Good Start
Chapter 8
Christine was shocked at how homey the little basement apartment was. Sarah and Joe had told her they would repaint, but she didn't see a need. Other than maybe the baby's room once they knew a gender. She loved the little space immediately. Sure; it was a great deal smaller than the house she grew up in; but she could see that she might be happy there.
Mike, Joe and Pete handled the move-in. They wouldn't even let her move a box. Mike wanted her to enjoy her pregnancy and not be on her feet so much; so she had already given her notice and was utilizing some vacation time. It was nice to not worry about work. All she had to concentrate on now was the baby. She walked upstairs and found Sarah, Katherine and Laurie talking as Katherine held Mackenzie.
"Such a sweet little one. I can't wait for Mike and Christine's little one." Katherine remarked.
"She has her moments." Laurie said with a smile. Mackenzie reached for Christine; who happily took her. One of the new developments was the baby kicking and as soon as Christine had Mackenzie; the baby kicked.
"She loves her auntie." Sarah said. Mackenzie had her head on Christine's shoulder and was falling asleep.
"If you need to lay her down; she can sleep on my bed." Katherine offered.
"Yeah; Mike doesn't have ours together yet. And Laurie would prefer that she's close." Christine said.
"I'll get her blanket from the van." Laurie said. Christine followed Katherine into the bedroom and laid Mackenzie down. Mackenzie immediately stuck her thumb in her mouth and rolled onto her side.
"In just a few months; you will get to watch your baby fall asleep. Nothing better." Katherine remarked. Just then, Laurie walked back in with Mackenzie's favorite blanket. Christine and Katherine excused themselves while Laurie got her daughter to sleep. In the kitchen; Sarah was making sandwiches for everyone.
"Can I help?" Christine asked.
"Sure. Just cut these vegetables up. Mom; can you stir that soup?" Sarah asked. Christine went to work on the tomatoes, lettuce and onions and smiled at the soup.
"It smells delicious." Christine said.
"Just a simple chicken soup." Sarah remarked with a smile.
"It was her mother-in-law's recipe. Best I ever tasted." Katherine said.
"A lot of my recipes came from her. I wish you had a chance to meet her, Christine." Sarah said.
"Mike's mentioned her a few times." Christine commented.
"He was about fifteen when she died. He thought the world of her." Sarah said.
"Alright; these are ready." Christine said as she pointed at the vegetables. They began carrying sandwich items and finally the soup to the dining room table. Laurie came out midway through and smiled at the food.
"Mackenzie is out." Laurie said. She began setting the table. Sarah had gone down to get the men and within a few minutes they were all settled at the table eating.
"The bed is put together and all the boxes are carried in." Mike told Christine. He had worked the night before and Christine could tell that both him and Pete were exhausted.
"Mike was wanting his nap." Pete teased.
"I don't know how you're still going strong." Mike remarked.
"I have a kid." Pete said.
"Your day is coming." Laurie said.
"You can lay down and I'll work on the boxes." Christine told Mike.
"Still need to make the bed. Its just put together." Mike told her.
"That won't take long." Christine answered.
"No time at all." Sarah assured her son. They all ate and visited. Once they were finished; Pete carried Mackenzie to their van. Sarah helped Christine make the bed so that Mike could get a nap in. Christine had figured out that Mike didn't do well with no sleep and ten minutes after he laid down; Christine could hear him snoring, which he only did when he was particularly tired. And while he slept; Christine began making the little basement apartment into a home.