Navy Wives
Chapter 13-Christine Slattery
Christine felt like she had a heavy blanket on her body. It made it difficult to move, but she felt incredibly cold. She felt hazy and it was like she was underwater. She felt someone rubbing her arm and thought the hand felt like Mike's. Big and strong hands. Inwardly, she smiled because she had seen those same hands cradle a newborn baby.
"Hey there…how do you feel?" Mike asked.
"Oh…so tired and cold." Christine remarked.
"Is that normal?" Mike asked someone else.
"I would say her body is readjusting. After running such a high fever, it may have short fused her body's thermostat." The lady with the British accent said.
"Feel like I've been in labor for days." Christine remarked. It was the only comparison she could think of and Mike chuckled.
"Except your labors were always very short." Mike teased.
"Do you feel short of breath?" The woman asked.
"My chest just feels heavy." Christine said.
"How's the pulse ox?" Mike asked.
"Staying steady at 90. Its not great but we can keep her on a nasal cannula." Rios said. Christine recognized him from before.
"What about her pulse and blood pressure? Temperature?" The doctor asked, rather impatiently.
"Pulse is 83, blood pressure is on the low side…100/62. Temperature is a manageable 99.3 degrees." Rios listed.
"Blood pressure always low." Christine said.
"Alright; give her Tylenol for the fever. I don't want that creeping back up." The doctor said. Christine had already decided she didn't like her.
"Just so tired." Christine remarked.
"I would say that's normal." Rios said.
"The girls?" Christine asked Mike.
"They are okay. Recovering. They're with Darien now. Once you've gotten some rest; I'll bring them by." Mike promised.
"I'm so cold." Christine said.
"Yes, you've said." The female said.
"I have some blankets warmed up. Over there, Commander; could you please grab one?" Rios asked.
"Of course." Mike said as he stepped away. A moment later he walked back with a blanket. He and Rios put it over Christine and tucked it around her. It did feel good, but Christine knew it would cool down.
"As you get to feeling better, we'll get you dressed in something warmer than a hospital gown." Rios said.
"I want out of here. With the girls." Christine said.
"That is going to be awhile." The doctor said.
"But in the meantime; I will bring them to visit." Mike said.
"Mrs. Chandler would like to visit?" Rios asked.
"Absolutely. And Dr. Reynolds. Once I bring the girls the first time; they can visit with Darien or Dr. Reynolds. I just want to bring the girls here first in case they have questions." Mike said.
"It won't help to have so many visitors." The doctor said.
"Please" Christine begged.
"She can have as many visitors as you allow, Rios." Mike said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
"Yes, Sir." Rios replied. A moment later both the doctor and Rios left Mike and Christine alone and Christine sighed.
"Now…how are you really feeling?" Mike asked.
"Just very tired and weak. Cold." Christine asked.
"You should sleep." Mike replied as he tucked another blanket around her.
"Mike…I love you." Christine said.
"I love you too." Mike answered. He leaned down and kissed her forehead and touched her arm.
"You need to go to work, don't you?" Christine asked.
"For awhile. You get some rest. Rios will call me if you need me. I will bring the girls to see you this afternoon." Mike answered.
"Are you in trouble for having me on board?" Christine asked.
"No. Since Darien is on board, not a lot can be said about my wife being on board." Mike replied.
"Except, we were legally separated." Christine said.
"But still legally married, making you a dependent." Mike replied as he stroked Christine's hair.
"Mike; thank you." Christine said.
"You just get to feeling better, okay?" Mike requested.
"I will." Christine replied. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
"I have to go to work but you sleep and I'll bring the girls to see you this afternoon." Mike said.
"Aye, aye." Christine replied. He squeezed her hand again before leaving the room. Christine went to sleep quickly enough. A couple times, Rios checked on her. He never meant to wake her but at least he was gentle and nice. Not like the British doctor. She fell back asleep, and the next she knew; she heard Mike talking to the girls in a very low voice.
