Valentine's Day Blind Date
Chapter 3-1 year later
It was shockingly organic, but Mike and Maddie made something of an odd couple. For a while, they met once or twice a week to eat dinner or breakfast together. Then, they talked every night on the phone. Hannah's birthday came up and Mike took the day off work and spent with Maddie. It was easier and he didn't focus on his loss. Sometime around May, there was a kiss. In August; she had a summer cold and he brought her home-cooked soup. To help her; he stayed overnight, but slept on the couch. Then she needed a plus one for her cousin's wedding. Mike happily took the spot.
Maddie's family assumed they were a couple. On the trip back from Louisiana, they ended up sharing a hotel room. Mike tried to keep his distance, but it didn't work and they ended up in bed together. After that they were inseparable. By October, Mike had bought a house and Maddie moved in with him, and by January, she was pregnant. Mike shocked everyone by retiring and on Valentine's Day, they got married in a quiet and simple ceremony. Later that night, after everyone left, Mike cuddled close to Maddie in bed and rubbed her belly with his hand.
"It'll be a while before the baby kicks." Maddie remarked.
"I know. I just like for the baby to know I'm here." Mike said.
"Boy or girl?" Maddie asked.
"I am actually hoping for a girl. I know most men would say a boy, but I would like a girl. Of course; either would be fine as long as its healthy and stays healthy." Mike told her.
"I know you had two daughters, but I just can't feature you as a girl dad." Maddie remarked.
"I loved it. There were a few years between Katie and Hannah. Lucas came within eighteen months of Hannah, but I enjoyed that time with the two girls. I become quite adept at braiding hair and having tea parties." Mike said.
"I just can't imagine, but I am glad you'll have that again. I can't wait." Maddie said before giving Mike a long kiss.
"Hell of a wedding night." Mike remarked.
"I don't mind. It fits us. I love you." Maddie said.
"I love you too." Mike answered.
One Year Later
"Are you sure you don't want me to watch Abby so you and Mike can go out? Since Danny is away, its not a problem." Kara asked Maddie as they ate their sushi. They didn't get to go out every week now, but it was still nice.
"Thanks, but she's had that ear infection and she's fussy. And you know how Mike is. He doesn't like taking her out in the winter. He is so protective." Maddie said with a smile. At times it was annoying, but she knew Mike had struggled being a father again, even though he adored Abby.
"He has good reason. I know he seems obsessive at times about Abby, but he loves her and he loves you. How about this? I bring Frankie over and watch Abby, so she isn't out and you and Mike can go out? You haven't since she was born and I know you want to." Kara suggested.
"I will ask Mike. I do want to go out." Maddie admitted.
"Tell him if you and he don't get to go out, you'll withhold sex." Kara said.
"That won't work. We've not done that since Abby was born. She's colicky, and she slept in our room for the first three months." Maddie said.
"Seriously? I know sex has never been a huge component to your relationship, but still?" Kara asked.
"Mmm. Mike is older. He is still quite capable of it, but it has always been more about companionship, and we have that down to a tee. I can't say that sex doesn't interest him, but it isn't the most important thing about our marriage." Maddie explained.
"And you're okay with that?" Kara asked.
"I admit, I've struggled with it at times." Maddie admitted quietly, obviously ashamed.
"Alright. Here's what we are going to do. You and I are going to go find you a sexy dress and all the necessary undergarments. You are going to get a hotel reservation and I will stay with Abby overnight. You and Mike can return the favor when Danny gets back." Kara said as she grabbed her purse.
"Mike may say no." Maddie said.
"You said yourself that sex still interested him, so if he ever wants to get laid again, he'll go out with you on Valentine's Day." Kara said. She paid the bill and led Maddie out of the restaurant. They went to the first department store they could find, and in no time; Kara found a slinky black dress that was very short and didn't leave much to the imagination. A stop at a lingerie store provided Maddie with a pair of red lace panties and a bra.
"I just need to check and see if I have shoes that'll work. Since I quit working, my wardrobe has been yoga pants, Mike's flannel shirts and wool socks." Maddie admitted.
"You opposed to really high heels? Like three-inch stilettos?" Kara asked.
"No. I used to love wearing heels back in my single days." Maddie said.
"Good. I have just the right pair. Alright; let's get you home." Kara said as she began driving Maddie back to her house. She followed Maddie into the house and smiled at Mike who was giving Abby a bath in the sink. "Mike; you and Maddie are going to go out for Valentine's Day. Period. I will still stay here with Abby so she's not out in the winter air. I told Maddie to make a hotel reservation and she has a new dress and underthings. Do you need help with your suit or a gift?" Kara asked. Maddie had taken the bags from both stores to her bedroom so they were alone.
"Uh…I guess not." Mike answered, obviously shocked.
"Good. You need to really give her a good night. She's feeling a bit neglected, but she would never tell you that. Abby will be fine. Go out for dinner. A nice one. Go to the hotel. Take a hot bath with her. Give her a massage. Have sex…all night if you want. Take her out for breakfast. Come home…after lunch. Wine. Chocolate. Flowers. Maybe a nice piece of jewelry. Expensive but I know you have it. Mike; your biggest regret is that you didn't appreciate Christine before. Don't fall into the same trap." Kara warned.
"Aye, Aye." Mike said simply. Kara rubbed his arm and was gone before Maddie came back downstairs. Mike dried Abby off and gave Maddie a kiss.
"Don't worry about the hotel and dinner reservations. I'll take care of that." Mike said before giving her a long kiss.
"You sure? I didn't intend on Kara going so far, but I am kind of looking forward to a night of uninterrupted sleep." Maddie asked.
"Oh…there won't be much sleep. It will be uninterrupted though." Mike said with a grin.
Sunday Night-Valentine's Day
"When we remodel our bathroom, can we have a bathtub like this?" Maddie asked. She loved the huge bathtub and was glad Mike was sitting behind her. She knew it wasn't his thing.
"I think that could be arranged." Mike said as he kissed her shoulder. Maddie leaned back and gave him a kiss.
"I appreciate this, Mike. I know its not your thing and you would much rather be home with Abby, but I appreciate this." Maddie said.
"I need to be better at doing this. As much as we both love Abby, she needs us to have a healthy marriage too. I was falling into old habits. And besides; that dress…I can handle seeing it much more often." Mike remarked.
"Yeah. Too short and slinky. And you also loved what was underneath." Maddie said.
"Granted. But it can't beat nothing at all." Mike added with a dopey grin. Maddie groaned in response.
"And here I thought you were being so sweet and romantic." Maddie remarked as she turned around and gave Mike another kiss.
"I have my moments." Mike answered.
"Good. Let's get dried off and enjoy a baby free night." Maddie said before standing up and climbing out of the bathtub. She dried off and put a robe on before giving Mike a hand out of the bathtub.
"I'm getting old." Mike remarked.
"Its okay. I don't mind helping. C'mon, old man." Maddie said as she led Mike out of the bathroom as he dried off and tied a towel around his waist.
"Your wish is my command." Mike said simply. He caught her and gave her a long kiss.
"I love you." Maddie said.
"I love you too." Mike answered as he lowered Maddie onto the bed. He was glad Kara had intruded again and he would do a better job appreciating his wife.
