Daddy's Girl

Chapter 6: Fear

The next day, Michael paid his visits to Sam and Jesse alone while Fiona and Cassidy went shopping, explaining what had happened as best he could. Jesse was thrilled to hear that he was being re-instated, and was going stir crazy with his mobility being restricted to crutches. Sam was happy to see his friend alive and in one piece, and was glad to hear that he'd be staying in Miami.

"Ah, Mike, I knew with Cassie around you weren't going anywhere," Sam said, lounging in his chair at The Carlito and taking a swing of his drink. "Anyone can see you're crazy about that kid, and I don't blame you- she's a great kid."

"I'm going to be looking at houses within the next couple of days. Care to tag along?" Michael asked his friend, sipping his mojito. "I'd like to have at least a few prospects before I start work."

Sam laughed at that. "I'm still trying to picture you at a desk job buddy, and it just ain't working!"

Michael sighed. "Yeah, I know Sam. But at least I'm back in. And who knows, maybe when Cassie's in college I'll go work overseas in an embassy or something."

Sam shrugged. "Who knows Mikey? Maybe you'll like this new job of yours."

Michael shrugged in reply and picked up his phone, reading an incoming email. "Looks like I have a showing to go to at a few open houses. You coming?"

"Yeah sure. It'll be a kick to see you picking out houses with white picket fences and settling down." Sam chuckled heartily at the vision as Michael slapped money on the table for their drinks.

"Thanks, Sam." Michael replied, resigned.

Sam sobered at his friend's tone. "Hey, buddy, what you're doing is a good thing. You have a kid, and there's no way you can live in that loft with her and still get along. Let's go see this house, okay? Who knows, maybe it'll have a pretty neighbor lady for Old Sammy to make friends with."

The first house wasn't suited to Michael's needs at all; it had two bedrooms, but it was tiny. The second was in a neighborhood that Michael wouldn't have lived in even when he was burned, and certainly wouldn't wan his daughter to live in. The final open house of the day, however, was exactly what Michael was looking for. It was in a quiet neighborhood a few blocks away from Michael's mothers; a modest three-bedroom ranch, with a large bathroom just off the master bedroom and another in the hall. The kitchen and living room were open and sunny, in an open concept that Michael liked with hardwood floors and French doors that led out to a small, fenced in backyard. There was a good-sized shed in the yard that had been long ago converted into a work area by the seller, who turned out to be a contractor and former Marine. Michael liked the house immediately, and decided to make an offer. When the owner overheard him talking to the realtor, telling her that he worked for the government and used to be in the military, and jumped into the conversation.

"What branch were you in, Mr. …"

"Westen. Michael Westen. I was in the Army."

The owner, a barrel-chested and broad shouldered slab of a man name Bill, extended his hand. "Ah, you're not a Marine, but you're a brother in arms none the less. You like the house? I did a lot of renovations myself."

Michael smiled. "I do. I think my daughter will like it more though, especially when she sees the bath off the master bedroom."

"How old is she?"

"Almost 15."

"God bless you, brother! I don't think I could handle having a kid, let alone a teenage girl!"

Michael laughed. "She's pretty easy. I got lucky. Her mother did a good job."

"You divorced?"

"Never married. I was away a lot when she was young. Her mother died a month back. I'd like to give her a stable home."

"Smart man. That's the reason I'm selling this place: divorce." The big man slapped Michael on the back good-naturedly and turned to the realtor, a diminutive woman named Mary, and said, "Mary, forget the other buyers. I like this fella. I think he's a perfect fit for the place."

"But- the other buyers could give you a much larger offer."

Bill waved off her protest. "Call it a military discount, or my intuition. It's my house, or will be until his check clears."

Mary handed Michael the paperwork, defeated. "If your credit checks out Mr. Westen, then it looks like your lucky day."

Michael gave the lady a charming smile. "That it is. That it is…"

Sam waited in the car until Michael came back out, a few papers in hand.

"So?" he asked.

Michael smiled at Sam, a little dazed. "I think I just bought a house."

"That's great, Mikey! Who do we tell first- your mom or Cassie?"

Michael's face took on a pained expression. "My mom…"

"Let's go then, buddy. Better sooner than later, I guess. Maybe she'll be happy."

Madeline was happy to see her son, but her happiness faded some when Michael informed her that he'd made an offer on a house, and completely when he mentioned Cassidy coming to live with him.

"But she just moved in here, Michael!"

"I know, Ma, but I'm her father. I have to take responsibility for her."

"But I like having her here! She's so sweet and helpful- and it seems to be the only way I can see you on a regular basis!"

"Mom, the house isn't that far away. Cassie can ride her bike here and come visit."

"Is this because I'm smoking in the house again? Are you punishing me for doing what I want in my house?"

"Mom, I don't want Cassie around all this smoke! You smoke constantly, and it's not healthy. Plus, I don't want her to think that it's okay for her to do." Michael sighed. "It's not only that… I need to be with her. I need to know that I can watch over her-protect her."

Madeline glared at her son for a moment. At last she sighed. "She's your daughter, Michael. She should live with you, and you should be in her life. But you had better promise to come to dinner once a week at least!"

Michael considered. "I'll do my best, Mom."

Madeline knew to take what she could get. "So tell me about the house."

"It's great, Mom. I think I'm going to let Cassie have the big bedroom- it has it's own bathroom. It'll probably save some hassle in the morning too."

Madeline smiled at her son. "Well I'm sure Cassie will be thrilled. When is she due home?"

"I called Fi on the way here. They should be by in half an hour or so."

"Well, I'll start dinner then." Said Madeline.

"You know what, Mom? Why don't you let me cook?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah… I haven't cooked in a while, and I'd like Cassie to get used to my cooking before we move."

"Well I don't have much in the house…but I need to go shopping anyways. Make a list. I'll go get my purse and go."

"Sounds good, Mom."

Madeline took the list and the money Michael gave her and headed to the grocery store, leaving him waiting for Fiona and Cassidy alone in the house. As he sat and waited, he decided to get a yogurt out of the fridge. Seeing that there weren't many left, he decided to call his mother and add that to the list when the door to the kitchen opened behind him. Not turning around, he grabbed a spoon from the drawer. "Did you forget something, Mom?"

"No, kid, I haven't forgotten anything." A familiar male voice said behind him.

Michael spun around to look down the barrel of a gun pointed straight at his face. "Larry."

"Hello, Michael. We need to talk."