Surprises
Chapter 8
Maddie smiled as Mike tried to show Oliver how to use his new bat. It was not going well because Oliver didn't have the interest in sports that Mike did, but he was also very young.
"Can't we just go inside?" Oliver asked with a frustrated sigh.
"Don't you want to learn?" Mike asked.
"Mike; he's young." Maddie reminded Mike.
"I know…its just that Lucas loved sports." Mike remarked. She caught the hint of sadness in his voice.
"And given time; Oliver might too." Maddie said. She wouldn't admonish Mike for comparing the two boys.
"Alright; let's go inside." Mike said. He gave Oliver his hand and led them back inside. Maddie had to wonder if Mike had noticed that Oliver was beginning to walk the same way as him. "I thought we'd just order pizza or Chinese food since its Friday?" Mike suggested.
"That sounds good." Maddie answered.
"Fried noodles?" Oliver asked as Mike picked him up and sat him on the counter to wash his hands and face.
"You bet." Mike said with a smile.
"That's new for you, Oliver." Maddie remarked.
"Daddy always gets me fried noodles." Oliver said.
"He likes the crab rangoons too…although I think he likes the filling more." Mike remarked.
"And the chicken with the sauce." Oliver answered.
"The general chicken. Although he ate a bite or two of my lemon chicken last time and really enjoyed it." Mike said.
"He's always ate really good…but Oliver, vegetables?" Maddie asked.
"Oh, Mommy! There's so many other things to eat that are better than vegetables." Oliver said with a laugh. Both Maddie and Mike laughed in response.
"So, I've been a bit neglectful with the properly balanced diet for him. He did eat a fair share of fruits and vegetables, but they aren't my favorite thing." Mike admitted.
"Yep. Fried food, wings, pizza, take-out and a fair amount of fruit when you eat your pie, right?" Maddie teased.
"Something like that." Mike admitted.
"And ice cream. He likes ice cream." Oliver tattled.
"Thanks, Son." Mike deadpanned. Maddie had finished washing Oliver's face and hands, so Mike picked him up and carried him away. As they walked away; Maddie took a deep breathe, wondering if the baby she was carrying would ever have the distinct advantage that Oliver had. Mike.
She had been able to keep the pregnancy from him because it was very early on and he had given her some privacy at the hospital. But, she wouldn't be able to keep it a secret forever and it was really not fair to expect Mike to support her while she was pregnant with another man's baby.
She didn't want to ruin the only home she even had the hopes to have at that moment, and then there was Seth. What would happen if he figured out where she was? Or that she was pregnant with his baby? As hard as it was going to be, she was going to have to tell Mike sooner rather than later.
That night, after Oliver was put to bed, Maddie found Mike on the back patio with a cold beer next to him. She down on one of the patio chairs close by and thought.
"Want one?" Mike asked, pointing at his beer.
"No, thank you." Maddie answered.
"Maddie, what's on your mind?" Mike asked.
"I…I'm pregnant. When you took me to the hospital, I found out. Its very early. I didn't know before I came here." Maddie admitted.
"So, Seth didn't know?" Mike asked. He didn't seem shocked.
"No. I have no idea what to do." Maddie answered.
"Well, first of all; telling him would not be wise. Of course, it is up to you but if you want away from him then don't tell him." Mike answered.
"I can't support myself and Oliver right now and even if I got a job, I would have to ethically disclose being pregnant." Maddie remarked.
"So, don't worry about a job. It will be a long while before you can work with your injuries and by then; you will be showing, I'm sure." Mike said.
"Mike; I can't ask you to support me and this baby too if that's what you're suggesting." Maddie told him.
"Its exactly what I'm suggesting." Mike answered.
"Mike; I appreciate that but please think about it first." Maddie begged.
"I loved you, you know? Sure, I know I didn't tell you before you left, but I did." Mike said.
"How many of those have you had?" Maddie asked, pointing at the beer.
"Just that one and I haven't even drank half of it." Mike answered.
"Look, Mike…I appreciate what you're doing. And perhaps I loved you too, even if I didn't know it at that time. I am not sure and I may just be projecting, but I think you miss having a family and you are grasping at one now. I will not take Oliver from you, but I do want you to really think about this with the baby and I. Don't jump too fast, okay?" Maddie asked. She stood up and then leaned down and kissed Mike on the top of the head before walking back inside, hoping she hadn't just sunk the only hope she had.