Another Father's Advice

Chapter 13

Their appointment with the attorney went well and the adoptions were being fast forwarded through the court system and Mike and Madeline's wills were set up. All the necessary paperwork was in place and with luck, Anna would never surface again.

Madeline was still completely brokenhearted over the loss of the last connection she had to her dead son. She had woken up in the middle of night from a nightmare and had never gone back to sleep; instead spending the rest of the night crying. Mike had held her and just let her cry.

They went to the bank and Mike put Madeline's name on his accounts. His income would be taking care of the expenses, and the mortgage payment was covered by Mike's housing allowance. Madeline's income would go into a separate account in her name. She was obviously not ready for a joint account, probably worried that once Mike got home from deployment and retired, their weird marriage would be over.

Mike did take the opportunity to take her out for lunch since they had not had a date without kids. Kara was alright with the kids and all but insisted they spend some time alone. He let Madeline pick the place and fortunately it was not sushi.

"I wasn't sure what you liked?" Madeline asked just after they got their food.

"I hate sushi, and I am getting tired of Chinese food and pizza. This is great." Mike explained. Madeline had chosen a steakhouse, right up Mike's alley.

"I figured you would like it. You seem like a meat and potatoes kind of guy." Madeline stated.

"What about you?" Mike asked.

"I'm not a guy." Madeline teased.

"Oh, I know that. I meant food." Mike answered.

"Glad you noticed. Anyway, I like this. This type of food. I am good with a good steak and baked potato. I do like a nice salad to go along with and although carbs hate me; I love them, so this bread fits the bill." Madeline told him.

"Oh, trust me; I definitely noticed. And I don't mind how much you love carbs." Mike teased back.

"Good. Because I don't know if I could give them up for you. I love you, but I love carbs just a tiny bit more. And chocolate. So, what makes you tick? Joey clued you into what makes me happier. I don't know what to do for you on a bad day." Madeline asked as she took a bite of her salad.

"I am a simple guy. A cigar, a ballgame on TV, a glass of bourbon." Mike told her.

"I'll remember that. And your recliner, right?" Madeline asked.

"Absolutely, although the couch wasn't so bad last night." Mike stated.

"I enjoyed that too. Not the circumstances but we have some good cuddlers. Hannah, especially." Madeline agreed. They were both eating until Mike's phone dinged with a text message.

"This is Darcy. I found and printed off three pictures of Trenton at various ages and also found a pair of booties and a blanket from when he was a baby. James also got the uniform from Anna's driver. It wasn't burnt. He saved it. I've overnighted them to you." The text read.

"Great, thank you so much." Mike answered.

"No problem. You just take care of our girl. That's thanks enough." Darcy answered.

"Plan to. She is an incredible person." Mike promised and then put his phone away.

"Everything alright?" Madeline asked.

"Yep." Mike answered.

"You should know, I don't like surprises." Madeline stated.

"Its nothing bad, I promise." Mike assured her.

"Is it to do with Trent's ball uniform?" Madeline asked.

"Alright, I won't lie. Yes, but I won't tell you anymore then that." Mike told her.

"I'll take that then." Madeline agreed and went on eating.

After lunch, Mike and Madeline did some shopping at one of the area home décor stores. It was fun, and they had picked out a few items. As Mike drove back to the house, he looked over at Madeline.

"You know, we can do this. I enjoyed this." Mike stated.

"Even the shopping?" Madeline teased.

"Not the activity but the company, definitely." Mike explained.

"As far as activities away from the kids, just for…dates…what do you like to do?" Madeline asked.

"Oh, I like eating. Steakhouse or barbeque. I like music too. Sports are also always a winner too. What about you?" Mike asked.

"What type of music? I like sports but prefer Joey's little league games to anything." Madeline asked.

"I am weird. I like country music. I hate spending the money to go to professional games so watching them at home is fine for me. Joey's little league is fine for me. I also really like jazz, blue, heavy metal music. Kind of, if it catches my ear, I like it. I like bowling too. What about you?" Mike asked.

