Long Road Home

Chapter 13

Christine looked at the pregnancy test in shock. She was not expecting to have a baby in her mid-forties but the three tests she took confirmed it. She wasn't sure what Mike would think. He was so absorbed in fixing things with Hannah and keeping Katie healthy. He might not want the baby Christine was carrying.

"Christine? Are you okay?" Mike called from the primary bedroom.

"Yeah. Be right there." Christine said. She disposed of the pregnancy tests, making sure they were well hidden before washing her face, hoping to hide that she been crying. She stepped out and smiled at Mike.

"You were in there for a while. Still not feeling well?" Mike asked.

"I'm okay." Christine said. She gave Mike a kiss and fixed his collar.

"If this persists; we should get you into a doctor." Mike said.

"So, how long are you and Hannah going to be gone for?" Christine asked. Mike was taking Hannah fishing. His idea, but Hannah seemed excited.

"By this evening. Maybe in time for supper. We can do fish if we catch any." Mike said as he followed her out of the bedroom.

"Only if you clean and cook them." Christine said. She hated cooking fish.

"That can be arranged. What are you and Katie doing?" Mike asked.

"We have a couple movies to watch." Christine said.

"I see. Well if you need anything, text me. Not sure I'll have much service but I might get a text. Love you." Mike said before giving her a long kiss.

"Love you too. Be careful. Make sure Hannah wears her hat and you both need to wear sunscreen." Christine reminded him.

"Yes, Mom." Mike said. Hannah appeared, carrying her hat.

"Hannah…wear that hat and remember the sunscreen." Christine said.

"Yes, Mom." Hannah repeated, completely unaware that her dad had said it just a moment before.

"Be careful." Christine warned both of them before giving Hannah a hug and kissing Mike again. They left and Christine settled in Mike's recliner with her laptop. Katie was watching a movie from the couch and was completely clueless to what Christine was doing.

She looked at baby furniture, clothes, and names. She made an appointment at an OB-GYN online, knowing that she would need to have medical care due to being her age sooner rather than later.

"Earth to Mom?" Katie asked. Christine snapped out of her inner conversation.

"Yes, honey?" Christine asked.

"Which movie do you want to watch next?" Katie asked. She realized the movie they had been watching was over.

"Anything you want to watch will be fine, sweetie." Christine said.

"Mom…are you pregnant?" Katie asked, completely shocking Christine.

"Why would you ask?" Christine asked.

"Because you get sick all the time. Yesterday, it was Dad's cigar. The day before; it was Hannah's tennis shoes." Katie said.

"Hannah's tennis shoes would make anyone sick." Christine remarked.

"You are putting me off." Katie said.

"I haven't told your dad yet, but yes." Christine answered.

"You're afraid that he'll be upset?" Katie asked.

"We aren't so young anymore and he's worried about you and Hannah…Christine started but Katie held her hand out.

"But it's a baby and Daddy has always loved little kids. He'll be thrilled. All that stuff…is just stuff. The only thing I can see being a problem is that Hannah might think that she will be shuffled off to the side because of me and a new baby." Katie commented.

"There is that and complications at my age and…" Christine started again.

"Possible complications. Not definite. And Hannah is hard to predict at the best of times. Maybe, it'll be a boy…or one of each." Katie said with a sly smile.

"Kaitlyn Elizabeth!" Christine exclaimed.

"You never know. My point is, any baby would be welcomed, even by Daddy and even by Hannah. Stop worrying because this baby is a reality. Just tell Daddy. I think he'll be thrilled." Katie said.

"You're pretty wise, you know?" Christine remarked as she looked at her oldest daughter.

"Well, I have to be in this family." Katie answered before selecting a movie. Christine looked back at her laptop and smiled at a stuffed animal that one of the sites had. She ordered it, knowing it was only the first of many toys she would be buying for the baby.