Another Father's Advice

Chapter 11

The Nathan James crew did one thing very well and that was throw a party. They threw Mike and Madeline a nice reception. Russ had officiated their vows, with only Kara, Tom, Sasha and the kids present. Plenty of pictures were taken to document the event if it was ever questioned. To someone who was none the wiser; they would think Mike and Madeline were madly in love. They acted the part.

Hannah didn't handle the party very well at all and didn't stray far from Mike or Madeline. She stayed sitting at one of the patio tables, holding Elizabeth protectively. Kara had offered to take the three kids home with her so Mike and Madeline could have the night alone, but the idea was quickly dropped due to Hannah's demeanor. She was getting better but still struggled. Mike was watching her from across the patio when Tom walked up to him.

"I just spoke with the President. We may be leaving by the end of the week. We'll have them moved in by then." Tom promised.

"Okay. We have to go do paperwork tomorrow. My attorney has the judge lined up to do the adoption paperwork this week, we have the financing through on the house and already have the keys. Thankfully, its move-in ready. We also have to do some furniture shopping." Mike commented as he took a swig of his beer.

"For what?" Tom asked.

"Bigger couch and I want a king-sized bed. Her queen sized is not big enough." Mike answered.

"You're newlyweds. You are supposed to like closeness." Tom teased.

"We tend to end up with kids in bed with us." Mike told him.

"Oh. Not good for newlyweds then. Maybe you should buy a smaller bed and discourage that instead of buying a bigger bed?" Tom answered.

"I don't mind it. They don't do it every night and Hannah and Joey have had a tough week. Joey is figuring out that the real monsters aren't under his bed or in his closet and Hannah is just struggling." Mike told him.

"If I could keep you from having to go; I would. What's going to happen after?" Tom asked.

"I retire. This fight is it for me. Hannah bluntly asked me to do what Christine had hinted at for years and she's been through so much that I will not deny her." Mike told him.

"I can understand that. Ashley didn't ask for that, but she does want me to find peace. Not sure how. What about you and Madeline. You two put a good show on but I've known you. I saw you with Christine. You're stiffer with Madeline." Tom asked.

"I am trying not to be. Madeline is a good woman and she could have said no. I gave her every opportunity. She's in love with me and I don't necessarily deserve it at this point. I promised Hannah that I would retire, and I promised Madeline that I would be coming home. And I promised Joey that I would take care of his mom and sister. I broke a lot of promises to Christine. I am not breaking anymore to that woman or those kids." Mike answered as he watched Madeline talking to Kara and a couple other women.

"Just as long as you're sure that you are doing the right thing. Who knows what you could accomplish career wise." Tom worried.

"None of it would matter. I was not the greatest husband or father. I have a second chance to four, very deserving people. I have a do-over. Granted, I wish Kait, Lucas and even Christine were around to share it with. They aren't but Madeline, Hannah, Joey and Elizabeth are no less deserving." Mike commented.

"As long as you don't resent them. I think you will get bored." Tom warned.

"Maybe, but I have a daughter that needs to get healed up, a six-year old who is desperately wanting me to teach him how to throw a baseball, and Elizabeth's cuddles are the best. Plus, I plan on falling in love with Madeline. I remember when Christine and I were in marriage counseling, the therapist told us that marriages aren't always fifty/fifty. Sometimes one partner has to do more work because the other can't. Right now, Madeline is doing about ninety-five percent of the work. She deserves better." Mike answered.

"Not so sure you aren't already there." Tom told him before walking away. Mike nodded in quiet agreement. He wasn't so sure about that either, but it felt completely different then what it had with Christine. People were clearing out and Elizabeth was beginning to fuss slightly, wanting her mommy. Madeline had walked over to where Hannah was sitting, and Mike could tell she was looking for a place to nurse the baby. He followed them over and sit down next to Hannah.

"Hey, sweetie, we're leaving soon but Madeline needs to nurse first. Let's clean this stuff before we leave." Mike told her as Madeline took the baby inside. Mike had learned that he could shift Hannah's focus from being scared to having some menial task. Hannah casted a scared look at him until Joey ran over. They quickly cleaned the patio up and Mike signed the bills for the reception hall. Kara had organized everything with Mike picking up the tab. As the crowd cleared, Mike wondered how many of them would be alive in two weeks.

Madeline brought the sleeping baby back out just as Mike finished and he helped her get the baby and Joey settled in her SUV. Hannah would keep them occupied in the back seat and as she drove back to the apartment, he reached over and squeezed her hand on the console.

"Thank you for this. I know you are really putting yourself on the line for this with no promise of a return. Just a hope. It means a lot." Mike told her quietly.

"I am hoping pretty hard. So, Kara said this could happen pretty quickly." Madeline hinted.

"Yeah, sounds like. We have a busy day tomorrow. And I have moving trucks rented for Tuesday." Mike told her.

"Alright, I have been packing and if we don't get the apartments cleaned, I can do that after. I am not going to stress about all this." Madeline insisted.

"You're the best." Mike answered her sincerely.

"I have my moments. I am hoping for a kid free bed tonight." Madeline said with a teasing tone.

"Have plans?" Mike asked.

"A girl could hope. I did do a little shopping last night when you were watching the kids. Something just for you." Madeline explained, and Mike looked back at the kids. Hannah and Joey were playing a game on his phone and Elizabeth was trying to eat her foot.

"I am intrigued. I will try and make sure we have some alone time tonight." Mike promised.

"Good." Madeline answered with a smile.

They got back to the apartment, fixed frozen pizzas for the kids and began packing. Mike's apartment would go faster because it was not very lived in. By nine, Joey and Hannah were passing out. Kara had come up with a daybed for Elizabeth's room so that Hannah wasn't sleeping on a couch. It made nursing Elizabeth a bit harder but was a better temporary situation. Mike and Madeline finished a little more packing up and finally headed to bed about eleven.

Mike took a little longer locking up to give Madeline some time to herself, checked on the kids who were blissfully asleep and finally walked into the bedroom, making sure to lock the door behind him. Madeline had a small in suite bathroom attached to her bedroom and she was apparently inside. Mike settled on the bed and waited patiently for Madeline.

Finally, about five minutes later, she walked in wearing a black, lace nightgown. He let out a low whistle and stood up, pulling Madeline close and kissing her.

"Okay?" Madeline asked.

"Absolutely perfect. Not that you needed a lacy nightgown for that." Mike told her.

"Thanks, but we better get busy. We have a six-month-old that will wake up by five am and a full day…and that was the least romantic thing I could have said." Madeline teased with a smile.

"Just wait; I am not romantic at all. I bought a mixer for my first anniversary with Christine. I do agree with you, by the way. Let's get busy." Mike teased back as he backed Madeline up to the bed.