"Maddie, go home..you're tired." Mrs.Shield said to me as I rubbed my eyes after hanging another sheet, beating it out lazily.
"I can't. I need overtime this week." I sighed and pressed my thumb to the small golden locket. Everything I loved in that locket, I opened it up to see his blonde curls cascading over his eyes as he threw his head back laughing and I kissed him cheek. My baby boy was my whole world and the most precious gift I would ever be given. Right now, he lay in the cradle we built for him, his grandmother dozing softly beside him until I got home. Although he was almost three, his cradle was his favorite place to be. "My baby deserves it. " I smiled going back to work. As the sun rose over the hills and the people would soon be coming to the freshly cleaned hotel.
"Goodnight, Maddie." Mr.Shield smiled at me, offering me a bit more cash than usual.
"I can't, thank you, sir." I smiled.
"I know that baby needs new clothes, shoes and a proper bed and you a proper house. You take it and take care of what's yours. You're a good girl Maddie. I look at you as my own. I'll see you Wednesday night." I flung my arms around his neck, choking back tears. As much as I loved Alex, he was never a planned baby. I had a horrible thing happen to me and got the best result I could have ever dreamed up. He looked like me in every way, there was not an evil bone in that child's heart.
I walked home with caution as I do every morning. This morning was especially cold and I felt sick. I was shivering in the wind, almost home when everything went black and I hit the concrete. I heard a car screech to a stop next to me, my only thought "oh god, no again.please." But strong arms wrapped me up and set me in the car seat, not bothering to get in himself. I felt a soft flannel drape over my body.
"Where do you live?" a voice said, it was a male. Oh no, please..not again, no. "Miss...?" he said afteer a moment.
"Last house on the left..." I whispered. It was actually three up from that on the right. When he let me out, I began walking to my real home before he could follow. I again, hit the concrete.
"Where to, honest this time?" deep pale green-blue eyes starred into mine. He was the roofer, from down the street. He had the brothers, dead parents. I let my guard down only a little, you never knew around here.
"Purple handprints." I smiled weakly and let him carry me up the porch steps.
"Why handprints?" He chuckled softly.
"Baby got into purple paint." I laughed remembering the look on Alex's face as he realized he left marks.
"You have a baby?" he asked softly.
"Not anymore, Alex will be five in May." I smiled.
"How sweet. Um, I'm Darrel Curtis. I live down the road with my brothers. It's our pleasure to help you with anything you or your little one might need." He shifted nervously.He was so tall, and handsome. I couldn't help but notice how strong he was and how he picked me up with ease. I had never looked at someone like this, not sense Alex.
"That's very sweet, Mr.Curtis. Thank you. My kitchen is always open. I see how many hungry boys you have over there sometimes." I laughed.
"Please call me Darry, it's what Pony calls me, its easier too."
"Pony?" I asked. "Wait! Ponyboy and Sodapop! Those are your brothers." I remembered seeing Pony often with Johnny, the boy next door. It was silent for a moment, until I heard Alex cry "where's mooooommmmmmaaaaaa" from inside. "I should go, thank you Darry. For everything. I kissed his cheek before running inside to Alex. "What is it baby?" I cooed to him as I held him close to me, leaving kisses all over his innocent little face.
"Momma." he said contently, wrapping his tiny arms around my neck.
"Momma's here baby."
I soon started spending my nights I didn't work with Darry. He told me how he grew up quick after his parents, as I did with Alex. We figured out we were a lot alike, he and I. The night came where he tried to softly kiss me, when I couldn't and finally had to tell him of how I had received God's greatest gift in the worst way.
"I would never, ever. I would never dream of, I would kill anyone who ever tried to..." he pulled me close to him and that's when I took my chance and I was the one that gave him the kiss.
Soon the time had come, it was time for Darry and Alex to meet. Darry and I were now seeing each other regularly to where his whole gang knew me and assumed I was claimed. Darry always stood with his hand just above the small of my back, always ready to pull me away from danger.
"What if he doesn't like me?" Darry said for the 20th time outside the door.
"He will love you." I smiled and opened the door, letting him inside. "Alllliiieeeee." I yelled and he ran into my arms from his little work bench and tool set he had. "Hello sunshine." I kissed his cheek. "I have a very special friend. His name is Darry, can you say hello?" I asked sweetly.
"Hello, sir. My name is Alex." He stuck out his tiny hand and Darry took it into his much larger one.
"Mr.Whitfield, I am Darry. It's an honor to meet you. I've got a real interest in those toys of yours over there, think you can show me how they work?" Darry smiled and Alex lit up like a Christmas tree, running to the work bench, Darry in the floor next to him.
As I stood in the kitchen making dinner, Alex ran full speed to me. "Mommy, mommy, mommy, come here. I got a secret question." I got down to angel level and he whispered, "is Darry gunna be my daddy?" I didn't know what to say, so I was honest.
"Maybe darling, don't worry about it right now..okay?" I kissed his forehead and sent him to play. After dinner, I gave them the gift of ice cream and before I was done with the dishes, they both laid sprawled across the couch.
It's a year later, and tonight is a very special night. We are all gathered in the Curtis house. Two-Bit has Alex in his lap watching Mickey Mouse while Pony and I discuss books. Dally, of all people, is fighting Two-Bit for a piece of Alex's attention. Today is my love's sixth birthday. He's done so much, gone to school, learned to read (thanks to pony), he can add and subtract (thanks to darry) and knows how to pick up girls (thanks to soda). I'm anxiously awaiting Darry coming home, hoping everything goes as plan.
I take the chicken from the oven as soon as he pulls in the driveway, kissing him softly as he comes in.
"Maddie..you know I love you, let me marry you..and become part of your life, forever..?" he asked, dropping to one knee and pulling a small ring from his pocket.
"God, of course!" I screamed wrapping my arm's around half of my heart, as I did...the other began to sob in Two-Bit's lap.
"Alex, why are you crying?" Darry asked. "I'm not done, I have such an important question to ask you too. He pulled a bracelet welded and melted down from nails and screws out of his pocket, it had a wider band that said "A.S.C" in beautiful lettering. "Alexander, Sage...I'm going to marry your mother. I think the only person that loves her more than me is you..now...I'm gunna need some help with her sometimes. Alex..." he paused, tears in his eyes..." will you let me be your dad? Let me care about you, come live with me. You and your mom?
"Daddy!" Alex ran to him with open arms and attached to Darry's neck. "I love you.." he whispered softly.
Now, after everything I had struggled with...I finally made it, I had my own happy little family.
Sorry its bad, its so late.
