A Christmas Carol, The Last Ship Version
Chapter 5
Mike woke up in his cold and sterile apartment. He was alone again. It was now daylight and his stomach wasn't hurting anymore, but he felt terribly alone. He had wanted to be with Christine more. He got dressed and checked his emails. He approved the report that he had given his staff so much grief over, and decided to send them all an email. Christmas Eve was Friday, and Christmas Day was Saturday.
"To my Staff,
Please enjoy Christmas with your families. I will see you all Tuesday morning.
Merry Christmas,
Adm. Michael Slattery"
He knew there would be some shock regarding the message but it didn't feel adequate where Maddie Rawlings was concerned. He honestly didn't know that her mom was dying, but he still felt terribly because he had cost her hours with her mom. He ate a quick breakfast and decided to go to her townhouse. Not wanting to be empty handed; he stopped and bought a cheesecake from a local bakery. She answered the door on the second knock and was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a turtleneck sweater and had her hair down. For the first time; Mike noticed how attractive she was.
"Sir? I thought we had the morning off?" Maddie asked.
"You do. I found your address in your file and wanted to drop this by. Its not as good as the cookies and fudge, but I wanted to return the favor and I remember someone saying you loved cheesecake." Mike said, lying rather badly.
"Oh, thank you." Maddie said, taking the box hesitantly.
"What are your plans for the holiday?" Mike asked.
"I…don't know, Sir. I had a death in the family late last night, so I will be meeting with the funeral home in a while. I will probably be attending to the funeral…or memorial service, rather. I just wanted those that had young families to be off, and you gave them that." Maddie answered.
"I'm very sorry about your family member. Was it someone close?" Mike asked, even though he knew. Maddie let him into the small living room, where the hospice equipment was still set up.
"My mother." Maddie answered simply. He recognized the heartbreak on her face.
"I'm very sorry. Where's the rest of your family?" Mike asked.
"It was just she and I." Maddie said.
"Oh, that's tough. And you're doing a memorial service?" Mike questioned.
"We didn't really have the money for a funeral. Everything went into her care. As it is, I am going to have to do payments on her final expenses." Maddie said. Mike focused on the folder sitting on the kitchen table. It was from a funeral home. He memorized the name of the funeral home and nodded at her.
"I had to do that with my dad's funeral. No life insurance and I had a young family. It was tough. So, if you need anything; please let me know. I also would like to know when the memorial service is. I would like to attend. And I think it would be appropriate for you to take the week between Christmas and New Year's off. Give yourself some time to process." Mike told her.
"Sir? What's happened to you?" Maddie asked, and then immediately closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Sir. That was inappropriate." Maddie said.
"It's alright. Just had a change of heart. Do you have plans tonight?" Mike asked.
"No, sir." Maddie answered.
"Stop…calling me sir. Its fine at work, but please; just call me Mike outside of work. I will be here at six to pick you up for dinner. Considering its Christmas Eve; I don't know what I'll find to eat, but I really don't want to be alone and I can't stand the idea of you being here alone." Mike told her, knowing it would blow her away.
"Is that…okay?" Maddie asked.
"Probably against some rule somewhere, but I don't care. And since I am the one who decides about rules and regulations and policies, if I say be ready for dinner at six, then be ready. Clear?" Mike asked.
"Crystal. Can you let me know where you find so that I am dressed appropriately?" Maddie asked.
"Of course." Mike answered before rubbing her shoulder. He left the townhouse and drove directly to the funeral home. He paid for the cremation and memorial service, along with a pastor and a nice floral arrangement. He let the funeral home know if there were any additional costs, to let him know. He didn't even care if Maddie knew it was him that paid the final expenses.
He made reservations at a higher end restaurant and texted Maddie; letting her know where but to dress casually. Since he was out; he went back to the bakery and purchased the rest of his staff the cheesecakes, to be delivered that evening to their residences. It had been expensive day for Mike but he didn't care, because for the first time in years; he felt good. He felt good about what he was doing for Maddie and he felt good about giving his employees a bit of a Christmas present and a few days off to spend with their families. It made him feel warm inside.
A few years before; he had paid for a headstone with Christine, Katie, Hannah, and Lucas' names inscribed. It was nothing fancy but it gave him a place to grieve for his family. He visited the headstone and laid a floral arrangement and toy truck for Lucas on it. Normally, he felt anger when he visited the headstone; but now, there was a simple peace. Once back at his apartment, he showered, shaved and changed into a pair of nice jeans, a button-down and blazer. While he waited until he could pick up Maddie; he typed out his resignation letter. At the first of the year, he was going to have to re-up anyways, so it was a good time. Maybe next Christmas, he wouldn't be alone on Christmas morning.
Maddie met him at her front door, wearing a knee length sweater dress, leggings and tall boots. He helped her into a wool coat and helped her down the icy steps. If Christine taught him one thing, it was to be a gentleman; so he also helped Maddie into his truck and back out once they got to the restaurant. The weather was cold which caused the pavement to be slippery. He offered Maddie his arm and then helped her out of the coat when they got to the restaurant. Once seated, Mike ordered a bottle of red wine.
"This restaurant has a good menu. I've ate here before and the prime rib is unbelievable." Mike told her.
