Good Start
Chapter 13
On the night of Mike's detective test, Christine prepared a special meal and had a bottle of cheap wine. Joe and Sarah had volunteered to watch Katie and Christine had dinner on the table when Mike came in. He smiled at her sundress and gave her a kiss.
"What's all this?" Mike asked.
"My grandmother's chicken recipe and a bottle of wine—not expensive. Gram always called this 'Catch-a-husband-Chicken.'" Christine explained.
"It smells good." Mike said. He washed his hands and looked around. "Where's Katie?" Mike asked.
"Upstairs. Your parents wanted her for the night." Christine said as took the cheesecake out of the fridge.
"I see." Mike said. He sat down at the little table and smiled as Christine settled across from him.
"So, how'd the test go?" Christine asked.
"Good. I will know the results tomorrow. Pete and I both feel good." Mike said.
"I hope if you both pass; you are partnered together." Christine said.
"We probably won't be. We'll be put with senior detectives." Mike explained.
"I see. How is it?" Christine asked, pointing at the chicken.
"Well, you don't need to catch-a-husband but it would catch me." Mike said.
"Good to know." Christine said with a smile.
"You're not drinking though?" Mike asked.
"Breast-feeding. Katie gets what I eat and drink." Christine answered.
"Right, I forgot." Mike said, feeling funny about drinking the wine now.
"And…this was not to make you want to have sex. It was…a date, I suppose." Christine said.
"It's a nice one. I wish we could afford to go on a proper date." Mike remarked.
"Oh, I don't mind this. I actually am loving not having to wear heels. Hope you don't mind my bare-feet." Christine said.
"Not in the least. I am just afraid that someday you will regret not having a normal start." Mike said.
"Just because it isn't normal doesn't mean it hasn't been good. Katie is a good start, wouldn't you say?" Christine asked.
"She's a perfect start." Mike agreed.
"Mike; we will be okay. Money isn't that important. Love and happiness is. We both love Katie. We will grow to love each other. And we are happy." Christine said. She reached across and touched his hand. He squeezed it in response and gave her a smile.
"A third of the way there." Mike remarked.
"Had to start somewhere." Christine teased. Mike leaned over and gave her a long kiss. "Katie's upstairs." Christine said.
"I'm eating that cheesecake. Gram helped you with it didn't she?" Mike asked.
"She said that its your favorite." Christine said.
"One of my favorites. I like your apple pie." Mike said.
"I'll remember that." Christine said. She gave him another kiss before getting cheesecake, knife, plates and forks. He dished up their plates and smiled at Christine's dress.
"I also like that." Mike said, pointing at the dress.
"I've had this for years. Just filling it out a bit differently. The top doesn't fit right." Christine remarked.
"Compliments of the breastfeeding." Mike remarked.
"That would be my guess." Christine said.
"And I don't mind." Mike added.
"Good. Now eat. I have other plans." Christine said with a wink and Mike laughed.
"The chicken recipe is a keeper and I love the cheesecake and the dress. The wine, well; next time iced tea is just fine." Mike said.
"I will keep that in mind." Christine agreed. She gave him a smile as he ate the last bite of cheesecake.
"Now, for those plans?" Mike said.
"We need to clean this up first." Christine insisted. Mike just smiled in response. It had been a great night for him.