I had it pointed out that there are some factual errors concerning the U.S.S Carolina (the ship talked about in the story). I won't go into what the errors are, but I do apologize for those. That having been said, I have said from the beginning that this story concerning Admiral Carpenter, his family and the ship are completely fictional. Sorry also for the delay in the update, I was completing my other stories and was trying to figure out how to handle the errors. I decided to gloss over them. Reviews are welcome and enjoyed.
The Island
Chapter 10
Sasha, Christine and Ella took a day out once Mike was on the mend and went to the mainland, partly to deliver to venders and partly to shop for Christine and Mike's 'night out.' The venders were extremely appreciative of their deliveries and paid Christine handsomely. She made the deposit into her bank account and the shopping and makeover started.
Christine's hair was cut and dyed. It had been halfway down her back and after the haircut, reached her shoulders and the dark brown was accented by red and blonde highlights. She had opted not to have a manicure due to having to work with the shrimp and crabs. Ella picked out make-up and the dress shopping began.
Christine tried a dozen different dresses on and found fault with all of them. She felt that they didn't flatter her figure which she thought was horrible. Ella had gone looking for shoes that might possibly match when Christine found 'the perfect dress.' Finally, Christine came out wearing a dusty blue wrap dress that fell to just about her knees. It was gorgeous. Loose enough that Christine was satisfied but it also clung in places that accented her figure.
"I think that's the dress. What do you think?" Sasha asked.
"I really like it a lot. It's just that when you've had five kids and not been to a gym in years; nothing will be perfect." Christine remarked.
"I am jealous of those curves. And besides, not that I know Mike that well, but he seems to not mind them too much." Sasha asked.
"Oh, no. He has never minded. I was ninety-five pounds when we got married. Gained ten pounds the first six months. My mom called them 'happy pounds' and then I got pregnant with Ella. I gained thirty-five pounds and two cup sizes that I never lost. Before I got pregnant, I wore a 32A. By the time Lucas came along, I was a 36C and now I am at 38DD. Probably the biggest range of bra sizes known to man." Christine remarked.
"And is Mike a boob guy?" Sasha asked. Since Ella was not around, they could speak freely.
"Yeah. I think if you had asked before; he would have probably told you that it was his favorite body part of mine. I'm not sure about now though." Christine explained.
"I would guess that hasn't changed. I have never heard a man complain about that bust size. Stop being so hard on yourself, you look amazing. We are going to have to get you a bra that goes better with that dress." Sasha told her.
"I thought this one did?" Christine asked, looking down at herself.
"It's a wrap dress which means that he can get it off in a hurry and you don't want a plain, white granny bra under it, plus; you need something that will give you a bit more cleavage. In my limited experience, men like that sort of thing. It gives them a glimpse of what might be under a dress like that." Sasha stated as she stood up and admired Christine in the full-length mirror.
"I get that, but we didn't think about Ella being with us. That might be a bit awkward for her. She's such a daddy's girl." Christine told her.
"She wants you to have a good night and she isn't so sheltered that she doesn't know what that might entail. She doesn't want or need details, but she wants you and Mike to enjoy yourselves." Sasha explained.
"I suppose but I am not for trying on any sort of lingerie around my daughter, regardless of how mature she is." Christine insisted.
"I'm sure we can distract her." Sasha said with a laugh.
"I would hope. So, you think this is the dress?" Christine said as she looked at herself in the mirror. Ella walked up with three different shoe boxes.
"I think these black heels would be perfect and would make your legs look really hot." Ella stated as she held up a pair of black pumps. They had a three-inch stiletto heel and Christine instantly laughed.
"Its been years since I wore a heel. I might look like a baby calf learning to walk." Christine remarked as she grabbed the heels and put them on. As soon as she stood up; Sasha knew the look was complete.
"That is perfect!" Ella said happily.
"You do look really great. This dress, those shoes and all perfect." Sasha said.
"Alright, alright. Sis, we need to get a few other items if you want to do something else and we'll meet up." Christine hinted.
"Yeah, gross Mom. I know what you're talking about. I will go to the bookstore over there. You can find me there." Ella said with a smirk.
