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Chapter 18
Christine had figured out that grief ebbed and flowed. During the day, he was strong and did well enough with the girls. He completely lost it though, a week before the wedding, Katie got sick and quickly came down with pneumonia. She rebounded but it did nothing for Mike's emotional state. Three days before the wedding, Christine checked on Katie and then walked into the bedroom she shared with Mike.
"She is sleeping soundly. The breathing treatments seem to be working like a charm. She should be good to go for the wedding as long as she doesn't over do." Christine explained. She took her earrings off and then squeezed Mike's hand.
"She was really worrying me. When she passed out and hit her head…" Mike remarked. Katie had not been feeling well for a few days, and three days before; had passed out due to lack of oxygen and hit the side of the kitchen table. It had scared both Mike and Christine but Katie was a strong girl.
"Mike, she is strong. In a few days, you'll barely know what happened. It aged us more than it harmed her." Christine said.
"You don't seem phased by it." Mike remarked.
"I am. But, I also have medical training. Even when its my own daughter, I can disassociate to a certain point…just as you could if it was a criminal act. Katie is a strong girl. She had a common chest cold. It was resistant to the antibiotics that she was on, and she passed out. Yes, the hit of the head was not pleasant for us or her, but had we not realized that the antibiotics weren't working, she could have become septic. That would have been harder for her to come back from." Christine explained.
"I remember…turning her and seeing that blood and her lips were turning blue." Mike said. Christine reached over and squeezed his hand.
"Yes. It was hard." Christine agreed. She settled into bed and wrapped her arms around Mike, feeling he needed the physical comfort.
"I am concerned about leaving them after the wedding." Mike admitted. Christine had really been looking forward to the small honeymoon that had been planned, but she also understood Mike's hesitancy.
"We can put off the honeymoon." Christine said.
"I deploy soon." Mike said.
"I know. We can go afterwards. If it would make you feel better to come back home after the wedding, we can. It is probably for the best, anyways. That way we both know Katie is doing well." Christine said before giving Mike a goodnight kiss.
"Thank you." Mike said. He kissed the top of her head and held onto her as tightly as possible.
"Mike; Katie knows about the dreams. She knows she reminds you of Emma. I think she understands why you are treating her the way you are. Her concern is that you will stop loving her because she is Katie, and only love her because of reminding you of Emma." Christine explained.
"I guess I do have to separate the two in my mind, don't I?" Mike asked.
"Mike, do you remember when she was a baby and you would get off work. You never went out for drinks with the guys or to visit your parents. You made a beeline to our apartment because you had missed her throughout the day. It is still one of my favorite memories, watching you with her. You were always the one who could get Katie to really sleep and eat properly." Christine commented.
"You aren't giving yourself enough credit." Mike remarked.
"My point is; you were a new daddy then and Katie had you wrapped around her little finger. Now; you have more experience as a dad. I have no doubt in my mind that you always loved Emma. Right now, Katie is the fixation due to all this grief. Once she starts feeling better; before you do deploy; make a day for you and her. You've been really good with her. She told me the other day she really wanted to do something with you before you left." Christine said.
"This is really important to you, isn't it?" Mike asked.
"It's important to Katie. She really loves you alot, Mike. Yes, I am who she goes to when she doesn't feel good or can't figure out a school assignment, but you will always be her hero." Christine replied. She shut the bedroom light off and settled back into Mike's arms.
"She is a really good daughter." Mike said.
"You should tell her that." Christine replied.
Mike quickly fell asleep. Christine was disappointed about the short getaway they had planned, but she also understood Mike's hesitancy. Katie had been very ill, but was already rebounding. At least he didn't ask to postpone their wedding.