Romantic Nonsense
Chapter 6
Maddie was at a total loss as to what to do. Her mother was already making legal moves to take the baby once it was born. Short of Mike stepping in and helping; there was very little Maddie could do. She honestly didn't care about the money, but she didn't want to subject any baby to her mother. Until Mike made his move, Maddie was stuck. All she could to was do her best to protect the baby inside of her. She began eating healthier and going on walks after work, mostly to get away from her mother, who was now insisting she would stay until the baby was born in early December.
Mike had texted her to check on her, and told her if she needed anything to let him know. She didn't tell him about her mother slapping her across the face the night before or how she made so many comments about Maddie miscarrying the baby she was carrying. Maddie knew if it got too bad, she could just show up at Mike's door and he would take care of everything, but he was not in a good headspace and she didn't want to intrude. About a week after she had found that she was pregnant, Maddie returned home after work. She had delayed it as long as possible. Of course; her mother was already drunk and Maddie wished she could just go into her bedroom.
"Did you pick up anymore of that whiskey?" Joann asked, as soon as Maddie walked in the door. She hadn't even taken her coat off or put her purse down.
"Mom; I told you I couldn't until I was paid on Friday." Maddie said.
"Did I teach you nothing? You should always have plenty of everything on hand." Joann said.
"Its hard to keep up with your hard liquor habit." Maddie deadpanned. She was shocked when Joann punched her hard in the stomach. It took her breath away. She should have been able to block her, but she never thought her mom would actually hit her like that. Because she still had her purse, keys and coat; she walked right back out the door. On auto-pilot and with nowhere else to go, she drove to Mike's; praying he would be there.
His truck was in the parking lot and Maddie did her best to wipe the tears off her face before she knocked on his door. As soon as he opened the door, Mike looked shocked, but he let her in and helped her take the coat off. Before Maddie settled on the couch, Mike got her a bottle of water.
"What happened? Is the baby alright?" Mike asked.
"I…don't know. Mom…is difficult. She got mad because I hadn't bought anymore whiskey. She punched me in the stomach. Last night; she slapped me across the face. I…didn't have anywhere else to go and you might not want me here." Maddie admitted. A fresh torrent of tears fell and Mike handed her a tissue.
"She's still here?" Mike asked.
"Uh…yeah. She's not going to leave until the baby is born. There's this clause in some legal paperwork concerning a trust fund. If I have a baby out of wedlock, get arrested or just generally make her mad before I turn thirty-two, I won't inherit the money and she'll get the baby. I don't care a bit about the money, but the baby…" Maddie said.
"That's ridiculous." Mike remarked angrily.
"I called the attorney. As crazy as it is, it is on the paperwork. He said I could fight it, but it probably wouldn't get through the court system before the baby is born." Maddie explained.
"And if you are married?" Mike asked.
"She'd have no claim. Mike; that is not why I came here. I just didn't know where else to go. I didn't even pack any clothes." Maddie said.
"I know. Do you want to file charges?" Mike asked.
"I just want her out of my apartment and to leave me alone!" Maddie said as she stood up and began pacing. Mike also stood up and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Alright. Let's go get you checked out. Have you been to the doctor yet?" Mike asked.
"No. No money." Maddie admitted.
"Okay. First and foremost; due to the hit to the stomach; we need to make sure the baby is alright. Are you cramping or anything?" Mike asked.
"No." Maddie answered.
"Alright." Mike said. He grabbed his cellphone, keys and wallet and put his hand on the small of Maddie's back, gently pushing her out of the apartment with him.
"I can't afford this." Maddie said.
"I know. Don't worry about that. You will stay with me tonight. We'll get you some work clothes before we go back to the apartment." Mike told her as they got in his truck. Maddie had never been an emotional person, but the pregnancy hormones were causing her to cry almost constantly.
"I don't want to lose this baby." Maddie told him and Mike nodded.
"I know you don't." Mike answered. He reached over and patted her knee before beginning the drive.
Fortunately, Maddie was able to be seen immediately at the Emergency Room and was glad to have Mike beside her. He was being very supportive and wasn't afraid to demand better service for her. Finally, the OBGYN and nurse came in to perform an ultrasound.
"Hi; I'm Doctor Smith. So, given that you aren't too far along, it'll be hard to see much on the ultrasound, but we will still do one to make sure there is no damage and to hear the heartbeat. You ready, Ms. Rawlings?" Dr. Smith asked.
"Yes." Maddie answered. Mike helped her onto the exam table and to get comfortable. To him, it was almost second nature. Once her shirt was lifted, he was less than thrilled with the bruise that was already forming, but didn't say a lot. The doctor and nurse began the ultrasound, and a moment later; she heard a loud noise.
"That's the heartbeat." Mike told her with a smile.
"It is. Nice and strong." Dr. Smith told them.
"Is everything okay?" Maddie asked, worried about damage. She had noticed the doctor and nurse exchange a look and point at something on the screen. Finally, Dr. Smith turned it to where Mike and Maddie could see it.
"The babies are fine. There are two distinctive fetuses with two distinctive heartbeats. Congratulations, I suppose?" Dr. Smith said. Maddie instantly become overwhelmed again and began crying into her hand, but Mike gave her an encouraging smile.
"Hey, its going to be fine. No worries." Mike said.
"I can have my nurse make you an appointment for a regular check up during regular business hours?" Dr. Smith offered.
"Yes." Mike answered for Maddie as he helped her clean the jelly off and sit up.
"Perfect. Maddie; you need to start taking prenatal vitamins. You said you are already eating good and drinking plenty of water. Twins will deplete your system, so you need all the help you can get. Don't stress and take it easy." Dr. Smith instructed.
"I'll take care of it, Doc." Mike answered. Maddie nodded in response, but she was fine with Mike handling all the business stuff regarding her discharge. After the hospital, he took her to a Wal-Mart and they purchased the prenatal vitamins, along with an outfit for the next day. He bought a frozen pizza for their dinner and once back at the apartment, Maddie slipped in for a shower, wondering what Mike's next move would be. She needed him to come through and she suspected he would in a way she wasn't expecting.