Mistakes

Chapter 10

Maddie loved watching Mike and Molly bonding. There were times that Molly only wanted Mike, and as he was able; he took a lot of responsibility for her. She seemed to be exactly the therapy Mike needed. And Maddie didn't mind in the least. One evening, as her mom and she cooked dinner; Teresa smiled at her. Mike was on the couch, asleep with Molly; sleeping on his chest.

"So, when are you going to tell him how much you care about him?" Teresa asked.

"He doesn't want to hear it." Maddie said.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Teresa remarked. Shockingly, she and Mike got along very well.

"Mom; he is only here because he's recovering and can't handle to stairs at his apartment. And Molly, of course." Maddie said quietly; not wanting to wake Mike or their daughter up.

"Yes, he is very devoted to her. Just be patient with him. He's hurting for a lot of different reasons, but he loves Molly. I can tell that already." Teresa remarked. Molly let the subject drop and they finished supper. Mike ate, but he still seemed off. Maddie was beginning to worry about him, because he just seemed so depressed. He never smiled, other than at Molly. But, she was also worried that if she voiced her concerns, she would drive him away completely.

Mike always helped her give Molly baths and that night, after she finished bathing Molly; she handed Mike the baby while she cleaned out the little bath tub. What she didn't think about was his foot getting caught in a chair, and his balance not being as good because by the time Maddie looked up it was already too late and Mike was tripping. She heard his head crack on a cabinet and Molly begin crying. Somehow; Mike had been able to not fall on her, but had knocked himself out in the process.

"Mom; get her!" Maddie said. It bothered her, but she had more medical training and Molly seemed alright, other than being very upset. Teresa grabbed Molly and began assessing her while Maddie rolled Mike over and began assessing him. He was coming around slowly.

"She's okay. I think she's just startled more than anything." Teresa said as she rocked the baby back and forth.

"Yeah. He just hit his head pretty hard." Maddie said. Finally, Mike's eyes popped open and he tried to sit up.

"Molly?" Mike asked.

"She's fine. Its you that we're worried about. Let me help you?" Maddie suggested as she helped Mike up. He was concentrating solely on Molly who was giving him a smile through all the tears.

"She should get checked out." Mike said.

"You should be checked out too." Teresa said.

"I think you need to go to the hospital. Make sure you don't have a concussion." Maddie remarked as she examined the bump on Mike's forehead.

"I'm not worried about me." Mike answered dismissively. He gently took Molly and gave her a kiss, needing to see for himself that she was okay. "She could have been really hurt." Mike remarked quietly.

"Hey; you didn't do anything wrong. Your foot got caught." Maddie said.

"Maybe this is a bad idea. All of it. I hurt everyone I love, and Molly deserves better." Mike said as he handed Molly back to her.

"Mike; it was an accident. You need to get checked out, but it was an accident." Maddie pleaded. Her mom had stepped into the room they were sharing.

"No. I was…stupid. I thought I could actually have something good back, but I am cursed. I can't let her get hurt because of me." Mike said.

"Mike; stop. You love Molly and she loves you." Maddie told him.

"No, this can't work. Just…take care of her. Please." Mike said. He leaned down and kissed the top of Molly's head before walking away. A few minutes later; he was gone and Maddie was at a complete loss. She had never expected Mike to leave considering how much he loved Molly.