Just a short continuation of my "First Mother's Day" and "First Father's Day."
First Fourth of July
"Mike, she is too young for cake frosting!" Maddie insisted.
"She loves it though." Mike remarked. Susannah did seem to really love the cake frosting and normally Maddie was happy to indulge their only child.
"You're changing her diaper." Maddie answered. She and Mike had been bickering all day. Maddie wasn't even sure why. She had just been unusually grouchy and Mike was an easy target. She was beginning to regret quitting her job.
"Don't I usually?" Mike asked. He had picked Susannah up and was tossing her up in the air, causing the baby to laugh.
"Mike, seriously? Now, you're gonna make her puke." Maddie said. She sat the cake down that she had been baking and realized she was feeling really nauseous and faint.
"Hey, are you okay? You just got really pale." Mike asked. He took her arm and helped her to a chair.
"I don't know what's wrong with me. I just don't feel good. Must be the heat." Maddie remarked.
"How about this? You go in and rest. I can finish frosting this cake and I'll look after Susannah. Then we'll decide if we are going to Tom and Sasha's later." Mike said. Maddie nodded. Mike had been really looking forward to the annual barbeque that Tom and Sasha put on for Fourth of July.
"Are you sure?" Maddie asked.
"Positive." Mike answered. Maddie slowly stood up with Mike's help and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you. I know I've been cranky but I really do love you." Maddie said.
"I love you too." Mike answered.
Maddie walked into their bedroom and changed into pajamas. She looked at a planner she kept on her nightstand and realized it had been three weeks since their anniversary and her period was late. She had recently weaned Susannah too.
She and Mike had had a nice date for their anniversary and enjoyed a kid-free night. Kara and Danny had watched Susannah for them. Could she be pregnant? She had been on antibiotics for an abscessed tooth that could have affected her birth control.
She laid down and was a bit surprised that she even slept. Maddie did feel better, so they went to the barbeque. Susannah kept everyone entertained and she loved the fireworks and all the attention. On the way home, Maddie made an excuse that she needed something from the store. Mike stayed in the SUV with Susannah, who was sound asleep in her car-seat. She got what she needed and as soon as she got back in, Mike turned to her before shifting the car into reverse.
"Are you pregnant?" Mike asked simply.
"I…don't know. Its possible. I got a pregnancy test. I'll have to wait until the morning to take it though." Maddie said.
"Our anniversary?" Mike asked.
"I suspect so." Maddie said. Mike looked away for a moment so she spoke again. I know we can't really afford another baby, Mike. I'm sorry. I'll go back to work." Maddie said. He turned back but shocked her by smiling.
"Honestly, I'm thrilled. I was hoping Susannah would have a sibling. And trust me, its better when they are close in age. Hannah and Lucas were really best buddies and there was only eighteen months between them." Mike said. He leaned over and gave Maddie a long kiss.
"I'm glad. The money, though?" Maddie asked.
"Trust me, we will be fine. I'm not worried. My retirement is more then enough and we still have benefits." Mike said.
"Thank you." Maddie answered simply. She gave Mike another kiss. "You know, ice cream may not be a bad idea." Maddie remarked.
"I'll see if I can find a place. Susannah would like ice cream." Mike replied.
"Mike, that isn't good for the baby." Maddie said.
"And ice cream is good for that baby?" Mike asked, patting her belly.
"Point made." Maddie said with a laugh. Just then, fireworks went off in the distance. "Those were pretty!" Maddie said.
"And next year, we may have two little ones in the backseat, sleeping through the fireworks after eating too much sugar." Mike said.
"You and feeding kids inappropriate food." Maddie teased.
"And you still want ice cream?" Mike teased back.
"Yes." Maddie answered. Mike only laughed in response. He headed to the nearest ice cream place and got Maddie the banana split she asked for. She was quietly elated that Mike was so happy that she might be pregnant again.