Second Thanksgiving Day
Hannah had developed a bad cold so Mike and Maddie decided to stay home for Thanksgiving to give her time to recover. Both older girls got sick easy and stayed sick longer. Thanksgiving morning; he sat down next to Hannah and smiled at the footage of the parade in New York City.
"Your mom and I went once. Before Katie was born. It was a really nice time." Mike said, neglecting the part that Katie had been conceived on that trip.
"Maybe sometime you and I can go?" Hannah said after a coughing fit.
"Maybe so, sweetpea. You'd love New York City. Lots of art and history museums." Mike replied.
"Still? After the Red Flu?" Hannah asked.
"Still." Mike answered.
"I am sorry you and Maddie couldn't go to the dinner with your friends." Hannah said.
"Its okay. Maddie and I like doing stuff at home. And her and Katie are enjoying getting to cook. And we can eat!" Mike said.
"Sorry, Daddy. Nothing tastes very good right now." Hannah said. Mike put his arm around Hannah and before too long, Hannah was asleep. Fortunately, Susannah was happy to watch the parade and then cuddle close to Mike. Alexander and Amelia were in their playpen, playing. He felt bad about not helping Katie and Maddie but Hannah also needed him and it was always good to keep Susannah occupied.
Hannah never required much. Katie was already making her own way and only occasionally asked for Mike's time or attention. Hannah still needed it but never asked. The younger kids demanded his attention. Mike would have to look at finances and talk to Maddie but he was thinking about taking Hannah to New York City the next year.
It was a nice day, even with Hannah not feeling well. They all ate, he helped Maddie clean up and then they all napped. That night, as they got ready for bed, Mike decided to bring it up.
"So…what do you think about me taking Hannah to the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City next year?" Mike asked.
"That was really random. What brought that on?" Maddie asked as they moved throw pillows off the bed.
"She was watching the parade and I mentioned that Christine and I went before we had kids. She loves that kind of stuff." Mike said.
"It would be expensive." Maddie remarked as she lotioned up.
"It would be but even with buying this house, we have money in savings. I could go ahead and pay for the hotel room, save money and pay for the flights and then still have time to save for the incidentals." Mike explained.
"What about Katie?" Maddie said.
"Katie is already testing her wings. In time; if she wants to do something; we can. And Hannah and I can come home that night or the next day. We could do our holiday on Saturday." Mike explained.
"Can I think about it?" Maddie asked.
"Of course. I've not mentioned it to her." Mike replied.
"Good." Maddie said. She seemed upset about something. They both settled into bed and Mike pulled her close.
"You're mad." Mike remarked. Maddie raised back up and shook her head.
"Not mad. Just really tired. Its been a long day. I was up at four and I think Alex is catching Hannah's cold, which will mean I'll be up all night with him." Maddie said.
"I'll get up with him." Mike said.
"I appreciate that but you never wake up and then he wakes Amelia. I just need to sleep while I can instead of talk." Maddie replied. She turned away from Mike and settled back into bed before shutting her light off. Mike shut his own off. He considered turning onto his other side but he wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed the back of her neck.
"I love you." Mike said simply.
"I love you too. Good night, Mike." Maddie said. She quickly fell asleep and a thought occurred to Mike. Maybe Maddie's reluctance was that she wanted to go, or she didn't want to be left behind on a holiday.
As she expected, Alex was awake several times through the night. Mike made a point to get up with him several times, but the baby just wanted his mommy. There wasn't much Mike could do. He finally set up the playpen in their bedroom so Maddie wouldn't have as far to go and Amelia wouldn't be woke up. He woke up early in the moment and found Maddie sleeping next to him. Alex was sleeping in the playpen finally.
It was early, and he knew Maddie would be up soon; so he got up and began making her favorite meal, French toast, scrambled eggs and sausage links. He fixed her coffee and carried the tray into the bedroom. Maddie was just beginning to rouse and Mike gently put the tray over her lap.
"What's this?" Maddie asked.
"Breakfast in bed." Mike answered. He took his own coffee cup off the tray and smiled as Maddie began eating.
"Its good. Thank you." Maddie said.
"Maddie…tell me what was actually going on last night. It was more than you being tired. Do you want to go or not want me to go over Thanksgiving?" Mike asked.
"I…don't particularly want to go and we can do our dinner later. Its just…you talk about the things you and Christine used to do. You and I were never able to do those things. We got married because I was pregnant with Susannah. I just wish we had the chance to be newlyweds, you know?" Maddie explained.
"I do." Mike said. He suspected Maddie wasn't done talking.
"And…I love having the girls here. I understand why you've made a point to spend so much time with them but between them and our three, we haven't been on a date." Maddie said.
"Its not because I don't want to, I promise. I suppose I hadn't realized it. I'll see if I can get the girls to watch all three of the the little ones." Mike replied.
"Not right now. Hannah's sick and I am certain Alex is also sick." Maddie said.
"Soon, then." Mike replied.
"Mike; as badly as I want a night out; I don't want this be something you just do because I've asked." Maddie said. Suddenly she sat the tray off of her lap, jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. Mike could tell through the closed door that she was vomiting. The quarter dropped about the same time Alex began crying. Mike picked him up and kissed the top of his head.
"Are you okay?" Mike asked at the bathroom door.
"I'll be out in a moment to get Alex." Maddie said.
"I've got him." Mike said. He cleaned up Alex's snotty nose and changed his diaper. Finally Maddie came out.
"Sorry about that. Is he running a fever?" Maddie asked as she took a drink of water.
"No. I suctioned out his nose and changed his diaper…which was not pleasant. But he's a bit more smiley now." Mike said.
"Mike…I'm pregnant." Maddie said.
"When you ran into the bathroom like that, I thought you might be." Mike replied. He sat down next to her on the bed.
"We were done. I just hadn't gotten the surgery scheduled. I'm sorry, Mike." Maddie said as the tears overflowed. Mike laid the baby down on their bed and put pillows around him before pulling Maddie into a hug. He was turned so he could watch Alex but still hold Maddie.
"Look at me?" Mike requested. Maddie finally looked up and he squeezed both her hands. "This baby may not be planned for but there are a lot worse things than a baby." Mike said.
"Are you happy about it?" Maddie asked.
"I'm not unhappy about it and I know I will warm up to it. What about you?" Mike asked.
"At first; I was so mad. At myself, at you…the baby. But last night; Alex laid his face on my shoulder and just smiled up at me. I realized I was going to really miss this stage. I am scared and I am tired but like you, I'm not totally unhappy about it." Maddie said.
"It is a pretty special stage. How far along are you?" Mike asked.
"Twelve weeks." Maddie answered slowly.
"How have I not figured it out?" Mike asked with a laugh.
"I have no idea. I've even gained weight." Maddie remarked with a smile.
"Come here." Mike said. He opened his arms and Maddie immediately laid her head on his chest. He reclined back onto the pillows and just held her. Alex had sat up next to them and was looking at the food on the tray. Mike had a hand on Alex's leg so he couldn't make a bee-line for it.
"I love you, Mike." Maddie said. Mike kissed the top of her head.
"I love you too and I will love this baby too." Mike replied. He was glad he hadn't told Hannah about the trip because he would not leave Katie and Maddie to deal with four kids under three. He would get Hannah to New York someday.