Romantic Nonsense
Chapter 13
Mike was livid. Not at Maddie, but at her mom. Maddie would be permanently scarred. He didn't care about the scars, but he did care about the trauma and pain she was going through. And his girls certainly didn't need another setback or nightmare. Joann had provided trauma, pain, setbacks and nightmares in spades. Maddie had invited her in, but he understood that. She wanted a normal relationship with her mom. Its wasn't her fault that Joann was incapable of being a normal human being.
Maddie was rushed into surgery on her abdomen. They would also be stitches up her face and figuring out why she had been blinded in her right eye. Hopefully, that would be temporary. Her cheekbone was fractured and she had broken ribs. She would have a long road ahead of her. Finally, the doctor came out and Mike was let into Maddie's room. Thankfully, her lungs hadn't been punctured. They had stopped the bleeding and her face was stitched up. The doctors felt that once the swelling went down, her eyesight would return. He walked in and squeezed Maddie's hand. Her good eye opened and she tried to smile at him.
"Good morning, beautiful." Mike said.
"You have jokes." Maddie remarked.
"Its not morning, but you're still beautiful." Mike teased.
"I want to go home." Maddie said.
"You will tomorrow. They want to make sure your eyesight comes back. Fortunately; she didn't cut any nerves when she slashed you across the face. She did fracture your cheekbone though; and the swelling is impacting a nerve." Mike explained.
"The kids?" Maddie asked.
"Wolf and Azima are with them. They are going to stay the night." Mike answered.
"The girls have to be so scared." Maddie remarked.
"They are, but they are strong. Katie was helping with you and Hannah was taking care of the twins. They want me to stay with you tonight. Hannah told me I was supposed to paint your toenails and massage your back. I think she's confused. I think I was supposed to do that while you were in labor." Mike said.
"You did. I don't know that you polished my nails but that's okay." Maddie told him with a laugh.
"I even bought nail polish! The nurse said I couldn't put it on your left index finger due to the pulse ox thing." Mike answered.
"What color did you pick?" Maddie asked. Mike held up a bottle of neon pink polish. "Alright. Its awful, but okay." Maddie said. She held out her good hand and gave him a lopsided smile.
"I cannot believe I am doing this." Mike said. He sat down on the bed next to her and began applying the polish.
"Hannah will get a kick out of it." Maddie remarked. Mike was doing a terrible job at it, but it was making her laugh and smile. He would just suffer through. Anything to make Maddie laugh at that point.
"I think Katie will want to fix it. Hannah will just tease me about it." Mike said. His daughters' roles were clearly defined. Katie fixed. Hannah teased him unmercifully, but also loved him fiercely. And both girls loved Maddie deeply.
"She's a good girl. I know why I have to stay; but I'm gonna miss them." Maddie remarked.
"The babies?" Mike asked as he began working on her left hand.
"Yes, but also the girls." Maddie answered.
"They think the world of you." Mike told her.
"I know I can't replace their mom and I wouldn't want to, but I hope I can be something good for them. Better than my mom was to me." Maddie said.
"You already are, babe." Mike answered before giving her a soft kiss.
"I know there are gonna be scars…how will you…you can't find this attractive?" Maddie asked, pointing at her face.
"You do not need to worry about my finding you attractive. You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever set my eyes on. A few scars is not going to change that. You stood up to your mom. You love my girls and you gave me the twins. A part of me will always love Christine and I won't apologize for that, but another part of me will always love you." Mike told her.
"I love you and I don't deserve you or the kids." Maddie said.
"I love you too and you do. Now; let's talk about this house that you want? My thought is…build it. Buy the land you want and build what you want." Mike suggested.
"I like that idea. Huge master closet." Maddie said.
"Nice kitchen. A bit more privacy. We're a bit tight right now." Mike remarked.
"Big yard for the babies to play when they are older." Maddie said as she snuggled close to Mike. He could tell she was getting sleepy. He kissed the top of her head and smiled down at her.
"A pool." Mike said.
"Nice, big bed." Maddie mumbled. Mike pulled the blanket over her and let her fall asleep against his chest. He hoped when she woke up, the eyesight in her right eye would be back and she could go home in a day or so, and recover.