Christmas Market Date: Characters A and B go on a romantic and enchanting date to a Christmas market, where they encounter unexpected adventures and surprises.
Christmas Market
Maddie strolled through the Christmas Market in Berlin beside her mom. It was the trip of a lifetime and just a few years ago, it would not have been possible. Her mom had always dreamed of visiting the Christmas Market. When Maddie learned that she would be in Germany over the holidays, it made sense to fly her mom over.
"Oh, look at that angel. How pretty!" Catherine exclaimed.
"I was just thinking that too." A familiar voice said. Maddie turned and saw Mike…or Admiral Slattery. She had to be professional. And besides, they barely knew each other outside of work.
"Admiral Slattery? I'm surprised to see you here." Maddie said.
"I heard the chicken schnitzel is good." Admiral Slattery said as he looked at Catherine curiously.
"Admiral, this is my mother, Catherine Rawlins. She is here for the holidays. Mama, Admiral Slattery is my CO." Maddie introduced them. Mike shook Catherine's hand and gave her a charming smile.
"Ms. Rawlins, its nice to meet you. I'm glad you could make it here for the holidays. This market is really nice." Admiral Slattery said.
"Yes. I've always wanted to visit here." Catherine said with a bright smile.
"Would you ladies like to join me for the schnitzel? Or whatever you'd like. I hate eating alone. It would be a nice treat to have company." Admiral Slattery offered.
"Of course! That would be lovely." Catherine said. Maddie rolled her eyes because her mom had always been a flirt. A harmless one, but still. Admiral Slattery offered his arm to her and Maddie trailed behind. Their conversation ranged from Christmas plans to pets. Finally, they were seated at a tiny restaurant near the market.
They all ordered the chicken schnitzel and mulled German wine. Admiral Slattery kept the conversation was rolling. Maddie talked but let her mom and the Admiral visit. They seemed to be getting along extremely well. It was odd. Her mom finally excused herself to go to the restroom. It gave Maddie a chance to speak.
"Sir, did you really care about the schnitzel?" Maddie asked.
"No. I might have heard you tell Kara that you were bringing your mom here tonight." Mike answered.
"I don't think you had an overwhelming urge to meet Mama." Maddie said.
"While she is a delight, no. No, I had an ulterior motive." Mike answered.
"Me?" Maddie asked.
"Yes, you." Mike answered. Her mother reappeared so they dropped the subject. He paid for their meals and as they walked through the market again, he bought the angel that Catherine had commented on. He handed it to Maddie and then walked them back to Maddie's apartment.
"You'll join us for dinner Christmas Day? We're having all the fixings." Catherine asked.
"Mama!" Maddie said in a warning tone. How the roles had been reversed.
"Its alright and I'd love to. What should I bring?" Mike asked.
"Oh…nothing. I think we have everything. We might put you to work on cutting the ham up." Catherine said. Maddie unlocked her apartment door, hoping her mom would go in.
"I would be happy to." Mike said.
"Well, good night. Thank you for the angel." Catherine said. She stepped in and Maddie shut the door behind her.
"Sorry about all that. Mama tends to monopolize." Maddie said.
"She's fine. I actually enjoyed visiting with her." Mike answered.
"Good. So, were you serious about what you said earlier?" Maddie asked.
"I am. I have it on good authority that you are out at the end of the year, as I am. Seems like a good time to start something, if you're a willing participant?" Mike asked.
"Definitely." Maddie answered, shocking even herself.
"Perfect. What time tomorrow?" Mike asked.
"Uh…two. Do you have plans for the morning?" Maddie asked.
"No. Christmas morning is a bit rough for me. Memories of being woke up by kids that aren't with me now." Mike admitted. Maddie admired how he conducted his grief. He talked about it, but didn't dwell on it.
"If…you would want, you could come for breakfast as well. I know that it won't help but at least you wouldn't be alone." Maddie offered.
"Thank you. I might." Mike said.
"Please think about it. I would hate for you to be alone and I know Mama would feel the same." Maddie replied gently.
"Thank you. I want to go back down to the market for a bit before it closes. Good night." Mike said. Maddie nodded in understanding. What surprised her was that he drew her close and gave her the sweetest kiss. It lingered and before he let her go, he kissed her forehead.
"Good night." Maddie replied. She opened the door and Mike winked at her.
"See you in the morning." Mike said. It made her smile. She walked into the apartment and smiled at her mom.
"He's very nice." Catherine remarked.
"Yes, he is." Maddie replied.
"Maddie; you might want to fix your lipstick. You smudged it." Catherine said with a wink and a soft laugh.
"Mom!" Maddie said before heading into the bathroom. Sure enough; her make up was smudged.
Instead of fixing her lipstick, she just washed it off and changed into her pajamas. Somehow, her mom had just magically known that Mike would be joining them for Christmas and had a nice pair of men's gloves. She wasn't even sure where they came from, but they would fit him and were wrapped and put under the tree.
