The sun had already set when they arrived at Madeline's house. Gabriel, happy to be released from the car seat, explored each room. His mood was further improved by a bowl of buttered noodles while the adults dined on Chinese takeout. After the meal, the family reclined in the living room as the toddler dug into a small basket of toys on the floor.
Fi sat nearby as she sifted through a cardboard box filled with toddler sized shirts and shorts. She laughed as she held up to show Michael a miniature sized aloha shirt. "He'll look just like Sam."
Michael glanced up and gave her a faint smile before his gaze returned to a folder filled with hospital brochures and articles clipped from medical journals.
"Madeline, it was so…. nice of Ruth to lend us these clothes."
"She was happy to do it, really." Maddie replied to Fi. A truce had been called between Maddie and Ruth shortly before Charlie was born. The women had an unspoken agreement that it was best for Nate and his son to be near family. Fiona had observed the negotiations from the sidelines and she was pleased that the two women had come to agreeable terms. She had witnessed plenty of tension within her extended family so she appreciated her future sister in laws kind gesture for Gabriel.
"We're all so glad Gabriel is here." Maddie smiled at the little boy but her eyes shifted to her son who was engrossed in a brochure from Miami Children's Hospital.
"Yeah, thanks Ma." He nodded a brief acknowledgement.
Fiona smirked at Maddie who shrugged her shoulders at the younger woman. It was fortunate that Maddie had nearly all of the equipment and toys needed on hand because of her frequent visits with her grandson, Charlie. That afternoon, her daughter in law, Ruth had sent over clothes and other basics needed to outfit Gabe during his stay. Michael had little idea that his mother had rescued him from an extremely expensive trip to the baby and toddler super store. The women agreed that he would not have fared well in the minding numbing maze of stroller, cribs and other contraptions.
"You and I can run out tomorrow if we need anything else," Fiona said to Maddie.
"That'll be fun. I want to get him a bathing suit and sun hat. I got the cutest set for Charlie the other day."
"Ma, you shouldn't spend too much money, he not going to be with us for very long," he interrupted.
"Michael, the child needs clothes," she scolded.
To avoid offending his mother any further, he replied, "Your right, I'm sure we can send along whatever he needs when he goes to the foster family."
"Are you sure you want to do that Michael? He seems so attached to you." Maddie questioned. She gazed over at the child playing contently with a plastic dump truck.
"Ma, it's not that simple. I will be travelling for the next several months.
"But Michael..."
"Besides, when I told the CIA I was bringing Gabriel to Miami it was under the condition that he have a medical foster family," he insisted.
"But he could stay with our family. Fi and I can look after him." Maddie turned to Fi, "Right?"
"Yes. Absolutely," Fiona replied.
"Mom, I never planned for that. "I didn't think it would be fair to ask you two. This is my commitment." Michael's expression softened slightly as his gaze shifted to the tiny boy digging through the toy box on the floor but then his eyes dropped back down at the brochure as he continued.
"A medical evacuation like this usually takes weeks even months to set up. We had to act quickly before Gabe was released from the hospital and we'd lose jurisdiction to help him at all. It was the only way the Panamanian government would let him leave, especially so quickly. I made a promise that after his treatment there would be no custody dispute. We're still looking very hard to find his family but you need to understand that Gabriel will have to go back to Panama, regardless."
He looked up at the women afraid to see the disappointment that was inevitable for both of them. Michael's gaze fell first to his mother before settling on Fi as he continued, "I just don't think it's a good idea."
Fiona remained uncharacteristically silent but the determined set of her jaw made it clear that she was holding back. It unusual for her to subdue any kind of emotion, positive or negative and the intensity of her stare told Michael an emotive response was sure to come his way later. Then, she looked over at Gabe, who was playing contently across the living room, and the flash of smile came to her face. Michael hoped that she understood his intentions and would comply with his plan. But when her stone faced expression returned to him, he knew she was simply waiting to yell at him in private.
Maddie was the first to break the awkward silence. "We'll you know my opinion, Michael. I would be happy to take him. But the matter is for you and Fiona to decide."
Gabriel chattered enthusiastically into a plastic toy cell phone as he toddled over and offered it to Fi. She thanked him and lifted him up onto her lap. "Oh, I think he might need a fresh nappy. I'll change him," as she rose holding the small boy gently to her chest.
Maddie stood up to join her. "It's getting late, why don't we put him in his PJ's. I got the cutest…I mean Ruth lend us…the most adorable pair. Let's bring him into Michael's room."
The two women walked into the small bedroom where Madeline had made up the bed with fresh linens for overnight guests. Fiona noticed a wooden rocker that she had never seen before. "That's beautiful," as she pointed to the chair in the corner of the room.
"I had Nate bring it down from the attic. I don't have the cushions anymore but it was always very comfortable." Maddie smiled.
