Just a word of warning, I did write about how Christine and Kaitlyn might have died. It might be a little traumatizing. It was hinted in the show when Dr. Scott gave the Italian on the cruise ship a shot of morphine.
Another Father's Advice
Chapter 7
Mike had ended up taking Hannah to an emergency room after dinner. Fortunately, there were no broken ribs and no damage to her abdomen other then the bruising. She was malnourished and dehydrated. The doctor had given Mike some names of counselors for her to speak with, but Hannah seemed to just want to get home. She specifically wanted to go back to Madeline's and Mike didn't mind. She was leaning on Madeline and was very taken with Elizabeth. As she was being discharged; Mike texted Madeline to let her know.
"So, my little girl seems to really like you. She wants to come back to stay at your place. Is that okay?" Mike texted.
"Of course. I have a pull-out couch and will get it made for her. What'd the doctor say?" Madeline texted back.
"No broken ribs, no abdominal damage, just bruises. Malnourished and dehydrated. Nothing a little TLC won't take care of." Mike told her.
"I am so, so, so sorry. I hate what my mother has done." Madeline texted back.
"You don't have anything to be sorry for. I hate what has happened to her, but I am glad it has ended. Joey and Elizabeth will never have to go through what she has. We're done here; be home soon." Mike assured her.
"Good. I would have understood you taking her back to the apartment, but I was going to really miss you next to me tonight. Be safe driving." Madeline sent back in a text. Mike smiled and sent her a thumbs up sign back.
Hannah was extremely interested in the passing landscape and had stayed quiet the trip back to the apartment. Mike knew that if she continued to lean on Madeline; Mike was going to have to look for a different housing option. He had wanted to move slow with Madeline, but he also hated sleeping apart from her. It wasn't just about sex for him and he suspected the same was true for Madeline. As different as Madeline and Christine were; the feeling was quickly becoming the same. It was also the weight of her sleeping on his chest, the smell of her shampoo; the sleepy kisses she gave him in the morning and even the very early morning wake-ups from Elizabeth. They did a lot of discussing while Mike watched Madeline nurse the baby. He had spent one night at his own apartment since they had been sleeping together and he didn't sleep at all. Mike was just glad that Hannah was being accepting of the relationship.
"So…uh…did you have any questions about my relationship with Madeline?" Mike finally asked.
"No." Hannah said simply.
"Sweetie; I promise, it is a very new relationship and we have moved fast. I miss your mom and was lonely until Madeline…" Mike started.
"Daddy, its okay. Mom didn't want you to be alone. She told me that if I ever found you again; she wanted you to be happy and to give whoever a chance. She begged me. Plus, I like Madeline. She's nice. The kids are super cute too." Hannah told him. She reminded Mike of Christine with her firmness with him.
"Were you there...when she and your sister died? I know about Lucas but I kind of…would like to know more about…" Mike hesitated. He didn't want to dredge up painful memories for Hannah.
"Kait died first. Less then a day after she was exposed. Mom had found an abandoned ambulance and figured out how to give her pain medicine. Kait died a couple hours later and was asleep the whole time. Mom said she slipped away. The next day, Mom started coughing and running a fever. She gave herself more of the medicine and told me how much to take if I started not feeling good. She fell asleep and died about an hour later. I didn't get sick even though I held Mom's hand the whole time and was there when Kait died." Hannah said it very matter-of-factedly. It was disconcerting for Mike and not a conversation Mike should have had while driving. He didn't have the heart to tell Hannah that in some ways, it sounded like Christine had killed Kaitlyn out of mercy and then committed suicide. Mike didn't mind. He was just glad they had found some comfort in their last moments. He hated it for Christine but was glad that she and Kaitlyn hadn't suffered for days like was normal with the Red Flu.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that. The doctor gave me some names…" Mike started.
"I heard. I just don't want to talk about it right now. Maybe later. I am just so tired." Hannah told him.
"I do have a room set up for you at my apartment, but Madeline has a pull-out couch ready for you tonight." Mike assured her.
"I want to go to Madeline's. The couch is fine. I've been sleeping on the floor, anyway." Hannah said quietly.
"Yes, ma'am. You will love the room once we get there. Or…I think you will." Mike admitted.
