Train of Thought
Chapter 8
About a week later, Christine woke up when Mike quietly came into their bedroom. He hadn't called her but she didn't mind at all. He stopped at the crib and smiled down at Piper before he saw that she was awake. He gave her a broad smile.
"Mike, you didn't call. I would have came and got you." Christine said as she got out of bed and gave Mike a careful hug.
"Its alright. Its not a long walk. And it was cold at the dock. I wouldn't have wanted you to get Peter or Piper out, or the girls for that matter." Mike said. He gave her a long kiss and smiled back at Piper who was sound asleep.
"Still, you were just injured. The girls and Peter will be excited when they see you." Christine remarked as Mike took his jacket off. She had turned a dim light on so he could get settled.
"I looked in on the girls and Peter. They are sound asleep." Mike answered.
"Good." Christine said.
"I'm going to go shower. Be right back." Mike said before giving her another kiss. Christine settled back into bed and waited. Ten minutes later, Mike crawled into bed with her. She immediately noticed the still healing wound on his side. Mike never wore a shirt to sleep in, even in the dead of winter.
"This looks so painful." Christine remarked.
"Its not too bad." Mike replied.
"Piper has gotten pretty good at sleeping through the night so you'll be able to rest." Christine said.
"Good. I am tired." Mike answered before giving her another long kiss.
"I love you." Christine replied.
"I love you too." Mike said.
He was sound asleep within ten minutes. It gave Christine a bit of time to evaluate the wound and how tired Mike seemed. At six, Piper woke up but Mike got up with her and Christine smiled as she watched him rocking Piper.
"I always loved watching you with the kids when they were babies. Really, anytime, but with the babies, you are so tender with them." Christine remarked.
"I always think every stage is my favorite, but I've always loved the baby and toddler stage. They are so trusting." Mike replied as he sat down on the bed and blew a raspberry on Piper's tummy. Piper immediately began giggling.
"I'll take the baby stage any day over the teenager stage." Christine said.
"I'll be home for a bit. Hopefully that will help with the teenage stage." Mike replied.
"I hope. She's not terrible. I just think the Red Flu and everything after has robbed her a bit of her childhood and she's a bit jealous of the others because Peter and Piper will have happy memories." Christine commented.
"She does seem to love them though, judging by her emails." Mike remarked.
"I think so. She did get to where she would just wait and wait for your emails back. I caught her checking the computer several times a day. Then she would get disappointed if you emailed Hannah before you emailed her." Christine said.
"I enjoyed the emails too. I hope we continue that." Mike commented.
"That can be arranged." Christine agreed before giving him a kiss, which caused Piper to 'screech.'
"We need to teach her new noises." Mike said as he kissed his baby daughter's hands.
"Oh, in no time, she'll be talking your ear off. This one is noisy." Christine said. Piper was very well-loved.
"One in every family." Mike remarked. He had picked Piper back up and had cuddled her onto his chest. The baby was starting to get sleepy and had her head on his shoulder.
"Piper is going to love having you here." Christine said as she put the blanket over the two of them.