Mistake
Chapter 14
"Hey, its going to be okay. I know you're scared but you and this baby will be fine." Mike said. He was a bit shocked by the news but he also knew Maddie was upset by the pregnancy. His shock would not help her.
"Aren't you?" Maddie asked as she wiped tears away.
"Scared? Yes. After losing Katie the way she died, I have to wonder how I could be trusted with another child. But, this baby is innocent and doesn't understand the pain he or she is being born into." Mike said.
"We're a mess." Maddie answered with a tear-filled laugh.
"We are going to be okay and so is this baby. Now, I need to call and get you on my benefit package so you can go to the doctor." Mike said.
"Sorry for all the headaches." Maddie answered. Mike sat back down across from her and took both of her hands.
"No headaches. We just have to get you to a doctor to make sure all is fine." Mike answered with a smile.
"You almost seem happy about this." Maddie remarked.
"I'm not unhappy. Shocked and surprised but not unhappy." Mike admitted.
"I…am not unhappy about it. Kind of surprised but we weren't always very careful." Maddie said with a laugh.
"No, I suppose not. Just don't tell Hannah that part. I took her to the coffee shop the other day and she discovered a boy there. He's 'kinda cute' according to her." Mike complained.
"Are you going to take her back there?" Maddie asked.
"Hell no!" Mike exclaimed.
"She's sweet. She may have noticed him but she is thoroughly a daddy's girl." Maddie said.
"Oh, eventually that won't matter anymore. She has been a complete rock. I think she regrets telling me about Katie's death but I'm glad she did. It is hard to stomach but I wouldn't want Hannah carrying that with her." Mike said.
"Any more dreams about her?" Maddie asked her.
"A few. She isn't eating again in them." Mike answered with a far off look.
"Because of me?" Maddie remarked.
"I don't know. There isn't a lot of rhyme or reason to these dreams. I just hope I don't have them forever." Mike said.
"Do you dream about Lucas like this?" Maddie asked.
"Occasionally. Especially around holidays and his birthday. But, these dreams are different. In the dreams about Lucas, he's happy and healthy. In the dreams about Katie, she is angry. Of course, my relationship with her was different. I just never realized she thought I hated her." Mike admitted.
"And there is no go back now." Maddie remarked.
"I keep hoping that at some point she sees that Hannah and Billy are happy and adjusting and she finds peace." Mike said.
"Maybe its not about them. Maybe she needs to see that you are happy and at peace before she can be at peace." Maddie suggested.
"She said it was about them and she hated me. I can't imagine she would care about me." Mike remarked.
"Do you think she actually did?" Maddie asked.
"Maybe it was just something she said to get under my skin. Teenagers are like that and she and I mixed like oil and water." Mike said as they walked into the kitchen where Mike poured a cup of coffee. Maddie shook her head when he offered her a cup and thought for a moment.
"But were you always like that?" Maddie asked.
"No. It really didn't hit until she was about ten or so. Up 'til then, everything was fine. Of course about that same time, I was trying to make Lieutenant Commander and then XO, so I was not in the picture a lot. More than anything, Katie wanted me home." Mike admitted.
"She wants to know that you'll stay home with Hannah and Billy. If that happens, it will make her sacrifice worth it." Maddie said.
"Nothing will make her sacrifice worth it, but I know what you're saying." Mike remarked.
"Maybe it'll straighten out now." Maddie said. Mike pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head.
"I sincerely hope so." Mike agreed, not letting her go.