"Are you sure you're OK with all this," she asked as they dressed the toddler in a suit of red fleece monkey clad footed pajamas. "Everything has happened so quickly. And Michael…hasn't quite grasped some of the hands on aspects of this assignment."
"Go easy on him Fi. He just a little out of his comfort zone. Most new fathers are scared to death at first. Nate was the same way." Madeline produced a damp wash cloth and proceeded to clean the boy face and tiny hands. He made only mild protested before he yawned and rubbed his eyes sleepily.
"Maddie, I doubt that Michael would…"
"Just give it some time, dear." She passed Gabe to Fiona as the drowsy child who snuggled contently into the younger woman chest.
"He looks like he's almost ready to go down," Fi noted to Maddie.
"Why don't you two sit for a while?"
Fiona eased slowly in the rocking chair. "Thank you Madeline," she said as her fingertips grazed detailed carving on dark polished wooden arms of the chair.
The grandmother picked a soft knit throw from the bed and passed it to Fiona. "It's not like the fancy new one Ruth has but my boys loved it."
"No. it's perfect," as she nestled the toddler into her arms with the blanket.
"We'll be back in a few minutes, dear."
Maddie walked out into the living room where Michael sat on the couch reading from a thick folder.
"Why don't you help me with the portable crib? I'll show you how to set it up and Gabriel will sleep in there with you and Fi." She opened the closet door and pulled out the rectangular cloth case.
Michael stood up and took the heavy nylon bag from his mother. "Wouldn't it be better if he was in your room? If he wakes up … you'll know what to do?"
Maddie looked intensely at her eldest son. "I know this still comes a bit of a surprise to you, but that child feels safest when he is with you," she said in a matter of fact tone. "So you need to be with him when he wakes up in the middle of the night."
Michael's face fell into a look of disappointment. "But Ma?"
"Don't worry dear, you'll be fine," as she patted her son gently on the arm and walked into the guest bedroom.
#####
After Michael received his first lesson from Maddie in pack and play assembly, they left Fi with Gabe to put him down. The boy drifted off briefly but soon awoke and began to cry. Fiona rocked him slowly in the chair and whispered every soothing phrase in Spanish she could recall. A pain shot went through her chest as she thought of Gabriel's lost mother. They surely had a bedtime ritual that put him to sleep. Tonight everything is so very different for the little boy that it was no wonder he was listless. Fiona suddenly felt very inadequate at the role she was performing. There was a soft knock at the door as Maddie walked in carrying a baby bottle.
"What's this? He isn't too old? Fi asked as she took the warm milk and offered it to the fussy toddler.
Maddie replied, "Charlie still takes it every now and then. Under the circumstances, I think he could use the extra comforting."
Fi looked down at Gabe who closed his eyes as he contently suckled the plastic nipple. "He seems to like it."
"It will help him get a little more use to being with you."
The two woman exchanged glances. They both knew what Michael had said about not getting too attached. Yet each woman felt strongly that until Gabriel's family could be located, it would be best for him to stay with Michael whom he had developed quite a strong bond and therefore by extension, with them.
"Michael seems pretty adamant that he should go to a foster family."
"Yes, right now he does."
"Do you think he'll change his mind?"
"I think given some time, he'll come to see the big picture."
"I hope they are able to find his family soon."
"Michael will keep looking until they know what happened. So we can only hope that somehow his people know that he is safe and protected."
"Madeline, what if …"
"Try not to worry too much Fi," as she stroked the sleeping boy's hair. "Why don't we put him in the crib?"
"I'll give him a few more minutes." Fi leaned back in the rocking chair and closed her eyes.
"Sleep well, dear," as Maddie clicked off the light.
####
Later that evening, Michael had unpacked his suit case and gathered a small basket of laundry.
"Ma, I need to run a few things in the wash for tomorrow, do you think it would be too loud while Gabe's sleeping."
"No, Charlie can nap right through the spin cycle. This new machine is a lot quieter. I had my old set for thirty years, it was about time I replaced it."
"OK."
"Oh here, let me take that," as she lifted the blue blanket from the top of the pile of clothes. "Ruth must have left this here yesterday."
"Ma, what are you doing?" Michael set down the basket and took the blanket from his mother with a puzzled look. "That's Gabe's. He got juice all over it on the flight."
"Really, Charlie has the exact same one," her brow stitched.
"This is the blanket I told you about… when I found him." He unfolded the bundle to show her the embroidered stitching. "It has his name."
"I bought Charlie his right after he was born." She fingered the shiny threading, "It's remarkably similar." She handed the blanket back to him.
"Thanks," he said as he turned over a thought in his mind.
"Well, god knows where these things are made." Madeline dismissed the coincidence. "It's probably from the same factory and then they turn around to sell them all over the world."
"Yeah, maybe," Michael slid the satin trim through his fingers and found the label. "Forget Me Not. Does that name mean anything to you?"
