Navy Wives

Chapter 12-Leah Reynolds

Because Leah had medical training; she was drafted to help in the sick bay, which meant she was responsible for Christine's care. She knew there was an ongoing discussion on keeping her sedated and intubated. It gave her body time to heal, but it was tapping precious supplies.

She didn't envy Mike. He was left with an impossible decision. If they took the sedative off, Christine could die. Or she could live but would take an incredible amount of time to heal. What bothered him was that his decision was being forced. Leah had just finished giving Christine a bed bath and was working on turning her slightly when Mike came in.

"Hello. I don't believe we've met. I'm Dr. Leah Reynolds. Christine and I had struck up a bit of a friendship." Leah said.

"Katie told me. Thank you for talking to her and for what you're doing for Christine." Mike said as he shook her hand.

"Her pulse ox is almost 90 today and has held steady." Leah said.

"Good…Tom is ordering her off the sedatives as of 0800 tomorrow. I'll be here when they shut the sedatives off, just in case…" Mike said.

"Can he do that?" Leah asked.

"He's the Captain. We technically aren't supposed to bring civilians on board, especially one as ill as Christine. On paper, I understand his decision. And he made it for me, so that I wouldn't have to." Mike replied.

"He's made himself into the bad guy." Leah remarked.

"Yeah." Mike said as he smoothed Christine's hair down.

"You love her, don't you?" Leah asked.

"I never stopped. I didn't want the divorce. Now I'm facing something far worse than a divorce. And I can't imagine my life without her in it in some capacity." Mike replied.

"How long have you been married?" Leah asked.

"Seventeen years. But…we started dating in high school and we'd been friends far longer than that." Mike said.

"The girls haven't been to the sick bay to visit. Perhaps they should visit before tomorrow?" Leah suggested gently.

"I don't want this to be their last memory of her. I want them to remember her as someone who was vital and full of energy." Mike replied.

"Sir…if the worst happens; they need a chance to say goodbye to their mother." Leah said.

"Maybe Katie but Hannah is so young." Mike said.

"I'll respect your wishes but I think hearing their voices might help Christine." Leah said.

"Do you think she can hear us?" Mike asked.

"I think so." Leah answered. She watched Mike stroking Christine's hair and straightening the blanket and decided to bring up the diary. "So…I also was counseling Christine a bit. She had a lot of unresolved feelings where your marriage was concerned. I gave her a journal to write in. The entries are like letters to you." Leah said.

"I wonder where it is?" Mike said.

"All of our belongings are being stored in the helo bay." Leah said.

"Even Christine's?" Mike asked.

"Yes, I believe so." Leah answered.

"I may go find that journal. And I will think about bringing the girls down to see Christine before…" Mike said as his eyes darted back to Christine's face.

Mike was obviously a very strong person. He didn't show a lot of emotion and probably less-so to Leah. But even Leah could see he was struggling with the idea that he may lose Christine.

"She loves you too." Leah said as she patted Mike's shoulder and left him with Christine.

It was no wonder that Darien Chandler was so jealous of Mike and Christine's relationship. Besides the passion; Mike and Christine were very devoted to one another. Sure, they had both had affairs, but Leah suspected it was out of boredom and quite possibly never sleeping with another individual. They wanted to test the waters. She went to the mess hall and smiled when she saw Russ.

"Hello!" Leah said. She wanted to kiss Russ but knew PDA on the ship was strictly prohibited…but there were exceptions.

"Hello. Are you done for today?" Rios asked.

"Yes. Rios and a female crewmember took over Christine's care." Leah said. Her plate was being filled up and handed to her.

"I heard the sedatives will be shut down at 0800. I'm sure the XO will be there." Russ said as they settled with their plates.

"He's devastated." Leah remarked.

"I'm sure… and those poor girls." Russ said.

"Darien has been caring for them." Leah remarked.

"The only thing we can do now, is pray for all involved. And hope that Christine can maintain without the sedative." Russ replied. He squeezed her hand under the table.