Chapter 44 Finally Moving Out
Maddie's POV
I was so happy to be discharged from hospital today. These few days have been a bit of torture just being in the hospital. I tried to shut everything off in my mind. That was the worst part, doing nothing and thoughts just came back. I do feel bad that Mariko had to lose out on some work but he was determined to be with me. It was all my fault for putting him in this position from that night of my accidental overdose.
I am also moving into Mariko's apartment today. He is happy about it and I also like to see him smile after everything that has happened. I never saw my mother again after she came to visit me, but I was okay with that. I didn't need the extra drama in my life as I already had them.
Mariko held my hand as he led me to my apartment door. He was helping me to move out. I did see the familiar car parked outside in the driveway and my fear gripped me as I squeezed Mariko's hand in return. He looked over at me with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked as we came to a stop in front of the door.
"It's just...I don't want to face whatever is behind that door," I replied. I didn't tell him about my father being here, but then, it could be the neighbors. I didn't want to cause anything that didn't need to be made a big deal of.
"Everything will be okay. I am right by your side," Mariko cupped the side of my face with his hand and gave me a reassuring smile. I nodded.
He turned around and slowly opened the door. It was already unlocked. I followed him inside. "You're home!" my mother came rushing over to me and I let go of Mariko's hand as my mother embraced me. "I'm so happy that you are okay," she pulled away and studied my face, smiling at me before moving away. "Your father is here."
I looked at him as he stood up. Mariko was still by my side. "I don't think that you should get anywhere near her," Mariko warned him, protecting me. My father looked at him.
"She is my daughter. I did nothing to her. I want to talk to her because I can. I know it is her choice but I need to talk to her," my father was stern.
"You put her in hospital."
"We can talk," I chimed in and Mariko looked over at me.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" he asked with irritation.
"Yes, maybe it will help me to get things off my chest. I want to speak to him alone," I replied.
"I will not leave," Mariko continued.
"Please," I begged with desperation.
His jaw clenched and then he nodded. "Mariko and I will be outside," my mother said, and they left, closing the door behind them.
I faced my father. "I'm sorry for putting you in this situation. It was never my intention. If I was still the same man that I once was, then I wouldn't have cared about you or anyone else for that matter. But I do care about you a lot," he said, and I can see that hard exterior deteriorating into softness.
"That is great to know," I said with sarcasm.
"I want to do it right this time, Maddie-"
"You have a toddler who doesn't know you. Why don't you go and spend time with him?" I asked.
"I can't because of the things I did to his mother. I have paid for it and I don't want to be reminded of my past," he replied.
"Have you ever stopped and thought about how we felt? To forget about past issues? It won't be that easy. I am willing to give you another chance in my life, mainly because I never had a father and I wanted to know you. Maybe there is truly a different man inside of you. Do not screw it up this time because then you will lose me forever," I warned him.
"Thank you, I won't screw it up," he said.
"I am moving out and you are free to live here with mom if you don't have a place," I said and then I went to my bedroom to start with my packing.
I don't know how this bonding will go with my dad, but I know it will anger a lot of people. At this point, I believe that everyone deserves a second chance to at least prove themselves. I don't plan on telling anyone about the baby yet, but only when the time is right.
Mariko's POV
I didn't want to leave Maddie alone with Gerard. I was ready to beat the sh^t out of him. I was standing outside of the apartment door in the hallway with Maddie's mother. My back was against the wall, my arms folded over my chest while her mother was pacing.
"Thank you for taking care of my daughter. I appreciate that a lot," she stood in front of me.
"I will do anything for her," I replied. "I won't allow anyone to belittle her and I won't let Gerard be the cause of her unhappiness. She has gone through enough over the years. You have done an amazing job of raising her the way that you did but don't allow assh^les to come into her life and put her back into that dark place that has caused her to overdose. Be a support to her, not running after a man who is probably not in love with you or does not care enough that you helped him out of prison. He assaulted my friend's daughter and Gerard's son's wife and ex-wife. That is something that is difficult to grasp. I am sure that it reminds you of your own past with him. Will he change? We don't know. But be careful because he cannot be easily trusted. It has to take a lot for me to see that man change," I warned.
"I have spent time with him and he genuinely wants to change. I am not sure if he will return my feelings because there is another woman that keeps on calling him. She goes by the name of Cynthia. I know him enough to guard my heart from what he has done in the past and I am sorry for what he did to the other women, but he can change. That is not impossible," she said.
"I have no doubt about that. But make sure that he stays far away from Sternpoint. Maddie is moving out today-"
"What?" she gasped, "She didn't tell me anything. If I had known, then I would've cooked dinner."
"It is something that we want to get done and we don't want to stay for long," I replied.
The door opened beside me and Gerard stood in the doorway. "She is packing," he said.
I stepped away from the wall and he stepped aside as I entered the apartment. "I hope that you didn't say things that would make the situation worse," I said as I stood in front of him.
"I didn't. She is willing to give me another chance. I will respect her and I want this more than anything," he replied. He appeared to be more sincere this time.
"Do not show up at Sternpoint again. If you want to meet up with Maddie, there is a coffee shop that is next to Sternpoint. I will also be with her. I will protect her from anything and men like you," I warned.
"I got it. No need to warn me anymore. She probably needs your help with packing," he said, and then I walked to Maddie's bedroom.
When I stood in the doorway, she was packing. I was over the moon that she was finally moving in with me. Something that I have wanted for a while. I was watching the woman that will be my wife one day, a mother to our unborn baby that we never expected. Even though I didn't want anymore kids, now that she is pregnant, I love the idea of having a baby with her. A tiny being who we both created. Bella will soon have Maddie as her stepmother. I just need to put a ring on it and I know that things will go smoothly.
Amber is a distant mother to Bella, but as long as Bella gets the love and support from me and Maddie, there will be no problems. I want Bella to feel loved and not excluded. Bradley...I have to talk to him because I want my son to be on the right path. That one will be tough to break through. I am not sure how he will take the news about the pregnancy but I think that Maddie and I should lie low for a while with the pregnancy. I don't want her to stress because I have seen things happen in Lana and her mother's pregnancies. I want to prevent stress for her. I will always shower Maddie with my love and let her know that she is always valued.