Surprises
Chapter 22
Despite everything, Katie hung back when Maddie brought the kids to visit. Hannah and Oliver were happy to give Mike gentle hugs, but Katie stayed on the other side of the room. It worried Mike, but she had told Maddie she was only missing her mom.
Being a detective had taught him how to watch people. Sure, Katie was grieving. But he would think that would make her want to reach out to her surviving parent. She didn't seem angry at him. She'd speak but she didn't talk. Or at least not to him. But Maddie could work wonders.
The kids and Maddie went home before supper and Mike tried to go back to sleep. As had been the norm, nightmares filled his sleep, always about what Katie had been through.
Three days later, he was released from the hospital. Thankfully, Tom was able to take him home so Maddie didn't have to get the kids out in the rain. He was never so glad to get home and settle in his bed. Hannah and Oliver visited but finally Maddie brought his dinner in and chased the kids out.
"They are sure glad you're home." Maddie remarked.
"Only one who isn't is Katie." Mike answered.
"Oh, I think she is." Maddie answered.
"Katie hates me. She probably wishes that I had died in that car accident." Mike remarked.
"I doubt that. Mike, I don't know Katie as well, but she does love you. When I got the call about the accident, she was shaking and asked me what would happen to her and Hannah if something happened to you." Maddie explained.
"That might have had nothing to do with love. She might have been more worried that they would be homeless again." Mike commented.
"Perhaps, but I do think there was some genuine fear where you were concerned." Maddie said.
"I don't know. She speaks but she doesn't really talk to me. She just seems so distant." Mike said.
"I can try again?" Maddie suggested.
"Would you?" Mike asked.
"Of course, but maybe what she is wanting is for you to ask her. You are her father and even though she doesn't talk, she trusted you enough to show up here with Hannah." Maddie suggested.
"Or maybe I was just the less of all evils." Mike remarked.
"Perhaps. Mike, she does trust you though. She would not be here if she didn't." Maddie said. Just then, Gia started crying from where she had been sleeping in the living room.
"If you need to, bring her in here where it's a bit quieter." Mike said.
"She's been a mess since I stayed with you that night. She was such a good sleeper too." Maddie answered before heading into the living room to get the crying baby. A moment later, she laid the baby on the bed next to Mike. She reappeared with Gia's bassinet and after being nursed and rocked to sleep, the baby fell asleep and was put next to Mike in her bassinet.
"Maybe she'll settle down." Mike said as he stroked her cheek.
"I sure hope so. I also think she's missed you. For being so little, she has sure gotten attached." Maddie remarked.
"Katie was like that too. Easily attached and just a good baby from day one." Mike said.
"Mike, just be patient, but remember what I said. Maybe she just wants you to ask." Maddie said before giving him a kiss and leaving him with the sleeping baby girl.
As he watched the tiny baby sleep, he remembered back when Katie was the same size. How she had trusted him and Christine implicitly. Katie didn't have a care in the world then. Now, was so different.