Defining Moments

Chapter Three - New Beginnings (Part One)

*** Quinn & Macyn ***

Madison's POV:

"Mommy!" Quinn stormed into my room and launched himself at my bed. "I made a friend at school today!" He exclaimed, clearly excited to share his day with me.

"Oh yeah? Tell me all about them!" I matched his enthusiasm despite feeling anything but.

In the middle of my son telling me all about my day, Macyn woke up from her nap.

I sighed and kissed Quinn's forehead. "Hold that thought buddy." He pouted but nodded. I went into the nursery and picked up the screaming baby. I try to calm her down while making my way to the kitchen to get her a bottle. Once it was warmed up and Macyn was happily sucking down its contents, I headed back to my bedroom.

I sat down on the bed and kept Macyn cradled in my arms. "Okay bud, go ahead and finish your story."

Quinn jumped right back into it. Soon Macyn was done with her bottle so I sat it to the side, still intently listening to Quinn giving me a play by play of his first day at school. I burped Macyn and passed her over to her brother when he asked to hold her.

I smiled slightly, watching my children together. I looked up to see my dad leaning against the door. "Hey Dad, how was work?"

He came over and sat next to his grandchildren. "Oh, it was work." He took Macyn from Quinn when he started to complain his arms were tired. "Speaking of work..." He started.

I ran my hand through my hair. "Dad, I really don't want to have this conversation again." I said frustratedly.

"I know you don't Madison, but you need to get a job. As much as Papa and I enjoy having you back home, you need to be able to get back out on your own and support your children. You can stay here as long as you would like, but you need to get a job. That was something we agreed on when you asked to move in with the kids. And I don't want to hear any excuses from you either."

I glared at him. "Fine."

The next day, rather than having my dad drop Quinn off at school, I did. Afterwards I made my way around the small town, seeing if anywhere had a job opening.

After a few places said they weren't hiring, I was beginning to lose faith. I promised both my dads that I would try my best to find a job however, so I kept looking. I walked into the grocery store, expecting to be turned away, just like everywhere else.

I approached the help desk and asked if they were hiring. The employee said she'd grab the store's manager. A few minutes later he came out. "Madison is it?" I nodded. "I'm Milo. I understand you're looking for a job."

I nodded. "Yes. Did you happen to have any positions available?" I asked.

"I do, as a matter of fact. Do you have any experience as a cashier?"

I shook my head. "I don't. But I am a quick learner."

He proceeded to ask me a few more job-related questions before giving me some paperwork to fill out. I filled it all out before giving it back to him. He gave it a once-over. "When can you start?" He asked.

I did a once-over of my empty schedule in my head before responding. "As soon as you can start me." I smiled slightly.

"Perfect! I'll have you start Monday."

I nodded. "Thank you so much." I smiled and made my way out of the grocery store. I wasn't quite paying attention to where I was going, too proud of myself for getting a job. I took a step backwards after walking into a rather large and solid body. "I'm so sorry!" I said, clearly embarrassed. I glanced up at him.

He wasn't bad looking. He had captivating blue eyes and chocolate brown hair. He reminded me too much of Gabe. It took all the strength I had not to break down right there in front of the complete stranger.

The man just chuckled. "That's alright ma'am." He had just a slight hint of a New Yorker's accent.

I smiled politely and stepped around him, saying sorry once more before leaving the store entirely. "Who says ma'am anymore?" I muttered to myself once I was in my car.

When I walked into the house, I was immediately met with the sound of a wailing baby. I make my way to the source of the sound, the living room, and take her from my Papa, who was desperately trying to calm my daughter. I rocked her in my arms in an attempt to calm her.

When that didn't work, I took her upstairs to feed her, since I didn't have any milk pumped. I hadn't expected to be gone so long today.

Once Macyn was finally asleep again, I laid her carefully in her crib before turning on the baby monitor and quietly leaving the room and shutting the door. I grab the baby monitor from my room before going downstairs to make myself some lunch.

Once I have a sandwich and some chips, I join my Papa in the living room. I sat down next to him and told him about finding a job. He expressed his pride before getting up to greet his husband who had just arrived home from work with Quinn following behind him.

While I helped Quinn with his homework, Papa told Dad about my new job. Dad kissed my temple. "I'm proud of you kiddo. We both are."

I smiled sadly, thinking of how little I'd progressed since losing my husband. "Thanks Dad."