The New Assignment
Chapter 24
Once Hannah ridded herself of Doctor Gallagher, she leaned more on Mike and Maddie. But neither minded and Maddie made a point to stand away, giving Mike a chance to help his daughter, all while bonding with her. As she recovered, it made Maddie wonder what was happening between her and Mike.
She went back to work and left the babies in Mike and Hannah's care during the date. By the time that she got home at night, she missed them. For having been so on the fence about them during her pregnancy, she was glad she had kept them. They had become her world and late one night, she was feeding Jacob when Mike came upstairs from his gym. He smiled at her and their son.
"He's a growing boy. I almost dread our grocery bill in the next few years." Mike said.
"Is it too early to start cereal? His doctor said he's too little but I think he needs the extra." Maddie asked.
"I think he could do a bit. I got some from the store. We can try tomorrow. It might make his diapers a bit interesting but I think it might help him sleep." Mike answered.
"I just don't know that much about babies." Maddie remarked.
"You're doing just fine. First babies are always a bit of an experiment and what works for one doesn't for the next. Katie was completely different than Hannah." Mike said with a smile. He talked a little easier about Katie and Lucas.
"And I have it times three." Maddie said.
"Yeah. And each of them has their own personalities." Mike remarked. He sat down next to her and smiled at Jacob. The baby immediately reached for him and he took him.
"The girls were sound asleep. Hannah was studying." Maddie said.
"Good. Hannah is wanting to do something special for her birthday." Mike said.
"Oh, yeah?" Maddie asked.
"Yeah. Undecided what. Could you help me pick out a gift? I want it to be special. Maybe some sort of jewelry?" Mike asked.
"Of course." Maddie said with a smile.
"Her mom…I found her mom's jewelry box in Norfolk. I kept it, and I want Hannah to have it, but I also want her to have something of her own. I thought I would put my wedding band in the box so that way, if she wanted to use it when the time came, she could." Mike said.
"That's a big step." Maddie remarked.
"Its time." Mike said.
"What you had with her was very special. I can tell you really love her. She was a lucky woman." Maddie said.
"She didn't always think so. But…that is not where I was going with this. Where I was going, was that…shit…I'm terrible at this." Mike commented as he rubbed his face. Maddie knew what he was trying to articulate so instead of putting him through hell, she leaned forward and gave him a long kiss.
"I feel the same way." Maddie said.
"You do?" Mike asked.
"Mike; I was the one that messed up. I was the one that walked away. I got worried when I found out I was pregnant and ran. I loved you. Still do. I was just scared." Maddie said.
"I should have made it clearer how I felt too. I suppose I was scared to love again. To lose again." Mike said.
"And now?" Maddie asked.
"You were here when I thought I was losing Hannah. You've been here for her too. You don't seek to replace Christine and you acknowledge her place in our lives. Not erase it." Mike answered. He leaned over and gave her another kiss. They looked down to find Jacob smiling at both of them.