Better Together
Chapter 5
Christine could tell something was on Mike's mind, but Audrey's needs overwhelmed everything. While Mike finished dinner; Christine gave the little girl a bath and took stock of her few belongings. When she and Audrey came back down to eat dinner; both girls were there and Mike had talked to them.
They ate dinner in near silence and Christine wondered what was on her daughters' minds. Mike gave them both 'the look' a few different times and delegated for them to wash dishes after dinner so Christine could get Audrey into bed. The little girl still hadn't said a word to any of them, but she had made a whimpering noise when Hannah slammed a drawer shut. Mike was closest and picked her up.
"I think bedtime is in order." Mike told Christine quietly.
"I agree. I thought I would put her in my room at least tonight." Christine answered.
"Okay." Mike answered. He carried Audrey up and Christine followed. Audrey was already in her threadbare pajamas and he settled her into the bed. She even gave them a faint smile when Christine tucked the blankets around her.
"Are you warm enough?" Christine asked and Audrey nodded and then yawned.
"I would say she will sleep good." Mike remarked. Audrey had turned on her side and Christine began rubbing her back; like she had with her three older kids when they were small.
"What is going on with the girls?" Christine asked. She could tell Audrey was starting to relax.
"They are frustrated that they didn't know. They will get over it." Mike said.
"I couldn't tell anyone." Christine remarked.
"I know that. You didn't do anything wrong. So; tomorrow, Hannah and I are going to go shopping for Audrey. You know how Hannah is about shopping and she did seem genuinely excited. Katie will come around." Mike explained.
"I have that extra room up here. It does have a bed, dresser and night stands but it isn't decorated at all." Christine said.
"We can make it work. You just relax and enjoy your time with her. I will take care of the logistics." Mike told her.
"Mike; thank you." Christine said. She reached over and squeezed Mike's hand. Audrey was already snoring.
"Nothing to thank me for. There are some legal things you and I need to go over to make this as seamless as possible. And to keep Mark away from you and her." Mike said.
"Okay." Christine said. Mike stood up and kissed the top of Christine's head.
"Don't worry about anything. Just concentrate on her." Mike told her before leaving the room. Christine had to wonder what it was that Mike needed to talk to her about but decided to do just what he said. She changed into her own pajamas and settled next to Audrey. In her sleep; Audrey cuddled close and Christine wrapped her arms around her.
In no time, Christine fell asleep. Audrey barely moved a muscle. It was the soundest Christine had slept in some time and when she went downstairs with Audrey; Mike was already up with Katie and Hannah, fixing pancakes. For Audrey; he put chocolate chips in them and made them into a Mickey Mouse shape.
"A Mickey pancake for the little lady." Mike said. Audrey looked at her pancake and then over at Hannah's regular pancake.
"Dad, she probably doesn't know who Mickey Mouse is." Hannah pointed out.
"Oh." Mike said. Christine was cutting the pancake up for Audrey and gave her a smile.
"You'll like these." Christine said. Audrey took a tentative bite and gave Mike a messy smile.
"Yummy." Audrey said softly. It made them smile; even Hannah. Katie came downstairs and Mike fixed her pancake while she drank a cup of coffee. She was wearing a pink sweater and Audrey pointed at it. "Pretty." She told Christine.
"The color?" Christine asked in confusion. Audrey nodded between bites of her pancake.
"So, pink will be on the list." Mike remarked.
"Probably a good idea. I did write her sizes down for you but you might go up a size. She'll grow." Christine said.
"And toys." Katie said.
"Lots of toys." Hannah agreed. Mike and Christine exchanged a look and Mike nodded. Christine had no doubt that Audrey would be one very spoiled little girl when they got back.