Christmas Surprise

Chapter 4

Mike woke up and heard the shower running. Christine wasn't in bed next to him and it was fairly early in the morning. It was the 23rd and he had no idea what his plans were for the day. Christine, Sasha and Kara were spending the day baking and making candy. The shower turned off and Christine walked out with a towel wrapped around her. She walked straight to the dresser without realizing Mike was awake. As much as he was enjoying his view, she was so thin that it scared him. He finally cleared his throat to get her attention.

"Oh, hey. I didn't mean to wake you up. Sorry."

"I needed to get up. It's been a long time since I've seen you in a towel."

"Eyes up, sailor."

"But I don't want to!"

She surprised him by climbing back onto the bed with him, towel and all. Things had been so rough before he left for the Arctic that he had slept on the couch most of the time. He had truly enjoyed just being able to share a bed with her for the past two nights. He wanted his marriage fixed and felt they needed to talk. Christine had leaned over and started kissing him.

"Babe, I want this but we've barely talked about anything. We were fighting all the time before the Arctic and I had slept on the couch for almost three months. As badly as I want to do this, don't you think we should settle somethings first? Lucas? Me being in the Navy?"

"You're right. I just figured…"

"I want this. But I also want us back. I just don't know how to fix things. I only know I want to."

"Me too. One of the things I am not sure of, is when you deploy again, the girls and I will be here alone, again. That scares me."

"I hadn't mentioned it yet because I don't go back to work until after New Year's. I want to put in for shore duty here in St. Louis. They are opening a training facility. I don't want to deploy again."

"Will you be happy with that?"

"I don't want to leave you girls. One of my biggest regrets is not being there when you needed me. Not being there when Lucas died, or preventing it if I could. I have a second chance to be a better dad for Caroline and Hannah. I don't want that chance to disappear and it will if I leave again. I also want a second chance or millionth chance with you. To be a better husband. You said something the night before last that you were a horrible wife. You weren't but I was horrible to you. You deserved better and for not giving you that, I'm sorry."

"No career advancement? That's why you didn't take the position in Florida. I can't imagine a training facility would offer much in the way of advancement. I understand your reasons and I appreciate them but I guess I'm questioning why you are doing the exact thing now that not doing caused our problems before."

"A lot has changed. Not finding you all, losing Lucas, losing so many crew, the list is longer than my arm."

"My concern is that you will end up resenting us for ending your career. I refuse to be the blame for that and the girls need their father and I need my husband. We don't need you resenting us."

"Are you asking me to leave the Navy?"

"No, Mike. That is a sure way for you to resent us. I am fine with the training facility as long as you're okay with what it could mean. And you are right, a lot has changed. Your career may be fine. Your reasons are good and the girls and I love you. We want you home but we also want you happy. You have to decide if we're worth your career. I would like to think we are but it's a decision you have to make."

Mike was speechless and Christine bent down and kissed him again. She stood up and grabbed her clothes, heading into the bathroom to dress. She had made several points. Good points. Was he ready to end any hope for career advancement? Mike got up and headed into the kitchen to start coffee. Hannah was sitting at the kitchen island looking at a magazine.

"Morning, pumpkin. Sleep okay? You could have woke me or Mom up."

"Yeah I slept good. I like getting up early. Can you make pancakes like you used to?"

"Sure. You want mine and not your mom's? Hers are better." Hannah smiled up at him and got out of her chair. She pulled on his hand and he leaned down. Hannah put her mouth to his ear, to tell him a secret.

"I want yours. Mom doesn't put chocolate chips in hers and I want chocolate chips."

"I see. Well, I think I have some chocolate chips here. Let me go grab a shirt." Hannah smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a big hug. She had just given him the answer he needed. He let her go and headed for the bedroom. Christine was in the bathroom doing her hair and he walked in without even knocking, pulling her into a kiss.

"Not that I mind, but what was that?"

"You're worth it, Hannah is worth it, Caroline is worth it. I will turn my papers in now, if it means I get to make chocolate chip pancakes every morning for Hannah because you don't like putting chocolate chips in her pancakes."

"Her asking for chocolate chip pancakes made you decide?"

"It pushed me in that direction."

"Well, I am not asking you to retire. The training facility is fine if you're sure?"

"I am."

They started kissing passionately and his hands were starting to wonder under the towel. He had her halfway back to the bed when Hannah called for him. They both started laughing and she readjusted the towel while he threw a t-shirt on.

"We'll continue this tonight."

"Sounds like a plan. Better go make those pancakes."

"Speaking of plans, what are yours today?"

"Baking. Pies, cookies, candy. Neither Sasha or Kara have made candy."

"Fudge?"