"Thanks, sweetie." Christine said, obviously not embarrassed. Ella walked over to the bookstore and Christine purchased the heels and dress. There was a lingerie store next to the store that they had been in.
Within just a few minutes, Christine had picked out a bra and panties to go under the dress along with a nightgown. The nightgown was perfect, and the purchases were made. Before they picked Ella up, Christine made a stop at a men's store.
"What do you need in here?" Sasha asked.
"These. I assume Mike still likes cigars?" Christine asked.
"He still smokes them as far as I know but they've been a bit of treat for him." Sasha explained.
"He always loved them. I used to get onto him because I didn't want him smoking them around the kids. He always waited until they went to bed but I figured out that the kids loved the smell. Hannah told me once that when Mike was gone on deployment; she missed his smell." Christine told her.
"Mike has a smell?" Sasha asked with a smile. She hadn't ever really noticed.
"Yeah. It's a mix of the cigars, coffee, and his aftershave. I also think that all those years in the Navy caused the salty sea air to soak into his skin." Christine explained.
"I think Tom has the same sea type smell. I had just not noticed." Sasha agreed.
"I think I realized that I also missed that smell. There were a lot of things about Mike that I missed but the smell was the odd thing that I missed most. I also really missed sleeping on his chest and how warm he always is." Christine told her.
"And your kids keep sleeping with you all!" Sasha said as Christine picked up a bottle of whiskey. It was expensive and Christine started to sit it down, but Sasha grabbed it. "My contribution." Sasha said, leaving no room for argument.
"Mike getting hurt really affected them. Ella and Hannah were scared that they had only just got Mike back and that they could lose him again. Mia and Hunter were just getting to know Mike. The kids need this time with him. They are building bonds that are so important. Mike and I will have plenty of time." Christine stated as the purchases were made.
"Those kids sure love him. I am glad that Mia has finally warmed up to Mike. I was getting worried." Sasha remarked.
"Mike was always great with the kids. He was and still is super-dad." Christine told her.
"He felt badly about not recognizing Ella at first. I told him that she has grown and changed but I think it bothers him. That he didn't recognize his own flesh and blood." Sasha told her.
"He and Ella were always really close. Course, he is the same with Hannah too." Christine commented. They were walking towards the bookstore with several bags in their hands.
"I can tell he has a very unique relationship with each of them and he is developing that with Mia and Hunter." Sasha said as they found Ella. She had found a book for herself, another one for Hannah and children's books for Mia and Hunter.
"He is. Alright, Ella; you ready to go?" Christine asked.
"Yeah, I've already paid for these. So, when is your night out with Dad?" Ella asked as she followed them out of the store.
"Tomorrow night but you already know that since you got us that hotel room. I hate you spending your money like that. You worked hard for that." Christine told her.
"I sold two quilts. That's all. I never realized people liked homemade quilts so much." Ella remarked.
"Still, lots of hard work." Christine told her as they left the mall, headed towards Mike and Christine's boat. Fortunately, it was not a far walk.
"Oh, Sasha, I got this other book for you. It is a history of Hatteras. Will talk a little more about what happened after Admiral and Mrs. Carpenter died. Thought you might want to read it." Ella told Sasha.
"Great. Dumb question and you might not know it but did your dad have a great- something or another named Adam and Susan Elizabeth Slattery? He would have been a detective in Chicago?" Sasha asked.
"Possibly. Mike was always fascinated with his genealogy so he might know." Christine said.
"He is of Irish descent, right? I remember years ago, we made port in Ireland. I am Irish too and we talked about it a lot. We didn't get to do a lot of traveling but it is a beautiful country." Sasha asked.
"Yes. He's Irish and I'm Italian. Interesting mix. The kids have his Irish temper and my feistiness." Christine said as they climbed on the boat and prepared to leave.
"More like Hannah has that temper. Although I do think Mia might too." Ella remarked.
"Something like that." Christine said.
The rest of the trip was made quietly, and Sasha glanced through the book. She was ready to read it more thoroughly and to find a connection between Mike and the Carpenters.