(Complete) New Year's Day is a time for resolutions. Jack Harris, still mourning the tragic death of his wife, vows to start living again. Maddie Evans dumps her boyfriend and vows no more meaningless sex.
Jack moves to The Point to live in his pa...
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As much as Maddie loved spending time with Jack and his kids, she always left feeling sad. One minute she was in awe over his expertise in diapering a squirming toddler and the next she was overcome with pity. Suddenly, he looked lost and empty and his haunted eyes made Maddie feel sad. As she walked home, she thought of chocolate. How would eating chocolate take away Jack's pain or her sympathy for it? Instead, she channeled her energy into solving Jack's problem. There were three or four women on The Point she could ask to watch Emma, but she pursued a different option. A few texts later, she arranged to have Friday off. It meant working all day on Saturday, but she could switch her plans with Rory to Sunday.
She texted Jack: all set for Friday I'll watch her
Jack replied: what about work?
Maddie: swapped for Sat. Rory can come Sunday.
Jack: Are you sure?
Maddie: yes
Arrangements were made and because Jack had to leave very early, she didn't see him when she arrived in time for Rory to get to the bus. Instead, he left a long detailed list of Emma's schedule and anything she might need. She laughed thinking he was worse than most mothers she knew. Emma wasn't happy when Rory left, and it was just the two of them. Maddie had made plans for her day off. She bundled Emma and tucked her into the stroller. First stop was to see Lynn.
Lynn did a double take when she entered the fish market carrying Emma. "I thought you gave up..." She mouthed sex, and continued, "... and now you have a full-sized baby."
"I'm hanging out with my friend Emma all day today. She's Jack's. We came to find out about you and ..." Maddie mouthed sex.
Lynn blushed, and Maddie smiled because she had her answer. Lynn recovered. "Are you here to buy or not?"
Maddie ordered fish for dinner. She wondered if Jack would be home to join them. Next, she pushed the stroller to The Landing to meet Laura for coffee. Alice was behind the counter and was more pleased to see Emma than Maddie.
"You'll be quite the grandmother Alice."
"I can't wait! Coffee and?"
Maddie suddenly wasn't sure what to get for Emma. She had milk in a cup they brought. Alice suggested a sugar cookie. It was a good suggestion. As Maddie broke off a piece, Emma grabbed for it. Maddie had just settled Emma in the high chair when Laura breezed in. She came right over.
"So this is your little friend. She's adorable." Laura smiled.
"She's good-natured too, the poor little thing." Maddie remembered Emma was motherless.
Laura came back with coffee. "She's too little to know what she's missing. You said her father is a good dad."
"Jack's a wonderful dad, but he's lost." As if on cue her phone rang, it was Jack checking in. "We're fine. We're having coffee at The Landing. She's enjoying a cookie. How was your drive?"
