Married into the Navy
Chapter 11-1 year later
Christine smiled as she watched Mike and Hannah walking out of the barn. They were smiling at each other and were deep in conversation. He had retired from the Navy and moved to the farm. That wasn't a huge surprise, but the babies that resulted from that afternoon in the hotel room. Twins, Liam and Chloe had joined the family three months before. Christine had never expected to get pregnant at forty-two, but the babies had fulfilled a hole that Mike and Christine weren't even aware that existed.
Mike had had to do a few things before he retired, and barely got home before the twins were born. He had hated being gone but it increased his monthly income by over $1500. It was too hard to pass up, and he had done it with the understanding that he would be home before Christine had the babies. He made it by three days.
He adored the babies but spent a lot of time with the older girls. They worked the farm while Christine recovered from the difficult birth and took care of the babies. Mike and Kaitlyn had redeveloped a close relationship and Hannah had always adored her father. Her prediction of a fairy tale ending was coming true. Mike and Hannah walked in, and Liam gave his daddy a big smile. Christine's mom was holding a sleeping Chloe, so Mike immediately took Liam.
"How's Daddy's boy?" Mike asked.
"He nursed like a champ. Chloe did too." Christine answered.
"That's my kids!" Mike remarked. He gave Christine a long kiss before walking into the living room to try and put Liam to sleep. Liam was a little more demanding then Chloe, and a lot less patient. Chloe, on the other hand, was content to be held and as long as her diaper was kept fresh, Mike and Christine barely heard a peep out of her. She rarely cried.
Kaitlyn had recently started culinary classes at a nearby college and Hannah had entered regular school. It had been an adjustment for all of them, but it was actually Nancy that suggested it. She felt Hannah needed the social interactions, and Kaitlyn was much more outgoing. It wasn't like Mike and Christine minded, because they got to sample all of Kaitlyn's samples and were quickly becoming the parents of a very busy high school sophomore. Since Christine had home-bounded herself when the babies were born, Mike was the one to run after Hannah. Kaitlyn had bought a car with her earnings from the restaurant and with a little help from Dad, and drove to school, rather than staying in the dorms.
Kaitlyn walked in the door with a smile on her face. She was home for the weekend and would be trying all her new recipes while Mike and Christine took a date night. It was something they had tried to do at least monthly, but since the twins were born, hadn't accomplished it. Between their doting grandmother and sisters, it was finally time for a date night.
"Alright, I'm home! You guys get ready." Kaitlyn ordered.
"Hi, honey; how are you? How was your day? I hope good. Mom and I had a good day." Mike teased. Kaitlyn had his personality and his directness. She said what needed said and was done.
"It was good. We worked with knife cuts. Now, go get ready. I'll take Liam." Kaitlyn said as she took Liam out of Mike's arms. The baby fussed a bit but once he realized that it was Kaitlyn that had him, he gave her a big smile.
"Liam, it's your sister. You don't need to flirt with her." Mike said. He leaned over and gave Kaitlyn a kiss on the top of the head. They had rebuilt their relationship, slowly. Before Mike left, he had gotten both Hannah and Kaitlyn cellphones. If he was where he had cellphone reception, he exchanged text messages with them constantly, and they had their own little group chat that Christine was not a part of. He also called them frequently and once he was home, he spent a lot of time with both of them.
"Oh, he's fine. He's so much cuter than any of the guys at school." Kaitlyn said.
"Keep thinking that until you're fifty." Mike joked.
"You guys go ahead. Hannah, Gram and I have them. Mom, I put a dress on your bed this morning. You need to wear it." Kaitlyn said, rather forcefully.
"A dress? Kaitlyn, I appreciate it, but I don't have anything…" Christine started.
"Yeah, there's also shoes, and all the underthings. That was some awkward shopping. You guys need to get a room." Kaitlyn said.
"I doubt that we'll…" Christine started, but Mike interrupted.
"We might. Mom has enough milk pumped and frozen. If the babies absolutely hate the bottles, call us and we will come home, but otherwise, we'll make a night of it and we'll be home by lunch tomorrow." Mike answered before he guided Christine upstairs.
"I hate the idea of leaving them all night. They're only three months old." Christine said as she got undressed. She was still losing weight and was not thrilled with her body image. Thankfully, Mike didn't mind.
"They will be fine. Hannah and I already did the evening chores. I'm going to take a quick shower." Mike said. Christine followed Mike into the bathroom, but to do her make-up and hair. She just had her slip and camisole on.
"I just haven't even left the girls overnight, let alone the babies." Christine remarked. She had even had the twins at home, assisted by a midwife.