"I'm sure. How far is it from Madeline?" Hannah asked.
"Just across the apartment complex." Mike told her, and Hannah gave him a slight smile. It meant that he would have to figure something out in regards to a housing situation.
"Okay." Hannah responded and went back to looking out the window. She was not interested in talking anymore and Mike knew better then to push. She was like him in that respect. They got back to the apartment complex and just went to Madeline's immediately. Madeline was finishing up with the pull-out couch when they walked in and Hannah went in to get ready for bed.
"You okay?" Madeline asked.
"She talked a little about Christine and Kaitlyn's deaths. Was hard to hear. Then she shut down and doesn't want to go to a counselor right now. And only wants to be here." Mike told her as Madeline pulled him into a hug.
"Just give her time. Do you have work tomorrow?" Madeline asked.
"I need to go in but will try and get out as quick as possible. There are funerals to plan. Some of the…deceased don't have families and so it will probably fall on me to take care of." Mike told her.
"Uh…what a job. Joey has school, so I figured I would take Hannah out, get her clothes. I can take Elizabeth with us." Madeline told him.
"That will be good. Maybe I can cut out and meet my ladies for lunch?" Mike suggested.
"That would be awesome." Madeline agreed. Hannah had come out into the living room and Madeline dropped her arms from around Mike.
"Hannah, I have to work for a bit tomorrow, but Madeline is going to take you to get your clothes and whatever else you need or want. We will meet for lunch. Anything special you want?" Mike asked as he gave Hannah a stiff hug; more to not hurt her.
"Is there any Chinese food?" Hannah asked.
"I know a really great buffet. I think its pretty close to your dad's work too. Close to the mall I'm taking you too. Do you care about Elizabeth coming along?" Madeline asked her as she gave her a gentle hug.
"No, that's okay." Hannah said with a smile. She seemed to really love Elizabeth. Hannah was settling onto the pull-out.
"Good. You know which bedroom we'll be in. The door will be open so if you need anything; just wake us up. You might hear Elizabeth through the night but don't worry about her. I'll get up with her. Good night, sweetie." Madeline told her as she tucked the blankets around her and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"Goodnight." Hannah told her. Madeline nodded at Mike and left the room to give them some privacy. Mike sat down on the bed next to Hannah and tucked the blankets even closer.
"I haven't done this in a long time and I know you don't want me to read you a story. I will be close if you need me or Madeline. Are you warm enough? Need another pillow?" Mike asked. He realized how stupid it sounded since Hannah hadn't even had a bed, but he wanted her to be comfortable.
"I'm okay right now but if I get cold later can I use this blanket?" Hannah asked as she pointed to the throw on the back of the couch.
"Absolutely. You okay with me not shopping tomorrow?" Mike asked.
"Its okay. I am glad you're meeting us for lunch." Hannah told him after letting out a small yawn.
"Will be the highlight of my day. Go to sleep, honey. I want to stay in here until you do. Just relax. I love you." Mike told her quietly. Hannah had turned on her side and Mike rubbed her back as he had when she was little. Within just a few moments, her breathing become slow and steady, indicating she was asleep. Mike watched her sleep for couple minutes. She looked so broken, but she also had an odd strength. He kissed her on the cheek and then got up, checking both doors to make sure they were locked and then headed into Madeline's bedroom. She was already in the bed but got up when he walked in.
"I haven't done anything with those cuts. I'm surprised the ER didn't." Madeline said as she sat Mike down on the bed and grabbed the First Aide kit that Mike had put on the dresser.
"They aren't so bad." Mike said as Madeline began cleaning them.
"Sure. I noticed you groaned when I hugged you earlier. Pull that shirt off." Madeline ordered, and Mike complied. He suspected he had a few cracked ribs, but it was minor compared to Hannah's injuries.
"Those look painful. Did you have the doctor look at them?" Madeline asked as she pointed at her bruises.
"No. Wanted her to concentrate on Hannah." Mike admitted as Madeline gently probed his chest and stomach.
"Lay down. It would make this a bit easier." Madeline ordered, and Mike complied.
"Does it hurt?" Madeline asked.
