. I wasn't sure what she was even saying. Maybe I should have proofread." Christine replied.
"No need." Mike said as Christine sat the plate of food in front of him.
"Any idea when you go back to work?" Christine asked.
"I have the rest of this week off. Rios insisted. Wants me to undergo some further testing due to not knowing the toxicity of the drug I was given." Mike explained.
"That makes sense. We've been worried about you. Have you had anymore dreams?" Christine asked.
"Yes, but none last night. Maybe I just needed to get home with you all?" Mike remarked as he ate.
"Maybe so." Christine agreed. Just then the girls came downstairs. Christine leaned over and gave Mike a kiss. "When's your appointment? Do I need to be there?" Christine asked.
"Later today. Two o'clock. Probably too short of notice to arrange someone to stay with the girls. I would like for you to be there but I understand." Mike said.
"Oh, ye of little faith." Christine remarked before joining the girls in the homeschool room. She texted a friend who immediately agreed to stay with the girls and help Katie with her math. At one thirty, Christine's friend, Sarah arrived and Mike and Christine were quickly out the door.
Mike had a whole battery of tests and his wound was examined. To Christine, it looked a bit agitated and he was given antibiotics because the doctor was concerned about it becoming infected. At the end of the appointment, the doctor let them know everything came back normal in the bloodwork, but he would want Mike back in, in about six months for another check on his liver and kidneys. He did have to take an additional week off, which Mike was oddly accepting of.
He still wouldn't talk about the dreams, and that worried Christine, but she hoped those stories would come out soon. For the time being, it was just really nice to have Mike home. They could get married again, and he could spend time with the girls.