I decided to go backwards slightly to another chapter from Tom.

The Breakdown

Chapter 11-Tom

Tom was confused as to why Mike suddenly made such a good turn. One day, they talked about how he was not fighting the pneumonia, the next; Dr. Taylor said he was doing better by leaps and bounds. He had talked at length about his family, why he had attempted suicide and a myriad of other reasons. Tom wasn't privy to all of them, but he knew that they were talking about releasing him in a few days and Mike had requested to talk to him. He had not wanted to talk to anyone up to that point. So, Tom drove to the hospital and waited in a conference room for Mike to be brought in, with Dr. Taylor. Finally, they walked in and Tom was shocked. Mike was pale and was rolling an oxygen tank with him, with a nasal canula on, but seemed almost upbeat. Tom shocked his hand and they all sat down.

"Mike has something he wishes to tell you, before he is released." Dr. Taylor said and then nodded at Tom.

"I appreciate everything you've done. The notes, cards, snacks…its been amazing and I apologize for all the stress this has caused. Before; I thought no one cared. It was made obvious that I have a lot of people that do. You said in your note that I was going to stay with you and Sasha when I was released. I hate to object to that, but I have somewhere else to go." Mike started.

"Mike; you can't be alone right now." Tom objected.

"I won't be. Its been kept quiet and I should have told you, but Maddie Rawlins and I have been involved for about a year…" Mike commented.

"When you were still in the Navy? Damn it, Mike!" Tom exclaimed, and Dr. Taylor put a hand on his arm.

"Yes, and I retired soon after. She isn't going to re-up, and will spend the next few months on leave anyways." Mike said.

"What Mike is struggling with is saying that Maddie is about sixteen weeks along. The baby was conceived after he retired, which means there would be no repercussions for him or Maddie, since there was no proof of a relationship before his retirement." Dr. Taylor said, much to Tom's shock.

"This baby can't replace my three older kids, and Maddie can't replace Christine, but they give me someone besides my friends to live for. Dr. Taylor took me yesterday so I could sit through her doctor's appointment. Before it was surreal. I had seen an ultrasound picture, but hearing her heartbeat…the baby's heartbeat…it was like the best music ever. Maddie and I have some things to sort through, but I will be going to her house once I'm released. She has a shop building. I'm going to build a crib for my daughter and Maddie is begging me to make her a new dining room table. I appreciate everything you've done and I am sorry for all the pain it has caused, but this could be really good for me. I can't wait to meet my new baby girl, not that I want her to get here any sooner. Dr. Taylor tells me that people that attempt suicide often feel shame for not succeeding. I feel shame for actually doing it and potentially robbing my daughter a chance to know me, and for me to know her. For potentially making Maddie raise a child on her own. I know you're worried, but I will be fine." Mike explained.

"Every part of you is screaming not to trust Mike right now, but you are going to have to this time. If you need to see him daily, he is willing to do that, but I agree with Mike; when he is released, he needs to set things straight with Maddie, and prepare for his daughter's birth. He's never steered you wrong, has he?" Dr. Taylor asked.

"How long before he's released?" Tom asked.

"He has passed the evaluations I've given, but his medical doctor won't release him until he can go an hour without oxygen and keep his oxygen level above 98%. That could take a few days, or even a week. Once he is released, he will have twice weekly appointments with me, and I have suggested some peer groups for him to go to. They are for fathers who have lost multiple children." Dr. Taylor explained.

"And I have to journal." Mike added with a grimace. It was obviously not his favorite thing.

"And Maddie is retiring?" Tom asked.

"Yes. She was going to anyways, but the baby is speeding things along." Mike answered.

"And you'll get married?" Tom asked.

"That hasn't been decided. The possibility is there, but as I said; we have to sort things out. For a long time, I treated Maddie like she was my 'dirty little secret,' as she says. We're going to have to figure all that out." Mike admitted.

"There is little point in rushing things. We all know, a couple doesn't have to be married to conceive a baby, and they don't have to marry to raise that baby." Dr. Taylor said.

They visited for a short time, and Tom left with more clarity then he had had in a long time. He wasn't thrilled with the rules Mike and Maddie had broken, but in honesty, he and Sasha had broken the same rules and no one cared. He could only hope that Maddie and their unborn baby girl would pull Mike through.

It might have seemed out of order, and my next chapter will be from Wolfe's POV. Thanks for the reviews.