Heimat AU: Mikey's Rescue

Chapter Ten: I Don't Play Tea Parties

Maia woke up first and blinked herself awake. Was it early? Or late? She looked to see her mom was making breakfast. She looked around...was he here?

Would he really stay?

"Good morning, sweetheart." Lauren said as she sat a plate of eggs on the counter. She smiled as Maia gently got out of bed, so as to not wake Mikey. She walked over to her mother.

"Ma...is he still here?"

Lauren looked at Maia and she guessed she was probably the only one who could ever hear the worry in Maia's voice. "He went to his hotel to get some sleep. I expect he'll be back today."

Maia's mood lifted and she smiled. "But what about Mikey, ma? I don't want him to be scared of him...if he's nice."

"I think Collum is very nice, baby, and I know it's going to be hard and such a big adjustment for you and Mikey. But we'll work it out. We'll give Mikey however long he needs, okay?" Lauren said carefully.

Maia nodded and looked back at Mikey. His head must have continued to bleed some. His bandage had a little red circle. Guilt swam in Maia. "I should have listened when he said he wanted to go back, Ma. I feel bad."

Lauren finished the bacon and then knelt down in front of Maia. "You're full of adventure, baby, and I love it. It's great to be that way. I encourage it. Mikey is still learning how to navigate a life where he isn't being hurt. I know you feel bad, and it's okay."

"Next time Mikey says he doesn't want to do something, we won't." Maia said firmly. "I want to be nice and protect him."

"You are nice, and you do protect him." Lauren said and kissed her daughter's forehead.

"So...he's really my dad?" Maia asked after a minute of silence.

Lauren nodded. "Yes, he really is." She served out three helping of eggs and bacon and then turned to look at Maia. "How do you feel about that, baby?"

Maia chewed on her lip. "I don't know...I feel kind of excited and kind of nothing."

Lauren nodded. "That's okay. You can feel whatever you feel, alright?"

Maia nodded, and grinned as her mother put her breakfast in front of her. Lauren then went to the bed and saw Mikey watching her. He blinked slowly and then reached out his arms. She lifted him up instantly. "Mikey, are you alright, sweetie?"

Lauren felt his forehead, he felt a little hot, and she noticed the cut on his head must have started bleeding again. He laid his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes.

"My head hurts, mommy."

Lauren always felt pain when either of them were hurting. She sat Mikey on the seat with Maia and nodded. "Okay, can I take off you bandage and clean the cut, baby? And then get you something for the pain, okay?"

Mikey nodded. He was clutching his blanket to him and Maia rubbed his back. "It'll be okay, Mikey, Ma always makes cuts feel better."

Mikey nodded again. His head was hurting and making him feel hot and weird. He wanted to cry, but that always made him feel worse. He knew that Lauren and Maia said he could...but it was still so hard.

Lauren knelt in front of Mikey and noticed he was holding back tears. She was worried, his head wound should be feeling a little better. "Baby it's okay. I'm right here and if you feel like crying, that's okay too." She ran her thumb along his cheek, and he nodded.