Good Start
Chapter 5
Christine smiled at the modest suburban house. It might be far smaller than the house she grew up, but she could tell Mike felt at home there. The furnishings were solid but not fashionable. There were family pictures on the walls and trinkets lining the shelves. Magazines on the coffee table and a bookcase full of games and puzzles. Mike's mom and grandma were cooking Sunday dinner and Christine felt funny contributing just a dessert but Mike had told her it was sufficient. Christine excused herself from the living room where Mike and his dad were visiting and stepped into the kitchen.
"Is there anything I can do?" Christine asked Mike's mom; Sarah.
"Uh…how about putting that salad together?" Sarah suggested and Christine went to work.
"Your angel food cake looks delicious. I never did find a good recipe for one." Mike's grandma; Katherine said.
"I have it at home. If you like it; I can bring the recipe next time. There is also a version of that cake that you put cocoa in and make it a chocolate angel food cake, but it is absolutely decadent." Christine said.
"I'm sure we will love it." Sarah remarked. She was frying chicken and Katherine was mixing mashed potatoes up.
"Do you do this every Sunday?" Christine asked.
"Oh, yes. Have for years. Not always fried chicken. Sometimes beef roast. Sometimes lasagna. But we always are together every Sunday. Of course; Michael misses occasionally because of work, but if he is off and available; he is here." Sarah explained.
"Its nice. My family doesn't do this." Christine said.
"More families should. We do need to start planning the baby shower." Katherine remarked.
"Mom loves a party." Sarah said with a smile.
"I don't know a gender yet." Christine said simply. She was only ten weeks along.
"Oh, we would do gender neutral. Of course; we can wait until your mother is back to plan. I am sure she wants to be a part of it. And your sister of course." Katherine said.
"I…haven't told my mom yet." Christine admitted.
"She's traveling? She hasn't checked in?" Sarah asked.
"No." Christine said quietly. She noticed the women exchange a look.
"I'm sorry. Its not for us to judge. Its just…when I found I was pregnant; I told Mom before I even told Michael's dad. I was terrified and didn't understand what was happening to my body. My point is; this is your first baby and you need your mother." Sarah remarked.
"I've…talked to my sister, but honestly; my mom is not like you all. She is not…touchy feely; I guess." Christine admitted.
"Well, at least you have your sister, but if you need anything at all; don't hesitate to call. The first pregnancy is always hard. By the second; you know what to expect. It'll be different than the first, but you have expectations. And if Michael gives you a hard time; you just let us know." Katherine said.
"And if you need someone to go with you to the doctor and Michael is working, I would be happy to. I don't work outside the home and would love to get out. Eat lunch or something. And of course; when the baby arrives; you will have no shortage of baby sitters." Sarah said.
"I really figured that given our circumstances; you all wouldn't accept me, or the baby for that matter." Christine commented.
"Oh…there are tons of marriages that start out like yours and end up perfectly happy. There are also tons that start with big weddings and all the trappings that end up in bitter divorces. Sure, we would have preferred to know you first but its all fine." Sarah remarked.
"Thank you." Christine answered simply.
"Alright. Potatoes are just right. Christine; little trick, Michael prefers mashed potatoes that are just this side of lumpy." Katherine said.
"He likes to cook. He made a chicken and wild rice soup that is really good. I can cook but I prefer baking." Christine explained.
"We need a good dessert maker so that works." Katherine said.
"Joe has a never-ending sweet tooth so he would appreciate that." Sarah commented, mentioning Mike's dad.
"I can do that." Christine said. She was helping the two women carry in platters and serving bowls to the dining room; amazed at the sights and smells. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, white gravy, bacon-wrapped green beans, rolls, creamy corn and a green salad. "If I eat like this too often, this baby will be huge." Christine remarked.
"Oh; that is the intention. Sorry for the pain in the delivery room." Sarah teased.
"Oh." Christine said as she looked at the table full of food.
"But they have epidurals now! I didn't have that luxury." Katherine said gleefully.
"True. Me either. And Michael was almost eleven pounds." Sarah remarked.
"Oh." Christine said again.
"But, you are small. The doctor won't let the baby get that big, correct?" Katherine asked.
"Not normally." Christine answered.
"Alright; we better stop scaring Christine. Its time to eat anyways." Sarah said. She ducked into the living room to get Joe and Mike.
"What about Mike's sister?" Christine asked.
"Oh; she may show up. Susan is on-call this weekend so she doesn't always make it." Katherine said. Christine nodded, knowing Susan was a social worker. She also knew Susan had some reservations about her brother's sudden marriage.
"I see." Christine answered. As welcoming as Joe, Sarah and Katherine were, there was bound to be some naysayers in Mike's family. If anything it prepared Mike and Christine for her parents. At least Susan wasn't cruel.
The food was so delicious. The chatter around the table didn't involve money or the pursuit of the newest toys; like what Christine had grown up with. Midway through; Susan came in, but even with a bit of tension; it was still a good conversation. Christine could get used to family dinners with the Slattery side. She loved the normalcy and laughter.