Time Marches On
Chapter 18
Thanksgiving Day dawned and Christine was in the kitchen bright and early, leaving Mike to care for Noah. Hannah had no interest in the kitchen but she adored her baby brother, so she was a big help with him. Katie was Christine's help. Finally; Tom, Sasha, Ashley and Sam arrived with a dessert that Ashley had made and the requested drinks.
Noah was passed around while Mike carved the turkey and ham. Katie stayed close to him because the added people made her nervous. And then Russ, the Greens, Wolf and Azima showed up. Katie was not moving from Mike's side so he sit her between him and Christine. She passed food around and ate but didn't involve herself in the conversation.
Christine had outdone herself with the food. She loved cooking and baking and it showed. Kara, Azima and Sasha insisted on doing the clean up and Mike and Christine cuddled up on the couch with a glass of wine and some beer. Katie was close by but seemed semi okay. Noah was in his bassinet, sleeping.
"I enjoyed this." Mike remarked quietly.
"Is this you hinting that you want to host for Christmas?" Christine asked.
"Not necessarily. I appreciate all that you did, though." Mike answered before giving her a long kiss.
"A foot rub would do a lot." Christine remarked. Mike smiled and pulled her feet onto his lap. He began massaging them, remembering how it had always been one of Christine's favorite things.
"Mike; you're setting the bar too high for the rest of us." Tom teased as he came in and sat down on Mike's recliner.
"You should just work harder." Mike said. He continued rubbing into Christine's legs too, knowing they hurt her.
"Mike was always wonderful about giving me foot and leg massages. Back massages too." Christine said with a laugh.
"How romantic?" Tom said.
"I try." Mike commented before giving Christine a kiss.
"Sickening. Katie, what do you think of that?" Tom asked, trying to include Katie into the conversation.
"I think its sweet." Katie said. She smiled at her parents and it made Mike happy. It was the most she had said.
"See, I don't gross my kids out." Mike said.
"She's only speaking for herself." Tom replied. Just then, Hannah came in and sat down next to Mike. Occasionally, Mike caught times when she was particularly stressed and given how close she was, it was one of those times. Mike and Christine exchanged a look and he put an arm around Hannah. Tom even caught it and nodded.
"You okay?" Mike asked her quietly.
"Yeah. Just tired. There's been a lot of people around." Hannah said. She gave Mike a bright smile but even he saw a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"They'll go home soon and it will be just us again." Christine told her quietly. Just then Noah started crying. Christine started to get up but Katie jumped up and grabbed him.
"I think he's probably hungry." Mike said. Katie handed him to Christine, who Noah immediately cuddled up to.
"I'll fix a bottle." Katie volunteered.
"I'll get everyone cleared out, Mike. Its been a good day, though." Tom said as he stood up.
"Oh, please don't think we are pushing you out." Christine said.
"You aren't. We will do a dinner on Christmas Eve that we would love to have you for." Tom said.
"Will it be catered?" Mike asked and Christine swatted him.
"Thank you." Christine said.
"You're welcome. And yes, it will be catered. You'd better watch it though, because I might just invite Christine, the girls and Noah and forget about you." Tom teased.
"I'm a package deal." Mike said.
"Are you?" Christine deadpanned. Mike thought she might have been serious until she smiled at him.
"Nice one, Christine. Seriously; thank you for everything. It was all delicious." Tom said as he stood up. Mike also stood and shook his hand. Everyone was gathering coats and thanking Christine and Mike for the dinner. Katie had brought Christine the bottle, so she stayed on the couch with Noah but Mike walked everyone to the door and tried to play the host. Christine was far better at it then he was.
Once everyone was gone, he cuddled up between Christine and Hannah. A movie was found and Hannah fell asleep with her head on his shoulder. Even Katie fell asleep in her favorite chair. Noah just wanted to be cuddled and Mike was able to cuddle a little with his wife. A perfect Thanksgiving for him.