Where It All Began
Chapter 13-Mike
Mike loved his little farm. It had brought him peace, when he badly needed it. The cattle and horses were more pets then livestock and Mike donated most of his extras from his garden to the local church. He had also found peace there, surprisingly; mostly because church had never been his thing. He showed up to the church for his wedding and for his kid's baptisms, but that was as far as his faith went. It had been Christine's 'thing,' and she had made certain the kids understood it. Funny the things a person turns to when all hope is gone.
He had a watch dog, that slept at the end of his bed. One night, the Australian shepherd began going crazy, and Mike realized there were headlights shining on his bedroom wall. He threw clothes on, grabbed his gun, and shut Sadie into the bedroom so she didn't bite anyone. He wasn't expecting anyone, but figured it was someone telling him one of the cows were out. He was not expecting to find his dad on the other side of the door.
"Dad!" Mike said and Robert gave him a smile.
"Soon as I found you, we started driving. Drove through the night." Robert said as he hugged Mike. Mike immediately put his gun on the table next to his front door.
"Its still night." Mike complained.
"Its four-forty-five am. Almost dawn. You got any coffee?" Robert asked.
"No, but I can make some." Mike said as he started to shut the front door. It was stopped by his dad's foot.
"You were too busy worrying about it being night, and didn't notice that I said we. Aren't you curious who we are?" Robert asked.
"Dad; I seriously just woke up. I don't pick up nuances of the English languages moments after waking up anymore." Mike complained.
"You aren't curious?" Robert pressed.
"Okay, okay. Who's we?" Mike asked. His dad stuck his head out of the door and gestured at the vehicle. The front passenger door, and both back doors swung open and in the lighting, Mike focused on Christine's face. "Christy?" Mike asked. His dad held the door open for him and he stepped out in his bare feet. She stepped up on the porch and pulled him in for a hug.
"Your feet? Its like thirty degrees out." Christine said after giving him a long kiss.
"Kids!" Robert yelled. Just then Kaitlyn, Hannah and two younger kids that Mike didn't recognize jumped onto the porch. Mike gave Christine a worried look but hugged both of the older girls.
"Momma, is that a dog?" The little boy asked. Sadie was barking loudly from Mike's bedroom.
"Sounds like. I bet your dad will introduce you in a minute. Mike?" Christine asked for Mike's attention.
"Yeah. I have a dog. Her name is Sadie. Christie; I'm kind of at a loss here." Mike said.
"Ah, I suppose you are. Mike; this is Marcus and this is Hope. I was pregnant when you called. I knew what you were doing was important, so I decided not to tell you. Knew you needed to concentrate. It was that last weekend before you left." Christine explained quietly.
"Son, these kids are getting cold and you're gonna catch your death from this chill. Besides, I really don't want to hear anymore about your sex life." Robert said. Both the older girls made a gagging noise. Mike opened the door and let his family through.
"Why don't you go get a pair of socks and let that dog out so she can acquaint herself with the kids? I'll fix coffee." Christine suggested.
"Sure. There is stuff in the fridge to cook for breakfast. I got some bacon out last night and there's eggs and the stuff for pancakes." Mike said.
"I will get it figured out." Christine said before giving him another kiss. His dad and kids had settled in the living room, and as soon as Mike opened his bedroom door, Sadie was out of the room like a shot. Maybe she was a watch dog after all. He threw on a pair of socks and combed his hair. When he walked back in the living room, Sadie was laying on her back, letting Marcus and Hope scratch her belly. Mike walked into the kitchen and smiled at Christine, who was mixing up pancake batter. Coffee was brewing and the bacon was frying.
"So, I have to ask. Where have you all been?" Mike asked.
"Your dad picked me and the kids up in Deer Park. There was some Red Flu showing in the area and we got out of there. Found a farm like this and stayed there for a while. We finally went back to Norfolk; to look for you. I suppose we lost track of time, but your dad found Tom. He directed us here, and promised not to call you. That was yesterday. As your dad said, we drove all night and naps are going to be in order after breakfast." Christine explained.
"I looked for you all." Mike said.
"I'm sure you did. Considering everything going on in the world, you were needed. I know you missed us and we missed you. You missed out on a lot with the kids, and I know that hurts but Mike; at the time, your dad and I thought it best. You have all the time in the world with them and Marcus and Hope are accepting." Christine commented.
"Mostly because of Sadie." Mike joked.
"Ah, Hope thought you might have a horse. She was interested in that." Christine said with a laugh.
"I have three." Mike told her.
"Good. Hope will be happy. Seriously, Mike; all will be just fine. I think you will be surprised how quickly things fall together." Christine told him. They exchanged another kiss, finished cooking breakfast, and then ate the meal with their family.
It took some arranging to get the family settled into bedrooms, and thankfully, Mike had bought and furnished a rambling farmhouse. There was room for everyone. And to top it all off, Sadie was sleeping on the bed with Marcus. After the kids all fell asleep, and the house was quiet; Mike and Christine took a few hours to reacquaint themselves with each other. Not everyone that had been on the crew was lucky enough to get a reunion with their loved ones, but Mike would take full advantage of his.
FUN story to write! Thanks for the reviews.