Past and Present Lives
Chapter 5-Present Life
Maddie had settled in and Mike enjoyed having her there. Not just because of the sex, although that was amazing. She was fun to talk to, she seemed to get his moodiness and she loved to cook and bake. She helped him finish up decorating the house and made it more home-like.
She was still looking for a job and had had a couple interviews. Mike encouraged to not move too fast. He enjoyed the company and had really loved feeling her sleeping next to him. Like Christine had, Maddie liked to cuddle up and sleep right against him. She tended to wear his t-shirts to bed and one morning, about two weeks after she moved in, Mike woke up and smiled at how sleepy Maddie looked and how messy her hair was.
"Not attractive." Maddie said, gesturing at her hair. They hadn't had sex that night but still slept together. It had become a habit that Mike didn't want to break.
"I'm sure mine doesn't look much better." Mike remarked as they both got up and Maddie began making the bed.
"I thought I'd make a Red Velvet Cake today." Maddie said.
"No interviews today?" Mike asked.
"No. Unfortunately not." Maddie answered.
"Hey, its okay. I like having you here." Mike said before giving her a kiss.
"I know. I just hate not having a job." Maddie said.
"You'll find just the right one. You should consider decorating." Mike remarked.
"I think you have to have a degree for that." Maddie said.
"Is that something you'd consider doing? The Navy would pay for your college." Mike asked.
"Possibly, but I still need a job to cover my expenses." Maddie said as she straightened the pillows.
"What if I covered them?" Mike asked.
"Mike…I appreciate what you're doing. I just hate even asking that of you. We barely know each other beyond me knowing you hate peas and that we've had sex…several times." Maddie said.
"You hate depending on people. I know that much. I just don't know why." Mike remarked.
"Because everytime I do, they either die or leave." Maddie admitted.
"Look, I've lost people too. People I loved dearly. And most of the time; I don't feel I even deserve whatever this is. I…did a number on my wife and she died probably wondering if I ever loved her. Some of the hurt I caused her was intentional, some not. But, I do know, Christine would want me to move forward because she loved me far more than I ever deserved. The people you've lost would want the same for you. You enjoy decorating a lot. You would light up when you found some item for this house. Just think about it." Mike said. He kissed Maddie's forehead and then left her to get ready.
He knew he was moving a little fast with Maddie. There was just something about her. She was like Christine in appearance but feistier. In the final years of their marriage, Christine became kind of beat down. Not because Mike had ever physically or emotionally abused her, but because the distance began growing. She had tried to fix it. He shrugged off any bad memories about the time Maddie came into the living area.
Maddie baked the cake and Mike grilled their dinner. They swam and watched the ocean for a bit. Mike found a movie and within fifteen minutes, Maddie was sound asleep with her head on his shoulder. To him, it was perfect and he didn't want anything to change but his memories.