Surprises
Chapter 4-3 months later
Maddie knew her injuries were pretty serious but she scraped together her meager tip money and bought a bus ticket to where Mike and Oliver were. She had his address that she had found and it was almost Oliver's birthday.
She missed her son. She knew that she had made the best choice for him that she could but she had missed him. Hopefully Mike would let her back into Oliver's little world.
Seth had been on a three day drunk when he beat the living daylights out of her. She guessed she had a couple cracked ribs, a broken wrist, maybe a busted eardrum and tons of bumps and bruises. Maddie had no clothes and no money for food to eat on the way to Florida but maybe she'd finally be safe and she would be near her son.
She was never so glad to get off the bus in Florida and walked to Mike's. It was storming and was already Oliver's birthday but maybe she could tuck him into bed at least. She rang the doorbell and prayed Mike would let her in, realizing she was tired, wet, and hurting. Finally, the door opened and Mike gave her a stunned look.
"Maddie? What happened?" Mike asked.
"I…can I come in? I'm so cold." Maddie asked. Mike immediately opened the door wider and she smiled at the house. It had been overtaken by a little boy with toys laying around in the living area.
"Should I take you to the hospital? You look rough." Mike asked.
"I'm okay." Maddie said.
"I bet you're probably wanting to see Oliver." Mike remarked.
"I am…but you might not want me to…" Maddie said.
"How about this…he's settling for bed. Let me get you some dry clothes to change into and you can tuck him in…although I'm pretty sure he will insist on eating a piece of birthday cake with you." Mike remarked as he led her through the house. It was nice and very homey.
"Thank you." Maddie said quietly. They walked into a bedroom, obviously; a little boy's room. Oliver was looking at a book on the bed.
"This one, Daddy!" Oliver said, not looking up from the book. Mike gave Maddie a smile and nodded at her.
"How about your mommy read that to you?" Mike asked. Oliver dropped the book and jumped out of bed.
"Mommy!" Oliver said. Maddie knelt down and hugged the little boy as tightly as she could. She had worried that Oliver would forget her.
"I missed you so much." Maddie whispered.
"Have you eaten?" Mike asked.
"No. I didn't have any money." Maddie admitted.
"Okay, I'll sit some clothes on the bed across from here and will warm some food up." Mike said.
"Daddy, do I have to go to bed now?" Oliver asked.
"You can have a bit longer up." Mike conceded before leaving them. Oliver put both hands on either side of Maddie's face and made her focus on him.
"Please don't ever leave me again." Oliver begged.
"You love your daddy though?" Maddie asked.
"I love Daddy, but I missed you. Can't I just have both of you?" Oliver asked.
"Yes. I gotta talk to your daddy though." Maddie said.
"Okay. I'll go help Daddy. You get dry clothes on." Oliver ordered before running off. Maddie walked into the bedroom across the hall and smiled. It was feminine and there were photos of Oliver sitting around. Apparently, the room had been prepared for her. She changed into the baggy sweatpants and a shirt that obviously belonged to Mike. Both were huge on her, but she was warm, dry and safe. She knew Mike would never harm her. She walked into the living area and smiled at Mike and Oliver, who were in a beautiful kitchen.
"I figured you wanted more than cake. I'm heating up some pizza, unless you want something different?" Mike asked.
"No, pizza is fine. Thank you." Maddie said.
"Mommy, we eat at the table. Come here." Oliver said, taking ahold of Maddie's bad hand, making her hiss in pain. Mike caught it, but thankfully Oliver didn't.
"We've been working on table manners. Oliver, remember to pull your mama's chair out for her." Mike said. Oliver complied and Maddie settled in the chair. Mike sat a plate down in front of her with three slices of pizza.
"Thank you." Maddie said. He had also put a glass of milk in front of her and sat down across from her.
"Oliver, I know you want to spend time with Mommy, but Mrs. Greene is going to look after you in the morning. I'm going to take your mom to see a doctor, okay?" Mike said.
"Mike; I don't have any money." Maddie reminded him.
"Don't worry about that." Mike said.
"And you'll come back, Mommy?" Oliver asked.
"Yes, sweetie." Maddie answered. It was only reheated pizza, but it was perfect to Maddie and the chocolate cake that followed was just as good. By the time she finished, Oliver was almost asleep, and Mike carried him back to bed. As she followed, she smiled. She had wanted Mike and Oliver to develop a good relationship and they had.
"I'll give you a moment." Mike said after he laid Oliver down and gave him a kiss. He stepped out and Maddie sat down on Oliver's bed.
"I like your room." Maddie said.
"Yours is pretty too. Daddy let me help pick everything out." Oliver said after yawning.
"Thank you, baby. I love you to the moon and back, a million times." Maddie said. She kissed Oliver's forehead and smiled at the way he was barely able to keep his eyes open.
"Mommy, let Daddy take care of you. He won't hurt you." Oliver said, half asleep.
"Night, night." Maddie said. She gave him another kiss before leaving the bedroom. As she expected, Mike was waiting for her.
"The only thing I am going to say is; don't take him away. I will help you, however you might need; but please don't take him away. He has become my world." Mike begged.
"I won't. I honestly don't know what I am going to do." Maddie admitted.
"For tonight; rest. I put some pain-relievers on your nightstand. I'm just down the hall if you need me." Mike said.
"Mike, thank you. Not just for taking care of Oliver, but also for letting me in." Maddie told him.
"We'll talk tomorrow but for me to help, you have to tell me everything." Mike answered before walking away.
Maddie took the medication, brushed her teeth in the attached bathroom, and settled into bed. She almost immediately drifted off to sleep, knowing she was safe.