Valentine's Day Blues
Mike had thought long and hard about his plans for Valentine's Day with Maddie. He really liked the stage their relationship was at at the moment. It was comfortable and easy. Maddie didn't have high expectations given a past relationship that had not been a good one.
So, Mike planned on cooking her dinner. She had voiced not wanting to go out due to it being a work night for her. He had her favorite wine, chocolates and a potato casserole that was her mom's recipe. The steaks were cooked to perfection and he had bought her a pair of earrings, knowing it wasn't the right time for an engagement ring, even though he knew that was where they were headed. He just hoped she wasn't disappointed.
She came in from work and smiled at the flowers, candles and the food on the table. Mike walked into the living room and gave her a long and passionate kiss. She cuddled into his chest for a long moment.
"Are you okay?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. Just tired. I'm glad it's a night in for us, even if you went all out." Maddie said.
"Is it too much?" Mike asked, full of concern.
"Mike, its perfect. I'm just glad we're home for tonight." Maddie said before giving him a kiss on the cheek. She pulled away and looked at the table for a long moment. "Do you care if I go put something comfortable on? These shoes are killing me." Maddie asked.
"Make yourself comfortable. The potatoes have a little longer." Mike said.
"Thank you." Maddie answered as she patted his chest. She headed into their bedroom while Mike worked on the meal. He was just putting the last thing on the table when the doorbell rang. He wasn't expecting anyone and was hoping to not have company but as soon as he opened it and saw Danny and Frankie, he knew that wasn't going to happen.
"Sir…I hate to ask but Kara has been at Aaliyah's pediatrician, and she has RSV…Aaliyah, not Kara. Anyway, he's admitting her to the hospital and I need to go. Can you look after Frankie for the evening. I'll come back before he's due to go to bed…I hope. I know it's a big ask?" Danny asked, obviously frustrated at the situation.
"Of course we will." Maddie said from behind Mike. She was wearing sweats and a warm sweatshirt and she took Frankie's hand and led him away.
"Sorry, Sir. Aaliyah's really struggling." Danny said.
"Take as long as you need." Mike answered.
"I did pack pajamas in his bag, along with clothes for tomorrow just in case, but I will try to be back. Sorry…if Debbie hadn't gotten arrested…" Danny remarked. Mike was aware that Debbie had been arrested for passing bad checks and Kara was attempting to give her some tough love.
"No worries. Just take care of Aaliyah. We'll handle Frankie." Mike said, knowing it was ruining plans. But, a sick baby came first and Aaliyah seemed very sickly and had had a rough start already.
"Thank you, Sir. Frankie, behave please." Danny said before bending down to give Frankie a hug. Mike looked away. It was weird the things that made him emotional, but seeing Danny with Frankie reminded him of when Lucas was small. He missed having kids. He just wasn't sure Maddie was there yet. e
Danny left and Maddie had put some chicken nuggets in the oven for Frankie. The little boy was fairly sedate, and Mike sat down next to him on the couch, wondering what was going on with the little boy.
"Worried about your sister?" Mike asked.
"No. She'll be fine." Frankie answered.
"Then why so quiet?" Mike pressed.
"I crashed your shin-dig." Frankie said and Mike stifled a laugh.
"Its fine, Son. Your mom and dad need to be with Aaliyah." Mike answered.
"Dinner is almost ready." Maddie said from the kitchen.
"Alright, buddy. What do you want to drink?" Mike asked.
"Some milk?" Frankie asked and Mike poured the glass.
"Can I have some of that?" Maddie asked. It surprised Mike but he poured a second glass. He had noticed that Maddie had put the wine away, so he got a bottle of water. Maddie had dished up Frankie's dinner and they all settled to eat.
It was not the romantic dinner Mike had planned but he could tell Frankie's mood was off and Maddie was unusually quiet. After dinner and cleaning it up, Mike assumed that he would be keeping Frankie overnight, so he bathed him and got him settled into the guest room, where he read him a book. Something about the routine, Mike enjoyed and he didn't mind feeling Frankie leaning against him. He just missed Frankie's usual little quips.
"Frankie, your dad will be back tomorrow, I'm sure. And I'm sure your sissy will be fine." Mike said.
"They don't have anytime for me now that Aaliyah is here. I wish I could live with you and Miss Maddie all the time." Frankie said.
"Hey, your mom and dad love you. A new baby is a lot and Aaliyah has just had a rough start. I promise, things will get better. Maddie and I love it when you visit but your parents would miss you." Mike told him as Frankie wiped his eyes.
"It doesn't seem like it." Frankie remarked.
"But they do. I promise you that." Mike said. Frankie had yawned and Mike was rubbing his back, exactly like he had with his own kids.
"I am sleepy." Frankie said.
"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep." Mike remarked.
"I wish my dad would do this." Frankie replied in a slurred voice. He was cuddled up to Mike and quickly enough, was asleep. Mike stayed a moment longer, glad he at least had Frankie. He slipped out from under Frankie and got out of the bedroom without Frankie waking back up. Maddie was cleaning the kitchen. He grabbed the earrings and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"What's this?" Maddie said, taking the little gift bag from Mike.
"Well, Valentine's didn't go as planned but I still wanted to give you your gift. Its not much and maybe you expected more. I…wasn't sure." Mike admitted. Maddie opened the box with the earrings and turned around with a smile on her face.
"I love them. Thank you." Maddie said before giving him a long kiss.
"So, what's going on? You've seemed quiet and withdrawn all night. Was it because of Frankie?" Mike asked.
"Yes, but…not in the way you think. Watching you with him…he really loves you." Maddie started.
"I suppose so." Mike said.
"Mike…I…went to the doctor today and…I thought they'd be renewing my prescription for my birth control, but…no. I'm…pregnant. Not very far along but…I wasn't sure how you'd feel. With all that you've been through…" Maddie started and Mike immediately smiled.
"Is everything okay?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. The baby seems to be doing just fine. Its too early for an ultrasound. But the doctor said all was fine for this stage." Maddie replied.
"Good. I'm glad. Explains you being tired and no wine." Mike remarked before pulling Maddie into a hug.
"And I was worried that you would be mad or upset." Maddie remarked with her face in his chest.
"Nope. I'm thrilled. Really happy." Mike said as he rocked her back and forth. "Maybe I should have gone for that engagement ring." Mike commented.
"The earrings are fine. I don't want to get married just because of being pregnant." Maddie replied. Mike gave her another kiss.
"Then we'll take our time. I love you." Mike answered.
"I love you too and I love how that sounds." Maddie said. Mike's hands were on her stomach and they exchanged a few more kisses. "I had intended on going and getting you a gift after my appointment…but, I was in shock and didn't." Maddie remarked.
"You actually are giving me a huge gift. Do not worry about it." Mike said.
"Good. I am so glad and relieved that you're happy about it. I really wasn't sure." Maddie commented.
"I am thrilled. I will always miss my older kids but I know they would want me to go on and be happy again. I think when I was in there with Frankie, I realized how much I missed watching a kid fall asleep. Cuddle up against you. It really is a good feeling." Mike said.
"I can't wait." Maddie replied. Mike kissed her forehead and just held on. The dinner and evening didn't go as planned but it turned out far better then Mike anticipated. He had gotten a text that Aaliyah was doing much better and would be home later in the morning with her exhausted parents. Mike would have another conversation with Danny and Kara about Frankie. It was time they got their priorities straight, even though Mike would still spend time with Frankie.