Star Pupil
Chapter 7-Mike
The house Mike bought for his family had the two master suites, one on the second floor and one on the first. Mike had taken the ground floor master so that Christine was upstairs with the kids. It made sense to him, but he was surprised about two o'clock in the morning to have Christine knock on the door and then slip into bed next to him. At Tom's, they slept in the same bed, but with Abby and Aaron between them. This was different.
"Is this okay?" Christine asked.
"Sure." Mike answered. He turned to face Christine and hesitated to put his arm around her.
"I know its odd considering everything, but all I've wanted for so long is to have you hold me. Its all I've dreamed about and the only way I got through it all." Christine admitted and Mike pulled her close.
"Just let me know if it becomes too much." Mike told her as Christine snuggled in close. She quickly fell asleep, but Mike spent some time surveying the various bruises and scars. It made him mad. He and Christine had had their issues, but she didn't deserve what had happened to her and he would protect her. She had buried her face into his chest and had both bruised arms around him.
Mike apparently fell asleep, because the next thing he knew; there was sunlight coming through the windows and he could hear the kids in the kitchen. Christine was still asleep, so he carefully slipped out of bed and walked into the kitchen to find Hannah flipping pancakes and Katelyn occupying the twins. It was a Saturday, so Katelyn was home with them, and Mike had to smile at how domestic the scene was. It was what he had missed for years.
"Is Mom okay?" Katelyn asked.
"Yeah. She's still asleep." Mike said. Both of the older girls exchanged a look, but didn't say anything. "Girls, I won't hurt her. I know you don't know if I can be trusted, but I can assure you; with your mom, I won't do anything she is not comfortable with. She came to me last night." Mike told them quietly.
"Its just…he hurt her so much." Katelyn said.
"I know." Mike answered her. Christine already seemed to trust him, but it might take the kids longer. Their mom was their world and they were intensely protective of her. He would just have to prove it to them. Just then, Christine appeared and they settled in for breakfast.
Their day was spent cuddling. It was rainy out and Mike found a couple good movies on TV. They all cuddled close and spent the day inside. The entire time; Christine was right next to him. He seemed to be her security blanket and he was glad he could do that for her. He just wasn't sure what else to do.