Accidental Happiness

Chapter 8

Maddie tried to find another job, but was struggling with finding one that fit into her interests, and her schedule. She wanted to be home with Jack and EmmaLeigh and was thoroughly enjoying the time with her mom and Mike. Maria had figured out that Mike and Maddie were involved. She might have even figured out that they were sleeping together, but she kept quiet. She thought the world of Mike and was glad Maddie was staying home.

Maddie had noticed something. Mike was sinking into a bit of a depression. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she was worried. Finally, one night as they got ready for bed, she asked.

"So, I've noticed you seemed a bit off. What's going on?" Maddie asked.

"Just a bad time of year. Its Hannah's birthday Saturday. She'd be sixteen." Mike told her.

"You must miss her." Maddie remarked.

"I miss all three of them, but yeah; Hannah was a daddy's girl. Halloween, when she was eight, she dressed up a warrior princess. I don't know what that is, but she was so damn cute." Mike commented.

"She sounds like she was an amazing little girl." Maddie said as she squeezed Mike's hand.

"She was." Mike said. He had a far off look and they both remained quiet for a moment.

"Would you like to do something for her birthday? A special dinner?" Maddie finally asked.

"Honestly, I don't know. I have never been settled on one of their birthdays. I'm at a loss." Mike commented.

"We can do whatever you'd like, or nothing at all." Maddie answered.

"I never got confirmation. I finally found a death certificate for Christine, and on it is said she was found with an unidentified teenaged female, probably Kaitlyn, but nothing on Hannah. Of my kids, she was the least likely to survive it, because of her asthma, but I cannot imagine Christine allowing them to get separated." Mike explained.

"Oh, Mike." Maddie said as she reached over and hugged him close. She couldn't imagine what he went through on a daily basis. Suddenly, EmmaLeigh began crying.

"I'll get her." Mike said. He got up and walked into the baby's room. Maddie left him alone for a bit, but finally walked into the hallway, and stood outside the bedroom door, watching Mike rock EmmaLeigh back and forth. "Shh, baby girl; I got you. I'll do better with you then I did with Kaitlyn, Hannah or Lucas. I promise." Mike told the baby quietly. Instead of bothering Mike, she walked back into their bedroom and looked over at Mike's nightstand. There was a picture of Mike's kids sitting there and Maddie focused on the little girl sitting in the middle with a goofy look on her face. She had Mike's smile. Maddie put the picture back down and walked over to her side of the bed, laying down.

The next morning, Mike went to work early and Maddie stared at her laptop. She wasn't think about her job search. Just thinking about the agony Mike was going through. Finally, Maddie typed Hannah's name into the search engine, not knowing what she would find.

There were articles about Mike's lost family because he was famous. Maddie read them all, but finally gave up. It was too depressing. Maria walked in and handed her Jack and sat down in the chair next to her desk.

"EmmaLeigh is sleeping. Were you still looking for a job?" Maria asked.

"No. Mike told me last night that Saturday would be his daughter, Hannah's sixteenth birthday and he never got confirmation of her death. This is the first year that he's been home to really grieve." Maddie said.

"Oh. So many stories like that. She probably died. I do need to go to the church. They've opened a homeless shelter and I told them I would help set things up, registering the people." Maria said.

"You know, our population was decimated. There are still homes. I don't understand why we have homeless people." Maddie remarked.

"Money makes the world go 'round. To have a house, you have to have money, even now." Maria said. She stood up, kissed the top of Jack's head and Maddie's cheek and left.

Maria knew that Mike and Maddie were sleeping together. She wasn't thrilled, but she liked Mike and he was awfully good to them. She hated that he was in such pain, because he was a good person. Nobody deserved that sort of agony. She got her assignment from Father David, registering homeless folks into the hall for the night and was closing up shop when a young woman came in.

"Are there anymore beds open?" The young woman asked, Maria guessed her to be in her teens.

"No, I am sorry; Miss." Maria answered and the girl closed her eyes.

"Its supposed to be really cold tonight. Can I just sleep on the floor?" The girl asked.

"How old are you? You look really young." Maria asked. She was drawn to the young woman, maybe because she reminded her of Maddie when she was that age. Fearless, but cautious. Sweet and timid.

"I'm fifteen. I'll be sixteen Saturday though." The young woman answered.

"Happy Birthday…what's your name? You look familiar." Maria asked. She wasn't usually so forthcoming, but there was something about the young woman. Her smile.

"Hannah." The young woman answered and Maria looked at her in surprise. She walked around the table and looked at the girl for a moment.

"What's your last name? Where's your parents?" Maria questioned.

"Dead…or my mom is. I just don't know where my dad is. He might have died too. My last name is Slattery." Hannah answered. She was blinking tears away and Maria put an arm around her.

"You miss him a lot, don't you?" Maria asked and Hannah nodded.

"My daddy was always so amazing. I would never be at a homeless shelter." Hannah admitted as she wiped the tears away. Maria turned to one of the other woman and nodded at her.

"I'm going to take this one home with me. I've got someone there who would love to see her." Maria said before grabbing Hannah's backpack and leading her out of the church.

