Christmas Surprise
Chapter 2
Mike picked a store that not only had groceries but clothing and personal items. Getting Christine and the girls to pick anything out though was like pulling teeth. He and Christine would have to come back and get things for the girls at a later time. He got a cart full of groceries, soap and shampoo, toothpaste and brushes, combs and deodorant. Christine finally relented in getting a coat and got all three of them underclothes and socks. They had the clothes on their backs and that was it. He just had no idea how to shop for them when they refused to pick anything out.
They got the groceries and supplies paid for and in the truck. The girls had been eyeing a street cart that was selling hot chocolate and pretzels. Knowing it would be awhile before they ate; he got them both a cup of hot cocoa and pretzels. He got both him and Christine a cup of coffee and she practically sucked hers down and was eyeing his.
"I haven't had coffee in so long."
"Take mine. It doesn't have the creamer or sugar in it though. I have coffee at the house by the way and I did get another container of it."
"Okay."
The ride was mostly quiet other than the girls exclaiming over the Christmas lights. He had also gotten cough and cold medicine. Christine's cough was worrying him and she was almost skin and bones. Her shoes had holes in them and her clothes were threadbare. The girls looked a lot better but he was looking forward to spoiling the three of them. He was thinking about asking Sasha and Kara to help him. It was three days before Christmas and they were all off work, he would figure out sizes when he did their laundry. They finally pulled into his driveway and he could tell Christine and the girls were shocked.
"Mike, this place is beautiful. It's yours?"
"It's government provided. Tom lives next door and a young family I know pretty well from the Nathan James is on the other side. It isn't decorated at all so please don't judge that. I'd like to make it into more of a home, with your help of course." Christine nodded and the girls were almost shaking with excitement. He could sense how nervous Christine seemed. It was heartbreaking. He unlocked the door for them and the girls were immediately enthralled with it. Mike turned the heat up and started carrying bags of groceries and supplies in. Christine was taking them up the small flight of stairs into the kitchen.
"I'll cook something for dinner. Nice kitchen." Mike nodded at her and continued carrying the many bags in. Sasha had come outside apparently looking for Tom. It had surprised her to see Mike but no Tom.
"He's back at the soup kitchen. Miller and Wolf are giving him a ride home. I had a family emergency come up."
"Mike, what kind of family emergency could you have? And it involves groceries?"
"Christine and my girls were there. Hannah was worried that since we left early; she wouldn't get to eat. I do need some help."
"Mike, I'm so happy for you! But you seem conflicted?"
"I'm happy. I tried to get them some clothes at the store. Aside from underclothes, socks and a coat for Christine, they wouldn't let me get anything. I'm going to have to force it because they have what's on their backs and that's it. I need help getting what they need and I don't think Christine will help much. She seems nervous."
"Or ashamed? I'm not saying she did anything wrong but she probably didn't like you finding them how you did. She may be afraid of what you think. As far as the shopping is concerned, I'm more than happy to do it. Just need your card and their sizes. Your house isn't exactly set up either."
"Yeah, I have a lengthy list."
"How about this? You spend time with them and Kara and I will go shopping. This will be fun."
"You haven't met them, how do you know what they'll like?"
"How old are the girls?"
"Caroline is sixteen and Hannah's eleven."
"Not hard to figure out what they'll like. Given the situation they'll be thrilled with everything. Christine maybe harder to figure out."
"She's pretty basic. Right now, she's thrilled because I have coffee."
"Well you'd better get back in there and enjoy your time with them. I'll text Kara and tell her what's going on. Have those sizes to me by eight. We'll keep a couple outfits out for them but the rest we'll wrap for Christmas."
"Thanks."
Sasha nodded at him and headed inside. Mike carried the rest of the bags in and immediately noticed the delicious smells coming from the kitchen. Christine had always been a phenomenal cook and he had missed her many delicious dishes. The girls were in the living room looking at the Christmas tree.
"If you girls want to start decorating that; go for it. I just hadn't yet."
The girls both went to work and Mike headed into the kitchen. Christine was making chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. He had figured she would fix something fast but his mouth was watering.
"Do you need any help?"
"No. I've missed cooking like this."