For the first time in many years, Maddie felt excited as she went to bed that night. She was almost giddy. Maybe because of the kiss and the knowledge in just over a week, she could pursue a relationship with whoever she wanted. And right now, she wanted it to be Mike.
True to his word, Mike knocked on the door at nine am. Catherine was still working on breakfast, but he had come with fresh blueberry muffins. They looked delicious and were handmade. Maddie looked at them suspiciously because they weren't from a bakery.
"I still have some of Christine's recipes. I just follow them. She always made muffins for Christmas morning for the kids to snack on before she got breakfast made." Mike explained. Maddie could tell that Mike had found comfort in making the muffins.
"I never took you for a baker?" Maddie remarked.
"Christine had made the recipe very easy to understand for Katie. She was trying to teach her to cook…so I have those recipes. Makes it easy. Anyone can follow those instructions." Mike replied.
"Well, they look delicious. Thank you." Maddie said, touched by the gesture. Mike was sharing his traditions with them.
"I also brought wine and some meat and cheese that I will have to set up on a plate. Didn't want to come empty handed. And there's flowers and small presents for your mom and you." Mike said.
"Well, you certainly didn't have to do all that." Maddie said.
"I wanted to." Mike answered. She led him into the living area, and he greeted Catherine.
"Mama, he brought home-made blueberry muffins, stuff for dinner later and some small gifts." Maddie explained. Catherine surprised even her and gave Mike a warm hug.
"Merry Christmas to you. Thank you." Catherine said.
"Merry Christmas to you as well. This all looks amazing." Mike replied, looking at the buffet Catherine had set up on the kitchen island. It was packed with pancakes, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, fruit, bacon, sausage and now muffins.
"I brought Mama over just to fatten me up before I retired." Maddie remarked with a laugh.
"I'm retiring too so can I join you on the fattening up? We don't have to pass physicals anymore." Mike asked. He was also smiling.
"Sure. There's always plenty." Maddie said. They each got a plate and began filling their plates.
"I could get used to this." Mike remarked. His plate was loaded, and Maddie wondered how long it had been since he had ate a home-cooked meal.
"Please do." Catherine replied. Maddie shot her a warning look. She and Mike were still in the Navy and had to maintain some professionalism.
The meal was amazing, and Mike was a good conversationalist. Once breakfast was eaten and cleaned up, they opened presents. For Maddie, he had gotten her a beautiful pair of earrings. They weren't diamonds but looked like rubies. He had gotten Catherine a beautiful crystal ornament. Mike seemed to love the gloves and they spent the day cooking and eating. Mike happily helped with the different dishes and it was a very relaxed and happy day. After he finally left that evening, Catherine winked at Maddie.
"I suspect next Christmas, Mike will be with us. Perhaps in a more formal role. And maybe there will be a little one." Catherine said.
"Mama!" Maddie exclaimed.
"Maddie; I am not dumb. He smiles when he looks at you. There is something there." Catherine said.
"He is a nice man but he is still grieving." Maddie said.
"He will grieve for the rest of his life but maybe he wants to capture a bit of happiness again. We'll see." Catherine replied.
One Year Later
Catherine had been on the dot. Mike was with them the next year in a much more formal role and there was a little one. Albeit, little Noelle was only two weeks old and could care less about Christmas, but she was there in a bassinet, close to their festivities. They had settled in Georgia and Mike had bought a large farmhouse. Catherine had moved in with them and Mike and Maddie had married in September.
"She will love Christmas next year." Mike announced as he looked at his tiny daughter. She was awake and wanted nursed, so he picked her up to hand her to Maddie. He was totally at ease with Noelle and while he missed his older kids, Noelle gave him a sparkle in his eye again.
"She'll like the lights and such." Maddie said.
"And the paper and boxes and food." Catherine said from the kitchen.
"Oh, she is going to love it. I just know it." Mike said. He kissed Noelle's cheek before giving her to Maddie, giving her a kiss as well. He was a wonderful father, husband and son-in-law. That year, the gifts were wonderful and heartfelt.
Maddie had gotten a necklace that had Noelle's birthstone on it, and he had built Caroline a pair of nightstands. And Noelle had gotten tons of toys that she wouldn't enjoy for months, but Mike was all about spoiling his daughter. It was a mental thing because he had admitted to Maddie that he had not gotten gifts for his older kids, relying on Christine to do it all. He had used not having money at the time as the excuse but Maddie knew he regretted it deeply. And so he made up for it now.
Their Christmas was amazing. The gifts were wonderful, the food was delicious and that night, once Catherine had gone to her own bedroom and Noelle was in her bassinet beside their bed, Maddie cuddled close to Mike.
"I'm just wondering how you'll top this next year." Maddie remarked. Mike made their days special, even ordinary ones.
"Hmm…maybe there will be two little ones?" Mike suggested with a laugh. He wanted another baby soon. Maddie wanted to wait but would probably concede.
"Oh, Mike." Maddie said. She acted aggravated, but she loved how Mike loved her and Noelle.