"I love country music but really have an ear for anything. Bowling is a good choice. Highly competitive. Mini-golf, that type of thing is a good date option. And food. I like food a little too well." Madeline explained.

"I don't mind that in the least. I love your figure…" Mike stopped himself from saying anything else because Madeline looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He may have screwed up again.

"Glad to hear you love something about me." Madeline said with a smile.

"Not the only thing." Mike assured her, but the conversation ended when he pulled into the driveway. As they got out and Madeline was grabbing the bags, she paused for a second and looked at him.

"You know, it wouldn't hurt my feelings if you just said that you loved me. You hint and if you didn't love me, you wouldn't have held me like that last night. It would be nice to hear." Madeline commented with a smile. Mike didn't know if she was teasing or just saying what was on her mind. She grabbed the lighter bags and walked into the house, leaving him with the heavier ones and his thoughts.

When he walked back into the house, Madeline and Kara were talking and Hannah and Joey were putting a jigsaw puzzle together in the living room. As soon as Elizabeth saw him from her seat, she gave him a massive smile. Mike put the bags down and picked her up and was immediately rewarded with a sloppy kiss to the chin. It had shocked him quickly he had fallen in love with Joey and Elizabeth. They certainly didn't replace Kaitlyn and Lucas but there was something cathartic about the two kids. Like their mom.

"Hey, Daddy. Did you guys have fun?" Hannah asked.

"Yep. We had a good time. Where's Frankie?" Mike asked.

"His dad picked him up for the afternoon." Joey told him, and Mike nodded. He was happy that Danny was attempting to spend more time with the boy. It was a reminder that he needed to spend some time with his three kids before he deployed.

"I see. Joey, maybe later, we can do those swimming lessons?" Mike asked, and Joey nodded excitedly.

"And teach me to throw my ball?" Joey asked.

"You bet." Mike promised and then gave Hannah a kiss on the forehead before he stood back up with Elizabeth in his arms. Kara was gathering her items and smiled at him.

"Danny has taken Frankie for the afternoon and then we're meeting for supper. Thanks for talking to him." Kara told him.

"I didn't do much but your welcome. Thanks for looking after the kids." Mike told her as Madeline took Elizabeth, presumably to nurse. The baby seemed to have that idea. Madeline sat down in the living room, pulled her cover up over her and Elizabeth. Mike bent over and kissed the top of her head and let the foot rest up on the recliner, so Madeline could relax while the baby was nursing.

"Thanks. Little Miss is sure hungry." Madeline said with a smile. Mike knelt down and took Madeline's shoes off. He rubbed her ankles and feet while she smiled at him. When Mike looked back at Joey, the little boy was watching him. He smiled back at him and then turned his attention back to Madeline who was peeking under the cover-up at Elizabeth. Mike stood back up and kissed Madeline again.

"When I do say it, I will mean exactly that and there will be no hinting. I just want it to be special." Mike promised Madeline quietly and she nodded.

"That sounds like something to look forward to. Just so you know…a teething, nursing baby…no fun." Madeline told him with a grimace.

"I bet not but I also bet you won't be weaning her anytime soon." Mike teased.

"Probably not." Madeline admitted, and Mike laughed.

"Alright, Joey; go get those swim trunks on. Grab your ball too. I'll get mine on and find my ball glove and towels." Mike instructed, and Joey jumped up and ran upstairs. Hannah was still looking over the puzzle and Mike gave her another kiss on the forehead. "You and I will do something together. I promise." Mike told her, and Hannah smiled at him. She looked so much like Christine. There were times it made his heart ache.

"Its okay, Daddy. I'm just glad to be here and not be hurt all the time." Hannah said with a smile.

"Never again, sweet pea. You'll never be hurt like that again." Mike promised as he kissed the top of Hannah's head again. Mike looked over to Madeline and she nodded. It was the one thing they absolutely agreed about. Hannah would never have to fear being hurt again.