Defining Moments

Chapter Nine - A Date?

Madison's POV:

"That'll be $32.46." I tell Mrs. Carrington as I bag her items. She hands me forty and I give her back her change as well as her bagged items.

The old woman smiles at me sweetly. "Have a good day, Madi." She says. "And say hello to your fathers for me, Dear."

I return her smile. "Of course Mrs. Carrington."

She swats her hand at me. "How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Dorothy."

I wave her goodbye as she exits the store. Milo walks up to my register. "How's everything going today Madi?"

"They're going." I tell him.

He chuckles. "That's usually how it goes." He responds, leaning against a support beam. "Sarah wanted me to extend an invitation to you and the kids to dinner at our place tonight. Your fathers too." He says.

"I'll have to make sure my dads don't have any plans first but we'd love to." I smile at him.

"Daniel will be there too." He states with a smirk.

I blush what I am sure is a deep red. I thought Daniel was cute and all, but after what happened with Gabe I can only afford to focus on my kids right now.

***

Quinn jumps out of the car and starts making a run for the door while I was trying to get Macyn out of her carseat. "Quinn!" I shout after him. "Get back here!"

Papa chuckles. "He's just excited, Madi. Don't worry, I've got him." He says before following Quinn up to the door where Milo is already standing to greet us. Dad follows suit.

I get Macyn out of her carseat and wrangle her into one arm while I grab the pasta salad I had made with the other, her diaper backpack already on my back.. "Need some help?" A deep voice sounds behind me as Macyn makes a jump from my arms to him. Daniel grabs her under her arms and lifts her from me.

I smile at him shyly. "Thanks Daniel." I shut the car door.

He shifts Macyn onto his hip. "So I've been meaning to ask you," he starts awkwardly. "I was wondering if you might want to go on a date with me?"

I'd be lying if I said I was taken by surprise. "A date?" I ask, making sure I heard that correctly.

He shifts his weight and nods. "Yeah."

I look down for a moment before looking back up at him. "Can I think about it?" I say cautiously, not wanting to offend him.

He just smiles at me. "Of course, take all the time that you need."

And with that, we both walk up the driveway and into Milo's house.

We walked into chaos. Quinn was running from Theo. Both boys had nerf guns in their hands. I groan outwardly. "Quinn, do not break anything, okay?"

"Okay Mama!" He yells and then screams when he gets hit with a foam dart. "My turn!" He exclaims and turns to chase Theo back the way they came.

Daniel and I make our way into the kitchen. I set down the salad and then the diaper bag. "I can take her again." I tell him, reaching for Macyn.

He chuckles as Macyn tucks her head into his chest. "That's alright. She's been my buddy while I work. I don't mind holding her."

Sarah greets me with a hug. "I'm glad you could make it Madi." She says.

I hug her back before looking at the food preparations. "Is there anything I can help you with?" I offer.

She smiles. "No actually, everything is just about ready, Milo is about to put the burgers and hot dogs on the grill. Can I get you something to drink? Perhaps a glass of wine?"

"Oh." I say, looking around for my children. I try to refrain from drinking because I have to care for them.

Papa shakes his head at me. "Have a drink Madi, Dad and I will watch the kids. Besides, Macyn is occupied with Daniel."

I look over to a barstool where Daniel is sitting with my daughter, playing peek-a-boo with her. I return my gaze to Sarah. "A glass of wine it is."

She smiles and pours some white wine into a glass.