Surprises
Chapter 16
Maddie smiled as she watched Katie reading a book to Oliver. Hannah was holding Gia, while Mike ran to the store to pick up some very needed supplies. Kara had gone with him to help get clothes for Katie and Hannah. Frankie was sitting on Katie's other side, intent on the book.
"Your dad just texted. They've finished up and he's headed home. He's picked up Chinese food. Said it was your favorite, Katie?" Maddie asked.
"Yeah. I haven't ate in years though." Katie admitted.
"I hope he got some of those crab things…in the wrappers?" Hannah asked.
"Crab Rangoons. Most likely, he did. He knows I like them too." Maddie said with a smile.
"We slept so good last night. That bed is so soft." Hannah remarked. Katie had gone back to reading to the boys and Maddie smiled at the younger girl. Gia was sound asleep, already figuring out that Hannah loved holding her.
"I am glad. We will see about figuring something out so you can have your own room." Maddie said.
"We don't mind. We've slept on park benches and anywhere we could so sharing a bedroom and a bed isn't such a big deal for Katie and me." Hannah said. Maddie's heart broke at that admission.
"You might change your mind at some point and want some privacy." Maddie said.
"We don't want to cost any extra money." Katie said. Maddie thought she had been intent, reading to the boys.
"I'm sure that your dad doesn't mind." Maddie told them. The girls exchanged a look before concentrating back on their present tasks.
A half hour later; Mike and Kara got back. They had gone overboard and Maddie was a bit shocked by the amount of laundry that they'd have to do. Kara and Frankie went back home and they sat down for dinner before the laundry would start.
Having just given birth two days before; Maddie settled on the couch with Gia, while Mike and Hannah worked on laundry and Katie got Oliver ready for bed. After his bath, Oliver climbed up next to Maddie and smiled at Gia.
"You and Daddy need to have another baby. A boy." Oliver said. Maddie smiled in response. Oliver was enjoying having older sisters who already doted on him.
"Gia is only two days old." Maddie remarked.
"I'm the only boy! Other than Daddy. We need another boy." Oliver said.
"I'll mention it to your daddy. Do you want me to tuck you in?" Maddie asked.
"You and Daddy." Oliver answered as he played with Gia's hand. Maddie smiled and nodded. She agreed with Mike; she didn't want Oliver to become jealous. He had gone from being the only child to having three sisters within forty-eight hours.
"Why don't you head into your bedroom and I'll get your daddy and hand Gia over to Hannah?" Maddie suggested. The little boy immediately jumped off the couch and headed for his bedroom. Just then, Mike and Hannah came out of the laundry room. "Hannah, can you take Gia while your dad and I tuck Oliver in? He's requested both of us." Maddie asked.
"Sure." Hannah answered. She took the baby and sat down on the couch. Maddie followed Mike into Oliver's room and smiled as he helped Oliver into bed. The love between the father and son was so obvious.
"Daddy, I told Mommy I need a baby brother." Oliver said. Mike looked at Maddie for a long moment before concentrating on their son.
"Maybe, Son. For now, you get to be the only boy. That's pretty special." Mike said. He kissed the top of Oliver's head and smiled as Maddie sat down on Oliver's side.
"And I need to rest a bit. Having Gia has kind of worn me out." Maddie said.
"I'll take care of my baby brother." Oliver told them.
"How about we wait a bit and then we'll see?" Mike suggested.
"Okay, I guess." Oliver said, obviously not happy.
"Sleepy?" Maddie asked.
"Yeah." Oliver answered after a yawn.
"How about you go to sleep? If you need us, you can wake me up. The girls are staying in your mom's room and she's with me." Mike requested.
"Okay." Oliver answered. Both Mike and Maddie gave Oliver a kiss and waited a few minutes until his eyes became heavy. Maddie relieved Hannah and Mike went back to his laundry, not saying anything else about Oliver requesting a baby brother.