The Friendship
Chapter 17
Somehow, they kept everything from Christine. The groceries, decorations, new dress and shoes were all hidden from her. Ralph and Tom had pitched in to help the girls out and the rings were even prettier in person. Mike wasn't sure what the end result of the night would be, but it would be sweet. Christine knew something was going on, even knew it was a date night for her and Mike, but tried to stay oblivious to everything. The afternoon of the 'date,' Ralph came up to help Mike into his suit. Mike had already managed the slacks and shirt, but was struggling with the tie and the suit jacket. Ralph immediately began helping him.
"Thanks, Dad. I know you took the girls shopping and everything." Mike said.
"Anything for Chrissy." Ralph answered.
"I must be chopped liver to you." Mike teased.
"Not quite, but close. She's the mother of my grandchildren." Ralph teased back.
"And I'm the father of your grandchildren." Mike argued with a laugh.
"True. Thankfully, they take after their mom." Ralph answered as he helped Mike sit down on the bed.
"That's a definite. They could take after their granddad." Mike teased back. He could tell something was bothering his dad, but knew that Ralph had been very distressed by his injury.
"True." Ralph answered as he tidied things up.
"Dad, thank you. Not just for setting all this up, but for everything you've done for Christine and my kids. You have been more of a father figure to them then I have, and they couldn't have had a better one." Mike said.
"And now they don't need me." Ralph said, getting to the heart of the matter.
"They still need you. Yes, I am here and I'm not going anywhere, but they still need their papa. And I still need you here. Without you, I wouldn't have them back and you will always have a place here. It's a joy to have you here." Mike told him firmly. Of all the things Jack Roberts had done, the most frustrating was what he had done to Ralph. It was like he had lost all confidence.
"I keep thinking I should check myself into some rest home." Ralph commented.
"Dad, please don't. I don't want you living anywhere else. You've taken care of my wife and kids for years, and I want you here. Not because I feel I have to repay you, but because we all love you, and want you here. My kids would be lost without you, and frankly; so would Christine and I. I can't force you to stay here, but I will make it clear that I want you here. Whatever Jack Roberts said is a load of crap, and he has done enough damage. He shouldn't still be able to wreak havoc within this family. As far as I'm concerned, you will be with us until the day you die. I won't want you in a nursing home unless I just can't take care of you, and that is unlikely. We want you with us." Mike told him firmly. He wasn't terribly shocked to see tears in his dad's eyes and with his good arm, pulled him close and rubbed his back.
Thankfully, they were left alone for a little while so Ralph could reign his emotions in. Mike was smart enough to know that Jack would continue to crop up, but he hoped at least he could give his dad a few years of peace and joy. All Ralph needed to worry about was if his favorite show was on. Mike didn't just need to be a better husband and father, he needed to be a better son. He owed it to his dad.
They finally pulled apart when Kaitlyn came in to 'decorate.' Kaitlyn set up a table, put a nice tablecloth on, and tidied things up. Ralph had gone downstairs, and before too long; Hannah began carrying up the dishes, which all smelled delicious. Christine had been told that morning that they were having a 'date' and so she was downstairs changing into the outfit that the girls had picked out. Finally, she walked in and smiled at Mike.
"You are so beautiful." Mike said as the girls left and Christine kissed him.
"Thank you. I must really rate, to get all this." Christine said. They both sat down and Mike poured a glass of wine for her. He couldn't drink any, because of still being on pain meds, but Hannah had brought him a glass of sweet tea.
"You definitely rate. Always have." Mike said. He had her rings in his pocket but would wait until a little later.
"Let's see what Hannah made. She's been looking through cookbooks and the internet for recipes for days." Christine said as she took the cover off the dishes. Steak, shrimp scampi, twice baked potatoes, salad and garlic bread.
"I let her have a pretty free reign on what she fixed. Hope you don't mind." Mike remarked.
"I don't. It looks delicious. And tastes really good too." Christine said.
"Unfortunately, I need help cutting this steak?" Mike asked and Christine immediately complied. His left arm was the one that was hurt, but he still struggled. They spent the next half hour talking and eating.
"I know you were upset you couldn't give me a traditional dinner out, but I really like this a lot. Maybe a lot more then I would have liked going out. I would like you to do something though?" Christine asked as she sipped her wine.
"What's that?" Mike asked.
"I was reading this article about a dad taking his daughters out on dates every three months. Nice dinner and clothes. Basically, the idea was that it taught his daughters how they should be treated. I am afraid that the girls will think that all relationships should be like what Jack and I had. I think it could be easily turned around though." Christine said.
