Thanks to tmtcltb-kals for the suggestion concerning Frankie.
New Year's Blues
"Red Wine?" Mike asked Maddie.
"Yes, please. This steak is amazing. I could…eat a lot more." Maddie said. Mike smiled to himself.
"Well, hopefully; our New Year's Eve goes a bit better than Christmas did." Mike remarked as he poured the wine.
"Christmas was fine. I did bring the cheesecake you requested, by the way." Maddie said.
"Thank you. You are staying tonight?" Mike asked, hoping. He was thinking about asking Maddie to move in. He liked her being there.
"I really didn't want to drive home." Maddie said.
"Then stay. Is it too soon to talk about you moving in?" Mike asked, only to be interrupted by someone knocking on the door. "Who is that?" Mike asked as he stood up and wiped his mouth.
"I'm not expecting anyone." Maddie said. Mike walked to the door and opened it.
"Frankie? Where's your mom and dad?" Mike asked. He was concerned about Frankie walking across the busy street by himself.
"Mommy's feeding Aaliyah and Daddy ran to the store. I was bored. I got a new set of Legos. I wanted to show them to you." Frankie said as he showed Mike the box.
"I'll text Kara." Maddie said.
"Tell her I'll walk him over in a minute." Mike said as he knelt down next to Frankie. He figured Frankie was feeling a bit neglected and figured Mike would give him undivided attention.
"I'm in trouble, ain't I?" Frankie said.
"Ain't isn't a word. But, yes; a bit. I don't mind you visiting but you walked across the road by yourself. You could have been hurt and I would have hated that. And your mom and dad would be destroyed, I promise." Mike lectured the little boy.
"They are all busy with Aaliyah." Frankie said in a whiny voice.
"She's only a week old, and I promise; they will make time for you. A new baby is hard to deal with sometimes." Mike explained.
"I wanted you and Miss Maddie to have a baby, but now; I think I don't." Frankie commented.
"We'll always make time for you, buddy." Maddie remarked as she knelt beside Mike.
"Frankie; it'll get better. Next time you need some one on one time; have your mom or dad call me and I'll come get you. Just don't walk across that road until you are older, okay?" Mike requested.
"So, next week; I'll be older." Frankie said.
"How about this; when we tell you its okay to walk across by yourself you can, but up until then, have your mom or dad call or text, okay?" Maddie asked.
"Okay. What are you guys doing? Making a baby?" Frankie asked. Mike choked and Maddie laughed.
"We're eating dinner. Have you eaten?" Maddie asked.
"Yeah, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and green beans." Frankie said.
"Do you want to eat dessert with us?" Mike asked.
"Yeah!" Frankie shouted.
"I'll put our plates up to warm up and get the cheesecake out." Maddie said with a laugh.
"Thanks. Frankie, show me those Legos." Mike said. While Maddie put their dinner away and got the cheesecake cut and plated, Frankie showed Mike his new set of Legos and all the things he could build with it. Finally, they sat down with him and ate the cheesecake before Mike took him back to a very exasperated Kara.
"Frankie, you can't just invite yourself over to Uncle Mike's." Kara scolded him.
"I already lectured him about crossing the street unattended. The next time he wants to visit; he knows to tell you or Danny and have you text or call me." Mike explained.
"He is sure fascinated by you and Maddie." Kara remarked as she picked up the baby.
"Kara, I know this isn't my place but I am going to say it anyways because I've had more than one kid. Katie was about Frankie's age when Hannah was born. She felt left out and jealous and it only intensified when we had Lucas thirteen months later. I was on a rapid deployment soon after and by the time I got back; it had only festered. These things tend to get away from parents. Thankfully, our neighbor lady realized it and would take Katie for the afternoon about once a month. I regret it all now, but just be careful and lean on help when you need to." Mike advised.
"I didn't think it was that bad." Kara remarked.
"It probably hasn't gotten too bad yet but you're only a week in. Just call when you need help. And by the way; we fed him cheesecake." Mike explained.
"Thanks." Kara said.
"Frankie, remember what I said. Have your mom or dad call or text." Mike said as he gave the little boy a high five.
"Bye, Uncle Mike. Are you gonna go make a baby with Miss Maddie?" Frankie asked.
"FRANKIE!" Kara said.
"See ya, Frankie. Kara, remember." Mike said, completely dodging the question just as Aaliyah started crying. "I'll see myself out." Mike said. He left the house and headed back to his own. Maddie had heated their plates of food up and was waiting on Mike.
"Is he in a lot of trouble?" Maddie asked.
"Not too bad, I don't think. So, about my question?" Mike asked.
"Are you ready for that? It would mean we are moving pretty fast." Maddie asked.
"I am. I hate when you aren't here. It seems like moving in together might be the next step." Mike explained.
"Every time Frankie sees us, he'll think we're making a baby." Maddie teased.
"There is that." Mike said. He got up and walked to the other side of the table and knelt next to Maddie.
"Mike…I think I'm falling in love with you." Maddie said.
"Good because I already have fell in love with you." Mike answered before giving her a long kiss.
"When did that happen?" Maddie asked.
"Christmas Eve when you were worried about me watching Frankie open his presents. I need that. Someone observant of my pain but also someone who makes me smile again." Mike answered.
"Count me in." Maddie said before wrapping her arms around Mike and giving him a hug. It was going to be a great year.