"Is that what you're ordering?" Maddie asked.
"Yes, but order anything you'd like. Save room for dessert." Mike said as he poured the wine.
"The prime rib sounds good. I honestly wouldn't know what to order. I've never ate at a place like this." Maddie said.
"Alright. Would you let me order for you?" Mike asked.
"Sure." Maddie said as she sipped the wine. The waiter appeared and Mike ordered both of their dinners. Prime rib for both, but for him; a baked potato. For her, he ordered a side salad and homemade macaroni and cheese that she had expressed an interest in. Desert would be some sort of Greek Yogurt, chocolate and fruit concoction.
"So, did you get the memorial service set?" Mike asked.
"Yes. Strange thing though. When I got there, someone had paid for the cremation, service, pastor and a floral arrangement. Do you know anything about that?" Maddie asked. Mike simply smiled and winked in response.
"Possibly. Do you have plans for tomorrow?" Mike asked.
"No." Maddie answered.
"If things were normal; what would you do?" Mike asked.
"My mom and I always baked on Christmas Day. Cookies, candy, that sort of thing. I had expedited some of our traditions so she could experience them, hence your Christmas gift. Not sure I will want to bake by myself though." Maddie stated.
"Do you have the supplies?" Mike questioned.
"Yes. I had bought them in case Mom was still with us." Maddie answered.
"I'll bake with you. Can't say that I am particularly good at it, but I can open cans and packages. And I can sample." Mike said.
"You must have really liked that box of goodies." Maddie remarked.
"Yes. My wife always used to cook and bake before Christmas. I really liked the fudge." Mike said.
"I make a peanut butter fudge too. Its got chocolate and peanut butter swirled together. Its called tiger fudge." Maddie told him.
"Sounds good to me. I love sweets." Mike said just as their food arrived. Maddie seemed a bit overwhelmed by the presentation and amount of food.
"This is really fancy." Maddie remarked.
"A bit, but as long as its good." Mike said. Maddie took a bite of her prime rib and nodded.
"Its delicious. And it tastes really good with the wine." Maddie told him.
"Yes, it pairs well. I figured we'd order some coffee with dessert." Mike said and Maddie nodded in agreement. She was savoring every bite, and Mike imagined taking her out for prime rib a bit more often. In a few weeks, he wouldn't be breaking any regulations by doing it. They ate in silence for a few minutes and Maddie ate everything on her plate.
"My mom always told me it was rude to eat everything on the plate, but I've also been told it was rude not to. It would tell the cook that you didn't like their food. That was too good not to eat it all." Maddie said after the waiter took their plates away.
"I'm glad you liked it. You know; we can do this again." Mike said.
"Wouldn't that be…against the rules?" Maddie asked.
"It would be, but I turned in my retirement papers earlier today. The President will probably be opening the email after the Holidays, so if you can keep it to yourself?" Mike asked.
"Of course. I have to say I am surprised. I never thought you would retire." Maddie said.
"I…want a life. Happiness. Of course; I can have it in the Navy, but it would be far easier to pursue if I was out of the Navy. Given that the person that I would want to pursue it with is still in the Navy." Mike said just as Maddie choked on her wine. Of course; if the choking got out of hand, he'd help her, but he only grinned in response. She had caught his drift. "You okay?" Mike finally asked, worried that he had upset her.
"I'm…fine. Just a bit surprised. I wasn't expecting that at all." Maddie admitted.
"I hope I haven't completely tipped my hand and that it isn't going to be really awkward now." Mike commented, suddenly uncomfortable. He was shocked when Maddie reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
"Just surprised you feel the same way I do. I knew somewhere under all that anger and bravado was a good man." Maddie said and Mike smiled broadly. It was just the answer he wanted.
"You are one of the few people that thinks so." Mike told her.
"Prove them wrong. I do have a question and it involves the rules and regulations." Maddie stated.
"What's that?" Mike asked as their dessert and coffee arrived.
"Well, I know its technically against the rules, but would there be any objections to you waking up at my townhouse tomorrow morning?" Maddie asked.
"I wouldn't object to that." Mike said with a grin.
"You understand what I want it to entail?" Maddie asked.
"Yes. Same thing I do." Mike said.
"Would it bother you to not wake up alone tomorrow?" Maddie asked.
"Not in the least." Mike answered.
"Good. Rules be damned." Maddie said.
"Exactly. Eat up." Mike answered. Maddie winked in response over her coffee cup. While Mike ate and waited for Maddie; he hoped he was doing what Christine had wanted him to do. He wished he had some sort of confirmation from her, just as he and Maddie walked outside and he saw a red cardinal perched on a railing.
"Mmm. There's this saying that goes that if you see a red cardinal, it's a visitor from Heaven, letting you know everything is okay." Maddie said.
"That's good to know." Mike answered. In full view of the bird, Mike leaned down and gave Maddie a long kiss on the lips. He didn't care about the rules and regulations and what could happen if someone saw them. He just wanted to let Christine know that he was going to be okay, and the bird chirped in response. That was all the confirmation he needed.
So, aside from one chapter; just a happy little Christmas story. It might be fun to do another story about how they go from breaking the rules to having a Home Alone type Colonial-style house, complete with two kids and twins on the way. We'll see. Thanks for the reads and reviews!