New Chances
Chapter 6
That night, instead of going back to his apartment, Mike slept over at Ellie's. Charlotte was sleeping in Gwen's room with her. They obviously didn't have sex, but it felt good to Ellie to have Mike next to her in the bed. It also gave them a chance to see how the kids would react to Mike being there. He gave them both goodnight hugs and promised they would go out to breakfast the next morning.
They also talked about the house that they would be trying to get. Mike would be calling a realtor. Ellie finally told him that the pictures of Kaitlyn looked familiar, but she couldn't figure out why. He just shrugged it off, and Ellie let it drop because she didn't want to cause him any further pain.
They decided to find a place in the same school district, at least five bedrooms, a large kitchen and yard. Mike preferred a turnkey because of how often he was gone. He seemed even more thrilled with having a more permanent home then the apartment. Ellie had already figured out, Mike loved being settled.
While they were eating breakfast with the kids, Mike took a call from the realtor and explained what they wanted and what the budget was. They had already explained to the kids and Gwen what the plan was. The kids were excited.
Later that afternoon, Mike and Ellie went on a house tour. It was not what they wanted but it gave them more of an idea of what they did want. The real estate market was still floundering, and they could get a huge house and property for next to nothing. Mike also had housing allowances that helped and was more critical then Ellie.
On Monday, they went to three more house tours. The third was absolutely perfect. As soon as Ellie walked in, she knew. It took Mike a bit longer, but he was sold on the move-in ready and the quick sell. They wouldn't even have to change paint colors. The only wrinkle in their plan was that they needed a lot of furniture. It worried Ellie because there was a lot of money going out, and she wouldn't have many more paychecks. Mike, however, was not worried.
"On your next day off, I will take off and we will go furniture shopping. Saving heirlooms, neither of us have the greatest furniture. I want you to have something nice." Mike remarked as they drove home. They had put an offer in, and it had been accepted. They had also already been given the keys. They could move in as quickly as possible.
"I just hate you having to shoulder all the expense. The house, furniture, everything." Ellie commented. Mike reached over and squeezed her knee.
"Don't worry about it. I am just thrilled to have a home to come home to. I can swim in the pool. There's room to breathe. If I want to knock a wall out, I can; not that I want to." Mike said.
"Ollie will be excited to have a yard to play in and I can already imagine Charlotte playing in that room. Mom cooking in the kitchen." Ellie remarked.
"And you and I in the master bedroom." Mike said with a teasing smile.
"There is that. The kids have really liked you sleeping over with us." Ellie told him.
"I've enjoyed it too. Charlotte is so darn cute, and Ollie is a good kid." Mike said.
"They love you." Ellie answered.
"So, did you figure out why you thought Kaitlyn looked so familiar?" Mike asked.
"No. I really don't know why I think I knew her. I just hate that I ripped a scab off a barely healed wound." Ellie commented.
"Its alright. It has me intrigued. I found confirmation of Christine's death, and two unidentified females. No age, so it could only be assumed that it was Hannah and Kaitlyn." Mike said, with a sad tone in his voice.
"She resembles someone I work with. The thing is, my coworker's name is Kate, but the last name is wrong." Ellie said.
"What is it?" Mike asked.
"Strong." Ellie answered.
"Not familiar. Christine's maiden name was Graham. Do you know anything else about her?" Mike asked.
"No. She is very private. I think I work with her tomorrow. I can try and talk to her. I just don't want you to get your hopes up. It probably isn't anyone in particular." Ellie told him.
"Probably not, but as long as I am breathing, there will be a bit of hope there. The cop part of me thinks they are dead, but beyond being a cop or sailor, I was a dad. That is hard to let go of." Mike admitted. They had pulled up to the apartment building and were sitting in the truck.
"I hate that you've been put through this." Ellie remarked.
"Millions of others have too. Let's get inside so we can tell your mom and the kids about the house." Mike said as he got out of the truck. Ellie also got out and Mike wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head. It was a perfect night for them.