Surprises
Chapter 14
Mike was glad that Kara had insisted on keeping Oliver the first night they got home with Gia. She had brought Oliver to visit in them in the hospital but had said that they needed a night to settle in.
Gia was a good baby. She rarely cried and when she did, it was because she thought she needed fed. Maddie held her the majority of time, but while she showered that first night, Mike picked Gia up and smiled at the way she cuddled into his chest.
"Let's let your mommy enjoy her shower." Mike said. He sat down in the rocking chair in Maddie's room. It had been years since he had rocked a baby to sleep. At this stage of his life, he had thought it would be grandkids he'd be rocking. Of course, he missed his older three kids but having Oliver, and now Gia; made losing the older three a bit easier to handle.
"Mike?" Maddie asked.
"Yeah. She woke up and I didn't want to disturb you. She seemed to settle as I rocked her." Mike answered.
"I think she loves being held." Maddie remarked.
"She's sweet." Mike said.
"In about fifteen years, you may think differently." Maddie said with a smile. She had sat down on her bed and was putting lotion on her feet.
"Do you feel better?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. Thank you for letting me shower. I used to have to put Oliver in his carrier and sit him in the bathroom while I showered." Maddie said.
"Well, I can spare a half hour a day to watch both of them so you won't have to do that again." Mike said.
"Thank you." Maddie repeated. She leaned down and gave him a long kiss; this time on the lips. It surprised him slightly but he didn't mind in the least.
"You're welcome." Mike said just as the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it. She's content." Maddie said. She left before Mike could argue so he concentrated on the baby girl in his arms. She was smiling in her sleep and it made him smile in response. A moment later, Maddie reappeared.
"Who was it?" Mike asked.
"I…think you need to go into the living room. Its two young women. They claim to be Katie and Hannah…and honestly, they do look like pictures of them." Maddie said.
"Are you sure?" Mike asked.
"I'm positive. Here?" Maddie said. She took the baby and Mike stood up.
"If it is them, what are we going to do with them?" Mike asked.
"We'll start by loving them." Maddie remarked. She kissed his cheek and pushed him into the hallway. Mike's mind was racing but he walked into the living room, honestly glad that Oliver was occupied over at Kara's house. The older of the two girls, Katie, stood up.
"Daddy?" Katie said. She rushed to him and gave him a big hug. While he held her, he peeked behind her left ear, remembering that his Katie had had an abscess drained. This Katie also had a faint scar in the exact same area. He kissed her cheek before pulling away and putting an arm out for Hannah. She had the same dimple on her chin as his Hannah. She gave him a tight hug as well.
"I've missed you two so much." Mike said into Hannah's hair.
"Daddy, I hate to ask but do you have any food? We haven't eaten in a few days." Katie asked.
"I'll fix you girls something. Let me get it started and we'll catch up after you've eaten." Mike said. He found a frozen pizza in the freezer and started preheating the oven.
"Girls, I'm assuming that those are your only clothes?" Maddie asked as she came into the living room. She had apparently left the baby in her room.
"Yeah, this is it." Hannah said quietly.
"No problem. I'll get something for you girls to sleep in. We'll put those clothes in to wash while you sleep." Maddie said.
"Can we take a shower?" Katie asked.
"Absolutely." Mike answered.
"Would one of you like to shower while dinner bakes?" Maddie asked.
"You go ahead, Hannah. I'll shower after." Katie said.
"Thanks." Hannah said, following Maddie into the bedroom area. Mike wondered about telling her about the sleeping baby in Maddie's room but they were going to have to figure all that out. He had to wonder what surprise would come next. A new son, a marriage, a baby, and his daughters back all in one year.