Looking Back
Chapter 7
Mike woke up on the day of his anniversary and smiled over at Christine, who was sound asleep next to him. Her hair was turning a salt-and-pepper gray and there were laugh and worry lines dotting her face. At eighteen, she had been a beauty and at fifty, she was still beautiful. She wore her years well. He kissed the top of her head and waited for her to wake up. While he watched her, he remembered the day after they got married. Christine had been so nervous.
Mike could hear Christine banging around in their tiny kitchen. They had slept in separate bedrooms. He got dressed and walked out to see what she was doing. She greeted him with a bright and happy smile. She was cooking breakfast and the kitchen and living room was cleaned.
"How long have you been awake?" Mike asked as he grabbed a cup of coffee.
"Since about five. I wanted to clean this up and have breakfast for you before you went to work. Your omelet is almost done." Christine said.
"Thank you, but I don't expect a hot breakfast every day." Mike told her.
"Its okay. I don't mind." Christine answered. Mike decided not to argue with her.
Throughout their marriage, Christine had always made sure Mike had a hot breakfast before he went to work and the day before he deployed, he got a roast beef dinner. In his rucksack, she would pack homemade cookies and candy for him to enjoy. In retrospect; he had done very little for her. He had happy, healthy children, a nice home, and hot meals every day. Christine certainly deserved more then what she had gotten. Mike slipped out of bed, and walked into the living area to write Christine's note and if there was enough time, fix her breakfast for a change. He sat down with a notebook and pen and thought.
"Christine,
For most couples, they don't make it to thirty-two years. We have. People ask what our secret is. I honestly don't know. The only thing I can come up with is you. You have been what kept us together. Your love and patience. Your perseverance.
In reality, you've gotten very little out of this marriage. Certainly not what you've put into it. I took me entirely too long to realize that. I can only hope to get thirty-two more years to make it up to you.
Just know; you are so loved and appreciated. I would have been totally lost without you, and you are so amazing. I know I have talked in the past about Maddie being my soulmate, but I am a lucky man, because I have had two soulmates. You're the other one and I love you more every day.
Mike"
Mike made a tray up with the ring, some flowers that Hannah had for him, a plate of the cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon and fruit and the note. He carried everything into their bedroom where Christine was waking up. She gave him a sleepy smile as he sat the tray down across her lap and then gave her a kiss.
"Your back?" Christine asked.
"Its fine. Hannah woke up and helped me. Now; our cooking talent is not quite as good as yours but I wanted to give you breakfast in bed." Mike explained as he settled next to her.
"This is incredibly sweet. I love it." Christine said. She opened the ring box and gasped in surprise.
"Its an anniversary band." Mike said. He took it and put it on her left ring finger.
"Its beautiful. I love it." Christine told him before giving him a kiss.
"You'd better eat before it gets cold." Mike said.
"I feel a little bad. I bought you a new wallet for our anniversary. You've gone above and beyond." Christine remarked as she ate the scrambled eggs.
"Well, you deserve it. Besides, I need a new wallet. I hear Joy. I'll go get her. You eat, read the note and then take a nice relaxing bath. The girls have a new dress for you and they are fixing us dinner here. I'll handle the kids." Mike told her. He kissed her again and then eased off the bed.
"Don't overdo it. You need to be careful." Christine said.
"I'll be fine. I've drawn your bath and there are candles lit. Enjoy." Mike explained. He walked out of the bedroom and found Joy toddling towards their bedroom. She usually liked to spend a few minutes with them in the mornings.
"Ma-ma?" Joy asked. Mike couldn't lift her, but he reached down and took her tiny hand in his own.
"She's getting some extra sleep this morning. Let's eat breakfast." Mike said. Thankfully, Joy was easily distracted. Hannah helped her into her booster seat and Mike sat down next to her. Within a few minutes, Henry and Rebecca had woke up and Mike spent some time with them, explaining that the day was going to be all about their mom. Since their world revolved around Christine, they were thrilled. Finally, Christine came out wearing her robe. She smiled at the kids and kissed the top of Mike's head.
"Thank you. I love you so much." Christine said.
"I love you too. You just relax. Today is your day." Mike told her.
"Yours too." Christine answered. They exchanged another long kiss before Christine stepped away.