Surprises

Chapter 6

Maddie could tell something was bothering Mike and her first guess was Oliver. He was without a doubt, a mama's boy. She also knew that Mike adored Oliver, but now that she was back in the picture; Oliver was all about her.

She was thankful that Mike adored Oliver the way he did. It was exactly what she had wanted and she did want Mike and Oliver to continue having a good relationship. Hopefully, Oliver would allow that.

In the meantime; while she healed she would encourage the relationship. She would back away so that Oliver looked to Mike. That night, after Oliver went to sleep; Maddie found Mike sitting on the couch, looking at his laptop.

"Work?" Maddie asked before sitting down on the other side of the couch.

"No, I retired." Mike answered.

"Really?" Maddie asked in shock. Mike loved his career. It had been his world.

"Yeah. I needed to be present for Oliver." Mike answered.

"Because I dumped him on you?" Maddie asked.

"That wasn't why I retired. Actually; it hadn't even crossed my mind. No, I was not present with my older kids. I missed entirely too much and robbed myself of memories that would have helped me cope. I was not going to make the same mistake with Oliver. Except, he doesn't feel the same." Mike remarked.

"Mike; he's three. When your older kids were that age; did they gravitate more towards you or Christine?" Maddie asked.

"Christine. She was their main caretaker." Mike answered.

"Exactly. I was Oliver's world for two years. Two of his formative years. Looking back; I just wish I had called you and told you I was pregnant. It would have saved us both some heartache." Maddie admitted.

"Why didn't you?" Mike asked.

"I wasn't sure you would accept him and I didn't want him to feel rejection…which I suppose is silly. You could have rejected him that day outside your hotel. You didn't though." Maddie said.

"I could tell you were desperate. Things were rough to begin with but we finally found a pace about a month ago and then…" Mike stopped himself.

"I showed up and Oliver's attention is on me." Maddie finished.

"And honestly, I'm a bit jealous." Mike added.

"Mike; he's three. I promise; he will decide that his mom isn't so cool and you'll hang the moon. About the time you take him fishing or to his first Little League game." Maddie said.

"Lucas was always pretty devoted to Christine." Mike remarked.

"She was his main caretaker. Oliver is going to have the best of all worlds. I don't intend on moving out of the area now that Oliver has you. We can work things out and co-parent him if that is what you want." Maddie answered. She was afraid she might have phrased it wrong but Mike nodded.

"I was not upset when the doctor said it would be a while before you could work." Mike commented.

"Really? I need to contribute." Maddie remarked.

"I can support the three of us." Mike answered.

"Three of us?" Maddie asked.

"You, Oliver and I." Mike said.

"Mike…that sounds very much like a family. Its not that I am opposed to that, but for the past three years, I've been beat on a daily basis. I trust you and I know you would never do that but it will be awhile before I'm ready to date…or anything; if that's what your suggesting? If it isn't; I just made an idiot out of myself." Maddie asked.

"I know you aren't ready. I can't say I wasn't suggesting it but I also know it will be awhile before you're there. Honestly, its selfish but I just want to figure out a way to keep Oliver around. Not that I don't want you around too." Mike said.

"Mike; I knew you would get attached. Probably, because of all you've lost. I knew once I left Oliver in your care, there was no go-back. I would be sharing Oliver with you forever. " Maddie said.

"But he is not nearly as attached." Mike remarked.

"Give him time. Be patient. I will encourage it of course, but just be patient with him. And you treating me well will go a long way too, which I know you will." Maddie said.

"I suppose." Mike answered.

"Mike; seriously, thank you. For all you've done for Oliver and for me. You didn't have to." Maddie said. She stood up, but before she left the living room; she bent down and kissed his cheek. Before he could say anything; she walked away, checking on Oliver before going into her own bedroom to settle for the night. As she got ready for bed; she remembered back to night she and Mike 'broke' up.

Maddie knew something was off with Mike. He had been in a mood for days and today; he was completely off. She finished dinner and went looking for him; finally finding him in his office.

"Mike; dinner is ready." Maddie said, noticing the bottle of whiskey was halfway gone. It had been full that afternoon.

"Not hungry." Mike answered.

"Mike; I spent half the afternoon cooking. You could have warned me that you wanted to drown your sorrows in a bottle of booze." Maddie complained.

"You have no idea what is going on." Mike said after settling in his chair.

"No, because you don't talk. You work and you drink." Maddie said.

"You drink too." Mike remarked.

"Not like you. Its not healthy…" Maddie started, glad she had shut dinner off.

"If you don't like it; you know where the door is." Mike said.

"Sure. I'm sick of being your human Prozac anyways." Maddie answered.

She had moved out after that, and then found out later that she was pregnant. At the time, she had had an endless list as to why she didn't call Mike, but none of it mattered now. She had been charmed by Seth and moved far enough away from Mike that he couldn't help her, until he visited the same city she and Oliver was in.