Another Father's Advice

Chapter 9

Mike had left work early, partly to meet with the realtor and to also meet with an attorney to see what his options were, concerning Hannah. It was disheartening. The attorney had two scenarios, give Hannah up or give temporary guardianship to someone he trusted if he deployed. Things with Colombia were heating up and Mike had to make a decision quickly. All the people that he would have entrusted his only living relative with were also going to deploy with him. Aside from Madeline.

"Admiral Slattery; you have barely known the woman two weeks. Leaving your daughter with her?" The attorney questioned.

"I have no other living relatives, other then Hannah. The other people that I would trust to take her will be deploying with me." Mike stated. He had stood up and began pacing.

"And if something happens to you and Hannah is orphaned?" The attorney asked.

"I…don't know." Mike told him.

"Alright, normally; I would never in a million years suggest this…marry her. She can be better safeguarded as your wife then as your short-term girlfriend who happens to be taking care of your daughter. We can…if you can pull off a quickie marriage; we can fast track paperwork concerning adoption, wills, etc." The attorney suggested. Mike chocked on the gulp of cold coffee as he sat back down.

"Okay; I like Madeline; even care about her but marriage? How do I even suggest this?" Mike asked.

"That is up to you, but it is your best option. You already spoke of buying a house together. That would be better facilitated as a married couple." The attorney explained.

"Okay; I am not…I loved my wife. We had dated years before we were engaged. I knew her better then I know myself. Knew her interests, like, dislikes, what made her tick, everything. I don't know that about Madeline." Mike told him.

"Those are things you can learn. If you don't get this tied up; Anna Harris can come back and claim your daughter; especially if something happens to you out there. You can have a marriage license twelve hours after filing for it. My suggestion is; just be honest with Madeline. You already seem to really like her and even care about her. Is the feeling mutual?" The attorney asked.

"I suspect so. She's said she cares about me. This is totally hair-brained." Mike told him.

"It is but it is also your best option in protecting your daughter. Before the Red Flu, this would have been ludicrous but now; in your shoes; its all you have." His attorney agreed.

"I will call you to make an appointment once…I've figured this out." Mike told him as he walked out of the room. His mind was in overdrive yet again. He got home in no time, stopped by his apartment to make sure it was okay before bringing Hannah back, changed clothes and then walked to Madeline's apartment. As soon as he walked in, he could smell something baking. He stuck his head into the kitchen and smiled when he saw Madeline and Hannah mixing what looked like frosting up. Elizabeth was sitting on the floor in her bouncy seat and Joey was on a play date at Frankie's. "How are my favorite ladies?" Mike asked as he kissed the top of Hannah's head.

"We're good. Hannah said she thought that red velvet cake is your favorite so that is what's for dessert tonight." Madeline told him as he gave her a kiss. Hannah had a hopeful look on her face.

"It is. Smells really good. Hannah, why don't you go get your shoes on? We'll go over to my apartment for a couple minutes before suppertime." Mike asked her, and Hannah had a crestfallen look on her face. She gave Madeline a nervous look but left the kitchen. Madeline had nodded at her and then turned around to face Mike once she left.

"Mike…there isn't an easy way to say this, but Hannah is nervous about being alone with you. She knew she would be okay with you when you took her to the doctor last night, but the apartment makes her nervous. Also, I got her some cloth shoes because her feet are a mess. She didn't want to tell you for fear of causing problems. Her shoes were too small, causing blisters but worse then that is the bottom of her feet are cut up. Apparently, my mom got mad about her for cutting her meat wrong, broke her plate and glass and then made Hannah walk on the shards." Madeline explained.

"Oh…geez..she's scared of me?" Mike asked.

"By herself; yes. She told me that she was never…touched inappropriately but you are awfully big and could really do damage; according to her." Madeline told him.

"How do I fix that?" Mike asked.

"Just show her that she can trust you." Madeline said as she leaned over and picked Elizabeth up.

"What a minefield." Mike commented.

"It is. How did your appointment go?" Madeline asked. Mike took a deep breath and looked towards the living room. Hannah had gotten distracted, thankfully.

"There are some…legal issues; especially if I deploy. With how things are going, it isn't a matter of if but when." Mike started.

"I wondered about that." Madeline said with a nervous look. Mike decided to just pull the band-aid off.

"Yeah. If I don't find a guardian for Hannah; your mom would have a legal claim to her. Its either do that or give her up completely and…I can't do that." Mike added.

"So, what are you going to do? You mentioned not having any living family so…" Madeline asked.

"His suggestion was…unorthodox and you can say no. He suggested that you and I get married." Mike told her simply. Madeline had a shocked look on her face and Elizabeth was smiling at him.

"That's…I wasn't expecting that. You wanted to move slow…or is this just…business? So, Hannah is taken care of?" Madeline asked. There was not a good answer.

