Another Father's Advice
Chapter 3
Mike was meeting Russ for breakfast to ask for advice on how to handle Tom and Danny. The more he thought about it; the angrier he got. The two men didn't realize how lucky they were. He and Madeline had actually met more formally the night before; but the date included her kids because she hadn't been able to find a babysitter. Mike honestly didn't mind. Joey was a joy and Elizabeth was incredibly sweet and cuddly. Madeline was a medical transcriptionist that worked from home and Mike had enjoyed the date thoroughly. They had been exchanging texts since and Mike knew there would be more dates. Finally, Russ walked into their regular breakfast spot and sat down across from Mike. They ordered their food and made light conversation.
"So, I got the feeling you needed to talk about something? All okay?" Russ asked.
"I am okay. Hannah's birthday was rough but I don't think those will ever get any easier. Just aggravated over Tom and Danny's behavior concerning their kids." Mike commented.
"I noticed Ashley at South Comm the other day; Tom had apparently promised her lunch and then didn't fulfill. He's barely been home at all since they came in from St. Louis." Russ agreed.
"And Danny missed Frankie's birthday the other day. He was in town. I had seen him earlier at the gym. Just failed to show up. I seen Kara at the park with him and Frankie was crying. Am I wrong to be bothered by this?" Mike asked.
"No. You are seeing them not paying attention to their kids; when you would give anything to eat lunch with your daughters or spend a birthday party with any of your kids. It rankles me too. I am just not in a position to say much." Russ agreed.
"Maybe I am overly sensitive; Hannah's birthday was two weeks ago and Kaitlyn's is coming up. Christine and I would have been married twenty years on Saturday too. I am…was horrible at remembering dates but now; its like they are flashing neon lights on my calendar." Mike admitted.
"Significant dates? Twenty years? How old would the girls have been?" Russ asked.
"Kait would have been eighteen and Hannah would have been thirteen." Mike told him just as the waitress brought their food.
"Significant ages. And the twentieth anniversary is huge." Russ assured him.
"Yeah, Christine had this dream of going to Hawaii for our twentieth. I had began saving for it too. I wanted to go all out so I figured it would take five years to make it happen. Poor woman had put up with me for fifteen years. She deserved a nice trip. So, if things were right; I would be in Hawaii right now with my wife. Instead, I'm here. I did have a promising date last night. Granted it was at a pizza place with a six-year-old and a six-month-old." Mike joked to make light of his heavy mood.
"Uh…you went on a date with a six-year-old and a baby?" Russ asked.
"No, I went on a date with their mom, Madeline who is a friend of Kara's but she couldn't find a babysitter. Child friendly date. Can't say I minded either. Most fun I've had in years." Mike told him.
"Was that because of the mom or the kids?" Russ questioned.
"Both. She has a couple cute kids. Isn't expecting a ring after the first date and when I told her that it was my twentieth anniversary; she was understanding. Was a lot better than staying at my apartment." Mike assured him.
"That's always a good thing. The dating environment is…interesting at best. I just don't enjoy it but if Madeline makes you happy; go for it. The fact that you agreed to a date on your twentieth anniversary is promising. At any point during the date, did you wish it was Christine?" Russ asked.
"I…this sounds horrible, I didn't even think about her when I was with Madeline. Before I picked her and the kids up, and once I got home; yes. But during, Madeline and the kids were my total focus." Mike admitted.
"And your kids?" Russ continued.
"Not much. I generally have issues being around kids but lately, I can handle it a bit better. Certain things remind me of them but it…isn't so sharp now." Mike confessed. He actually felt horribly about it.
"It isn't a bad thing. You're healing. You will never completely heal but you are learning healthy ways of coping with your grief. The fact that you got through your daughter's birthday and your anniversary without completely falling apart is great. Kait's birthday maybe a bit trying but I think if you focus on something, you will be alright. As far as Tom and Danny are concerned; address it now because it you don't; it will creep up. I agree, they need to stop focusing on their jobs and realize; they have kids at home who need them more then the mission." Russ advised.