"Hey." Christine said.
"Mom!" Hannah said as she patted her hand.
"Feel better?" Mike asked.
"Still cold and feel weak. Could I have some water?" Christine asked. Mike immediately grabbed a water bottle and helped her sit up to drink.
"Mom; we need to wash your hair." Katie remarked.
"Ah…yeah; I'll figure that out." Mike replied.
"I'm sure I look pretty rough." Christine said.
"You're fine." Mike replied.
"When can you come back to Dad's quarters? Aunt Darien watches us while Dad works but we miss you." Katie asked.
"Soon, I hope." Christine remarked. She was glad Darien was caring for her daughters.
"Dr. Reynolds has been here nearly every day with you. She sat with you all night last night so I could be with the girls." Mike explained.
"Who is the British doctor?" Christine asked.
"That would be Dr. Scott. She came up with the cure and she's brilliant but…she is different." Mike remarked. Christine could tell Mike wasn't a huge fan of Dr. Scott's.
"Her bedside manner could use some work…but Rios has been great." Christine replied.
"Good." Mike said. He helped Hannah sit down on Christine's very narrow bed and Hannah cuddled up. "She's really been missing you. They both have." Mike said.
"I'll get to the quarters as quick as possible." Christine replied.
"Its like a constant sleepover with just us and Dad right now." Katie said. Katie loved her personal space.
"I think its fun…other than Dad snores." Hannah remarked.
"The girls are sleeping on a pull-out couch in my office and I'm still in my bed." Mike explained.
"Where's Mom gonna sleep?" Hannah asked.
"Probably with me." Mike answered simply. Katie narrowed her eyes at her parents.
"Does that mean…?" Katie started to ask.
"It just means it's a necessity and your mom has to be monitored. Right now is not exactly the right time to sort out marital issues." Mike replied. Christine noticed the crestfallen look on Katie's face.
"I just thought that you might…" Katie remarked.
"Katie, it's okay. It'll give your dad and I a chance to talk. The chips will fall where they will. I will just be glad to be with the both of you and your dad too." Christine said. She could tell Katie was mildly disappointed and aggravated at her parents but she was surprised Mike wasn't picking up on it. He had always been very intune to Katie's moods. Christine had scolded him for coddling Katie many times. Now, he seemed indifferent.
"Girls, your mom is probably getting tired. Let's let her rest? Christine; I'll see if I can find someone to wash your hair. I'll be back this evening." Mike said. Both girls gave Christine a hug and kiss.
"Girls, can you give your dad and I a moment?" Christine asked.
Mike nodded at the girls and stuck his head out of the room to ask a crewmember to take the girls back to his quarters.
"What's wrong?" Mike asked.
"Is Katie okay?" Christine asked.
"She is recovering. Night time is rough because of the asthma. She coughs a lot and doesn't sleep well. Dr. Scott says she needs to cough it all up out of her lungs." Mike explained.
"Mike–you've always been Katie's person. I've never heard you talk
to her like that. She adores you. Just tread carefully. All she wants is us back together. I agree, this isn't the right time or place but she shouldn't be made to feel like she can't wish something like that." Christine explained.
"Alright, I'll talk to her." Mike replied.
"Just remember; she absolutely adores you. Frankly, I've always been a bit jealous of your relationship with her." Christine said.
"I'd better get back to the girls. You'll rest some more?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. I am tired." Christine admitted.
"I'll tell Darien and Dr. Reynolds they can visit. I just wanted to be the one to bring the girls down here first, so if they had questions; it was me they asked." Mike explained as he pulled the blankets up to cover Christine a bit better.
"Mike; thank you." Christine said as she squeezed his hand.
"Just get to feeling better. I don't particularly like seeing you like this." Mike said. He bent down and kissed her cheek before leaving her. Christine settled back and began willing herself to sleep. But she was too worried about Mike and the girls.