Accidental Happiness

Chapter 9

Mike was stunned but on cloud nine. He had always hoped to be reunited with Hannah, but knew it was unlikely. Being able to hug her was like a dream to him. He could hear Maddie and Maria moving around in the dining room and pulled back from Hannah.

"I bet your hungry?" Mike asked.

"I am." Hannah told him quietly and he led her into the dining room. He seated her between himself and Maddie and began putting food on her plate. Maddie and Maria were feeding Jack and EmmaLeigh who were both watching Hannah with some interest.

"I figured tomorrow, we would go get you some clothes and things." Maddie told Hannah.

"I don't want to be any trouble." Hannah told them.

"No, you won't be. You need clothes. Maria, would you be okay with watching Jack and EmmaLeigh tomorrow? I thought I would take off and go with Maddie and Hannah." Mike asked.

"Happy to. We can redo that room some too. Maybe a new bedspread, curtains and a rug. The furniture is still good." Maria said.

"The paint is nice too, unless you want something different?" Maddie asked Hannah.

"No, its all fine. You really don't have to do anything at all. I'm just thrilled to be back with Daddy and in a warm house. I'll work for my keep. I don't know anything about babies, but I'm sure I'll figure it out." Hannah said. Jack was already 'flirting' with his big sister and EmmaLeigh was watching her with some interest.

"Oh, trust me; we'll have you changing diapers in no time at all." Mike teased as he filled his own plate. They were all passing around the food containers, including Hannah.

"Mike; don't scare her like that. You just eat and get rested up. We'll come up with a chore list later." Maddie insisted with a grin at Mike. He was really glad she and Maria were being so understanding and welcoming. It made things easier because he didn't want to mess things up with Maddie. They all began eating dinner and while Maddie and Maria got the twins ready for bed, Mike and Hannah washed dishes up. It gave him a chance to talk to her.

"Are you okay with Maddie, Maria and the twins?" Mike asked Hannah quietly.

"Yeah, they are really nice. Mama wanted you to be happy." Hannah said.

"I am, honey; especially now. I miss your mom, Kaitlyn and Lucas, but I am so happy to have you back and the babies are really special. I know you'll love them, Maddie and Maria eventually." Mike told her.

"I'm sure I will. I have to say, that bed looked so comfortable." Hannah admitted.

"If you want to get comfortable, go ahead. I'll finish these, lock up and be up there soon. I will look in on you before you go to sleep." Mike said and gave Hannah a kiss on the forehead. She gave him a hug and ran up the steps.

Mike finished dishes, looked over the mail and called in for the next day. He would be available by phone for a few days while he got Hannah settled in. Finally, he walked up the steps and smiled when he saw Hannah in the nursery, holding Jack. The baby was in his sleeper and was fighting sleep, all while flirting with his big sister.

"Thought you were going to bed?" Mike asked with a smile.

"I was, but I wanted to get to know Jack and EmmaLeigh. She cried when I tried to hold her." Hannah said as she rocked Jack back and forth. Maddie was laying EmmaLeigh down while Maria straightened things.

"She cried when I held her the first time too. She'll get used to you. Jack just is a flirt." Mike said as he kissed the baby boy's head.

"He's fighting his sleep something awful tonight." Maddie remarked.

"I probably am not helping with that." Hannah said as she handed the baby over to Mike and stood up. Jack was clearly unhappy to not be in his much prettier sister's arms.

"Oh, ssh; you'll see Hannah first thing in the morning. She's not going anywhere." Mike told Jack. Hannah smiled and gave Jack a kiss.

"Jack has her firmly wrapped around his little finger." Maddie teased.

"He's good at that." Maria commented as she smiled at her grandson. Even at ten-months-old, he was the more outgoing of the twins and he kept them all on their toes. Hannah let out a small yawn and gave them all a smile.

"I think I'm going to lay down now. Being in a warm house with a full belly has made me tired." Hannah remarked as she gave Maddie and Maria hugs and then gave Mike a kiss on the cheek.

"I'll be there in a few minutes. I know you're too old, but I missed a lot of times tucking you in, so you're gonna have to just bear with me." Mike told her.

"Okay." Hannah said before leaving the room.

"She is really a sweet girl. I'll get Jack settled if you want to help Mom down the stairs." Maddie offered.

"Sure thing." Mike said as he handed Jack over to Maddie and gave Maria his arm. Once they walked out of the room; Maddie rocked Jack to sleep and laid him down. When she walked by Hannah's door, she looked in and smiled. Hannah was sitting up in the bed, reading something.

"If you need another blanket, there is some in the bottom dresser drawer. What about a pillow? Is that enough?" Maddie asked.

"I'm used to sleeping on a park bench, if I'm lucky; so this is amazing. I'll be fine. Thank you." Hannah told her and Maddie smiled at her.

"Your welcome. Get some rest. Our room is across from the twin's so if you need anything wake us up. If you hear the twins, don't worry about getting up with them. Your dad or I will." Maddie told her as Mike came up behind her.

"Thanks." Hannah said and Maddie patted Mike's arm on the way out. Mike smiled down at Hannah and sat down on the bed next to her.

"Have you got everything you need for the night? We'll get you some new clothes and such in the morning; stuff for this room too." Mike asked.

"Yeah. Maddie told me there were more blankets in the drawer, but I am plenty warm now." Hannah said.

"Good. Look; I want to ask you all kinds of questions, but I think it would be a better idea to let you get some rest before. Get settled in some. Just know; I am so happy that you're back. I hope you're okay with Maddie and the twins? I know you said earlier that you were, but if something makes you uncomfortable; let me know." Mike asked.

"I will, Daddy. I really am okay with everything." Hannah told him and Mike gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"I'm really glad. I know Maddie is a bit nervous now. I was thinking about finding her a ring." Mike commented.

"I would love to help you, but tomorrow won't be a good day. Maybe another day." Hannah said.

"Perfect. I really need to make sure she's ready for that first." Mike answered.

"Do you love each other?" Hannah asked.

"I…we've never said that to each other." Mike admitted.

"Maybe you should start there." Hannah suggested before yawning.

"Probably a good idea. You get some rest." Mike said as he tucked the blankets around her and gave her another kiss on the forehead.

"You too, Daddy. I love you." Hannah said.

"I love you too, Pumpkin." Mike said, using his old term of endearment for his daughter. He stood up and shut the bedside lamp off before leaving the room. He stood in the hallway and watched her fall asleep before walking to his own bedroom, where Maddie was settling into their bed. "I'm gonna take a quick shower. What's that list?" Mike asked as he looked at the notebook in Maddie's hand. He hoped it wasn't something about Maddie's job search. He still didn't want her to go to work.

"Just making a list of things Hannah needs. Clothes, haircut. I figured you'd also want to get her into a doctor and dentist appointment once you had gotten her military dependent ID and back on your insurance." Maddie answered.

"Yeah. Once we get home tomorrow; I'll make those calls. She does have a bit of a cough." Mike said as he pulled his clothes out of the dresser.

"I noticed that. She really is a sweetheart." Maddie said with a smile.

"She is. She really likes you." Mike said before giving Maddie a kiss. He knew Hannah had made a point, but as always; he was scared to put his heart on the line and he wasn't sure Maddie felt the same. He didn't want to make a fool out of himself if she didn't feel the same.