Mathers Family Values

Chapter 15

Mason's first night home was rough on Maverick. He would just get him to sleep and then he would wake up again crying. Madelyn could hear him down the hall and wanted to go the baby so that her son could get some sleep. Marshall held her tightly. 

"He has to figure it out, babe," he said. 

"He's still a kid himself, Marshall. He has school tomorrow," she sighed. 

"He will be all right. Have some faith in him babe,"

"I do. But I had help with him when he was born. He doesn't have that right now."

Marshall relented and let her go. She walked down the hall just as the baby began to fuss again in her son's room. She lightly knocked on his door. Maverick opened it, looking stressed out. 

"Give him here," she said. 

"I got him, ma. He's all right," Maverick replied. 

"Baby boy, you need to get some sleep. You have to go to school tomorrow. Let me help so you both get some sleep."

He handed the baby over to his mom. She walked into the room and checked everything. He wasn't hungry and he had a dry diaper on. She swaddled the little guy back up and grabbed a pacifier for him. She cradled him close and gently rocked him. By the time that his eyes had fully closed, she noticed that Maverick was sound asleep as well. She gently placed her grandson in the basinet next to her son's bed and stepped out of the room. 

Marshall pulled her in close when she lay back in their bed. He nuzzled his face into her hair and breathed deep. She smiled and pulled his hand up to kiss the back of it. 

"I love you," he said. 

"I love you too," she whispered. 

She fell asleep content in his arms. They got up the next morning to get the kids ready for school. They were all enthralled with little Mason. Madelyn pulled the baby from her son's arms so that he could eat. 

"You have to get to school today," she said. 

"You sure you are ok to keep him?" Maverick asked. 

"Son, he's been here less than 24 hours and mom has raised five of you, I think she'll be just fine with Mason," Marshall said. 

"I know but I feel bad, leaving him the morning after he comes home after he was in the hospital with no one for two days."

"So your mom is no one?" 

"I didn't mean it like that."

Marshall laughed at his son. Maverick made a face at him. 

"I raised all of you, I am perfectly fine with this little man," she said. 

"Ok," Maverick nodded. 

The kids all got ready and headed out for the bus. Madelyn settled in to take care of her grandson for the day. She wasn't surprised when Stevie showed up to meet the newest addition to the Mathers clan. 

"He's so little," she said. 

"He is perfect." Madelyn smiled. 

"His mother didn't want him?"

"His mother and her parents wanted your father's money more."

Stevie shook her head. She couldn't believe that someone just gave up their baby like that even if they were that young. Ashley came by as well. Madelyn just chuckled. They were planning on having everyone over to meet the new baby in the house in a few weeks but she should have known that she wouldn't be able to keep Ashley or the girls at bay. 

"Where's Marshall?" Ashley asked. 

"Some interview," Madelyn replied. 

"The media hasn't latched on to you having a teen father in the house?"

"Not yet. We are trying to keep it calm for him as much as possible while he adjusts to taking care of his son and settling into his role as a parent."

Ashley nodded. She stared down at the baby in her arms. Madelyn sighed. She had never really imagined that her fifteen year old son would have a baby of his own in high school. She still questioned where they screwed up. She knew that they wouldn't take it out on the little boy but she hoped that her other kids learned from their brother's mistakes. 

"Honestly I would have thought it would have been Malakai," Stevie said. 

"Don't curse us," Madelyn laughed. 

"Nah, I think he'll learn from his brother."

"I really hope so."

They enjoyed the baby for a while. Madelyn settled in pretty well taking care of her grandson. He was easy going once you figured out his moods. Madelyn called to get an appointment with a pediatrician for him. She would take Maverick from school so that he could be there as well. She knew that he wanted to be involved. 

At the school, Maverick was struggling. He wanted to text his mom to ask how Mason was but he didn't want to get in trouble either. 

"You think she'll come back here?" Ella asked. 

"No, they were moving out of state," Maverick said. 

His mother text him a photo of the baby. He showed it to Ella.

"He is really cute," she said. 

"You should come by the house and really meet him," Maverick told her. 

"I may do that when I have some time."

Maverick nodded. He was still a bit worried about her not wanting anything to do with him. He felt a lot of love for his son and he would protect him. She looked over at him. He was just watching her. 

"I'll come by and meet him. It's just hard to know that my boyfriend has a baby by someone else and now I have to share him," she said. 

"I'm sorry," he said. 

"It's all right Mave. We will figure it out."

He nodded. She wondered how it would change his life when it came to sports. 

"My mom isn't going to let me put off my high school experience. She's there to keep Mason for me and spoil him like crazy," he said. 

Ella nodded. She kind of liked the idea of dating a football player. He liked playing football. He was still tired from the night before. He hoped it would get better so he could sleep.