"Yes, but I've had cracked and broken ribs before. No then before. I promise." Mike assured her.
"Okay. I am still going to worry about you though. You've had a bad day." Madeline told him.
"Yes, but it had its highlights too. I would really like to just go to sleep." Mike said as he readjusted so that his head was on the pillows. Madeline shut the light but left the door open and crawled in next to him.
"Don't be shocked if we end up with Joey. My mom really scared him. Hard to explain to a six-year-old that you don't so much have to worry about monsters in the closet or under the bed; as the ones that are out in society. Or family, in my case." Madeline said as she put her head on an uninjured area on his chest.
"I don't want you to feel that you have to choose between your mom and Hannah and me. She is still your mom." Mike told her.
"Mike, this is just the straw that broke the camel's back. It's a long line of problems, albeit; this is the most severe. I would feel this same way if it had been some one else's daughter that she did this too. And if she'll do this to a child like Hannah; what would she do to Joey or Elizabeth? She can't be trusted with any children." Madeline stated.
"Okay. I just don't want you to have any regrets where this is concerned. I told Hannah she had a bedroom back at my apartment, but she seems to want to be close to you. I know you don't want to uproot the kids and I respect that, but we might need to start looking for something bigger." Mike told her, and she sat up and looked at him.
"As in moving in together? I am okay with that, but I thought you wanted to move slow?" Madeline asked.
"I…I don't know. I was glad when Hannah asked to stay here. I didn't sleep well the night that we spent apart. I like being here and its not just sex. There is something else." Mike admitted.
"So, it didn't bother you when I told Hannah that I cared deeply for you?" Madeline asked.
"No, and I feel the same. It took me a year to tell Christine that I loved her. She always joked that I'm like a dinosaur when it came to expressing my feelings. The reason I wanted to take my time was because I wanted to fall in love with you and the kids. I didn't want to mistake my desire to be a husband and father again for love. To move on simply because I didn't want to be alone. And I bet I just ended up in the doghouse with you?" Mike responded.
"No. I get it. All that being said; I am not a dinosaur where my feelings are concerned so don't be surprised if I tell you that I care about you or love you. I don't expect you to respond until you are ready too. As far as moving into a house together; I like this too and I also didn't sleep well the night you stayed at your apartment. I like the idea of being together. The only thing I ask for where a house is concerned is an office space, open living and kitchen, and a second bathroom. I can get you my financial stuff if you need it. I also would like to stay in this school district, so Joey isn't uprooted." Madeline told him.
"Deal. I will call a realtor tomorrow. So, four bedroom with an office or five bedrooms? Open kitchen/dining/living? Two to two and a half bathrooms?" Mike asked.
"Either, or on the bedrooms. Yes, on the open living area. And two bathrooms, I'm fine with. What's with the half?" Madeline asked.
"Powder room? Not necessary. Do you want move-in ready or a fixer?" Mike asked.
"I'm open to either, but Pete and I remodeled a house. It was a disaster. Almost grounds for a divorce. I have no patience." Madeline joked.
"I would prefer move in. I like construction and carpentry work, but I want to spend the time with you and the kids. Get to know Hannah again. I would like either a garage or some type of shed for the wood-working and furniture building I like to do." Mike commented
"Can't do that in an apartment." Madeline said with a yawn. Mike pulled her closer and settled to go to sleep.
"No. So, you'd better go to sleep. You have a busy day tomorrow." Mike told her as he kissed her forehead.
"Same to you." Madeline told him.
Mike drifted off just after Madeline but didn't sleep as soundly. He was listening for Hannah. She had to be in pain and he was also worried about Joey. He could tell the little boy had been terrified. About two am; he felt Joey climb into the bed. He helped him settle between him and Madeline. By four; Elizabeth had woken up, wanting fed. Mike got up with her, changed her diaper, and carried her, her pillow and the cover-up. Madeline could just nurse her in their bed. When he walked back in, Hannah was laying next to Joey. It was surprising but welcome. He gave Elizabeth to Madeline to nurse and helped her settle the pillow and with the cover-up. As soon as Mike laid down; Hannah cuddled up as close as she could. The bed was suddenly very crowded, but Mike didn't care in the least.