Mistakes
Chapter 2
Mike knew he had overstepped. He wasn't the sort of man that hurt women, and he knew Maddie would have bruises on her arm. He wasn't even sure what his deal was. He just figured if he treated Maddie like crap, she wouldn't love him, and his heart would never be on the line again. Except, he hadn't counted on a baby. He knew he wouldn't be able to not love a baby. Part of him hoped that she would get an abortion, have a miscarriage or give the baby up, because it would mean his heart was safe, but he also had loved being a dad. He had a second chance; but he was scared to take it.
In the two months that had followed Maddie telling him she was pregnant, he didn't call her to check on her, but he also didn't start seeing anyone else. His 'arrangement' with Maddie might have been about sex, but he was loyal. He just wasn't sure what he was waiting on. He had not told anyone that he had gotten Maddie pregnant, even though he had heard scuttlebutt through their mutual friends that she was pregnant. Their friends just know he was the father. It did give him a chance to keep up to date on her pregnancy and to know all seemed to be fine. One day, Kara Greene strolled into his office three hours later than her norm. She had told him she was going to be out of the office until lunch so he didn't give it a lot of thought.
"Thanks for letting me take off this morning, Sir. You remember Maddie Rawlins? The helicopter pilot." Kara asked.
"Sure." Mike answered as he signed off on some reports.
"She's four; almost five months along. Found out this morning she's having a little girl. She has this cute little baby bump and everything. Almost gives me baby fever." Kara remarked.
"And everything is okay?" Mike asked. He had to be careful not to give away his position to Kara.
"Yeah. Baby is doing really good. Maddie's morning sickness is passed, and she is delighting in pregnancy. Of course; it would be easier if the father was in the picture, but Maddie isn't naming names, so its just one of those things. She's prepared to raise Molly on her own." Kara said.
"True." Mike answered. He was beginning to get a bit embarrassed and knowing the baby's proposed name was not helping. Her having a name gave her an identity.
"Anyway, thanks for letting me off this morning. Once she gets closer to her time, I might need to take more time, if that's okay?" Kara asked.
"Of course. Does she have any family?" Mike asked.
"Her mom. She's tying somethings up before the baby is born, and then she'll be with Maddie full-time. Right now; she's in New Orleans." Kara answered.
"Good." Mike said before concentrating back on his paperwork. Kara left his office and Mike opened his desk drawer. He kept his family's pictures stowed away, but there was a picture of him, Christine, Katie and Hannah; after Hannah was born. He traced a finger over their faces and gulped back the tears. Was it too late to become involved in Molly's life? Could Maddie forgive him for how he treated her? Could they co-parent?
Mike wasn't sure if it was a good decision or not; but he sent Maddie flowers. It would either give her false hope or it would make her mad. But it might also break the ice. He just wasn't sure how to call or show up at her place, without her believing he was still in it for sex.
