That Would Be Enough

9

           

Lin had to leave early the next morning for a meeting, before Maddie had gotten up, so she was disappointed to find that he wasn't there.  Kate smiled that her daughter was so in love with him, but she worried as well.  She really cared a lot about Lin, and she knew the feeling was mutual, but what if things didn't work out?  Maddie would be devastated to lose him.

"Mommy, can I have Lucky Charms?" She asked, her hair ruffled from sleep.

"Nope, only on the weekend sweetheart," she reminded her daughter.  Instead, she pulled out Cheerios and poured her a bowl.  Kate set it on the table along with a spoon and smoothed Maddie's hair back a little.  As Maddie began her breakfast, the doorbell rang and Kate went to answer it.

As the door opened, the person on the other side was not someone she was happy to see.

"Jason," she breathed out in shock as her eyes met the form of her ex.  He was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, hands in his pockets.  He gave her a weak smile.

"Hi Kate," he said, knowing this was a complete surprise.

"What..." she stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind her.  "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm in town and I thought I'd stop by and see my kid."

Kate sighed and rubbed at her forehead with her fingers.  "Jason, you can't just randomly stop by.  You're going to confuse her."

"How?  She remembers me."

"Are you sure about that?  It's been at least a year, Jason.  She's only four.  She has no memory of you."

"Well, I'd like to be in her life more now," he went on.  "I assume you got a letter about custody?"

"Yeah, thanks for that," she said, scratching the back of her head.  "I thought you lived several hours away."

"I'm moving back," he said.  "I'm looking for work this week and looking for an apartment.  A two bedroom, so Maddie can have her own room."

"Fantastic," she said.  "Well, Maddie's eating her breakfast right now, so it's really not a good time."

"How is it not a good time?"

They were interrupted by the door opening.  Maddie's blue eyes stared up at them, wondering why her mother had stepped outside.

"Mommy, can I have apple juice?"

"Sure, sweetie.  Just a minute.  Go back to the table, please," she told her daughter.  Maddie looked at the man in confusion.

"Who's that?"

"Nobody, sweetheart,"

"I'm your dad, Maddie," he said in a cheerful voice, kneeling down to her level.  "Don't you remember me?"

Maddie took her mother's hand and stepped a little closer to her.  She shook her head.

"That's okay," Jason told her, rubbing his hands together.  He supposed asking for a hug would be a bit too much at this point.  "Would you like to hang out a little later today?"

Maddie chewed on a fingernail and shrugged.

"What's your favorite thing to do?  Chuck E. Cheese?  McDonald's?"

That caught the little girl's attention.  "McDonald's!!" She said excitedly, grinning from ear to ear.

Kate sighed.  "Actually, I try not to take her there," she said.  Jason stood up and gave his ex a look.  "Maddie, go finish your breakfast."