"Sure, that's the store where I bought Charlie's blanket. I placed a special order to have his name put on it."
"Is it a local boutique?"
"No, it's a national chain. There's probably one in every big shopping mall up and down the east coast. Michael, do you think…"
"I have no idea. But right now, this blanket is the only material connection we have to whoever it was that left him in that shack, so even something insignificant is worth looking into." He set the blanket down on the dining room table carefully. "Ma, when you and Fi go out tomorrow, will you be near one of the stores?"
"Yes, at the City Center mall."
"If I give you a list of questions, could you get some information for me? I just need a few details on the ordering and shipping practices of the company."
"I don't see why not. It's not like I haven't gone on information gathering trips for you before."
Fiona stepped out the bedroom door. "Michael, it past midnight, you need to come to bed. Gabe's going to wake up earlier than we normally…"
"I'll be right in," he waved and gave his fiancé a warm smile.
"You should get some sleep sweetheart. I'll finish this up for you," as she took the laundry basket off the table.
"Yeah, thanks again for all the things for Gabe. It's a big help," he smiled.
"Michael, whatever you decide to do going forward, know this, you've already done a really amazing thing for that little boy. Probably more than you could ever imagine. " She kissed him on the cheek.
"Goodnight Mom." He nodded and walked into the bedroom to join Fiona.
Later that night, Gabe woke up crying. Michael brought the toddler into the living room so they would not wake the others sleeping in the house.
A few minutes later, Fiona, brushing the sleep from her eyes, joined Michael and Gabriel as they sat on the couch flipping through a picture book.
"Are you two doing OK?" as she rubbed Michael's back affectionately.
"Yeah, he's calmed down now. I think he had a nightmare." He lowered the little boy onto the floor to play with a few toys on the carpet. "I didn't want to wake you so we came out here."
"Well, it's after four AM. He might be awake for the day," she said with a yawn.
"Aren't babies supposed to sleep all the time?"
"Yes, but that's as newborns. He's clearly out grown that phase?" she laughed.
"So this is normal?" he asked with a yawn.
"Yes, from what I've been told," she said dryly. "Why do you think people with kids complain about being exhausted all the time?"
Fiona leaned over to scoop Gabe up off the floor and onto her lap. She gave him a gentle hug and whispered to him something Michael did not understand. The little boy responded with a huge smile as he reached for her face. He chattered a reply and then returned his attention to the toys on the floor.
"Can you get us some water?" she asked Michael and then slid off the couch to sit next to Gabriel. "There are cups for him in the cabinet above the dishwasher."
A few moments later, he returned from the kitchen with a blue sip cup decorated with race cars and airplanes. He tightened the lid before handing it to Fiona.
"Thanks," she replied and gave the cup to the little boy who gulped the water down greedily.
"Wow, he was thirsty!" Michael said in astonishment.
"You really need to learn some Spanish," she teased.
"Yeah, well," he conceded.
"Why don't you let me take him for a while?" She reached up for Michael's hand and smiled at her fiancé. "You've had a long week. Go get some more rest."
"Are you sure?" as he fought back a yawn.
"I'll play with him for a bit. Let's see what he does with these," as she pulled over a small basket of toys. She leaned her head back to receive a kiss before Michael slipped quietly back to the guest bedroom.
A few hours later, as the sun broke the horizon, he walked out into the living room dressed for his early morning run. Michael was surprised to find Fiona stretched out on the couch with Gabriel sound asleep on top of her chest. Standing silently, afraid to wake them, he was overwhelmed by her beauty as she rested with a child in her arms. He reached for a soft throw blanket on a nearby chair and slowly covered her sleeping form. Fiona's eyes flittered open.
"Michael" she whispered.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.."
"No, I was awake. He just dropped off to sleep about twenty minutes ago."
"Are you okay? Do you need anything?"
"Some strong tea with sugar and milk would be great."
Michael knew she did not drink black tea every morning so her request meant she was very tired and expected to be awake the rest of the day.
"Fi, I'm sorry. I should have taken him."
Fiona's face formed a warm smile that she reserved for times when she felt truly content. "No, Michael," she began to gently rub Gabe's back, "He's delightful. I'm really glad to have him with us."
"Why don't I get us some breakfast? How about a Spanish omelet? "
"Egg white only," she smiled. "Why don't you order a side of pancakes and a couple of scrambled eggs? We'll see what he likes."
"I'll be back as soon as I can," as he leaned over to kiss Fiona on the forehead, his hand fell gently onto Gabe's back. He looked down at the sleeping child and he could not hold back a smile. The baby stirred momentarily and then nuzzled his face contently into Fiona's chest before dropping back to sleep. Fiona met Michael's gaze, "Thank you," she whispered.
He kissed her once more and then head out the door closing it softly behind him.