I'll Find A New Place To Be Found (Mike Schmidt/Reader)

I'm Waiting For The Right Time

Babysitting Abby was easy, just as you suspected. You were sure you were mainly here to both keep her company and supervise. Well, also feed her. She drew and of course, included you when she did. But otherwise, she mainly did her own thing. She stuck around the living room as she would draw or read. Sometimes she would just watch TV. But she was often in her own world. Which, you respected. She reminded you of yourself, creative and sort of a loner. Not in a bad way, but she was quite independent for a ten year old. By the time eight rolled around, you decided to get to cooking dinner. You got up from the couch, gently tapping Abby's shoulders to not scare her.

"Hey, are you hungry?" You asked. This earned you a thrilled nod. "Duh!" She said, setting her crayons down to give you her full attention. "Well.. What are you hungry for, squirt?" You teased, started to head to the kitchen. Abby trailed right behind you. This was another thing you noticed. She seemed to be always next or around you. Well, besides when you had to use the bathroom. She was attached, almost as if worried you'd disappear if she looked away. "Spaghetti tacos." She said simply. You glanced at her with a raised brow. "It's something Mike made up." She explained, "It's a taco shell with spaghetti inside. It's really good but Mike hasn't been able to really make it in forever." She used her hands to imitate the shell before clasping her hands together as she drew out the 'forever'. You smiled. Well it sounded easy enough to make. "No meatballs though." She said, pulling a chair up and peeking through the window to the kitchen, "I hate meatballs. They look like brown brains..." She scrunched her nose as if even the thought of them would gross her out.

You couldn't help the laugh that erupted from your chest. Okay, easy! You got all the goods out to cook this strange combo. You got the noodles, tomato sauce, and spices for the beef. You also got some taco shells and first readied to cook those. Preheating the oven and setting them on a tray to go inside. Abby watched you for a bit before going and grabbing her crayons and paper. She decided to sit at the table and draw while you cooked. You started by making the sauce, mixing a few extra seasonings into it as it sat on the stove top, slowly warming up. The noodles you had sit in a separate pot, waiting for the water to boil. Abby continued her drawing from before, now coloring in the three people. It felt sort of domestic like this. You weren't exactly a fan of kids, but something about cooking for Abby felt good.

Maybe it was because it was Mike's sister. You couldn't help but think about how close you guys were when you fixed his tie. The simple reminder caused a blush to creep over your face. You wondered if you should save some for him. It'd be like you cooked for him too... Before your mind could wander any further, the timer for the tacos went off. You jolted, which caused Abby to look up. "Are you okay?" She asked, peeking from the window to the kitchen. You nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, I just didn't expect it to be so loud.." You said, opening the oven and grabbing the oven rag to pull the shells out of the oven. YOu carefully filled two of the shells up with the noodles before pouring over the sauce. You pulled out a plate for Abby before placing the spaghetti tacos on the plate.

You made one for yourself and set it to the side. You figured maybe Mike would be hungry. Before you started to make the rest, you walked the plate over to Abby. She was too engrossed in her drawing to notice the plate at first. You gently tapped her shoulder and her head snapped to you. "Y/N!" She said, beaming as she shoved up her drawing into your face, "I finished it..!" You had to gently take it to get a real good look at it. It was a carefully made drawing of Mike, Abby, and what looked to be you. You and Mike held Abby's hand as you walked together with trees and birds surrounding. It was pretty damn cute and the proud look on her face showed it.

"It's wonderful, Abby." You said, ruffling her hair before pushing the plate towards her, "Let's have a victory feast." You didn't think her eyes could light up more as she happily took a bite of the taco creation. You smiled fondly before walking back to the kitchen. The picture really warmed something in you. The childlike innocence and wonder that it gave. You had to stick this museum worthy masterpiece on the fridge. You dragged one of the alphabet magnets down and placed it over it, right next to a drawing of what looked like her and a bunch of... Admittedly weird looking animals. Mike was there along with a blonde woman. Your stomach jumped a bit at the sight. Did Mike have a girlfriend? You frowned a bit as you went back to the pots of good and tray of taco shells. You didn't really see Mike dating, but why did it make you so jealous? You just met him like, yesterday!

