Home for Christmas
Chapter 1
Mike settled into his recliner and turned on a football game that he had DVR'd. It was Christmas Eve. He had finally retired, and this was the first Christmas that he hadn't been deployed or had some sort of festivity. It was lonely. He had bought a huge ham and would be baking it the next day. It was stupid to prepare such a big meal for himself, but he had to do something. His housekeeper, Rosa had put a tree up and decorated it with ornaments her kids had made for him. The gesture was sweet enough. He had taught her oldest boy, Carlos how to throw his football and the kids had taken a shine to him. It didn't solve missing his own kids though; or his wife. Six years later, he missed them desperately.
He wasn't really watching the football game; his beer had become lukewarm and he had smoked his cigar. Rosa and her kids had gotten him presents and they were under the tree, along with instructions not to open them until Christmas morning. Gabby, Rosa's daughter; had let it slip that she had picked him out a new coffee cup. He had also bought Christmas presents for his kids and Christine, as he had done for the past six years.
About seven, he passed out in the chair. He spent most of his nights sleeping in the recliner. The nights were too lonely to sleep in bed. He always ended up missing Christine too much. He didn't have nightmares when he slept in the recliner. He also had a bedroom with two double sized beds set up for his daughters, Katelyn and Hannah. Rosa never said anything, just changed the sheets weekly and made sure it looked and smelled good. She had it decorated to suite girls his daughter's ages. Katelyn had been fourteen and Hannah had been nine. They would be twenty and fifteen now. Driving him crazy with nose rings and boyfriends that weren't good enough for them.
At nine, the doorbell rang, and Mike woke up. He was groggy and couldn't figure out who it was. He didn't see a car parked in the driveway and couldn't see anyone in the living room windows. He walked into the entryway and saw a woman and a couple kids standing on the porch. He wouldn't have been shocked if Rosa and her kids showed up on Christmas Eve, so he swung the door open. The woman on the other side looked like Christine. He was beginning to wonder if he was dreaming.
"Mike? We are…cold…can we come in?" Christine asked.
"This…isn't a dream?" Mike asked.
"No." Christine stated simply and then gave him a huge smile. He looked towards the kids and smiled. Katelyn, Hannah…and three other younger kids he didn't recognize. Christine cleared her throat and he quit daydreaming.
"Right, come in." Mike said as he let them in. Christine began helping the younger kids take their boots, gloves, hats and coats off. They were wearing warm clothes under all that but still seemed cold.
"I was on my way to you, but my car broke down about a mile from here. I finally found your address and…wanted to get here for Christmas. My cellphone…was shut off last month so I couldn't call you…" Christine explained as she tidied coats and shoes up. The kids were dancing around trying to get warm.
"Uh…go in there, I have a fire going…" Mike told the kids, who all ran for the living room. The older two girls were strangely quiet but followed. "Chris…I…I'm thrilled you're here…I have so many questions…first, who are those kids? I know Katelyn and Hannah but where did the younger three come from?" Mike asked. Christine smiled again and took both his hands in her own.
"I should have told you…I was just so angry. I was pregnant with triplets. I got myself and the girls away from Deer Park because there were rumors of Immunes. I found an abandoned farm in Arkansas and had the triplets. Time just kind of sped by. I managed to get the kids and myself through everything. As soon as I found your address and got the car…semi working, I made my way for you. I am sorry. If you are too angry…can the kids at least get warmed up first?" Christine asked. Mike let loose of her hands and pulled her into a massive hug.
"I've missed you all so much. So much." Mike said as he cried into Christine's shoulder. He didn't know where the tears come from, but he felt Christine rubbing his back. He could hear the kids talking in the living room and snapped back into action. "Their names?" Mike asked.
"The boy's name is Tucker and the girls are Chloe and Rebecca. Chloe is wearing the purple shirt and Becky is next to Hannah." Christine explained as they pulled apart and walked to the living room door.
"Katelyn and Hannah seemed…quiet?" Mike asked quietly.
"They're hungry. The kids…the triplets ate lunch, but the girls and I haven't eaten since breakfast and it wasn't much." Christine admitted.
"I have…my housekeeper keeps me supplied in casseroles. She is afraid I would exist on…bad food. They're in the freezer…the chicken parmesan one is my favorites and I took it out earlier for lunch tomorrow." Mike explained as he guided her into the kitchen. The casserole was almost thawed, and he turned the oven on to bake it.
