Romantic Nonsense
Chapter 7
Mike felt badly for Maddie, and now she was stressing about supporting twins. Mike had assured her that he would be helping, but she was emotional, scared and feeling very alone. He wasn't sure how they were going to handle her mother. He didn't want the babies to be taken by a woman who had no business with them. Mike also suspected that Maddie had not had a very happy childhood and she had been hit before.
She went to work Friday morning, but promised Mike she wouldn't go back to her apartment without picking him up first. He was already planning on how to handle that particular issue. The issue was how to keep the babies from Joann. For whatever reason; Maddie had a copy of the paperwork and to Mike; it looked ironclad. The only way to keep the babies was for Maddie to get married before they were born. It left very few options.
He was going to have to marry Maddie. He liked her, even cared about what happened to her, but he didn't love her. He still loved Christine. He had only ever imagined growing old with her. His heart belonged to her, but he also didn't want Maddie to face losing the babies. His babies. He was going to have to get used to being someone's husband again, and would eventually have to face being a father again. It was just not how he wanted it. He wanted Christine and his older kids. He spent his day looking at pictures. A little after five; Maddie came in and they ate a quiet dinner before heading to her apartment. As soon as they walked in; they were confronted with Joann.
"Who is this?" Joann asked.
"My name is Mike Slattery. I will be seeing to it that Maddie has what she needs. She'll be staying with me." Mike said. They really hadn't discussed that, but Maddie gave him a gentle nod. "Is he the father?" Joann asked Maddie.
"It doesn't matter. What does matter is that she'll be taken care of and so will the baby." Mike said, not letting it slip that there were twins.
"And you're okay with this?" Joann asked, addressing Maddie.
"Yes. I want to keep this baby. I don't care about the money." Maddie said, following Mike's lead.
"Sure you don't." Joann remarked.
"Her needs will be met. She'll not want for anything." Mike assured her. He knew it wasn't out of love where Joann was concerned. It had made Mike feel even sorrier for Maddie.
"I'm going to pack some things. Mom; you can stay here but it's a month to month lease, so if I am staying with Mike long-term; I will probably give notice that I am moving out." Maddie said.
"And I do plan on her staying long-term; so you'll need to make other plans." Mike said.
"Oh, whatever!" Joann said. She stormed off and into the spare room; slamming the door behind her. Mike put his arm around Maddie and gave her an encouraging smile.
"C'mon. Let's get you packed up and out of here. You'll feel better once its done." Mike said.
"What is going to happen? She can still get the baby." Maddie asked, still going along with only saying there was one baby in case Joann was eavesdropping.
"Let's get this done. Once we aren't here; I'll explain it." Mike said.
"You and I are going to get married, aren't we?" Maddie asked as they walked into her bedroom.
"That's part of the plan." Mike said.
"You don't…want to, though. Marriage was never in your plans." Maddie pointed out.
"No, but I care just enough about you that I don't want you to lose them. Given time; everything will work out." Mike explained.
"I hope so. I don't want a loveless marriage, and I don't want them raised like that." Maddie said.
"Me either. Let's just get you out of here." Mike answered. He offered Maddie a smile as he emptied out a drawer into a suitcase, not even bothering to organize things. He didn't want Maddie subjected to her mother any longer than possible.