It does get slightly M-rated at the end. Nothing crazy. Thanks for the reviews and the people who have read.
The Wedding Guest
Chapter 2
Mike went downstairs and got pastries and coffee before going up to Christine's room. Katie let him in and took one of the coffees and a pastry. Hannah was just waking up and Mike smiled at her long braid. It reminded him of how Christine always wore hers to bed when they first married.
"I didn't figured you'd like coffee so I got you a hot cocoa." Mike said as he handed the cup of hot cocoa to Hannah. She gave him a slight smile.
"You remembered?" Hannah asked. Hannah had always loved hot cocoa, especially with marshmallows.
"You bet." Mike said as he sat down next to her and showed her the pastries. Hannah selected the apple turnover and began eating while Mike looked at the textbook on the nightstand. "Eastern European History, huh?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. I like the class." Hannah said shyly.
"You're in ninth grade, now?" Mike asked.
"Eleventh. I home-school. Its better for me." Hannah said.
"I see." Mike said. Just then, Christine came out with her hair in a towel. She was wearing her pajamas and still looked sleepy. Mike gestured at the coffee and pastries.
"Thank you. Hannah, before you leave with your dad; I need you to try on your dress so I can work on the straps, okay?" Christine said.
"But, I'll be wearing the shawl?" Hannah asked.
"Just in case you take it off." Christine said.
"I won't because of the scars." Hannah remarked. Mike would have normally gotten onto her for backtalking, but decided against it.
"You never know." Christine said.
"Is there much to do in town?" Mike asked.
"We'll have to be back for the rehearsal at two, Dad." Katie remarked from the bathroom.
"There's a bookstore!" Hannah said.
"Hannah's favorite thing." Christine replied. Mike gave his younger daughter a smile and nodded at Christine.
"Hannah, please try on that dress so I can alter it?" Christine suggested gently.
"Yes, ma'am." Hannah said. She finished her pastry and headed into the bathroom. Katie came out a moment later, dressed for the day and looking every bit the bride to be. Confident and poised. "Mom?" Hannah hollered from the bathroom.
"She probably needs to be zipped." Christine said as she also stood up. She walked into the bathroom and a moment later, Hannah followed her out to where the lighting was better. She was wearing a pretty smokey blue dress with spaghetti straps. Mike immediately noticed the scars that dotted her skin.
"You look beautiful, honey." Mike said.
"I think this is definitely your color, Hannah. Brings out the blue in your eyes." Christine remarked as she pinned the straps where they needed to be.
"Christine; I will pick something up for lunch and bring it back so we can eat before the rehearsal." Mike said. Christine followed Hannah in to unzip her dress and came out a moment before.
"That'll be good. Thank you." Christine said. Hannah came out dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt.
"Hannah, is that what you're wearing? You have nicer clothes…" Katie started lecturing.
"Its fine. We aren't doing anything fancy." Mike said as he put a hand on Hannah's back.
"Hannah, do you need some money for the bookstore?" Christine asked.
"I'll cover it." Mike said gently.
"Alright. Girls, enjoy yourselves. Mike, you too." Christine said. She kissed Hannah's cheek and smiled at Katie.
Katie was very talkative during the drive to the nearby town. Hannah was less so. Even in the book store; she found a book that interested her and then sat down in a chair. She had her head down so people didn't fixate on the scars on her face. It made Mike's heart hurt. He sat down in the chair next to her's and patted Hannah's arm.
"I'll get you whatever books you want, honey." Mike said.
"Thanks. I saw one other that looked good." Hannah remarked.
"Go get it." Mike replied. Hannah stood up and started to take the book she had been reading, thinking she'd only get one. "If you like this one; I'll buy it too." Mike said as he took the book out of Hannah's hand.
"Its expensive." Hannah remarked.
"Its alright and there's worse things to buy then books. Go get the one you spotted and any others." Mike said. Hannah nodded and walked away.
He ended up purchasing three books for Hannah and a magazine for Katie. He didn't mind in the least. They choose to get take-out from a Chinese restaurant and headed back to the inn. Christine had finished Hannah's dress and was working on Mike's suit pants when they got back.
They ate lunch and began preparing for the rehearsal. Mike went back to his room and changed into the original suit he'd brought for the wedding. He carried a box with his cuff links and smiled because he had his mom's pearl earrings and bracelet in it. He carried the box with him down to Christine's room to have her help with the cuff links. She was wearing a floral dress and looked amazing.