"I actually feel badly about…coping better? Makes it seem like I am forgetting them." Mike stated.
"Not forgetting them. Just moving on. Its healthy and I suspect that its what they would want. You haven't had time to stop and grieve but now you have." Russ reassured him.
"I am tired of being alone. When I was deployed; it wasn't so bad but when I'm at home; its bad. I think its because even though I have an apartment; I'm not settled. It isn't home. Just a place to sleep. Not sure if Madeline is the answer but I will say, I was happier with her and those kids than I have been in a long time." Mike admitted.
"Take your time and make sure. Make sure you are falling in love with her and those kids and not falling in love with the idea of being a husband and father again." Russ told him.
"Makes sense. I got home after and all I could think about was that my apartment was too quiet." Mike told him as he finished his own meal.
"That is why I stay on base. The quiet gets to me too." Russ agreed.
"Madeline actually lives in my apartment complex. Not sure how I never met her or the kids. She and Kara exchange babysitting." Mike told him and Russ nodded.
"Just remember to take your time." Russ advised as both men stood up. Mike paid the check and they went on their separate ways. Mike drove back to his apartment and sighed before he went in. He really dreaded going home. He thought about packing up some of the pictures but it didn't seem quite right. They were still a part of his life and his heart. As he got out of his truck; he saw Madeline struggling with the stroller and Joey, along with a load of groceries. He ran to catch up with her and grabbed the groceries out of her arms.
"Hey, you have quite the load." Mike remarked. Elizabeth was fussing and Joey seemed agitated. It was apparently naptime.
"Yeah, I had errands that ran long and its past naptime. I think Elizabeth got overheated and my mom is coming for a visit and the apartment is a mess…" Madeline rambled.
"Let me help you get it cleaned up; when is your mom coming?" Mike asked. Madeline unlocked her apartment door and Mike followed her and the kids through.
"Tonight. She is…critical. Wants me to move back to Atlanta. I don't want to. Joey is doing good in school. I have a stay-at-home job, decent apartment. The works." Madeline told him as she quickly put her groceries away. Elizabeth was extremely fussy and so Mike got her out of her stroller and cuddled her. She was overly warm and Mike took her jacket off.
"Do you have a thermometer?" Mike asked.
"Uh…yeah, here." Madeline said as she handed him a digital thermometer. He stuck it in Elizabeth's ear and waited for the beep.
"101.2. Teeth?" Mike wondered and Madeline took Elizabeth.
"Ears, more likely. I am going to break one of Mom's cardinal rules and give her a sink bath. She loves it." Madeline said before handing her back over. She ran into one of the adjoining rooms and came back with a lightweight onesie, a new diaper and bath items. She prepared the bath and undressed Elizabeth while Mike held her.
"Why does your mom not like sink baths? They were a godsend with three kids. It was kind of sad when the kids outgrew them." Mike asked.
"She just said its lazy parenting. Elizabeth prefers them to regular baths." Madeline said as Mike put the baby down into the sink. Elizabeth began slapping at the water and babbling. Joey had gone into his room and was playing with his toys.
"Oh. Well, she's happy." Mike stated.
"Yeah, my mom had a nanny and all for us. She never actually has ever given a bath to a kid. Was not thrilled with me marrying Pete but once my brother died; I guess I was her only hope so she shows up, disrupts things and leaves." Madeline agreed.
"They are your kids. You know what's best. Don't let her bully you." Mike responded as he watched Madeline give Elizabeth her bath. He wanted to suggest that they find a babysitter but he didn't want to seem like her kids bothered him.
"That is a good word for her. Can you get me a towel out of the bathroom? She loves the really soft ones." Madeline asked and Mike complied. He found a soft, pink towel for her and held it out as Madeline lifted her out of the sink. The baby seemed much happier and cuddled into Mike's chest. The lavender soap that Madeline had used reminded him of the sort that Christine had used on their babies but for once; there wasn't a flood of emotions. "Follow me. Need to get a diaper on her before she messes on you." Madeline told him as he followed her into a bedroom; apparently one she shared with Madeline. About halfway in; she realized that it might be slightly awkward but didn't say anything as they dressed Elizabeth.
