Surprises

Chapter 17

Mike climbed into bed next to Maddie that night, knowing they would have to have a conversation at some point. Gia was sound asleep in her bassinet and Maddie was nearly asleep. As soon as she felt Mike lie down, she wrapped herself around him.

"You have socks on." Mike remarked.

"You said my feet were too cold last night." Maddie answered.

"They are." Mike said. Maddie reached up and gave him a long kiss. "Maddie, not that I mind but what are we doing?" Mike asked.

"Eventually, I hope we can have a normal marriage. I know right now, that can't happen but eventually." Mike answered.

"You know, back before I left; I would have never thought I would hear those words from you." Maddie remarked.

"I know." Mike admitted. He kissed her again, realizing he was enjoying how peaceful the moment was. His older girls sound asleep in their bed, Oliver in his, and Gia in her bassinet.

"This doesn't have to change." Maddie said.

"I am loving this right now. I just can't wait for you to heal up—not just from the birth, but from Seth." Mike answered.

"Thank you for being so patient, Mike." Maddie said. She leaned up and gave him another kiss before there was a knock on the door and Oliver peeked in.

"Can I sleep in here?" Oliver asked. Mike stood up, picked him up and put him between Maddie and him.

"Trouble sleeping?" Maddie asked their young son.

"Katie and Hannah are together. You and Daddy and Gia are in here, and I'm in there, all alone!" Oliver said, rather dramatically. Mike tried to hide his chuckle.

"For tonight, you can stay in here." Maddie answered. Mike was fine with Oliver staying with them more often, but it was also a bad habit to get started and he didn't want Oliver to become jealous.

"Okay." Oliver answered. He turned to face Mike and cuddled up. Soon enough, he was sound asleep.

"I think jealousy is rearing its ugly head." Maddie remarked.

"I want to spend time with the girls but I may take him for breakfast if you'll be okay?" Mike asked.

"Yeah, he enjoys your breakfasts out." Maddie said.

"Thanks." Mike answered. He reached over Oliver's head and kissed Maddie again. She quickly fell asleep and Mike watched her softly snoring. Gia was only a few days old and Maddie was already exhausted, but she had been hit with lots of new adjustments in a short amount of time. An idea occurred to Mike. Have Oliver help pick out a gift for Maddie. A push gift.

Gia was a good baby who only woke up about five am wanting fed and diapered. Once Maddie finished nursing her, Mike got Gia back to sleep and laid back down. At least the baby slept good.

Mike got up early with Oliver and took him to a local diner. It had been where Mike had taken most of his meals the year before, but Maddie enjoyed cooking and he loved to eat anything she made. He cut Oliver's pancakes up for him and smiled as the little boy ate big mouthfuls of the pancake.

"Slow down, son." Mike said. He took a drink of coffee and smiled as the waitress filled it up.

"Haven't seen you around in a while." The waitress, Nancy, remarked. She was older and had always been very friendly.

"Yeah, I've been busy." Mike said.

"Obviously." Nancy said, pointing at Oliver.

"Yeah. This is my son, Oliver. I just found out about his about…almost a year ago. He and his mom stay with me. We're married now and have a new baby. And my older daughters are with me now." Mike answered. Oliver paused for a moment and gave Mike a look.

"And they're gonna have me a baby brother too. Soon." Oliver insisted.

"The baby is three days old. Its going to be a bit." Mike told Nancy.

"That's a handful." Nancy said with a laugh.

"Oliver is struggling with being the only boy." Mike remarked.

"You could get him a puppy. I have beagle pups I need to find homes for." Nancy said.

"That's a good idea." Oliver told Mike.

"Your mom would murder me in my sleep." Mike answered.

"I'll ask her. She won't do that to me." Oliver said. Nancy was trying to not laugh.

"I bet she wouldn't." Nancy answered.

"Thanks." Mike remarked before she walked away.

"I need a puppy if you aren't going to have a baby brother soon." Oliver told Mike.

"Mommy might say no." Mike warned.

"You just don't know how to ask her." Oliver said. Mike wiped the syrup off the little boy's chin and smiled at him.

"You're probably right." Mike said. They finished eating breakfast and Mike took the little boy home. As soon as they walked in, Oliver zeroed in on Maddie and ran to her.

"Mommy, you're so pretty." Oliver said as he kissed Maddie's cheek.

"Thank you, sweetie. Did you have fun with your daddy?" Maddie asked.

"Yes. We had pancakes. And this nice lady said she has puppies that need a home. I have a home for a puppy. And Daddy says it'll be a while before you can have another baby. If we can't have another baby, can we have a boy puppy?" Oliver begged. Katie was chuckling behind her hand and Hannah was grinning from ear to ear.

"I love puppies too!" Hannah told Mike.

"What kind of puppies?" Maddie asked Mike.

"Beagle. So, not overly large." Mike answered.

"Please, Mommy, please?" Oliver begged.

"Yes, please; Daddy?" Hannah started. Mike looked over at Katie, expecting her to join in.

"I'm staying out of this one." Katie remarked. Gia started crying, almost like she was chiming in. Mike picked her up and held her so Maddie had a moment of peace.

"Okay. But you are going to be responsible for feeding the dog every day." Maddie said.

"Okay. Thank you." Oliver said before giving Maddie a kiss and hugging her tightly. Mike could only shake his head. Oliver could teach him a thing or two about talking to women.