U.S.S Hope
Chapter 25
It was only the second house but Katie was in love. A craftsman bungalow with tons of 'original character.' The house was perfect but it also was two blocks from her dad's house. Close enough but far enough away she would stop disrupting his life.
He had a good marriage before she arrived on the scene. Now he just seemed so sad. Maddie alternated between sadness and borderline anger. The only way Katie knew to help was to stop being an everyday reminder of all her dad had lost.
"Babe, if we don't get the asking price down; we won't be able to make the down payment." Grant remarked. They had money in savings but Katie would be without a job until she could find one.
"Its perfect though." Katie remarked.
"I know. Let me see if I can move some stuff around. We'll make the offer and see." Grant said as he led her out of the house. Jose had stayed with Mike and Maddie, but as soon as they walked in, he ran for Katie; ready to be the only child again.
"Did you find anything?" Maddie asked from the couch.
"We found something but we've put an offer in. Hopefully, we can get the asking price down enough to cover the down payment." Katie said. Grant took Jose to the backyard where Katie's dad and the kids were.
"I am so glad your dad handled all that when we bought this place. Finances are not my thing." Maddie admitted.
"How has that worked with Dad being in the Navy until recently? I'm only asking because I'll be staying home with Jose when Grant leaves again and I am still figuring things out." Katie asked.
"I know what gets paid and where the money goes. Basic idea of things. I suppose I should have a better idea." Maddie said.
"Grant's worried because I fell in love with the house and he's big on finances and not overextending ourselves." Katie said.
"You know…I've not spoken with your dad but he did have money set aside if you, Hannah or your mom was ever found. So, he could make sure you were set up. I have no idea what is in the account though. There might be enough to help with the down payment." Maddie suggested.
"I'm sure he paid for Hannah's funeral out of that and even if there was money left, I would hate to ask for it." Katie said.
"And he would not want you to fight to buy a house you love. I can mention it to him if you don't want to." Maddie commented.
"Its not my business but how's things going?" Maddie asked.
"We're…it's a struggle. I have to relearn to trust him. He went to the grocery store this morning and ran into someone he knew. It took him a bit longer because they stopped for coffee. My mind went to the worst place and as soon as he walked in, I accused him of doing it again." Maddie admitted.
"That didn't go over well, did it?" Katie asked.
"No. He's not spoken to me since." Maddie remarked as she looked outside. The baby started crying and Katie picked her up. Tallulah had become very fussy, almost picking up her parent's moods.
"When is your mom due back?" Katie asked.
"She's closing her apartment in Georgia up and tying some loose ends up. It'll be a week or so." Maddie said. Tallulah had calmed in Katie's arms and was smiling at her.
"Why don't you and Dad go on a date tonight? I can watch the kids." Katie suggested.
"I appreciate that but he isn't exactly talking to me right now." Maddie said. Katie thought for a moment and nodded. She handed Tallulah back to Maddie and walked to the French Doors. Tallulah had began crying in earnest again and Katie knew she had to do something. Had it not been for her, her dad's marriage would still be strong. She approached her dad and grabbed his arm to capture his attention.
"You and Maddie are going on a date tonight. Somewhere nice. I'll take care of the kids and make the reservations. You just have to play nice." Katie said.
"She accused me…" Mike started but Katie held her hand up.
"Dad, do you really blame her? It is going to be awhile before she can trust you. You could have messaged her and let her know that you were meeting someone for coffee. You cannot take offense to her getting upset right now." Maddie asked.
"I just can't live in a landmine." Mike remarked.
"Just remember that you love her, and she loves you before you make any snap decisions. You also need to remember you have three very small children to think about. Be ready by six." Katie said.
She found the nicest restaurant she could and made reservations. Maddie almost seemed excited to go. She had Katie help her pick out a dress and even curled her hair. Katie smiled when she came downstairs.
"Oh, your hair looks nice and I love that dress on you." Katie said.
"Thanks. Your dad likes the curls and he bought me the dress awhile back for my birthday." Maddie said.
"He's getting ready too?" Katie asked.
"Yeah. He's up there now. I got milk out for Tallulah and no sweets for Tucker after seven. He can have half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before bed, but we'll probably be back by then." Maddie said.
"And Tupelo?" Katie asked.
"No special instructions although she will probably tell you that she isn't supposed to have vegetables. She tried that one on my mom." Maddie said with a smile.
"Convenient." Katie remarked. She loved Tupelo's quirky personality.
"I fixed up dinner so you wouldn't have to. Just needs to be warmed up." Maddie said.
"Okay, thanks." Katie said just as her dad walked down the steps wearing slacks, a suit jacket and a nice shirt. He was carrying a tie and had shaved, the first time since the funeral.
"Can someone help me with the tie?" Mike asked.
"I will." Maddie answered before Katie did. She took the tie and carefully fixed it before kissing Mike's cheek. "Very handsome." Maddie said.
"Thanks." Mike said. Katie winced at the response and then decided to coach her dad along.
"I was just telling Maddie how pretty the curls were and that she looks beautiful in the dress. Don't you agree?" Katie asked.
"Sure." Mike said before walking towards the front door. "Are you coming or not?" Mike asked Maddie. Katie could tell it was bothering Maddie because there was plenty of time before the reservation. Maddie just wanted to kiss her kids goodbye.
"Give me just a minute." Katie said before following her dad out the front door. "You do realize you are not going to save your marriage by being terrible to your wife, correct?" Katie asked.
"What if I don't want to save it?" Mike remarked.
"Except you do. Despite everything, you still light up when she walks into the room. The day of the funeral, you were going into heart failure and I wanted to send you to the hospital. Maddie thought she could fix it if you knew that she wanted to stay in your marriage. The next morning your blood pressure was better. I get it is rough right now but you and Maddie have something to fight for. And I think that you are trying to make yourself unworthy to love. I just don't know why?" Katie remarked. Mike just looked away. Finally, he spoke.
"Everyone I love and who loves me dies. Hell, you even attempted suicide because of what I said. Maybe I am trying to push away the people I love most by doing unforgivable things. That way it won't hurt as bad if I lose them." Mike said.
"Because of Mom, Hannah and Lucas." Katie said.
"Exactly. Maddie was a second chance at loving and being loved. But, I don't deserve her or my kids because if I had been here; your mom, brother and sister would still be here." Mike answered.
"Oh, Dad. Mom would not want that and neither would Hannah or Lucas. They would want you to be happy. And Maddie makes you happy. Now, you just need to fight your way out of this funk. You are loved and you deserve to be loved." Katie said. She honestly had played all of her cards. She had nothing else to say so she pulled her dad into a hug. She was a bit shocked at how he clung to her.
"Maddie is probably ready to come outside." Mike remarked finally.
"Promise me, you'll be nice?" Katie asked as she pulled away.
"I will." Mike said. She reached up and kissed his cheek before heading into the house to send Maddie out. Katie was exhausted from giving her dad an attitude check. Now she had four kids under four to watch. And that might be less exhausting.