"I was going to suggest finding a babysitter but I didn't want to seem like I minded the kids. I really enjoyed our date the other night." Mike admitted.
"Me too and its all Joey has talked about all week and Elizabeth obviously loves you. I do agree though, we need an adult night. Let me see what I can do. I know Mom won't but maybe Kara?" Madeline asked as she finished dressing Elizabeth. Mike took the opportunity to look around at the bedroom. It was nicely decorated with a queen-sized bed and Elizabeth's crib. There was some baby gear around but Mike could imagine waking up in the bedroom. He knew Russ was right but the idea of waking up next to Madeline was a good one.
"It's a possibility. Where's your mom staying?" Mike asked.
"Hotel. She doesn't want to be bothered with the kids. I told her she could sleep in Joey's bed but she was resistant. And, no, she won't watch them for me." Madeline told him as she picked Elizabeth up and started rocking her to get her to go to sleep.
"I really don't mind. They are a joy." Mike admitted as he fiddled with the end part of her footboard.
"I appreciate you spending time with them. I really…really like you but I didn't want to scare you away with the kids and my issues…" Madeline stammered and Mike put both hands on her shoulders.
"I don't scare easy. Two of the most adorable kids I have seen in a long time and their mom is pretty adorable too. A few issues don't bother me." Mike told her as he pulled her into a hug. Elizabeth snuggled between them and before Mike even realized it, they were kissing. It had been a really long time since he had kissed a woman and it felt good. Too good. He had to remind himself to slow down.
"That was nice." Madeline stated as she pulled away.
"It was. Elizabeth is almost asleep and I promised to help you clean." Mike agreed. He still had his arms around both Madeline and the baby and was fighting the urge to kiss Madeline again.
"Yeah. We'd better get to moving. No judgement on the shape of my laundry room?" Madeline teased as she laid Elizabeth down.
"None. You tackle that and I will get after the living room." Mike agreed as they walked out of the bedroom. Joey had passed out on his bed and Madeline quickly covered him up so they could work.
Within two hours; Madeline's apartment was spotless and Mike helped her start supper. Joey had woken up but Mike made the cleaning a game and he ended up helping him. The apartment looked and smelled delicious and Mike began making his exit.
"I would ask you to stay but not sure you are ready to deal with my mom." Madeline stated as she stepped out onto the front stoop with him.
"I would love to stay to support you but I am afraid your mom and I would not mix well. Text me once she leaves?" Mike asked and Madeline nodded.
"I…you know, we could make this work. I could move Elizabeth into my office…if its…too soon…" Madeline was clearly struggling with what she was suggesting.
"It is but I like the idea. I loved being a husband and father. I want to make sure that I am falling in love with you and them instead of falling in love with the idea of being a husband…or whatever and a dad again." Mike admitted as he pulled Madeline close. She really was nothing like Christine and Mike liked the difference.
"Understandable. It is fast." Madeline said, slightly deflated. Mike pulled her in again and kissed her.
"Text me once your mom leaves and I'll help you move the baby furniture. We will take our time otherwise. I am meeting a friend for dinner but will be around otherwise." Mike promised.
"Sounds interesting." Madeline responded.
"Yeah, to tell him to get his crap together. He has had his kids here all week and barely spent a minute with them. They honestly think they would have been better off if he had let them be adopted by someone else after their mom died. Its aggravating." Mike admitted.
"Yeah, no joke. So, enjoy yourself. I'll text you later." Madeline told him and Mike gave her another kiss and then waved at Joey who had appeared at the door, needing something. Things were progressing quickly and Mike knew he needed to be careful but he really liked Madeline and her kids. Once he gave Tom and Danny a piece of his mind; he would feel better and would be able to concentrate on Madeline, Joey and Elizabeth.
I know this is progressing really quickly but I like the idea of while Mike is trying to help Tom and Danny, he is getting a little happiness of his own. And I don't plan on any twists with Madeline! She'll be a pretty basic character. I've loved reading the reviews!