Just a happy Mother's Day story. Happy Mother's Day to all you mother's out there.
Mother's Day Gifts
It was Maddie's first Mother's Day, and Mike had plans of going all out. He just hoped their four month old son cooperated with his plans. Benji had a habit of not always understanding his parent's need for alone time or even sleep. Maddie delighted in motherhood and was already talking about having another, but Mike was reminded he was not in his early twenties anymore like he had been when Kaitlyn were born. Still,, he adored Benji and loved Maddie.
So, the Saturday before Mother's Day; he went to the store to buy groceries for Maddie's breakfast in bed and for the dinner he was fixing her. He'd already bought her a new ring and Benji was having flowers delivered. He wanted everything to be perfect and for Maddie to be well-rested so he planned on getting up with Benji on Saturday night. In a perfect world, Benji would sleep through the night but not in Mike's. His head was down, looking at a recipe on his phone for a frittata when a voice called his name. For a second he thought it was his mom's voice, but like Christine and his daughters; he hadn't been able to find a single clue as to where she might have gone.
"Michael!" The voice yelled again, and Mike looked for the source. He was shocked to see he was right. It was his mom.
"Mom?" Mike said as he walked towards her. She was in her late seventies, but she was practically running to him. Mike gave her a huge hug in the midst of the crowded grocery store. "How? Where?" Mike choked out.
"Here and there. That's not important though. What is important is that we are together." His mom, Barbara said.
"Christine and the kids…Mom, I'm sorry. I never found them. I'm sure they've died." Mike told her.
"Christine and Lucas, yes. Kaitlyn and Hannah, no. I've got them." Barbara answered.
"What? How?" Mike asked.
"Christine knew she had been exposed, but the girls hadn't. She called me and I picked them up at Deer Park. I tried to convince her to come along, but she wouldn't. Somehow, miraculously; they didn't catch it. I've been able to isolate them for years. Its really a long story. She just didn't want to expose them anymore. They are getting things for my Mother's Day lunch." Barbara said and Mike nodded.
"I want you to come to my place for Mother's Day. I don't know if you knew but I…had Christine declared deceased and remarried. Her name is Maddie and we have a four month old son, Benjamin, or Benji." Mike explained. He felt bad about having Christine declared deceased, and at times, felt badly because he was happy.
"I read an article and I want to meet both of them." Barbara told him as two girls walked up, and Mike immediately recognized them as his daughters. There were more tears and more hugs and Mike didn't even care they were making a scene in the grocery store.
"Where are you all staying?" Mike asked.
"There's this long-stay hotel. I figured we'd be there until we could find a place." Barbara answered.
"Nonsense. I have plenty of room. You'll live with me, Maddie and Benji." Mike told them firmly.
"Dad, are you sure that's okay? We don't want to cause problems with Maddie." Hannah asked.
"I'm certain she will be fine, but I can call her to make sure." Mike said. He took the shopping basket out of Kaitlyn's arms and put it with his own cart, before pulling out his cellphone. On the second ring; Maddie answered.
"Hey; I'm glad you called. Could you get me some more of that diaper rash cream for Benji. He's breaking out again." Maddie asked.
"Sure. So, I ran into someone at the store and was wondering if I could bring them home with me." Mike hinted, knowing Maddie would take the bait.
"Who?" Maddie asked.
"Just my mom, Hannah and Kaitlyn." Mike said. He heard Maddie gasp in surprise.
"Christine?" Maddie asked with a scared tone.
"No. She died." Mike answered. He was heartbroken, but he had known for years she was gone. He'd felt it.
"I'm sorry. But; yes, you have to bring them here. Where else would they stay?" Maddie commented.
"They are currently in a long-term hotel." Mike answered.
"Absolutely not. I will air out the extra rooms." Maddie answered. Fortunately, Mike had bought a large five-bedroom house.
"Thank you. We'll be home soon." Mike answered before hanging up.
Mike gathered up his mom and his daughters and paid for their groceries. He followed them to the long-stay hotel and helped them pack things up. They didn't have a lot to their names, but Mike had every plan of that changing. His mom and daughters would never want for a single thing. They arrived at his house just after, and Mike could tell they were overwhelmed. His house was no mansion, but it was comfortable and would be a home for his family.
Maddie greeted his mom and the girls warmly and Benji already had his grandmother wrapped around his little finger. His sisters also immediately adored him and Mike was thankful. He had been afraid of it being painful for the girls to see him with Maddie, but it was going surprisingly well. Mike had forgotten the ointment for Benji, so he went back out to get it and a gift for his own mom.
His mom and the girls settled easily and went to sleep quickly. Benji only woke up twice through the night, allowing both Mike and Maddie to sleep more soundly then their norm. He got up early and fixed breakfast for Maddie and his mom, with Kaitlyn's help. It gave him a good opportunity to visit with her. Both girls were a little blue, missing their own mom and he certainly understood. Later in the day; he would spend time with both of them, not to make up for the time they wouldn't get with their mom, but to sooth the loneliness.
Kaitlyn and Mike served his mom breakfast in bed, and then it was Maddie's turn. Kaitlyn stayed downstairs with his mom and Mike was able to enjoy a little time with his wife before Benji woke up, demanding their attention. But, before Mike or Maddie could get to him, Hannah was up with him and was already changing his diaper. When Mike walked into the nursery, Hannah was rocking him back and forth and Benji was trying to stuff her hair into his mouth.
"Wasn't so long ago, you were doing that with your mom's hair." Mike said as he watched his two kids.
"I miss her, you know." Hannah said tearfully.
"I know you do. I miss her too." Mike admitted as he put an arm around Hannah.
"Mom would be happy for you. She really wanted you to move on. She was afraid you wouldn't." Hannah remarked as she tried to control her emotions. She kissed the top of Benji's head and then passed him to Mike.
"Sometimes I feel bad that I am so happy." Mike admitted.
"Don't be. Now, we can all be happy together. Grandma is thrilled and we love Maddie and Benji. We're together. Nothing else matters now. And Mom is with Lucas. This is going to be the happiest Mother's Day we've had in a long time. And Father's Day is coming up too." Hannah said with a smile that was so like Christine's. It was just the confirmation that Mike needed. Things were going to be good again.