Mistakes

Chapter 13

Maddie smiled at the way Hannah was exploring her new home. She wasn't quite so scared with Mike not being there, but Maddie would need to get back to her place, so she had to let Hannah know she'd be safe. It was going to be a really rough night.

"Your dad just texted. He's on his way back. He got you some essentials and my mom and I will take you Saturday so you can pick your own things out. There's a guest bedroom already set up but the plan is you'll get to pick out your own paint, furniture and décor for one of the other rooms. You'll just stay in the guest room until. I changed the sheets while you were in the shower." Maddie explained.

"I don't need anything special." Hannah said.

"Maybe not, but your dad wants you to have something special." Maddie said.

"And he doesn't expect me to do anything?" Hannah asked as she fidgeted with the cuff of the sweatshirt she was wearing.

"No, sweetie. He's your dad." Maddie remarked.

"Sometimes that doesn't matter." Hannah retorted.

"I suppose not, but it does with your dad. He has helped me out a bunch and doesn't expect anything. You are completely safe with him and I can tell you he has missed you; so much. I know a lot of people have hurt you and you don't remember him, but he does love you." Maddie assured her as she plumped a pillow.

"I looked at those pictures and remembered a few things." Hannah admitted.

"Good memories?" Maddie asked.

"Yes. I seemed happy, but I haven't been happy in so long I don't remember what it feels like or how to be again." Hannah said. It broke Maddie's heart; not only for Hannah but also for Mike. She knew he was a bit of an emotional mess himself, so she worried about the two of them.

"Well, you just relax and let your dad take care of you. He won't hurt you or scare you. My daughter loves him." Maddie said, thankful she remembered to say 'my' instead of 'our' when she referred to Molly.

"Where is she? I like little kids." Hannah asked.

"She's at home with my mom. She wasn't feeling good. Your dad was picking up some medicine for me to give her. You'll meet her soon, but she's only three months old. Not much fun yet." Maddie said.

"I like babies. I can babysit her sometime." Hannah told her.

"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind." Maddie said. Just then she heard Mike call her name from downstairs. "Your dad is home. Let's go downstairs. Remember what I said. You are safe." Maddie said. She put an arm around Hannah and led her down the stairs. Mike had apparently bought a lot more than just the essentials, but Maddie just smiled in response.

"I got a lot of different stuff but Hannah, I know you'll need more soon. Just go through this stuff and we'll put it in the washing machine tonight. Maddie; here's Molly's medication. I also got her this." Mike said as he showed her a little stuffed giraffe.

"She'll love that. Thanks. I'd better get home to her, but call me if you need anything, okay? Hannah, remember what I said. He won't hurt you." Maddie said. Mike was helping her into her coat and he patted her shoulder in thanks.

"Hannah; I am going to walk Maddie out to her car. Will you be alright?" Mike asked.

"Yeah." Hannah said simply as she looked through a bag.

"I'll see you Saturday, Hannah. It was nice to meet you. Just get some rest and remember what I said." Maddie said. She rubbed Hannah's shoulder and smiled at her before following Mike out.

"It is starting to get a bit slick out so please call or text me once you get home?" Mike asked.

"Of course. If you or she needs anything, please don't hesitate to call me. I will see what I can do." Maddie said.

"Will do. Tomorrow is her birthday. I would like to do a little dinner. Would you bring Molly? I am going to tell her about Molly…or rather what my relationship is to her. Would your mom come too?" Mike asked.

"I think that wouldn't be a problem. After work?" Maddie asked.

"Yeah, absolutely. Here's her medicine and the stuffed animal." Mike said. They were standing at her car door and he handed her the bag.

"Good. Thanks so much." Maddie said. Mike opened the car door for her and helped her in.

"No. Thank you. You don't know how much I appreciate this. Give Molly a kiss for me, would you?" Mike asked.

"Of course. I always do." Maddie said. She gave Mike a smile before he shut the car door and stepped out of the way so she could pull out. As he stated, it was a bit slick out but she was thankful to pull into her parking garage and even happier when she walked into her apartment. Molly was still awake but Teresa had ahold of her. "Mike got her medicine and this." Maddie said before handing Teresa the stuffed giraffe, which Molly immediately fixated on.

"How sweet? Was it hard?" Teresa asked.

"A bit. I feel badly for Hannah and for Mike, of course. She's been through hell." Maddie said. She was reading the directions on the medicine, when she focused on an envelope in the bottom of the pharmacy bag. She opened at gasped. It was five hundred dollars in cash.

"He cares far more than you think. He just struggles to admit it." Teresa remarked as she pointed at the money in Maddie's hand.

"It just surprises me, because he made no mention of it." Maddie remarked.

"Maybe he didn't want to draw attention to it. Just deposit it and be thankful." Teresa said as she played a little game with Molly with the giraffe.

"He does want us over tomorrow evening for dinner. Its Hannah's birthday and he wants Hannah to meet her." Maddie explained.

"Oh that will be nice. Is he going to tell her that Molly is his daughter?" Teresa asked.

"I think so." Maddie said.

"That's a big step for him. Just be patient. Hopefully, Molly is feeling better." Teresa said with a happy smile. Maddie got the medicine ready and administered it, which Molly was not a fan of, but she was a fan of the new stuffed animal. Maddie texted Mike to let him know she was home safe and to call if he needed anything, and to thank him for the money. He sent her back up a thumbs up sign, but it was still a vast improvement over not talking.