Time Marches On
Chapter 17
Mike had told Christine about Katie's meltdown and she spent a little extra time with her oldest; trying to comfort her and make her more confident. She was worried about her and glad that she was at least leaning on Mike some. And she was slowly bonding with Noah, who seemed fascinated by his older sisters, especially Katie.
Christine and Mike took a day out and went shopping for Thanksgiving groceries and to do some shopping for Christmas and for Noah. Tom and Sasha stayed with the girls, something that caused a lot of anxiety for Katie, even though she had known Tom before and had seen him since they had been rescued, but it was when Mike and Christine had been there. It was kind of an experiment and Katie failed miserably. By the time Mike and Christine got back, Tom met them in the garage.
"Christine; I'll help Mike unload. I think it might be wise for you to go up with Katie. She's in her room." Tom said.
"That bad?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, it was a rough day. Hannah and Noah were fine though." Tom answered.
"Good. Thanks for staying with them." Christine said as she fought tears away and walked into her house. She greeted an exhausted-looking Sasha, and gave Hannah and Noah kisses before heading up the stairs. Katie was sitting on her window seat and she moved her legs so Christine could sit down next to her.
"Let me guess, you and Dad are disappointed in me?" Katie asked.
"No. I would say you are going through normal reactions. One of us should have stayed home with you but I do want you to understand that Tom would have never, ever hurt you. Ever. Or Hannah or Noah." Christine said as she stroked Katie's long blonde hair, so like Mike's hair when he was younger.
"Deep down I know that." Katie said.
"I was hoping that you would help me start cooking tomorrow?" Christine asked.
"Did you get stuff for sweet potatoes and marshmallows?" Katie asked. It had been her favorite dish growing up.
"Of course. It was at the top of my list." Christine answered.
"I'm looking forward to that." Katie said.
"Honey; your dad and I have invited Tom, Sasha and the kids for Thanksgiving dinner. Will you be alright?" Christine asked.
"You and Dad will be here, though?" Katie asked.
"Yes. The entire time." Christine answered.
"Okay." Katie said. Christine kissed the top of her head and rocked her back and forth, much like she would Noah. Mike appeared at the bedroom door and Christine gestured for him to come in. He sat down on Katie's other side and put his arm around Christine.
"Tom offered to not come for Thanksgiving." Mike said quietly.
"Let him know that they can come over. She'll be okay as long as you and I are here." Christine said. Mike nodded and gave Katie a kiss on the back of her head and then gave Christine a kiss.
"I told them not to cook. They are both terrible in the kitchen. Like…burn it down terrible. Told them to bring the drinks." Mike said as he stood up.
"As long as its not all liquor." Christine said. She caught that Katie was chuckling at her dad's joke and it made her smile.
"Oh, c'mon; Mom." Katie teased and it made Mike and Christine both laugh.
"You are almost of age. Maybe next year you can partake." Mike said. Katie and Christine both stood up and Mike gave Katie a hug.
"Don't remind me." Christine groaned. While they were held captive, she didn't give much thought to how time was passing, but now; the fact that they had missed five years sometimes caught her off guard.
"And maybe I'll know how to drive." Katie said. Mike and Christine exchanged a look because it was the first time Katie had mentioned it. She was trying to gain independence.
"We can work on that." Mike told her.
"Is Tom and Sasha still here?" Christine asked. They walked out of Katie's room and Mike shut the light off.
"Yeah. He didn't want to leave until he knew Katie was okay." Mike said quietly. They all headed downstairs and greeted Tom and Sasha. Katie gave Sasha a hug but stood away from Tom. "Give her time, Tom. She is coming around but she's been through a lot." Mike told him quietly.
"I don't know how you do it." Tom remarked.
"There have been moments that I didn't do it very well." Mike admitted. Christine, Sasha and Katie were all talking about the Thanksgiving menu and Mike and Tom were standing away from them.
"Just let us know if you need anything. We don't have to come to eat Thursday." Tom said.
"What would you do instead? You don't have a turkey or ham." Mike asked with a laugh.
"Maybe get reservations somewhere." Tom said.
"You wouldn't be able to. Just make sure that there are some drinks for the kids too. Christine prefers red wine to anything too." Mike told him.
"Yes, sir." Tom teased.
"Just so we're clear." Mike retorted. He helped Sasha into her coat and slapped Tom on the back.
"Crystal, as always." Tom said with a laugh.
"Thank you for staying with them." Mike said sincerely.
"Noah is so sweet. I just love the way he smells." Sasha said.
"Baby fever?" Mike asked Tom as he pointed at Sasha.
"I'm hoping being around Noah will help with that but I think its backfiring on me. Maybe a dirty diaper will help." Tom said.
"I doubt it." Sasha said before walking out to their vehicle.
"Tom, piece of advice; if she wants a baby, let her have one. There are far worse things in life and you can be there from day one. You won't regret it." Mike said as he opened the door for Tom.
"Don't you feel like you're too old?" Tom asked.
"Sometimes when he doesn't want to sleep all night and Christine is tired and practically pushes me out of the bed to get up with him, but the way he snuggles up makes it worth it. I regret how he came to be but I don't regret him in the least and I have a good wife who has accepted him and loves him as much as she loves her own. That helps. Just remember; there are far worse things that can happen to a couple. A baby is a wonderful addition to a family. Should never be a stressor." Mike advised before Tom walked down the steps.
"And if you had known that with Katie? How much pain she would go through?" Tom asked.
"Katie is strong and she will come out the other side of this somehow. I have lots of regrets but having kids isn't one of them. Not being there when they needed me is my main regret. But I can fix it by being there for them now. That is what matters." Mike said and Tom nodded.
"Ashley and Sam don't let me in." Tom remarked.
"Don't force it but just be there. Call them. Want them around. And don't let them be your stressor either. And vice versa. Don't be their stressor." Mike said. Tom nodded and got in his vehicle with Sasha. And Mike went back inside with his mostly happy family. Katie might have her issues but at least she wanted him around. Hannah was always a ray of sunshine and Noah was tying their family together. And Christine was healing.