Looking Back
Chapter 6
The girls were working hard on Mike and Christine's anniversary dinner and Mike had bought an anniversary band for Christine. But, he wanted something more special for her, and knowing Christine had kept pictures, Mike went into their closet, where their first album was. Most of the pictures were from their first few years of marriage, but Mike found one, taken on the day they got married by Mrs. Davis. It showed how young they both were. Mike was twenty and Christine was barely eighteen. In the picture; Christine was looking up at Mike, full of trust.
"Mike, are you still sure about this?" Mrs. Davis asked as she handed Mike a bouquet of flowers, apparently for Christine.
"Yeah. It's the only option for Christine." Mike answered as he fiddled with the flowers.
"It isn't, but its all you'll consider. Just be careful. You won't be able to have an intimate physical connection for a while. I think it will happen, but Mike; you are going to have to be a perfect gentleman in the meantime. I'm not sure you realize how hard that will be." Mrs. Davis told him.
"I won't hurt her." Mike answered.
"See that you don't." Mrs. Davis told him firmly. He followed her out of the office, where Christine was waiting patiently. She was wearing a pretty sundress and had her long, dark hair down around her shoulders. She gave him a sweet smile and took the flowers he offered her. Mrs. Davis handed him all of Christine's pertinent information and then snapped a picture of them she promised to send to Mike. She gave them both a hug and as Christine pulled away; something was whispered.
"I'll be alright." Christine told her.
"Just remember, you are allowed to tell him no." Mrs. Davis said. Mike could only imagine what she was referencing.
"Okay." Christine said.
Mike carefully took the picture out of the album and carefully stood up. He stowed it away in a nightstand drawer where Christine wouldn't look and walked back into the living room. He'd buy a frame and maybe have a current picture taken. Christine loved having pictures around, but he wanted things to be really special. Just then, Hannah walked in carrying her schoolbooks.
"Hey, Dad." She said before kissing his cheek and helping him sit down in the recliner.
"How was class?" Mike asked.
"Good. Lots of homework." Hannah answered.
"Fun." Mike remarked.
"What's on your mind?" Hannah asked. Like her mom, she was perceptive.
"Just trying to figure something special out for your mom for our anniversary." Mike said.
"The ring and dinner isn't?" Hannah asked.
"More special. I found a picture from the day we got married. I thought about having an up to date picture taken too, but it doesn't seem enough." Mike explained.
"You know; you always write us those notes on our birthdays. Why couldn't you write one for Mom? I have kept all mine because I treasure them." Hannah suggested.
"That is a good idea." Mike said.
"Mom would love it." Hannah remarked.
"I bet so. Love you, honey." Mike told her.
"I love you too. Mom just pulled in with the twins and I have homework to do. Let me know if I can help you." Hannah said.
"Thanks, honey." Mike answered, just as Henry, Rebecca and Joy ran through the door followed by his wife. She gave him an exhausted sigh before bending down and giving him a kiss.
"Do you care if I order pizza or something? I'm exhausted." Christine asked.
"Of course." Mike said.
"Thanks." Christine answered before walking into the kitchen. Mike smiled at her back just as Joy climbed onto his lap and cuddled up. She was obviously tired too, because she fell asleep quickly, again reminding Mike that despite his and Christine's unhappy childhoods, they had insured their own kid's happy memories for the most part. Joy would remember being able to crawl up in his or Christine's lap to be rocked to sleep, something he didn't have.