Accidental Happiness
Chapter 13
Maddie smiled as Hannah escorted Jack and EmmaLeigh down the aisle and then followed her. Their wedding was exactly what she wanted. Small, informal, in their backyard, with a cook out to follow. Master Chief was officiating, Tom was Mike's best man, and Sasha was her maid of honor. It was perfect.
Russ did his thing and they exchanged vows, rings and kisses. After taking pictures, they changed clothes and the cookout began. Hannah spent all her time playing with the twins, and they adored their sister. And she was even more thrilled to be a big sister again, as Maddie was three months along with another happy surprise. It was a bit of a shock, but Mike in particular was over the moon, constantly touching Maddie's baby bump.
They visited with their guests and ate entirely too much food. As Jack and EmmaLeigh got older, Maria had a harder time with them, but Hannah was always a good help, and Maddie had given up her job search just after she found out she was pregnant again. Mike had planned a weekend away as kind of a honeymoon, and Tom and Sasha had bought a house across the street.
After kissing the kids and Maria goodbye; Mike and Maddie headed to the beach, where Mike had gotten them a cottage. It was cute with light wood, white walls, and was fairly modern. Mike put their bags into the bedroom and gave Maddie another kiss all while unzipping her dress.
"Much longer and I'll be as big as a barn." Maddie remarked.
"I doubt it. Only one baby in there." Mike said.
"Mmm. I was huge with the twins. Don't stop now." Maddie ordered and Mike continued with the dress.
"I can't wait. I always thought pregnant women were sexy." Mike said before picking her up and carrying her into the bedroom, as Maddie howled in laughter.
Six Months Later
Maddie smiled at her nursing daughter. She had Maddie's dark hair, and Mike's eyes. In some ways, she was the ribbon that tied their family together and she was very well loved. Unfortunately, Mike had to deploy two months before her birth and was unable to make it home. Maddie could tell it practically killed Mike, but he was finally due home and would be able to meet tiny Tess for the first time. Maddie had planned to meet him at the door with Tess, but Tess decided she needed fed, so Hannah and the twins took that job over. Maddie heard them laughing and then Mike's voice a moment later, and then Maria talking to him as she led him into the living area at the back of the house, when Maddie was nursing Tess.
Mike walked into the room, leaving the rest of their family in the front of the house, and knelt in front of Maddie. She took the cover-up off so that he could see Tess, since she hadn't even been able to get pictures sent to him. He gave her a gentle smile but waited patiently until Tess finished.
"You can burp her." Maddie told him. She handed Tess to him and he sat down next to her. Mike gave her a kiss before putting Tess on his shoulder to burp her.
"She is absolutely perfect. I am so sorry you had to do this on your own, again." Mike remarked. It had really bothered him.
"You are here now. And I had help. Mama and Hannah were amazing." Maddie told him.
"I'm glad, but I am sick of missing out on so much. I'm…thinking about retirement. Seriously." Mike told her.
"Well, I certainly wouldn't mind having you home more. I will support whatever, but I like it best when you're here." Maddie answered and Mike gave her a long kiss, just as Tess gave him a big burp. It made him laugh.
"Not very ladylike, Miss Tess." Mike told their daughter as he held her on his knee and looked her over.
"She isn't. This one is gassier than the twins, put together." Maddie said with a laugh.
"Kaitlyn was like that. So, I can put my papers in tomorrow?" Mike asked.
"Go for it. Hannah will be over the moon happy, and the twins will love it. Plus, I love it when you are here, so it'll be great." Maddie answered. Just then, Hannah and the twins escaped from the front room and got to the couch. The twins settled between Maddie and Mike, while Hannah sat down next to her dad, hugging his arm. She had missed Mike deeply and had had nightmares the entire time he was gone, fearing that something would happen again.
"So, Maddie and I were just talking. How would you feel if I was home more…permanently? I'm thinking about putting my papers in to retire." Mike asked Hannah.
"I'd love it. I hated you being gone." Hannah admitted and Mike kissed the top of her head as she snuggled close. Within a moment, she was sound asleep.
"She's not been sleeping good. Up and down all night with nightmares. I'll take Tess. You just relax with her." Maddie explained and Mike nodded. The twins had already run off, and Tess was also asleep. For Maddie, even though their surprises were unplanned, they were perfect for them, and with Mike being home more, it would be even better.