Looking Back
Chapter 4
Mike's stitches were out but he had developed a secondary infection. It required a hospital stay, and Christine never left his side. At different points in his marriage, it would have irritated him, and he certainly teased Christine and his daughters about smothering him with their care and attention, but he loved it. Once they got home; she was exhausted, but wouldn't slow down. Mike watched her putting clean clothes in their closet and finally called to her.
"Chris?" Mike asked and Christine stuck her head out of their walk-in closet.
"What's wrong?" Christine asked and Mike patted the bed next to him.
"Come here." Mike said. Christine walked to the other side of the bed and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Mike; I need to put these clothes away and fix dinner, and Joy needs a bath. Both girls had midterms so not a lot got done. And Henry needs help with his math and Rebecca needs some attention too. As long as you don't need something, I've got to attend to the house and kids." Christine listed.
"I need you to sit down for awhile and rest. Even take a nap with me." Mike requested as he took Christine's hand.
"As much as I'd like to, I can't. I have too much to do." Christine said before pulling away and grabbing her laundry basket before walking out of the bedroom. Mike sighed in frustration, leaned his head against the headboard and must have fallen asleep; because the next thing he knew Rebecca was peeking in.
"Come here?" Mike asked her and Rebecca rushed for him. She jumped up in bed next to him and snuggled close. She was quickly asleep, and Mike covered her up. As he looked down at her, he realized how much she resembled Christine at the same age. She had a few of his features, but Christine's genes were strong in all their kids. Rebecca and Hannah looked the most like her and it had reminded him of that scared little girl in the group home.
Christmas was a lonely time in the group home. Some of the kids were adopted but not Mike or Christine, and it wasn't like there was Christmas presents, but still; Mike wanted Christine to have something, so he did odd jobs for Mrs. Davis and was able to buy Christine a little stuffed dog. He had proudly given it to Christine on Christmas morning, and she loved it.
"I didn't get anything for you for Christmas." Christine said.
"Its alright. Maybe next year." Mike told her. They ate their meager dinner together, as had become their habit. Mike no longer wished Mrs. Davis would reassign Christine and had become very attached to her.
Mike smiled down at Rebecca and smoothed her hair back from her face. In her sleep, Rebecca smiled a little. It made Mike happy, because while his older girls had been through hell, his younger kids only really knew happiness. They would never have to fear that they'd be beat or molested. There would always be food on the table and hugs whenever they needed them. Something neither him or Christine had had, except with each other. Finally, an hour later; Christine walked in with a worried look on her face.
"She shouldn't have bothered you. I'll wake her up." Christine said but Mike stopped her.
"She didn't and don't. I think she was just needing some cuddle time. I can't do much to help right now, but I can cuddle, and I can help with homework. And once the kids all go to sleep; I can cuddle with my wife, who also desperately needs some attention." Mike insisted.
"You make that sound like an order." Christine remarked.
"No, I would never order you, but it is a suggestion that I would really like you to consider." Mike said.
"Alright. Once they go to bed tonight and I won't wake her up but when she wakes up, send her out." Christine said.
"Deal. I love you." Mike told her before gently pulling her down and planting a kiss on her lips.
"I love you too even if you are a terrible patient." Christine teased.
"Guilty as charged." Mike agreed. Christine winked at him and then walked back out of the bedroom and Mike smiled in response. It was typical of all their little spats and Mike thought it was adorable.