"I…care about you so this is not business. We are…beyond a marriage of convenience. Madeline, there is no good way of explaining this and I feel awful about it. I feel like I am taking advantage of you and I hate that. The chances of me deploying is huge. It is going to be hard enough to leave her. She trusts you; more then me." Mike told her as he put both hands on her shoulders. She had leaned her face into Elizabeth and was obviously thinking.

"So…what about my kids? Hannah?" Madeline asked.

"His suggestion was that you would adopt Hannah to keep her…safe. As far as your kids…I will take care of Joey and Elizabeth just like they are my own." Mike told her.

"Its…I'm in the same boat. Not about deploying but if something happens to me; my mom gets my kids and that can't happen. If…would you adopt them?" Madeline asked.

"Yes, absolutely. I…this is more than…just adopting kids. It has to look legit, but it also must be fast. I could get the call at any point to go. I need to know that Hannah is taken care of. I also want you and the kids taken care of." Mike assured her.

"So, how do we do this? I had the huge wedding with Pete. This is not going to be like that. And I don't want it to be. It was obnoxious." Madeline said with a smile.

"Let me guess, your mom?" Mike asked.

"Yeah. We wanted a wedding on the beach at Tybee Island. Simple, small. Mom refused to let that happen. Biggest church, most popular reception hall. Several thousand dollar's worth of flowers, two hundred guests; most of which Pete and I didn't know. We did get our honeymoon on Tybee Island. It was peaceful." Madeline said as she bounced Elizabeth up and down.

"Christine and I had a fairly small wedding. Our families couldn't afford much, and we were young. No honeymoon either because I was just graduating police academy. It was still a happy time though. Kait was born about ten months later so something worked." Mike told her.

"Yeah, we had Trent about a year later. Mom was traveling so she left us alone." Madeline admitted.

"Hopefully she will leave us alone." Mike commented.

"That is partly why I am okay moving. I don't want her to know where I'm at. More for my kids. I don't want them to have to deal with her. Or Hannah." Madeline told him as she handed Elizabeth to him. The buzzer had gone off and the cake needed taken out of the oven.

"The house that I spoke to the realtor about is in a gated community. Has security and there is an alarm system for the house. You'll be protected, even if I'm not home. Legally, physically, and financially. So?" Mike asked. He hated pressuring Madeline, but they needed to get things started.

"I'm thinking. Mike, you know I care about you; even love you. I don't want that to be one-sided. I don't want you to feel pressured to love me or my kids, but I do want that someday. That having been said; I do understand that you aren't there yet. If I say yes; is it like a friend with benefits thing? Or like we've been doing?" Madeline asked.

"Like we've been doing only with wedding rings, the same address and last name." Mike assured her.

"Alright. Give me a little time to digest. Sorry I am not jumping at the opportunity. It…is just complicated." Madeline told him. Mike sit Elizabeth back in her bouncy seat and pulled Madeline into a hug. She leaned into him but then pulled away and gave him a kiss. "Go, take Hannah and prove to her that you won't hurt her. I need some time to myself to think. Elizabeth will be alright there." Madeline told him.

"Yes, ma'am. Just to be clear; I do care about you. Maybe even love you but I am comparing everything to Christine. I never considered…not having her. It's hard to explain." Mike assured her.

"I understand. I am kind of thinking that too. I've had the fairytale and so this just seems…empty. But…it could be…a fairytale too." Madeline told him.

"I don't know about me and a fairytale, but I want you to be happy. This has to be right for you." Mike assured her before giving her another kiss. He pulled away when Hannah stepped into the kitchen but gave Madeline a kiss on the forehead before they left. He could tell how nervous Hannah was as they walked the short distance. It made his heart hurt. He guided her into the apartment and towards her bedroom. She was shaking like a leaf. "We won't be here long at all. I simply want to show you your room." Mike assured her.

"O…okay." Hannah told him. Mike put a hand on her shoulder and guided her into the bedroom. She did give him a small smile when she looked around but was clearly nervous.

"I won't make you stay in here. Anything that you see that you want?" Mike asked. When he had cleared his house in Norfolk out; he had packed special toys and trinkets that had belonged to the kids and Christine. Most of Hannah's and a few of Christine's were in Hannah's bedroom.

"Is that Scooby?" Hannah asked. She pointed at the bed where her sock monkey was propped against a pillow. Mike had given it to her for her third birthday.

"Yes. It can go with us." Mike told her. She had the sock monkey under her arm and looked at the jewelry box.

"What's that? I didn't have it before." Hannah asked. Mike walked over and picked up the box and sat down on the bed. Hannah also sat down but kept her distance; watching him carefully.

"Its…on Kait's eighth birthday; your mom and I started getting her jewelry. Lockets, earrings, charm bracelets. Your mom thought that Kait would treasure those gifts more. Every year on your birthday and for Christmas; I've done the same thing. I also have a few of your mom's pieces in here and my wedding band. I just took it off when Madeline and I started dating. You'll need it someday. Want to look?" Mike asked, and Hannah nodded. He opened the box and started pulling items out. It was particularly emotional; especially with Christine's jewelry.