"You have a beautiful home, Mike. This kitchen…is perfect." Christine said as she looked around.
"Thanks…I hope it'll be your home now too. Dammit! I don't have anything for the triplets and…not enough for the girls and…" Mike said with a weird look on his face. He felt horribly, and Christine started laughing.
"How about, put that in. Its going to take an hour to get cooked thoroughly. You and I can go and grab some stuff for the kids. The Wal-Mart said they would be open until eleven." Christine said.
"That'll work." Mike agreed, and Christine jumped up and walked into the living room. He followed her after putting the casserole in the oven and setting the timer.
"Katie, can you watch the kids for a bit? Dad wants to get some more stuff for Christmas. He put a casserole in the oven and it can come out in about an hour." Christine asked.
"Okay. Can we watch a movie?" Katelyn asked, and Mike grabbed the remote and found some kid appropriate movies for her.
"Sure. If we aren't home, you guys can go ahead and eat. Also, I have a bedroom set up for you and Hannah but didn't know about the triplets. I have another bedroom that'll work for Chloe and Rebecca and then the guestroom can work for Tucker. Your room is the first one up the stairs, the guestroom is next to it and the other room is across from yours. I would really like to give you all hugs and kisses before bed." Mike told the two older girls. He noticed the look between the two of them before they launched themselves at him.
"Why wait?" Hannah asked as she hugged him. It made Mike laugh as he kissed both of his daughters and winked at Christine.
"No reason. I've missed you both so much." Mike told them.
"We've missed you too." Katelyn said as she kissed his cheek.
"I hate to break this up, but we really need to get going. Girls, I just pulled in our luggage. I wouldn't mind if the triplets were in their pajamas when we got home." Christine stated, and both girls nodded. There were two smaller sized suitcases and that was all. He pulled away from both girls and followed Christine out.
"Is there anything else in that car?" Mike asked. He could tell that Christine had been in dire financial shape.
"No, that's all we have." Christine told him as they got in his truck.
"Alright…uh…your car? How bad is it?" Mike asked.
"I…it doesn't have heat and I think the transmission went. Its about a mile from here. I am pretty sure it will need to be towed." Christine admitted, obviously ashamed.
"I'll take care of it. Prepare to be spoiled." Mike said as he passed the beater car. He got to the Wal-Mart and Christine began shopping. Before he realized it, two carts were filled, and he began filling the third. Everything the kids needed and more stuff then they could dream of having. They got checked out and there was a table set up with gift wrappers. It benefitted a group home for developmentally disabled people and they wrapped everything up. While Christine was waiting, Mike slipped away and bought her a Christmas present, a diamond ring to go along with her wedding band and engagement ring. It was the perfect size. He purchased it and put it in a gift bag and wrote Christine's name on the tag. It was easily snuck in with the other gifts. He had bought her clothing and other items, but he wanted her to have something special.
The back cab of Mike's truck was absolutely filled to the top. He was thankful the store had been open so late and had gotten some extra groceries. He wasn't sure what to do about Rosa and her kids but would figure that out later. They pulled into his house and he locked the truck. Mike would play Santa after the kids went to sleep. When he and Christine walked in, all four kids were in their pajamas. Christine went into the kitchen and got the casserole out while the older two girls set the table. Mike was glad that Rosa had insisted he had a set of dishes. He normally ate off paper plates. He had carried the groceries in and they began eating. The triplets weren't picky and ate every bite and Christine remarked several times that she needed Rosa to give her cooking lessons. The casserole was demolished, which made Mike realize how many meals Christine and their older daughters had skipped. They would never have to worry about food again.
The triplets settled easily in their assigned bedrooms and Mike was able to tuck them in. They were still warming up to him, but it would be a process for all. Mike didn't tuck the older girls in but got plenty of hugs and kisses. They seemed to love the bedroom that Rosa had so carefully decorated for them and settled quickly. Christine cleaned the kitchen while Mike carried in the many presents.
By midnight, he and Christine were finally settled in his bed. He would have no nightmares that night. It could have been a romantic night, but Christine was exhausted. It just felt good to hold her and not think of all the bad scenarios. They would wake up the next day and figure out the rest of their lives. For now, they just wanted to sleep in each other's arms.
A short, maybe two-chapter Christmas story. I know there might be questions with this one, but I wanted it to be short and happy. Love the reviews. Merry Christmas.