Navy Wives
Chapter 17-Darien Chandler
"So, any idea when Tom is supposed to be back?" Christine asked Darien.
"I honestly was hoping you'd know. That Mike might have said?" Darien remarked.
"Mike is pretty closed-mouthed about work. He just doesn't talk about it." Christine replied. The kids were playing a board game together and Christine and Darien were sitting in the bedroom area. Christine and Darien had both resolved to stay out of the crew's way as much as possible.
"I'm glad he can stay on board. I never thought Tom was off-ship so much." Darien said.
"Its a brave, new world. I would say a lot of the old rules don't apply anymore." Christine said.
"He's…different. Colder. Doesn't talk. And when he does, it's Dr. Scott this and Dr. Scott that." Darien remarked quietly.
"Its been a bad few months. Hard for us, harder for them." Christine replied.
"Do you think he's attracted to her?" Darien asked. Christine looked away for a minute and Darien could tell she was choosing her words.
"I think she is a very attractive woman who would catch any man's eye. And she's brilliant. But very cold and aloof. Her bedside manner stinks. I also know Tom. He loves you. The bottom line is, you are his wife. He doesn't want the grief of a divorce." Christine said quietly.
"The difference between Tom and I and you and Mike is–despite all of your issues, you and Mike still love each other and you have passion. Despite everything. And that is something I have always been jealous of." Darien admitted.
"Jealous of Mike and I?" Christine asked.
"Yes. He was absolutely heart-broken when you were sedated. Crushed, disillusioned, scared. You name it. And I suspect, had you not made it; he would have never been able to do this anymore." Darien said; indicating the ship.
"Tom would be the same with you." Christine said.
"No. Tom would…not show emotion. No grief. He would shove it down. From Mike, I saw genuine pain. And despite…all the stuff, he was lost. To Tom, I am simply his wife. I organize events, keep the house up, make sure the kids are perfectly behaved. To Mike, you are his bride. You may have cheated. He may have cheated. But you are still devoted to one another." Darien replied.
"It is easy to become complacent. That is what happened to Mike and I and we still have things to work out. Right now, we are just co-existing. Sleeping in the same bed. Talking some but not about the important stuff. And we have a huge hurdle to get over. We've lost a child. And someday, Mike will blame me for that. There is no romanticizing that." Christine replied.
"He might not." Darien said.
"Lucas was the son Mike wanted so badly. Sure, he loves Katie and Hannah very deeply. When a person waits so patiently for something they want that badly, then they lose it…it is inevitable, they have to blame someone. And where Lucas is concerned, that is me. I just hope and pray I am back on my feet before Mike starts looking for someone to blame." Christine said, staring into space.
"Don't lose faith in him." Darien replied.
"Likewise. Don't lose faith in Tom. He has been away for months at a time and never did anything. And now, you're here. I don't think he is as tempted as you might believe." Christine replied. Darien nodded but figured Christine was living in a dream world. There was no way Tom wasn't attracted to Rachel Scott.