"That does sound like a good idea. I do think that we need to something similar with Max; only with you." Mike remarked.
"Good idea. I just want them to see normal, healthy relationships and how they should be treated. That'll do far more then counseling can ever achieve." Christine said. None of them liked the intense counseling they were going through, even though it was necessary.
"I agree. So, I know not having a wedding band was really bothering you. I wanted you to have a new one." Mike said as he pulled the rings out, took Christine's left hand and put them on.
"Oh, Mike." Christine said as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Do you not like them?" Mike asked, immediately worried.
"I love them, but I love you way more. Thank you." Christine said as she stood up, came around the table and gave Mike a long kiss. He pulled her onto his lap and they made out for a few minutes, which was interesting considering his arm was in a sling.
"Damn sling." Mike said between kisses.
"You need it." Christine answered.
"And you aren't ready." Mike remarked. Christine stopped kissing him, and took his chin in her hand.
"Mike; if you weren't hurt, I'd be ready. I am so ready to put all this behind me. I want to erase all the bad memories with good ones. And to make that happen, we have to make them. Holidays, birthdays, barbeques with friends, that is how we get through all this. You still make me the happiest woman on the planet. Without you, nothing made sense. All I want is you, but you have to get better first. I will not cause you unnecessary pain for a selfish desire." Christine told him firmly.
"We could make it work. There are positions." Mike said and Christine smiled at him.
"No. Not right now. I just wanted to make it clear what you meant to me, and how much I love you. How much I want this." Christine said as she gave him another kiss.
"I love you too and I want this too." Mike said simply. He gave her another kiss and looked over at the chocolate cheesecake.
"We'd better eat that. Hannah will be disappointed if we don't." Christine said as she got off his lap and carried the plates of cheesecake over from the dresser.
"We've got quite the little chef on our hands. She's definitely a foodie." Mike remarked as he took a bite of his cheesecake.
"I think on your date nights with her, you need to focus on that, even though she would be thrilled with whatever. Kaitlyn enjoys her art classes. I think more then anything, just spend time with them." Christine said.
"And what about Anna and Julia?" Mike asked.
"I think dinner out and just spending time with them will be sufficient. Anna is a girly girl, and Julia is a bit more sporty. You'll figure it out quick enough." Christine said just as Max slipped in. Mike knew that the girls were trying to keep the younger kids out so Mike and Christine had privacy. Max was freshly bathed and in his pajamas.
"Kaitlyn said I had to go to bed in my bed tonight, but I wanted to give Mommy a kiss goodnight." Max said. He was eyeing their cheesecake and Mike smiled at him.
"Have you brushed your teeth yet?" Mike asked.
"No. That looks yummy." Max said as Mike put a little on his fork and gave Max a bite.
"I think we have another foodie on our hands." Christine said as she pulled Max into a hug. She gave him a kiss and rocked him back and forth. Christine doted on Max and that was perfectly fine with Mike. Max had been through far too much in just a few years. "Does Daddy get a hug and kiss too?" Christine asked.
"Yeah. Just because he gave me a bite of his cheesecake." Max said. He got off of Christine's lap and hugged Mike's neck.
"See how I rate. If you need to, you can come in here." Mike told him as he kissed the top of Max's head. The little boy had wormed his way into Mike's heart quickly and with little effort.
"Okay. I'd better get in my room before I get in trouble with Kaitlyn." Max said as he scurried off just as Kaitlyn appeared at the door.
"Max!" Kaitlyn scolded him.
"He's alright, honey. We'll be in in to give them goodnight kisses soon." Christine told their oldest daughter.
"Why don't you all do that, and Hannah and I will clean this stuff up. Was it good?" Kaitlyn asked.
"Perfect, sweetheart; thank you." Mike said as he and Christine both stood up. Max had ran to his room and Christine blew out one of the candles.
"Yes; it was amazing. You girls did a beautiful job. Thank you." Christine told Kaitlyn as she kissed her cheek. Kaitlyn was still a little hard for Mike to reach out to, but he gave her a kiss on the forehead and smoothed her hair away from her face.
"I'm glad. I love you both." Kaitlyn said. Like Mike, she didn't find it easy to talk about her feelings and it was the first time she had said those words to him since she'd been rescued.
"We love you too, honey; and we are so proud of you." Mike said. They walked out of the bedroom hand in hand, and began tucking their younger kids in. For them, the normalcy was relaxing and just what they needed.