"I've missed eating like this. I'm going to get the extra bedroom set up for the girls. I only have a double bed in there. I have another bedroom so they'll have their own but it's not got any furniture. I hope they're okay sharing?"
"They'll be fine. It's going to feel good to sleep in a warm house and bed. The fact that they have to sleep in the same bed won't be a problem."
"Okay. If you want, I can sleep on the couch. I'd prefer to be in with you but I don't want you to feel pressured. I know things were rough before I left for the Arctic and…"
"Mike, can we just move forward? I was horrible when you called and when I told you about Lucas. And I should have been more supportive of you before you left. I was a horrible wife to you and you deserved better. I've missed you so much and I love you."
"I love you too. I missed you and I do want to move on from all that. I want you girls to get settled in. We'll work everything out."
Mike pulled Christine into a hug and kissed her. While not particularly passionate, it didn't need to be. She pulled away and turned back to her cooking. The double bed had a heating mattress pad on it and he turned it on and made the bed so that it would be extremely warm for the girls. He normally shut the bedroom door because it didn't make sense to heat it. Once he got bedroom furniture for the other room; he would paint if the girls wanted it. He was ready for the townhouse to become a home.
The girls were setting the dining room table and Christine was plating the food. He helped her finish up and got the girls settled down. The girls were thrilled with the big meal and Christine was in her element. After the delicious meal was devoured, Mike got shirts out for the girls to wear to bed and set one out for Christine along with a pair of sweats. He washed dishes with Caroline while Christine helped Hannah with her shower and took her own. It gave him a chance to talk to Caroline. She had always been quiet, preferring to read and she had become a very old soul. It made his heart hurt for her. He decided to take the opportunity to figure out what she wanted for Christmas.
"So, Christmas is in a couple days. What do you want?"
"Books?"
"Anything else? You need clothes so that is going to happen. Anything specific? What about your bedroom? You and Hannah will be sharing until I get some more furniture but you'll have your own room. I can paint and we can make it how you want."
"Surprise me. Something pretty. I don't want bright fluorescent colors. Something grown up."
"It's painted a cream color. Do you want it repainted?"
"No, that sounds fine. You don't have to do anything special though, Daddy."
"You deserve it. I've missed you, so much."
"I've missed you too. Can I have a chair to read in and book shelves, please?"
"Of course." Mike pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. He was already planning on putting in for shore duty. He couldn't miss out on anything else with them. Hannah came out and handed Mike her clothes to be washed. He made note of her sizes and texted them to Sasha and what Caroline's requests were. He would handle the furniture the next day. He had also texted Rios to see if he was willing to give Christine and both girls a general exam. He was worried about Christine's cough and the fact that both girls were so small for their ages. They all needed to put weight on but more than that; they needed to feel safe. That was going to be harder to accomplish.
Mike managed to get the sizes for Christine and Caroline and texted them to Sasha. He did tell her that they all needed to gain weight. Sasha had recruited Kara and Andrea to help shop the next day. Andrea had known Christine from before the Red Flu and would be able to better pick out clothes for her.
Caroline and Hannah were both thrilled with the preheated bed and it didn't take long for them to get sleepy. For the first time in three years, Mike got to watch them drift off to sleep and kiss them goodnight. It felt good but it made him miss Lucas and hate all the time he had lost with them. Christine had already settled into bed and so he locked up and turned all the lights off. By the time he made it into the room, she was getting sleepy and so he knew there would not be any long talks.
"So, tomorrow, Rios is going to give you and both girls a general going over. Get something for the cough. I also need furniture so I thought you, me and the girls could go and do that. I want to make this place homier too. It needs your touch."
"It's a nice house but it is pretty general. Can we look at paint too?"
"Yeah. I spoke with Caroline. She is okay with the cream color in that bedroom so I figured we'd keep her in there and give Hannah the other room. Caroline wants something grown up but when I asked her, she said to surprise her."
"She isn't picky. Hannah isn't either. I am getting really sleepy. Sorry I'm not better company. This bed feels so good and you're so warm."
"It's okay. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Get some rest." Mike shut the bedside lamp off and wrapped both arms around her. She burrowed in and leaned up and kissed him. In barely anytime, she was sound asleep. It felt really good holding her and watching her sleep.
