First Thanksgiving Day
Like Halloween, Thanksgiving was hard for Mike, made harder by the fact that they had found out they would be welcoming a baby boy. Maddie was thrilled and honestly, Mike was too; but it was still hard.
Halloween was hard because of Hannah, Thanksgiving was hard because of Lucas and December 1st would have been Katie's birthday. Just a hard six weeks. They had opted to just do a small dinner for them at home rather than visiting friends. Since Susannah was still small, she would get some mashed potatoes and crumbled up roll, so a huge dinner was extravagant. Mike was just getting ready to carve the turkey when the doorbell rang.
"Were we expecting someone?" Maddie asked. She was working on the mashed potatoes.
"No. I'll get it." Mike answered. Maddie's ever-expanding belly was covered in flour and God only knew what else. He walked to the door and opened it. He was immediately shocked to see two young women on the other side. One with reddish-blonde hair, one with chestnut brown hair.
"Daddy?" The brunette asked. Mike's jaw dropped in shock.
"Mike?" Maddie yelled from the kitchen.
"How?" Mike finally asked.
"It's a long story and its really cold out here." Katie said. Mike opened the door wider but once he shut the door behind the girls, he swept them both up in a hug. They were both impossibly thin.
"Mike, the food is going to get cold." Maddie yelled.
"There's food?" Hannah asked in an excited voice.
"Hannah!" Katie scolded.
"It's alright. Let me go in and talk to Mad…my wife. I remarried just over three years ago. Of course, I miss your mom and I haven't stopped loving her but…" Mike started.
"Its alright." Katie said.
"And we have a baby and she's pregnant. I…had to move on but I have missed you all every day." Mike explained.
"Its alright." Hannah repeated.
"I'll be right back." Mike said, feeling funny about leaving the girls in the entryway. At least it was warm. Mike walked back into the back part of the house where they did most of their living.
"Everything okay?" Maddie asked.
"Yes and no. Its…the girls." Mike said. He wasn't sure how else to say it.
"Katie and Hannah? Are you sure?" Maddie asked.
"Yes, I'm sure." Mike said. He understood why Maddie asked but he just knew.
"Where are they?" Maddie asked.
"In the entryway. And…they are both very thin. Hannah was excited when she heard you say the food was going to get cold. I suspect they are hungry." Mike explained.
"Well, you better get them." Maddie said with a smile. Mike stopped her and gave her a long kiss.
"Do not worry. There is plenty of room for them, you, Susannah and this baby in this house and in here." Mike said, pointing at his heart. He gave her another kiss before walking back into the entryway and smiling at the girls. "C'mon? Let's get you girls something to eat." Mike said. He led the girls into the living area and Maddie gave them a welcoming smile.
"You must be Katie? And Hannah? Your dad has told me a lot about you both. I'm Maddie and this is Susannah." Maddie said. She shook both of their hands and pointed at Susannah who was watching the girls with curiosity.
"I need to carve this bird and we'll get everything on the table." Mike said.
"Can I help with something?" Katie asked. Hannah had knelt in front of Susannah's high chair and was making faces at her, causing Susannah to giggle in response.
"Sure, can you put these rolls in that serving bowl?" Maddie asked, pointing at the rolls and serving bowl. Katie washed her hands and began working. First the rolls, then the creamed corn and bacon-wrapped asparagus. Hannah had stopped entertaining Susannah long enough to set the table and soon enough they had all sat down and began eating. Maddie had outdone herself. There was a turkey, glazed ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, potato casserole, sweet potatoes, asparagus, rolls, homemade mac and cheese, strawberry pecan salad, and tons of desserts. She had been cooking for days.
In barely any time, the girls had both ate seconds on pretty much everything. They also both ate small pieces of a chocolate pie, pumpkin pie and apple pie. Maddie finally warned them that they would make themselves sick. And Mike reminded them that there was no shortage of food.
Clean up was a little easier with two extra pairs of hands. The girls settled into the living room and were quickly asleep on the couch and after Mike laid Susannah down for her nap, he found Maddie in the bonus room over the garage, one where her mom stayed when she visited. She was changing the bed linens.
"I hope the girls will be okay sharing?" Maddie asked. Mike had began helping her with making the bed.
"I am sure they will be fine." Mike answered.
"I'm glad now that we stayed home and fixed such a huge meal." Maddie remarked.
"Me too. You okay with this?" Mike asked.
"Of course. I'm happy you have them back." Maddie answered.
"But?" Mike asked, knowing something was on Maddie's mind.
"Those girls are very traumatized by something. Suddenly having a home, structure, a family and rules could drive them away. My concern is with you. You could still end up with a broken heart." Maddie said. At first Mike was furious but then, he remembered, Maddie was just worried about him. Instead of saying anything initially, he walked around the bed and pulled her into a hug.
"Thank you." Mike said simply. He gave her a kiss and patted her stomach, and was immediately awarded with a kick. It made both of them laugh.
"Happy Thanksgiving." Maddie said.
"The best. Thank you. You made it amazing." Mike said as he gave her another kiss.
"Oh, I had help. And Susannah is a huge fan of those sweet potatoes Katie snuck her." Maddie said as they both walked down the stairs. Both girls were sound asleep on the couch.
"Imagine Christmas?" Mike remarked.
"It will be amazing." Maddie agreed. He settled into his recliner and smiled at the two sleeping girls on the couch. Maddie came back in from Susannah's room and was carrying her. "She isn't interested in napping apparently." Maddie said as she passed Susannah to Mike and settled in an empty area of the couch. Within just a few minutes, she was asleep and Susannah had fallen asleep on Mike's chest, giving him time to look at each member of his family.