Navy Wives
Chapter 23-Darien Chandler
"I think I'm going to check on Christine and the girls. Can you stay with the kids for a bit?" Darien asked Tom.
"I can but it's probably not a good idea. Today is Lucas' birthday. Mike asked for it off, even before he was shot." Tom said.
"Oh…I'd lost track of the days." Darien said, felling like a horrible friend.
"I wouldn't have realized it but he specifically mentioned the birthday and asked to not be disturbed. I think the only person who has seen them is Bacon and he is pretty tight-lipped." Tom said.
"The first birthday must be incredibly difficult." Darien remarked.
"I can't imagine any birthday will be easy, but this one will be harder because they can't even have a version of their regular birthday traditions. And now; Mike and Christine are both recovering." Tom replied.
"I wonder if they need us to keep the girls for them?" Darien asked.
"We can check, but I would not be shocked if they want the girls close. This can't be easy for the girls either." Tom commented.
"Should we ask?" Darien asked, chewing on her bottom lip. Usually, it was not Tom she looked to for social cues.
"You won't feel right if we don't. Just be prepared that they will probably not want to part with the girls today." Tom said, before looking at their two kids. "We'll be right back." Tom said. Darien followed him down the p-way, until they got to Mike's cabin. Tom rapped on the the door and finally, Mike answered it; looking rather agitated.
"Since Darien is you, I assume its not an emergency?" Mike asked.
"Not at all. Darien and I were wondering if you want us to look after the girls. Its okay if you don't. We just thought maybe you and Christine might want some time to…" Tom asked and then stopped himself.
"To talk or whatever you needed to do." Darien finished. Just then Christine and the girls came out and Darien immediately noted that her eyes were red-rimmed. She gave her a hug.
"Girls? Do you want to go with Aunt Darien and Uncle Tom? Maybe get some fresh air?" Christine suggested, surprising both Tom and Darien. They both felt like they should do something, but they weren't sure what something was. Katie and Hannah exchanged a look and then looked at their parents.
"We will be alright if you want to go for a while." Mike told them.
"You can come back whenever you'd like." Tom told the girls.
"Are you sure?" Katie asked Mike. Darien had always admired the relationship Mike and Katie had.
"We'll be alright. You girls should go and have some fun." Mike said. Darien could tell Katie was struggling with leaving her parents and Hannah would follow Katie's lead. Mike seemed to sense that too. He leaned down and kissed Katie's forehead and squeezed Hannah's shoulder. "You girls should go. We will be okay, I promise." Mike said.
"Yes, we will. Go play some games or something. Your dad will call when we need you back." Christine said as she hugged both girls.
"Don't hesitate to call.' Tom said.
"Don't hesitate to bring them back." Mike replied. He hugged both girls and opened the door for them.
Ashley and Sam got a board game going with Katie and Hannah but they were definitely distracted and Darien knew they were worried about Mike and Christine. After Katie lost at the board game and Tom had to go to the bridge; Darien settled next to Katie on the couch.
"I think you are more worried about your mom and dad, then you're grieving." Darien remarked.
"I miss Lucas but I know Mom and Dad are really having a hard time." Katie replied.
"I cannot imagine what they're going through." Darien said.
"I can't either but they seem to be leaning on each other." Katie replied.
"You want that." Darien said.
"It isn't a secret that I wanted them back together but I want it to be right for them." Katie said.
"Katie; your parents love you dearly. Your dad, despite how sad he is about Lucas, still smiles when he sees you and your mom and you have gotten closer. I think Lucas would have wanted that. He would have wanted your parents comforted by you and Hannah." Darien said.
"It doesn't feel like enough." Katie remarked.
"It is way more than you think. Way more." Darien said as she squeezed Katie's knee. She had no wisdom to impart. That was Leah's thing. All she could do was support them.