Past and Present Lives
Chapter 9-Present Life
Maddie had gotten a job at a real estate office and would be able to take some decorating classes through there. Mike kind of hated it because he loved having Maddie there through the days. At least she would still be there at night. Most every night, they slept together and Mike still loved her cuddling next to her.
One night, she was kind of late getting home and Mike was beginning to worry, until she pulled in and walked in with a smile on her face. She gave him a kiss and smiled at the dinner he was heating up for her.
"That looks good." Maddie remarked.
"Yeah. Everything okay?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. My boss wanted to take me and a couple of the newer people out for drinks. I didn't drink because of driving out here though. But, it was nice nonetheless." Maddie replied.
"Sounds like." Mike remarked.
"Mike—what's wrong?" Maddie asked.
"Just didn't like eating alone." Mike admitted.
"I'm working full-time and taking classes. You are probably going to have to eat alone some. I'm sorry but I can't help it right now. I'm just lucky that I got a job that didn't require me to work evenings, overnights and weekends." Maddie replied.
"True." Mike agreed.
"Mike—Christine didn't work, correct?" Maddie asked.
"She had a little business, baking but it was just to give her a little cash." Mike replied.
"She had kids at home and a husband that was gone most of the year, so it makes total sense that she wouldn't. But, I don't have kids and I'm young. I want to work." Maddie pointed out.
"But you don't have to." Mike answered a bit sharply.
"No, but Mike…we are not married and I can't expect you to support me totally. Besides, you are grieving for your family." Maddie said.
"Its been years since they died." Mike answered.
"And you've never had an opportunity to grieve. Now, you do. Mike…when you said that you take flowers to Christine's grave on the 10th of every month because of your anniversary, that told me that you are still grieving. And that isn't a bad thing. It shows me that you have the capacity of great love. Now, I am going to eat this dinner and then I'm going to go to bed. You can either sleep next to me or not, but I ask that you at least think about what I said." Maddie said before taking the plate to the island and sitting down.
"I'm going in to shower." Mike answered. He didn't want to talk anymore about Christine or his kids. It hurt and he wanted to save Maddie from witnessing that pain.
After his shower and after her own shower, Mike found himself settling into Maddie's bed, next to Maddie. He didn't want to sleep on his own. It wasn't entirely about sex. Before Maddie, nights were the hardest because he missed how Christine would cuddle against him. Even at their worst, she still would lay as close as she could. He didn't want to have another hard night.
In her sleep, Maddie had wrapped her arms around him and had her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head and smiled into her hair. She was sound asleep and Mike whispered in her ear. "I love you too."