Accidental Happiness
Chapter 11
Maddie had never been happier. Mike had mentioned having a long engagement, but Maddie would have been happy to elope. They didn't need a fancy wedding. Once Maria had figured out that they were engaged, she was on cloud nine. As Mike and Maddie were getting ready for bed one night, they discussed it.
"We don't have to wait. I don't particularly want anything extremely fancy, but its whatever you want." Mike said as he took his watch off.
"I don't want a huge church wedding either. I'd be happy to do something in the backyard and then have a barbeque with our family and friends." Maddie agreed.
"That sounds like fun." Mike commented.
"Maybe wait til its warmer, so people can swim. I really don't want anything formal." Maddie said as she got in the bed.
"Beats my first wedding. We did the big church wedding, tuxedo and white dress, the whole bit. We'd been living together too and Christine was not a virgin. Her mother was insistent. Christine wanted to save the money and just have a small thing." Mike explained.
"Mama just wants me married. I don't think she'd care how I did it." Maddie said with a laugh.
"Christine's mom had an illusion that Christine was a virgin and we'd waited. When Kaitlyn was born seven months later and was eight pounds, she just shook her head." Mike reminisced with a sad look on his face, obviously remembering his oldest daughter and what was probably one of the happiest times in his life.
"Well, Jack and EmmaLeigh are living proof that I am not a virgin. She's a realist and she is thrilled we are getting married. Have you talked to Hannah?" Maddie asked, knowing Mike was a little nervous about talking to his daughter about their engagement.
"Yeah. She seems okay, but I think she's missing her mom. Tomorrow when I get off work, I'm going to look through a few of the boxes in the garage. I had some of Christine's things. Its time that Hannah inherited them. Just some jewelry, recipe book, a favorite scarf. Things like that. Pictures." Mike said. He climbed in next to Maddie and settled in.
"Yesterday, she told me that my perfume reminded me of her mom. I think she's not had time to grieve and now she does." Maddie remarked.
"That makes sense. I just hate to see her in pain." Mike remarked and Maddie reached over and patted his cheek.
"Me too. Just be there for her. Don't be afraid to talk about her mom with her. It doesn't bother me in the least." Maddie said before giving Mike a kiss.
"Good. I'd better get to sleep. I have a long day tomorrow." Mike told her and Maddie gave him another kiss.
"I'll get up with Jack and EmmaLeigh if they wake up. I love you." Maddie answered.
"I love you too." Mike said as he shut his bedside lamp off. Maddie followed suit and within a few minutes, they were both asleep.
Maddie could tell how depressed Hannah seemed. She was still a sweetheart and would help with the babies anytime she was needed, but she was quiet and when Mike was working, she would walk to the front door looking for him several times a day.
"Your dad texted. He has an early day. He'll be home about three." Maddie told her.
"Okay." Hannah answered. She was still looking outside.
"Is there something I can help with? We weren't sure how you felt about the engagement. I'm not here to replace your mom." Maddie said.
"I know." Hannah answered. She had her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms around her knees. It was a classic defensive move. She didn't want to open up, at least not to Maddie.
"Hannah, I'm not going to push you. Just know, we love you so much. We want you here. The babies adore you and your dad is thrilled. He misses your brother, sister and mom, of course, but he is happy." Maddie said as she sat down next to Hannah.
"I wonder sometimes, why I lived and they didn't." Hannah remarked.
"I don't know, sweetie. A lot of people wonder that now. Your dad calls its survivor's guilt." Maddie answered.
"I just really miss my mom. You and Maria are great, but I miss her hugs. I guess I'm realizing that I won't ever get one of her hugs again." Hannah said.
"Its okay to miss her and I will hug you whenever you need. So will Mama and so will your dad. I know I'm not your mom, and its not the same, but we all love you." Maddie said as she wrapped her arms around Hannah. The young girl put her face into Maddie's shoulder and began crying and all Maddie could do was rock her back and forth.