The Night Before

Chapter 42

21 July 1968

PAUL'S POV

Today Addie and Matthew get to come home from the hospital. We had to stay an extra few days than what we expected, but now we can finally go home.

"Are you and our little boy ready?" I asked Adaline as I packed up the last of the hospital bag.

"Yes, we're all good." She smiled, rocking Matthew lightly. "We finally get to go pick up your big sister and go home."

The hospital allowed us to sneak out the back to try and avoid the press. Once we arrived at Mike and Meredith's we saw Mady outside playing with Mike.

"Mummy! Daddy!" She yelled as she ran over to us.

Parking the car and getting out, I picked her up, smothering her with kisses. "Hi, little darling! Daddy's missed you."

"We goin' home now?"

"Yes, we are. Your Mummy and Matthew can finally come home from the hospital." I turned to Mike. "Thank you again for watching her the last few days. We really appreciate it."

"Anytime. We love having her. We had lots of fun, didn't we, kid?"

Mady nodded excitedly. "We play! And go to park! And Unca Mikey buy toys."

"Oh, he bought you new toys?" I asked, looking over to Mike who had a guilty look on his face.

"What? I'm being a good uncle. And I'm the favourite."

"Of course you are." I looked down at Madelynn. "Can you tell them thank you?"

"Thank ooo!"

"You're welcome, sweetie. We'll see you all soon?"

"Yeah, see you soon."

From there we loaded all of Madelynn's things into the car and drove home. Once we arrived we were greeted by Rose waiting at the door.

"Welcome home! Can I help you carry anything in?"

"Rosie! Looky!" Madelynn exclaimed as she showed Rose her bag of new toys.

"Wow! I see your aunt and uncle spoiled you!"

"It's so good to see you, Rose. And it's nice to finally be home." Addie said as I helped her out of the car.

"It's so good to have you all back. Come on little one, let's get all your new toys and go inside." She smiled as she helped Madelynn inside.

Once we were all inside and settled, Addie sat down in the living room with the baby as Rose came over.

"Oh, let me see the little one!" She exclaimed as Addie handed him to her. "Oh, he's so precious. He definitely will grow up to look like you, Paul."

"That's what I told him." Addie said with a smile.

Madelynn then climbed up on the couch and rugged on Adaline's shirt. "Mummy.."

"There's Mummy's big girl." She smiled and pulled Mady into her lap. "How about we play with your new toys? And what if Mummy makes your favourite for dinner?"

"Play! Play!" She nodded vigorously as she ran over, grabbed her toys and came back over to Addie.

"Someone's very happy to be back home." I said as I came back downstairs. "And there's my girl, come here." Martha excitedly ran over, attacking me with all the kisses. "Did ya miss us? Were you good for Rosie while we were gone?"