First New Year's
Mike had gone above and beyond for Christmas and Maddie wanted to make sure his New Year's Eve was good. The girls had already said they would stay with Susannah and Maddie could be the designated driver to Tom's annual New Year's Eve get-together.
After kissing all three daughters, Mike and Maddie left for Tom's house, across town. He drove there, but Maddie knew he had brought the bottle of whiskey that he had gotten for Christmas to 'share.' It put her bacon-wrapped smoked sausages to shame. Once there, he helped Maddie up the icy sidewalk and they were let into the house. They immediately separated, Mike with the guys and his whiskey and Maddie with the women and her little smokies.
Maddie always thought Tom and Sasha were a bit uptight, but the party was becoming loud, judging by Mike's booming voice and laughter. He was keeping the party rolling. By midnight, the bottle of whiskey was empty and he had been drinking beer and tequila. He would be in a fine mood the next morning and Maddie was thankful that Russ helped her to the car because Mike was in no shape.
"Do you need me to follow you home and help you into the house?" Russ asked.
"Nah, I'll pull into the garage. Only have three steps to contend with." Maddie said, dreading even that with her very drunk husband.
"You could just let him sleep in the car tonight?" Russ suggested.
"Too cold." Mike blurted out.
"Call me if you need me." Russ said.
"Thank you." Maddie answered. Russ shut her car door and she began the drive home. Thankfully, Mike had fallen asleep and Maddie hoped the girls were sleeping so their very drunk father didn't scare them.
He woke up long enough to walk into the house and their bedroom unassisted. While Maddie cleaned up the pan from her food, Mike settled into bed. He was nearly asleep when Maddie laid down beside him. He put an arm around her and kissed her neck.
"Mike; you smell like a bar." Maddie said.
"I didn't shower. You could join me?" Mike asked with a salacious smile.
"Not tonight." Maddie answered. It was almost laughable.
"I miss this." Mike remarked as he kissed down her neck.
"Mike, I am hugely pregnant. You can't be turned on by this. And I'm not opposed to it, just not tonight. You'd regret it." Maddie said.
"Well, fine; if you promise." Mike said in an annoyed tone.
"You will have a hangover when you wake up. There's a bottle of water and a couple pain-relievers on your bedside table. Love you." Maddie answered.
"Love you too." Mike responded. She figured he was mad but he would forget about it the next day. He cuddled close and kissed the back of her neck, just like every night.
Normally, he got up with Susannah through the night, but he never woke up when she woke up crying, so Maddie was up with her for at least an hour. She was hoping Hannah or Katie would watch Susannah the next day so Maddie could nap. Fortunately, the girls slept through the night and Maddie fell back asleep quickly, only to be woke up at six by Mike moaning in pain.
"Oh, my head." Mike complained.
"Take the meds and drink that water." Maddie said. Mike turned and Maddie heard him doing what he was told.
"I should not have drank that beer." Mike remarked.
"Or the tequila or the vodka." Maddie teased.
"It wasn't much." Mike said in a whiny voice.
"Uh-huh." Maddie answered.
"But, the whiskey was okay?" Mike said.
"You would have been fine if you didn't mix alcohol." Maddie remarked.
"The beer gave me heartburn." Mike complained.
"I put acid-relief on there too." Maddie said, not even bothering to try to sleep.
"Did I kiss you at midnight?" Mike asked.
"No, but its okay. Don't worry about it." Maddie answered.
"I love you." Mike said.
"I love you too. Are you still drunk?" Maddie asked.
"Maybe a little." Mike admitted.
"You owe me next year." Maddie teased.
"Yeah. I think it might be a good idea to stay home next year." Mike said.
"I suggested it." Maddie answered.
"Thank you for letting me unwind a bit. Did I make a complete idiot of myself?" Mike asked.
"No, but you were the life of the party. Tom might be a bit embarrassed but that's okay." Maddie remarked.
"As long as you weren't embarrassed." Mike commented.
"No. My question is; you got really drunk last night. Were you drinking to remember or forget? You've not been yourself the past month or so?" Maddie said as she brushed her hand through Mike's hair.
"Its…having the girls back. I'm thrilled they are alive but I can't help but wonder if they're happy here. And I think they miss their mom and brother. I don't know how to help them or make them understand that as long as I'm alive, they will never be homeless again." Mike said.
"And you're worried that the baby will just reinforce this? Maybe…maybe it would be better if they didn't have to contend with me, Susannah or the baby." Maddie remarked.
"What are you suggesting?" Mike asked in a concerned voice.
"I…love you, but maybe we should separate. It might make things easier for the girls and you. We could come up with a plan for Susannah and this baby…" Maddie suggested, trying not to cry.
"Absolutely not. You and Susannah belong here. I just have to figure out how to make Katie and Hannah feel a part of this family. My biggest concern is that they will up and leave." Mike answered.
"You know…Christmas Eve when we made all those cookies and candies, using some of Christine's recipes; I felt they were connecting and they seem to really love Susannah. I just won't ever be their mother." Maddie remarked.
"Not their mother, but a mother to them. Just don't give up. Please. I couldn't lose you." Mike admitted. He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her. The baby was kicking wildly and Maddie leaned in. Suddenly, an idea dawned on her.
"Mike; we have to find a house. Soon. We make them rooms, especially for them. I help them decorate them. Let them help pick things out for the common areas. Maybe even include them in the search for a home." Maddie said.
"I thought you wanted to wait until the baby arrived?" Mike asked.
"I think we need to do this sooner rather than later. And besides, moving with a toddler and a newborn?" Maddie said.
"I'll call the realtor first thing tomorrow if you're sure? Maddie, please know that I love you and I don't want you going anywhere. It might help the girls but it would destroy me." Mike said before giving her a long kiss.
"I didn't want to. I just don't want to have the girls leave because they were unhappy. Can you tell me about Christine?" Maddie asked.
"She was…a good mom. She knew how the kids ticked. Knew their likes and dislikes, far better than me. She always had their favorite foods on their birthdays and hard days. She would make regular days special." Mike answered.
"Sounds like a great mom and a great wife." Maddie said.
"She was, but so are you." Mike replied before giving her another kiss. It was still early in the morning and the kids were still asleep.
"And you are an amazing husband and dad. The girls love you. They light up around you and this is all gonna work out." Maddie said. She gave Mike another kiss before Susannah began crying.
"I'll get her." Mike said. He gave her another kiss before getting out of bed and going for their daughter. Judging by the other voices, Katie and Hannah were awake and Mike was talking to them. Maddie got up and followed him into the living area where Katie was working on breakfast and Hannah was playing with Susannah.
"Maddie, can you help me with this pancake batter? It seems too thin?" Katie asked. Maddie walked into the kitchen and smiled at the young woman.
"Let's put a bit of the mix in." Maddie said as she began assisting Katie. Mike had sit down with Hannah and Susannah.
"I liked baking all those cookies and candy with you. It was fun." Katie remarked.
"You know; I saw in the newspaper there was a new kitchen store opening. Do you want to check it out?" Maddie asked.
"YEAH!" Katie said.
"Good. We'll go tomorrow." Maddie answered. Mike winked at her in response. Hopefully, with any luck; before the baby was born, she would find a way to connect with both girls, which would create less stress for Mike.