"If you promise to keep your promise for later."

"Putting in for shore duty?"

"That, but the other thing we were getting ready to do before Hannah yelled for you."

"I'm counting on it."

Mike grinned at her and kissed her again. Hannah had called for him again and Caroline was moving around in her room. It was time to face the day. Hannah had inherited his love for the early morning and he couldn't put off her needing to be fed.

He started the requested pancakes and Hannah sat at the kitchen island watching every move he made, expectedly. Caroline came out and sat next to her, waiting on her own plate of pancakes. It was something Mike could get used to. He had his opportunity with Hannah and Caroline.

"Hey, Daddy? While Mom is making candy today can we go get her something for Christmas? We don't have any money but I'll work for it." He had sat the plate down in front of Caroline and she immediately dug in.

"Yeah, please, Daddy?"

"I think that sounds like a good idea. You guys know what she wants?"

"No. Other than her wedding ring, she sold everything to feed us, so maybe some sort of jewelry. It's expensive though."

"We'll find something. Eat up."

The girls were eating their breakfast happily and Mike made a stack of regular pancakes for Christine and himself. She finally came out wearing one of the new outfits that Andrea had picked out. It was just jeans and a light blue sweater but to Mike, she was breathtaking. Before he left for the Arctic, he had rarely noticed how beautiful Christine was. He had taken her for granted. Not anymore.

After breakfast, Caroline and Hannah cleaned the kitchen while Mike got ready and Christine made a list of what she needed to bake with. Kara and Sasha might have the remainder, and what they didn't have, they would go to the store for. They needed items for dinner the next day.

Christine headed to Kara's and Mike and the girls headed out for their day. She felt he needed the time with both girls to reconnect with them. Besides the shopping, they wanted to go ice skating and to eat. The first stop was a jewelry store and the girls selected a necklace for Christine. Mike looked at the engagement rings but decided to hold off to see if Christine even wanted one. She still had her wedding band and she was practical.

He took the girls to go ice skating. Mike was going to stay on the sidelines watching them, but Caroline insisted on him skating with them and she had a good pout. It was more fun than he thought it would be. He finally made them get off the ice when Hannah started shivering. The park that the skating rink was in also had carriage rides and hot chocolate. He spoiled them rotten. After the carriage ride, the girls were both cold and needed to be inside. It was time for lunch and they picked an Italian place that had reopened recently. The girls were laughing and talking more than they had. Even normally quiet and serious Caroline was joking.

After lunch, the girls decided to go home and Mike was happy to get them out of the cold. Christine, Sasha and Kara had moved to his house and as soon as they walked in, he was even happier to be home. They had baked cookies and were working on fudge, rock candy, caramels and turtles. Christine was also making rolls for their dinner the next day. He wasn't allowed in the kitchen so he settled in the dining room, decorating cookies with the girls.

Mike ordered pizza for supper because he didn't want Christine cooking anymore. After several batches of cookies and candies, Sasha and Kara finally went back to their respective houses. They had cleaned the kitchen up and so Christine settled on the couch next to him.

"Pizza will be here soon. We'll do paper plates so we don't mess the kitchen up again."

"Sounds good. I'm worn out. Did you and the girls have fun?"

"Oh, yeah. Ice skating, carriage ride, shopping."

"Sounds like a good date day with Daddy. After Christmas, it's probably a good idea to take them out individually."

"Yeah. Caroline is so quiet."

"She is an old soul. I think the Red Flu, Lucas dying; not finding you and being homeless had an effect on her. Hopefully we can turn it around now."

"Yeah. I hope so. That's a big reason why I don't want to deploy again. You did great with her but she's a shell. That hurts."

"Yeah, it does. I think the pizza is here. I'll get the girls."

Mike got up and to answer the door and Christine went to the girl's rooms. By the time he had paid and was headed up the stairs, the girls were in the dining room. Caroline looked pretty sleepy. It would be an early night for all of them because Christine was exhausted too.

After eating, both girls put their pajamas on and they all cuddled up on the couch. Christine put a Christmas movie in and Mike built a fire. The next day was Christmas Eve and they had dinner with Tom and his family, Sasha, Danny and his family, Russ, Andrea, Wolf and Miller. Mike knew the list was growing and he felt bad for Christine because she would spend the day in the kitchen. She wanted everything to be perfect.

The girls went to bed about nine and Christine headed for their bedroom. Mike tidied up the living room, locked up and checked on both girls. They were sound asleep and he tucked the blankets around both of them. By the time he got to his own room, Christine was sound asleep. Instead of waking her up to take part in their earlier plans, he got ready for bed and laid down next to her. She put her head on his chest and instantly fell back asleep. It didn't take him long at all to join her.