"Ah, your mom's bracelet and earrings. You keep them with you?" Christine asked as she fastened his cuff-links.
"Yeah. I carry most of my belongings with me. I'd like to give them to the girls…but I don't know which…" Mike said.
"If I was you; I'd give the earrings to Katie and the bracelet to Hannah. Her ears aren't pierced." Christine suggested.
"Thanks. You look beautiful." Mike said.
"Thank you. You look handsome too. Here, let me straighten your tie." Christine commented as she adjusted the tie and then smoothed his shirt.
"Maybe tonight, after the dinner; we can talk?" Mike suggested.
"I'd like that." Christine answered. Hannah came in, wearing a dress that covered most of the scars up. Her hair was in curls and she looked to be wearing a bit of make-up.
"You look beautiful, honey." Mike said. He gave Hannah a kiss on the cheek. He leaned down and pulled the bracelet out of the box. "This was your grandma's but she wanted you girls to inherit them. So…your mom helped me decide. You get the bracelet and your sister will get the earrings." Mike said. Christine fastened the bracelet on Hannah's wrist and smiled at her.
"She'd be really proud of you, honey." Christine remarked. Katie came out just then and Mike gave her the earrings. She put them on immediately and they all headed down stairs. It was just the rehearsal, but Mike was a little blue. He'd only been reunited with Katie the day before and was already giving her away. At least he would have longer with Hannah.
He sat down next to Christine as the officiant went over everything with Katie and Henry. She grasped his hand and squeezed it. He smiled down at her and kissed her temple. The rehearsal dinner was simple and Mike enjoyed visiting with Henry, who seemed to adore Katie.
Christine promised she would come to Mike's room once the girls were settled. Mike kind of figured she wouldn't show up and took his shower. He got out and was towel-drying his hair when there was a knock on the door. He opened it and let Christine in. She looked around for a moment before sitting down in the chair. Mike noticed she seemed nervous.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Mike asked. He showed her the whiskey he'd brought with him and she nodded.
"Thanks." Christine said once Mike handed her the glass.
"Not your red wine but its not bad. So…I've already told you I planned to be in the picture with Hannah…but what is the picture?" Mike asked.
"I have a small house. It works for us and the girls love it. Hannah is a home-body. I've been working at an insurance office. Its an alright job. Of course we'd like you to be there with us." Christine explained.
"She told me she home-schooled." Mike remarked.
"Yeah. Its just better. I am hoping with you around, she'll come out of her shell a bit." Christine said.
"That's the plan." Mike said.
"Mike…about us. I know I hurt you by staying away for so long. I know you think I robbed you of watching the girls grow up. I just want you to know that I do love you and I want this marriage to continue. But, I suppose the ball is in your court." Christine said. Mike could tell she was nervous. He took the glass out of her hand and very gently pulled her out of the chair.
"I told you before I left, that no matter what I would always choose you. And now, I will still choose you." Mike said simply. He gave her a long kiss, not shocked when it turned passionate. Christine nodded at Mike as he began unbuttoning her blouse.
"Its been a long time, Mike…" Christine said as he kissed down her neck.
"For me too." Mike said. She was older but so was he. He helped her out of the rest of her clothes and then laid her down gently on the bed. "Are you sure?" Mike asked.
"Yes!" Christine answered.
A few hours later, Mike kissed Christine's shoulder. They seemed to have broken the ice between them and Mike was glad. He hated the awkwardness. Christine gave him a smile as she cuddled close.
"That was amazing." Mike remarked.
"Almost like our first time." Christine replied.
"Without any awkwardness." Mike said as he ran a hand up her side and cupped her breast. Christine moaned in response. "Did you need to get back to the girls?" Mike asked.
"They were expecting that we'd be talking for a long time." Christine replied.
"Good, I'm glad." Mike answered. He kissed her again before pulling Christine over him. She straddled him and he pushed in.
"Oh…" Christine said.
"I missed you…and I missed this." Mike remarked.
"Likewise." Christine agreed.
An hour later; Mike smiled down at Christine. She was sleeping on his chest and was cuddled close as possible. He was glad things weren't so awkward even if they moved too fast. He would be glad to get back to Texas with Christine and Hannah.