"Those are pretty." Hannah said; as she pointed at a pair of earrings.

"They are your birthstone. I got them for your mom after she had you. They call it a push gift. She wore them a lot." Mike told her as he handed them to her. She smiled at them and then put them in the jewelry box.

"I remember Kait wearing this. The charm bracelet." Hannah stated. Mike picked it up. He hadn't realized that Kait's bracelet was in Hannah's box. He looked down and read one of the charms, 'Daddy's Baby Girl.' The emotions came rushing in and before Mike even realized it; he was sobbing. Hannah had put a hand on his shoulder and then pulled him into a nervous hug. It took him a couple minutes to calm down and Hannah held him the entire time. Finally, he sit up and ran a hand through her hair.

"Sorry about that, sweetie. There are times I just miss them. See anything else you want?" Mike asked.

"Not right now. I would like to take Scobby and this box with us though? It is a really pretty room." Hannah told him.

"Absolutely. Let's go." Mike told her. He handed her the bracelet back and she put it in the box and grabbed the sock monkey. Mike put a hand on her back and they walked back to Madeline's. He considered telling her about the development between him and Madeline but choose to wait. "So, Madeline and I are looking at houses tomorrow. Make this a bit easier. You'll have your own room. Anything special you want?" Mike asked.

"I liked the paint color that you had in my room back at your apartment. And the furniture. I like the bedspread too." Hannah told him.

"Are you telling me that just because or because you actually like it?" Mike asked.

"I really do like it. It's a pretty room but I just want to be near Madeline." Hannah assured him.

"Hey, I get that. I know you don't remember me that well, but I promise, I love you and you are safe with me." Mike told her, pausing before they walked into Madeline's.

"I…Dad, I am sure you think that, but you will be deploying again. I just want to know that I will be safe again." Hannah explained.

"I understand, and I am working on something to ensure that. I also can't promise that I won't be deploying again but I will promise to do everything in my power to come home." Mike told her.

"What I want is something you probably can't or won't do. Mom always said you loved being at sea more…I understand you may have to go again but after that; I would really like for you to retire. I know your job is important and you're doing a lot of good, but I just want you to stay home after this. Go, do what you have to but come home." Hannah had turned to face him and begged. Mike was shocked. Hannah was asking for exactly what Christine had hinted at for years. And it sounded perfect to him. One last fight and home.

"I think that sounds nice. Let's see what happens but I do want you to know; you and your mom and your siblings were always far more important then the Navy. I love you way more then being out." Mike assured her. She nodded but then opened the door into Madeline's apartment. They walked in and Madeline almost had supper on the table.

"Hey, guys. Supper is almost ready. Hannah, can you get Elizabeth for me?" Madeline asked, and Hannah set her jewelry box down on the counter but carried the sock monkey in with her. Within just a second, she carried her back into the dining area with Elizabeth holding the toy.

"I know you gave me Scobby, but I want Elizabeth to have it. It doesn't have any loose buttons or anything. Is that okay, Dad?" Hannah asked. Mike was overwhelmed. He knew that Hannah was scared, nervous and confused but she seemed to only want to make him happy; by helping others.

"That decision is entirely yours. If you want her to have him; its yours to give." Mike told her.

"Its incredibly sweet, Hannah. I hope you like roast and potatoes, Mike?" Madeline asked as they all sit down and began passing food around.

"I love it. No Joey?" Mike asked.

"No. He is spending the night with Frankie. Just us. What time are we meeting the realtor tomorrow?" Madeline asked as she gave Elizabeth a spoonful of mashed potatoes. Elizabeth made a happy humming noise. She loved actual food, but she also loved nursing; more because it was just time for her and her mommy.

"Nine. And its close by. Did I tell you that it has a pool?" Mike asked, more for Hannah's benefit. She had loved swimming when she was little.

"I saw that on the flier you gave me. I like the quick closing part. And that kitchen!" Madeline said enthuastically. Mike had already figured out that Madeline loved cooking.

"I knew that would get you. Is this roast stuffed with something? I really like it, but I've never had one like this." Mike asked.

"Yeah, bacon, cheese, onions and garlic. Also has some garlic on the outside and olive oil. New recipe." Madeline explained.

"I like it…but then again; the bacon sold me. And these potatoes!" Mike commented.

"Cream cheese. The way to your heart is through your stomach?" Madeline asked jokingly. Hannah was too busy eating, but she was at least smiling.

"You don't have to cook like this to make that happen, but it certainly is the cherry on top." Mike told her sincerely and Madeline winked at him.

"Good to hear. As for your earlier question, yes." Madeline told him, and Mike grinned broadly. He leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss; all while Hannah smiled at them; completely oblivious to what was actually happening.

I know this seems unlikely but it makes for good writing(I think).