Past Mistakes
Chapter 6
It was another tearful reunion with Katie, and Mike thoroughly enjoyed the dinner with his wife and daughters. Emma stayed mostly quiet and sat next to Christine at the circular table. She ate all of her dinner and sat on Christine's lap after dinner. Mike purposely sit himself next to Christine and when the little girl fell asleep; he carried her up to her bedroom. Christine changed her into her pink pajamas and Mike carefully tucked her in. He knew Christine was standing in the hallway but he took his time with Emma.
"Its been a long time since I did this." Mike admitted.
"Its okay." Emma said. She gave Mike a sweet smile and he smiled back.
"Do you want me to read you a story? I used to always read to Katie and Hannah." Mike asked and Emma pointed at a book. Mike grabbed it and sat down on the bed next to Emma. She got comfortable as she leaned into Mike's side and he opened the book and began reading out loud. Within just a few moments, she was softly snoring; so Mike eased out of the bed and straightened the blankets over her. She was beyond sweet but he was still undecided about what to do. He knew the right thing was to be who she needed, but he hated what had happened to Christine. How could he face it on a daily basis? How did she? He shut Emma's light off and walked to Christine's bedroom, where she was applying lotion to her legs.
"How was Emma?" Christine asked.
"She fell asleep within a few moments of me reading to her." Mike said. He pulled his t-shirt off and sat down on the bed. He had been in pajama pants all evening, because he only had one pair of jeans and a casual shirt and they needed washed, plus the pajama pants and a couple t-shirts. His wardrobe consisted of uniforms. Maybe Christine would do some shopping for him.
"Great." Christine answered.
"I was hoping this weekend you could get me some more casual clothes. I have one pair of jeans and button-down, a couple t-shirts, and these pajama pants." Mike commented.
"Of course." Christine agreed.
"Thanks." Mike said as he took his watch off.
"Mike; its hard. I know what you're thinking. You're wondering how I face her given what happened. There are days that I just can't. That's when Katie, Hannah and Rosalie step in. But, she is an innocent child." Christine said. She sat down next to him and squeezed his hand.
"She's a deal breaker though, isn't she?" Mike asked.
"In not so many words; yes. Mike; you are wonderful with her and you've always been a natural with all children. Can I ask; if I had had a child before we got together, would you have grown to love him or her?" Christine asked.
"I'm sure I would." Mike answered.
"So, is it that Emma is another man's child or because of how she came to be? Being raped?" Christine asked.
"How she came to be. I am trying really hard to focus on that she is your child and how much I love you, but than I imagine the pain you went through, and I get boiling mad. I don't know what to do." Mike admitted.
"I love you too, but if you ask me to give her up; I won't be able to. It doesn't just affect you and me. It affects Emma, of course, but it also affects Katie and Hannah. Rosalie. If I have to make a choice…Mike; as much as I love you, you'd lose. I don't mean that as an ultimatum, but I think we both need to know where the other stands." Christine said.
"So, what should I do?" Mike asked.
"Get to know Emma. I know you. You love children and Emma is endearing. Make a point to spend some one on one time with her. I will help you because I want all this to work out." Christine told him.
"I must be a terrible person for even questioning this. As you said, she's an innocent child." Mike remarked.
"No. You're human. Trust me, I did too. She was a month old before I even tried to hold her. I just couldn't and then one day, Hannah asked me if I had waited so long to hold her or Katie. It…did something to me. I know your heart and its good. You are the one who brought home every stray kitten and puppy. You can do this." Christine said.
"I hope so. The idea of losing you and the girls after just finding you all; I wouldn't handle that." Mike told her.
"You would never lose the girls." Christine said. She stood back up and walked into her bathroom. Mike settled into the bed, and realized that it was probably the first time in years that he might sleep without painful dreams waking him up. His girls would be down the hall from him and Christine would be next to him. It made him smile happily. Just then, Christine walked back in wearing cotton pajamas and climbed in next to him. "What's that smile for?" She asked.
"Just realized that I might actually sleep through the night." Mike remarked.
"Unless Emma climbs in. She usually does and its supposed to storm tonight." Christine warned.
"Does she understand that I will be in here with you?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, I explained that you would be sleeping in here with me. She likes cuddling with you." Christine answered with a smile.
"Good. As good as this afternoon was in here, I do think I need to sleep. I'm not so young anymore." Mike admitted after Christine gave him a sweet kiss.
"You and me both. Go to sleep, old man. I'll be here when you wake up." Christine told. She gave him another kiss and cuddled into his side.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me." Mike said before shutting the light off and wrapping his arms around Christine. They both quickly fell asleep, but a few hours later, at the first rumble of thunder; he felt Emma climb in next to Christine. She woke up enough to help Emma to settle under the covers and Mike put his arms around both of them. As much trouble as he was having accepting Emma, he certainly enjoyed her and hoped he would grow to love the little girl.