Surprises

Chapter 18

Maddie smiled as she watched Katie, Hannah and Olive playing with the two puppies Mike had brought home. It was more than they had agreed on but she didn't mind. His mistake was taking Hannah along to pick out a puppy with Oliver. So, now they had a male puppy and a female puppy.

"You are a sucker for those girls." Maddie remarked.

"Yeah…so her pout still works. When she was little, she would stick out that bottle lip and her chin would tremble and I was done. She can still do it. Especially when they said those two were the only two left and they were a bonded pair." Mike explained.

"I bet she teaches that to Gia. Did Katie ever pick it up?" Maddie asked as she watched Mike's very solemn, oldest daughter.

"No. Katie has always been very stoic." Mike remarked.

"Mike, be careful. Sometimes when people are like that, they crack hardest." Maddie advised. She walked towards the kids and puppies. Katie was sitting up, away from her siblings, just watching them. Mike couldn't see the pain the oldest girl was in, but Maddie could, so all she could do was be there for her.

The puppies were named Molly and Rex and were already figuring out being trained. Mike had to run to the store to get puppy supplies. He tried to take Katie along but she refused. Oliver was happy to go along with his father with the promise that they would pick out toys for Molly and Rex. Maddie picked the opportunity to talk to Katie, who was sitting on the bed, staring into space.

"You didn't want to go with your dad, huh?" Maddie asked. She put some clothes on the dresser for the girls to put away and sat down next to Katie.

"Nah. I like being here." Katie said.

"I'm glad you like being here." Maddie remarked. She could tell Katie was hiding something. Her guess was she had been hurt or victimized in some way.

"I heard my dad say that he had already adopted Gia. I guess I'm confused." Katie said. It occurred to Maddie that she might be best able to help Katie by telling her the story about Ryan.

"So, your dad and I met during the James' last deployment. We hit it off and once I retired, we started dating. It was pretty informal and your dad was having to finally accept that your mom was gone. He thought you girls were gone too and it really messed him up for a while. I didn't understand. I left him and realized a few weeks later that I was pregnant with Oliver." Maddie started.

"Dad said he had also only recently gotten to know Oliver?" Katie asked.

"Yes. So, I was convinced I was going to raise Oliver on my own. I didn't feel your dad was in the right head space to take care of a baby. Then, I met this guy, Ryan. He didn't mind me being pregnant. Didn't even mind Oliver once he was born. Then, about two months after Oliver was born, the beatings started. I could handle it when it was just me, but then he started getting mean around Oliver." Maddie continued.

"What'd you do?" Katie asked.

"I read that your dad was going to be in town and I found him. I left Oliver with him. I know it shocked your dad, but I knew Oliver was safe with him. Then, when I got a chance, I got out myself and came here. I was lucky that your dad was so accepting of me and another man's baby. He's married me and adopted Gia to keep us safe." Maddie explained.

"So…your marriage was out of convenience?" Katie asked.

"Yes but I care very deeply about your dad and I have no doubt that it might grow into something at some point. And I think he would tell you the same." Maddie said.

"One of the things Mom wanted most was for my dad to be happy. I hope he is." Katie remarked.

"I think he is becoming happier. So, I don't want to be too forthcoming, but I felt your dad was never going to ask. Did something happen to you and that is why you don't want to leave? We want to be able to help you and I wondered if you just didn't want to tell your dad." Maddie asked.

"No…its…I just don't mean this harshly but I really miss my mom. I thought maybe Dad has just forgotten about her." Katie explained.

"Honey, he is still very much in love with her and frankly, I have to get past my own issues. He is a wonderful man and I assure you, your mom is never far from his thoughts either. She was his first love." Maddie explained.

"I can tell he really does care about you. I think you might be mistaken." Katie said.

"I think we have some work to do." Maddie admitted.

"Maybe. So, do you need a babysitter?" Katie asked.

"Maybe at some point. So, nothing happened?" Maddie asked.

"We were just homeless for years and it was hard to make sure we had enough food. We walked here, thinking the weather would be better, and I heard someone talking in town about how some of the Nathan James crew lived in this area. I thought, even if Dad wasn't here, they could help me…and the first door I came to was here." Katie explained.

"Well, that makes me feel better. I will see if your dad has some photos of your mom for you girls too. I'm sure that Hannah is missing her too." Maddie said as she stood up.

"It won't upset you to see them?" Katie asked.

"No. I think your mom was someone who loved her husband and children with all her heart. That is something I respect." Maddie said.

"She was a really good woman." Katie said.

"I believe that. I'll talk to your dad." Maddie answered. She leaned down and gave Katie a kiss on the top of the head before walking out of the bedroom. Now, she just had to talk to Mike.