"Chris, you need this, I need this, and believe it or not, the girls do too. Your mom is here, and God knows she has experience with babies. She was a godsend when we brought home our older kids. Remember thinking we'd break Kaitlyn? They will be fine, and the girls will be fine. They might be a bit tired tomorrow because they aren't accustomed to three am feedings, but they will survive." Mike said as he stuck his head out of the shower curtain.
"I know. And I know I have to do this sometime." Christine consented before she began brushing her teeth.
"If it gets to bothering you too much, we'll head home, but I really want you to enjoy this. I have things planned." Mike said as he got out of the shower. He had his towel around his waist and had given Christine a kiss before walking into the bedroom.
She finished getting ready and walked into the bedroom to put the new dress on. It was a dark red, knee length dress. It fit like it was made for her and Christine loved it. There were ballet type flats to go along with it and Christine put on a necklace Mike had gotten her for their anniversary.
Mike was waiting for her downstairs and helped her into her coat, giving her a kiss beforehand. Christine kissed the babies, older girls and her mom. She was nervous about leaving them, but also knew that part of the reason that her marriage had come so close to failing before was because Christine hadn't liked taking date nights and time away from the kids. Mike was always good about planning things, but Christine always found an excuse not to go.
Mike drove them to a nearby city, and to an Italian restaurant. He held the door for Christine to get out of the truck and gave her his arm to help her across the icy sidewalk. They were seated quickly, and Mike ordered them a bottle of wine, while they looked at the menus.
"This manicotti sounds really good, but I really think I am going to get the sampler." Christine said.
"Why don't we order the appetizer they have with manicotti? I think I am going to go with the stuffed, fried ravioli." Mike suggested. They always ordered something different, so they could sample off the other's plate. Even when their marriage was on the rocks, it was a habit. The waitress approached, and they gave the orders, including the appetizer.
They kept the talk small, talking about the kids and Christine's furniture business. Mike was planning on taking the older girls for a weekend during the summer, separately. He and Hannah planned a camping trip and Kaitlyn wanted to go to St. Louis on a food tour. Christine wasn't sure what Mike had planned for the night, but she knew Mike had all kinds of plans.
"So, what now?" Christine asked as Mike drove.
"I remember how you like live plays. Believe it or not, there is a theater that just opened. The play is a bit questionable, and not at all romantic, but it's the thought." Mike answered.
"What's the play?" Christine asked.
"Annie." Mike said.
"Oh, I love that story! Perfect." Christine said happily. She was overplaying it for Mike's benefit, but she was thrilled, mostly because it was time with Mike. She really didn't care about what the play was.
"Good." Mike said. Christine did thoroughly enjoy the play, and then the ice cream after. She wasn't certain what else Mike had planned, but she was worried about the kids.
"Mike, if you don't care, I want to call home and check on the kids?" Christine asked and Mike gave her a smile before handing her his cellphone. She still hadn't gotten one but knew she would have to soon. On the second ring, Christine's mom answered.
"The kids are fine, and you should be enjoying this time with your husband." Nancy said.
"I am. I just wanted to check before we did whatever Mike has planned. How are the babies taking the bottles?" Christine asked.
"Liam is not loving it, but he is resigned that if he wants to eat, he needs to take the bottle. Chloe is fine. She just loves being held." Nancy explained.
"Maybe we should come home." Christine said. She noticed the pained look on Mike's face and squeezed his hand.
"Absolutely not. Liam will be fine. He won't starve to death and he is learning. You need this time with Mike." Nancy insisted.
"Alright. Point made, but I do want you to call if there are any problems." Christine agreed.
"I will, but there won't be. Enjoy that husband and I love you." Nancy said before hanging up.
"Mom is insistent that we enjoy our time. So, what's next?" Christine asked. It was getting late and she was tired.
"Hotel and it is much better than the last one we were at." Mike said as he pulled into a luxury hotel.
"I'm sure. I'm not hungry now, but I hope they have room service." Christine remarked.
"They do." Mike answered. They got out of the truck, and Mike got their bags and took her hand. They checked in and a bellhop escorted them to the room. It was much more luxurious than anything Christine had ever stayed in and there were flowers on the table, along with wine and chocolates.
"How did you do all this?" Christine asked as she smelled the roses.
"Being on the James gave me some sway. It wasn't too hard. Pink roses still your favorite?" Mike asked.
"Yes. This has all been incredible. Mike, thank you." Christine said as she gave him a long kiss.
"So, you have two choices, one is to get a full night's sleep, and the other is to not, but have a good night, nonetheless. Something we haven't done nearly enough of the past three months." Mike hinted and Christine laughed.
"I think I will take the second choice." Christine said with a smile.
"That was what I hoped for." Mike said before giving her a long kiss and backing her towards the bed.