Together
Chapter 14
Mike smiled at the baby girl who was very quickly worming her way into his heart. It was not the introduction to fatherhood that he had anticipated, but Katie was a good baby who didn't understand all the changes going on in her little world. Grandma Hannah hadn't known about Fiona having a baby until Alice had called her and told her that Fiona had died and she had to go to Florida to get the baby. However, his parents had known and knew that he was Katie's father. They had deliberately withheld the information, but even that; Mike didn't care about.
All he wanted was to provide Katie with a decent home and to make sure Christine was okay. After he set their apartment up with some baby items from some buddies that he worked with, he went and got Katie and was attempting to assimilate her to her new home. She loved the ceiling fan and he was worried she wouldn't calm down enough to go to sleep. There was another knock on the door and Mike was shocked to see Sergeant Hicks and his wife; Carolyn on the other side. Carolyn was very pregnant but gave Mike a warm smile.
"We are having a boy this time and we have plenty of baby girl items. Figured we would drop them by." Sergeant Hicks said. Mike let the couple in and Carolyn immediately scooped Katie up from the blanket she had been laying on. Katie gave her a warm smile.
"I appreciate it. Her grandmother wasn't able to bring a lot with her on the plane." Mike said.
"She's a doll. Those dimples!" Carolyn said as she bounced the baby up and down.
"She is a dandy." Sergeant Hicks remarked. Mike could tell he was a little less interested but was a good husband who would accompany his pregnant wife.
"I think I have the crib put back together correctly. Pete had an extra one." Mike said, speaking of one of the other officers.
"Oh; Joe. Why don't you check? He's practically an expert in baby furniture by now." Carolyn told Mike. Sergeant Hicks nodded and Mike led him to the crib. He had partitioned off an area using curtains so that Mike and Christine would have an area away from the baby and so she would have a quiet area. Sergeant Hicks wiggled a few things, and tightened a screw before nodding at Mike.
"It's a solid crib, but she won't be in it too awful long. Its one that will change into a toddler bed, fortunately." Sergeant Hicks explained.
"I was afraid of that." Mike admitted as they walked back into the living area. Carolyn was rocking Katie back and forth and the baby was chattering away.
"She is teething which is going to cause some rather interesting diapers." Carolyn told Mike.
"Yeah; I've already experienced one of those. Grammy had to help me with a bath because it ended up going up her back and into her hair." Mike admitted. It made Sergeant Hicks laugh.
"That happens." Carolyn said.
"How do I get her to settle for sleep tonight? Before I rocked her and gave her a bottle, but she only slept a few hours." Mike asked.
"Maybe another bath?" Carolyn suggested and Mike groaned. He had a bathtub but was scared to use it with Katie.
"I've got the bathtub but its so deep. I am afraid she'll hurt herself." Mike said. He knew how absurd it sounded but Carolyn nodded.
"You would be there with her, of course; holding her, but how about I show you how to do a kitchen sink bath. Works good for relaxing." Carolyn said and gestured at Mike. He followed her and began running the water into the sink. The stopper was placed, Katie was undressed and Carolyn placed her into the bath. She had brought some sort of lavender baby shampoo and wash and began quietly washing the baby, all while humming. Mike fixed a bottle at her direction, and by the time she was finished, Katie was freshly bathed and lotioned, with a fresh diaper and sleeper. Mike settled into the same rocking chair his grandmother had used for him and Kathleen and began rocking her to sleep, before Sergeant Hicks and Carolyn left.
He thanked them both profusely, and once they were gone; he realized how overwhelmed he was. Katie was getting sleepy but she was obviously uncertain of her new surroundings. Mike had a whole list of things that he needed to do, and he had no idea what he was going to do as far as babysitting was concerned. The plan had been for Christine to get pregnant, work a few months and then devote herself completely to motherhood before the baby arrived. She had been shortchanged. Of course; they would figure things out, but other than his Grammy and Alice; they would have no help from his family and probably very little from hers. They would just have to manage.
Katie fell asleep finally and Mike carefully laid her down in the crib. The apartment was small enough that he would hear her if she started moving around. She really was a good baby and Mike was becoming very attached. He only hoped Christine could adjust. He felt a bit sorry for her because she had only wanted to be a mom, and so far; that was being refused to her. She was going to have to raise another woman's child. Finally, just after midnight; Christine came in and gave him a sweet smile and kiss.
"Where is she?" Christine asked.
"I made her a little area of her own." Mike said as he led Christine into the makeshift nursery. Katie was sound asleep and Christine smiled down at her.
"She's so beautiful." Christine said as she touched Katie's belly.
"I didn't think that when I changed that dirty diaper." Mike said with a groan. Christine smiled at him but was gently patting Katie's belly.
"She's just perfect." Christine said. As Mike watched her, he could see her already falling in love with Katie.
"How are we going to do this? I work. You work." Mike said. Christine nodded and pulled him back into the living area.
"We will manage. I know we didn't discuss it first; but I gave my notice tonight. I knew that was going to be the ultimate solution. Not sure where it leaves us money wise, but we will get by." Christine said.
"I hate that you had to do that. You love your job." Mike told her.
"I do, but I also want to be a mom. Katie might be my only chance. Besides, you make more than I do. It needed to be me who gave up my job. I can save us some money here and we will be fine." Christine said. Mike pulled her into a rare hug and clung to her. Their marriage might be a confusing mess; but he was really thankful for her. He pulled away, but only because he kissed Christine. "It will all be fine, Mike. We will be alright. Katie will be fine." Christine said.
"I hope you are right." Mike commented.
"I am." Christine said before pulling away completely. She needed to go to bed, so she could be formally introduced to Katie in the morning and Mike was tired too.