Home for Christmas
Chapter 2
Mike and Christine woke up when the triplets jumped on the bed. Mike glanced outside, and it was still dark. The alarm clock read four thirty am and Mike groaned. He hadn't been prepared to be woke up so early and Christine's body had felt so good against his own; replacing it with a squirmy six-year-old. He hadn't figured out which one of the girls it was because they were dressed in matching footy pajamas. Chloe and Rebecca looked exactly alike and even sounded the same. Christine had woken up and Mike gestured at the girl between the two of them and Christine smiled and mouthed, "Chloe."
"Time for presents!" Tucker stated.
"How about we sleep another hour, at least? You guys can stay in here." Christine suggested, and the triplets seemed to have some sort of telepathic conversation because they settled down. Tucker was on Mike's other side, Chloe was between Mike and Christine and Becky was on Christine's other side. Mike could think of things he would rather do, then be elbowed in the ribs but he wanted a connection with the triplets and they were going to make it happen.
At seven, Katelyn and Hannah snuck in and jumped on the bed. Apparently, Mike, Christine and the triplets had fallen asleep. They spent the next fifteen minutes in bed, cuddling with all the kids. The king-sized bed had become too small, but Mike absolutely loved it.
The kids finally talked them into going downstairs and so while Christine saw to it that the kids went to the bathroom and were somewhat ready to face the day; Mike ran downstairs and put coffee on and got the pan of cinnamon rolls that Rosa had made for him out. They were put in the oven to warm and Mike looked at his phone. There were texts from the Greens, Tom and several other members of the crew. He was still trying to figure out what to do about Rosa. He didn't need a housekeeper anymore. He could certainly afford to continue to employ her, but he wasn't sure how Christine felt. It would be another day's concern. For today, he would focus on his wife and kids.
Hannah had all the many presents separated in no time. Mike and Christine sat on the couch with cups of coffee, watching the kids open their presents. The triplets didn't care about the clothes or shoes that Mike and Christine had picked out, caring more about the dollhouse kit and racecar track. Katelyn and Hannah were thrilled with their clothes and other accessories. Mike got lots of hugs and kisses from all the kids and Christine loved the ring that he had gotten her.
They ate the cinnamon rolls and ended up on the couch cuddling. Mike didn't even clean up the wrapping paper from the floor. Mid-morning, Christine and Katelyn got up and began cooking Christmas dinner. The triplets were watching a Charlie Brown Christmas on TV and Hannah was cuddled into Mike's side. It was the perfect morning and they were all still in their pajamas. About one, Mike's doorbell rang, and he untangled himself from his sleeping fifteen year old and walked to the door. He couldn't see anyone in the side light and when he opened it, no one was there but there was a card attached to the wreath with his name written on it. He couldn't see a vehicle anywhere around and unsealed the envelope and pulled out the card. There was a picture of an angel on it which made him wonder. He opened the card and began reading the calligraphy type script.
"Mike,
For years you searched for your lost family. Christine had to find her way back to you. If she had come back sooner, it would not have been as good of a reunion. You do not need to worry about me or my kids because we were sent to take care of you until Christine was ready. I know this is hard to understand or believe but the Lord works in mysterious ways. Enjoy that beautiful family of yours. You need some happiness.
Rosa, Carlos and Gabby"
Mike was in shock. Rosa had worked for him for a year, since he had settled in St. Louis. He had spent time with her kids while she was cleaning the house and cooking meals for him. It was a surreal feeling. He had stepped onto the front porch to read the note and looked into the living room. The triplets were playing on the floor and Hannah had woke up and was looking at something. Mike decided to go back inside to follow Rosa's advice. He was going to enjoy his family.
Christine had put together a feast. The huge ham, mashed potatoes and a potato casserole that she had always made, Katelyn had made crunchy corn; a dish Mike had always loved with corn and fried onions. There were also green beans with bacon and onions, rolls, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce and several pies. By two, the dining room table that Mike had never used until the last twenty-four hours was piled with the food and set with Mike's dishes.
Mike had never had a more enjoyable and fun family dinner. It was perfect for him and Christine seemed to agree. They all ate their fill and helped Christine clean everything up. Once dishes were done, they all ended up in the living room again, playing a board game. Mike and Christine opted out of the game, instead; cuddling on the couch, watching the kids. Mike had shown Christine the card earlier in the day and she was just as shocked as he was. Katelyn had lost the board game and came up behind them, with mistletoe in her hand.
"Not sure where this came from but you're both under it. Kiss!" Katelyn instructed, and Mike and Christine complied. The past marital issues had just seemed to disappear. The kiss was as passionate as what it could be with five kids yelling about how gross it was.
"Hey, Katie; you're old enough now, if I took your mom out for a date in the next couple days, could you watch the triplets?" Mike asked his oldest daughter, quietly. Dates were something Mike and Christine had stopped doing years before he left for the Arctic. It was going to happen again.
"Only if you don't just take her for dinner. Make a night of it, the whole night. Get a room." Katelyn instructed from her position behind the couch.
"I like that idea." Christine agreed.
"Me too." Mike stated as he pulled Christine close again. They ended up kissing again and the kids were making gagging noises.
"I don't even have the mistletoe over them anymore." Katelyn complained as she sat back down.
"We don't need mistletoe for this." Christine answered between kisses. Mike was all too happy to give her as many kisses as she wanted. He had every plan to go along with Rosa's instructions to enjoy his family and that started with his wife. The details would work themselves out later.
Okay, done! And I actually completed it before Christmas was over. Hope you enjoyed this short, happy piece.