You carefully crafted about three tacos before placing them on a plate. You were able to find some plastic wrap and wrapped the plate. You placed the tacos into the fridge before bringing your plate to the dining room. Abby was already on her second one when you came back with yours. "These are so good!" She said after swallowing a mouth full, "Mike would be jealous." The mention of Mike being jealous made your face heat up a bit. You quickly took a bite of the strange creation Abby had you make. Admittedly, they weren't too bad. It was tasty and weirdly satisfying to eat. Abby was tearing it up, happily finishing off the last one. When you checked the time you sighed, taking the last bite of your dinner. "Alright squirt." You said as you stood up, "Ready for bed?" Abby looked at you and pouted. Yeah, the expected reaction.

"How about... I'll tell you a bedtime story if you go lay down?" You offered, holding your hand out to her. She seemed more pleased, though still not too thrilled. "Let's wash our hands and get you settled." You helped her off the chair before she hurried to the bathroom. You quietly followed after her down the hall. She pushed her step stool to the sink so she could get a better angle to wash her hands. Pressing soap into her hand and washing her hands. "Is Mike going to be back when I am sleeping?" She asked, looking up to you with big brown eyes. You couldn't help the guilt. You didn't blame her for wanting to see her brother before she went to sleep.

You gently patted her back as she dried her hands. "You'll see him bright and early tomorrow." You reassured, "I'll even make sure he comes to say goodnight before I go." It appeared to work. She just smiled a bit at you before walking a bit slower this time. You followed her, looking down at her as you walked. She really did remind you of yourself. She seemed a bit lonely, always in her own little world but also wanting to be present. Like a tug of war that had no real winner. You walked her to her bed, turning off her lights. However, you kept her nightstand light on; you still had to see the read after all. You looked over the shelf that held her books, which was vast. It was small but piled with different books. All ranging from chapter books, to short novellas. But nothing was exactly short. You glanced at her, seeing her crawl into bed and pull the blanket over her. She pulled the few stuffed animals close before looking at you.

You decided on Alice in Wonderland. It wasn't terribly long. Plus, if you were planning to keep watching her right? A nightly routine wouldn't be a bad idea. You picked up the book and sat next to her. She was staring up at you before she smiled a bit. "Ready?" You asked, opening up the book. She nodded before yawning. "Mhm..." She said, rubbing her eye a bit before laying back in the bed. You began reading to her, making sure to keep your voice soft as you read. By the end of the first chapter, she was nodding off. You closed the book before petting the top of her head. She yawned again before getting more comfortable. "Goodnight, Abby." You said quietly. She smiled tiredly at you. "Goodnight..." She said, turning to hug her stuffed animals. You turned off the lamp before quietly leaving the room, closing the door behind you.

As you entered the living room you couldn't help but yawn. The day had been pretty exciting and just as long. You stretched as you made your way to the dining room. You cleaned up the dining room quietly, taking yours and Abby's plates to the sink and washing up. You set the plates on the dishrack before cleaning up the crayons and paper. You figured Mike would want to come back to a clean home. God, when did you get so domestic? You sat down on the couch, sighing softly as your back hit the couch. You looked at the TV before turning the TV on, immediately turning it down. It acted as a sort of white noise and light. Though you made sure to turn the timer on for the TV. Sure you liked the white noise, but you hated waking up to the blinding light.

You pulled the throw blanket over you and tucked one of the pillows under your head. You were sure Mike wouldn't mind you sleeping here. Unless he expected you to stay up all night. Which was definitely not happening. You did make sure to keep an ear out for Abby while you watched TV. You wondered when Mike would be home. You also wondered if you two could have a real conversation.. He was so guarded and every piece of you wanted to pick apart him and figure out what went on in his mind. The more you think of his return, the quicker you doze off. Your head nodding into the pillow as your thoughts of Mike lulled you to sleep. Your body curled up into the couch as you slept, cuddling in the throw blanket.

Only did you awaken when a warmer, bigger blanket was thrown over you.