Long Road Home
Chapter 15
"Where will I sleep? Out here? There's no heater but I can manage if I have enough blankets." Hannah asked as she looked around Mike's workshop. Mike noticed she was blinking away tears. Telling her about the babies had not gone well. He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to where she was facing him.
"You will be in the house, in your room. We have that other bedroom to work with." Mike said.
"But you said there were two babies. You'll need two rooms." Hannah said. Mike could tell the tears were going to spill over very quickly so he pulled Hannah into a hug.
"While they are small, they will be with your mom and I. And for a few years, they can share a room. It won't hurt them. You have a bedroom and I am not going to move you into a cold garage. Your mom and I have no intentions of you sleeping out here." Mike told her. Hannah was clinging to him, which was unusual for her.
"But it will be expensive?" Hannah remarked.
"We will be fine. We've had a lot less." Mike answered. He pulled away but only to wipe the tears off Hannah's cheeks.
"I just thought things were going good." Hannah said.
"Honey; things have been going good. Just because your mom and I are having these babies; doesn't mean that I don't want to spend time with you. And just think…there's all kinds of furniture to build. I want you to help me with that furniture." Mike told her. It brought a small smile.
"Maybe there will be a boy?" Hannah suggested.
"I'm fine either way. Seriously, sweetheart; your mom and I love you. These babies weren't planned for, but they will be loved." Mike told her. Hannah gave him a slow nod but instead of saying anything; she wrapped her arms back around him and gave him another hug.
Christine seemed to need to rest more and in the weeks that followed; she was already showing. Mike made a point to spend the time with the girls, especially Hannah. Katie didn't seem to mind either way.
Hannah was getting more on board with having younger siblings, especially when she got to help decide what crib design they were going with. She spent hours sanding the spindles and then staining them the beautiful dark honey oak that Christine had picked.
Once Christine was twenty weeks along, Dr. Sanders opted to do an amniocentesis. At the same time; they would also be finding out the genders. Christine was terrified and Mike was doing his best to keep her calmed down. He even hated seeing the needle.
Dr. Sanders was very competent and got exactly what she needed without causing a lot of discomfort or fear. It would take about a week to get the results back but she gave them both a smile once the needle was put away and Christine's stomach was bandaged.
"Now, for the genders. Do you still want to know?" Dr. Sanders asked.
"Please." Mike and Christine both said in unison. She turned the screen to where they could both see it.
"So, Baby A is a boy. Baby B is a bit more shy but here she is. You have yourself a boy and a girl. Congratulations. Everything still looks perfect. I do want you to take it easy, Christine. The first twenty-four hours after an amniocentesis can be dangerous if the mother doesn't rest." Dr. Sanders warned with a smile. Mike gave Christine a kiss on the forehead and smiled down at her.
Mike drove Christine home and helped her settle into bed. He went out to fix dinner and was a bit surprised to find both girls sleeping with Christine on their bed. He put a blanket over all three of them and closed the curtain so they could all rest.