"Who?" Hannah asked.

"Your dad. He and my daughter, Maddie have twins together. Jack and EmmaLeigh. They are ten months old and close to perfect. Don't worry, your dad will be thrilled to see you." Maria said. She could see the shock on Hannah's face but also a faint smile.

"Mama wanted him to be happy. That was her biggest hope. That we would find each other and that he would be happy again." Hannah said.

"I think he will be even happier when he sees you." Maria said as they got in her car. She wasn't sure how she was going to explain it to Maddie, but it didn't matter. To her, it was a God thing. She drove to Mike and Maddie's house and smiled at Hannah. "He isn't home yet, so you have time to meet Maddie and the twins, and get cleaned up. Maddie will be happy too. She was actually looking for you this morning, after your dad told her about your birthday Saturday." Maria told her as she led her up the front steps. Maddie was in the living room with the babies.

"Mama, who is this?" Maddie asked, pointing at Hannah.

"This is Hannah Slattery. I found her at the homeless shelter and before you ask, I'm certain its her." Maria answered.

"I promise, its me. I would never lie if it wasn't. I've missed my dad so much." Hannah said.

"Maddie, we should get her cleaned up before Mike gets home." Maria said.

"He's due anytime. Why don't you take her up, and let her shower up there. There's clothes in my dresser that she can wear. We'll get her new tomorrow. I'll order take-out. Chinese food sound good, Hannah?" Maddie asked.

"Yeah, it does. Thanks." Hannah said.

"Mama, you can put her bag in Mike's room." Maddie said.

"I don't want to cause any issues." Hannah remarked nervously.

"You aren't. Mama will get you all taken care of. I will…explain to your dad." Maddie said.

"If you aren't certain its me, I understand. Like I told your mom, my birthday is Saturday. I was born in Rhode Island and Daddy was deployed. When I was five, I fell off the jungle gym and had to have four stitches in my knee and I broke my wrist jumping off my bed two days later. I have asthma too. When I was eight, I dressed up as a warrior princess for Halloween." Hannah told her.

"He told me about that last night. I have to admit, I was wondering, but that is too many specifics. You'd better go shower. He'll be home anytime." Maddie said as she turned Hannah towards the stairs. She helped Maria up them and Maddie called in their food order. There was no question in her mind. Hannah was Mike's Hannah. Finally, he pulled in; and smiled at the baby's when he walked in. Maddie gave him a kiss and grabbed his coat.

"It's a cold one out there tonight. I feel sorry for anyone having to be out there." Mike remarked.

"Me too. Mama worked at the homeless shelter today, so I ordered take-out." Maddie said.

"Sounds good. Where is she?" Mike asked as he picked Jack up and blew on his neck; one of Jack's favorite things. He was awarded with a laugh.

"Well, she came across this girl at the homeless shelter. She brought her home. I had mentioned Hannah to her this morning, and this girl's name is Hannah. She's your Hannah, Mike. Was a warrior princess for Halloween when she was eight, fell off a jungle gym at five; gaining her four stitches in her knee. A broken wrist two days later from jumping off her bed. Born in Rhode Island while you were deployed. You know her story better than me, but it sounds right. Asthma too. Details I didn't think she could learn in an article." Maddie said. Mike had a stunned look on his face.

"Where is she?" Mike asked.

"Give her a few minutes, Mike. Mama took her up to get her cleaned up. She's in pretty rough shape. Been homeless. I don't know that story, but she'll tell us." Maddie answered. She guided Mike to the couch, and sat him down. He was still holding Jack, and she put EmmaLeigh on his other leg. Just then the doorbell rang with their food delivery. Maddie answered it, got their food, and began sat it up on the table. "I'll go check on them. You okay?" Maddie asked.

"Yeah. Stunned." Mike answered.

"Me too, but its happy news. Everything is going to be great." Maddie said before giving Mike a kiss. She walked up the steps to Mike's bedroom. Hannah was sitting on the floor while Maria French Braided her long, wet hair. She was wearing a pair a Maddie's sweats and t-shirts, along with a pair of Mike's socks.

"A shopping trip will definitely be necessary tomorrow." Maria said.

"I'll tell Mike. He's home and thrilled. You ready, Hannah?" Maddie asked.

"Yeah." Hannah said quietly. Maddie bent down and pulled her to her feet.

"Well, come on." Maddie said before helping her mom off the bed. As they walked down the steps, she could tell how nervous Hannah was. "It'll all be okay. He is completely thrilled." Maddie said before they got to the bottom of the staircase. She and Maria got in front of Hannah and took the babies out of Mike's arms so he could hug Hannah. As soon as he was free, she rushed to him.

"Oh, Daddy; I've missed you so much." She said, crying into Mike's chest.

"I've missed you too, sweetheart. So much." Mike said. As tough as he was, Maddie heard tears in his voice. She led Maria away and smiled at the scene.

"There is a lot to figure out, but he seems happy. Just let him be." Maria remarked. Maddie could only nod in response. She was right.