On the farm - Friday night and Saturday afternoon

[x-madelyn.livejournal.com]

Meeting the 'in-laws', part 1, Friday night: Madelyn and Edna get a chance to talk in the oldest way - they do the dishes and gossip.



Edna had never been entirely sold on the idea of dishwashers. She conceded that they were useful, but she still didn't trust them to do the job properly. So while plates and serving dishes had gone in after being rinsed off, she was washing the glasses - and afterwards, the pots and pans - by hand.

She'd only washed a couple when she saw Maddie picking up a dishcloth. "Oh, my dear, you don't have to do that!" she protested, and then smiled. "But the help is appreciated," she admitted, as Maddie started drying the glasses. They spotted so if they weren't dried right away. And... well, this was a chance to talk without the men and the kids around. "Thank you, dear."

"It's no trouble," Madelyn replied with an easy smile. She liked Edna - she much like her own mother without the guilt attached. "Besides, I've never been one to sit around while other people are working." She finished drying the first glass, and held it up enquiringly. "Um, where...?"

Edna pointed with a soapy finger. "Second cupboard from the left. But just set them on the counter for now, dear, so you don't have to keep walking back and forth across the kitchen." She smiled up at Maddie. Anyone who could make Hank so happy was dear to Edna McCoy's heart... her son had been a lonely man for much of his life, and it had worried her. "I always pictured you as shorter," she added, chuckling a little. "I keep forgetting that Hank is so big, and that someone who seems small to him won't seem that way to me."

"Hank makes me forget too," Madelyn admitted with a slight blush. It was true - around him she felt practically delicate. But Edna was almost a good foot shorter than her, and Madelyn had to admit to feeling a bit on the gangly side around her, like she used to in high school. "It's not every man who can literally sweep me off my feet, but he's managed that."

"Well, good. So he should." Edna beamed, passing Maddie another glass. "I... want to thank you," she said softly. "He's been so happy, since the two of you got involved... he talks about you so much, when he calls or emails. You and Billy are almost all he talks about, these days."

The blush deepened. "I care about him a lot," Madelyn said, busying herself with another glass. "I just hope I can keep making him happy, although it doesn't really take a lot of effort on my part." She smiled fondly. "And you don't need to thank me, Mrs McCoy."

"I know. That doesn't mean I won't." She shook her head. "And it's Edna, dear." She frowned at a glass... how on earth had whatever that sticky substance was gotten there.... and dunked it back into the soapy water. "How are things going, for you two?" She giggled a little. "When Hank is in love, he's a bit unreliable when it comes to accurate descriptions. He tends to get a case of the rose-coloured-glasses. A lot of sunshine, kittens and rainbows, poetry, that sort of thing."

"Edna, right. I'm sorry." Madelyn grabbed a handful of cutlery to cover her embarrassment. "So far... it's been going well. Time's the main factor - between work and the baby, there isn't a lot for the usual dating scene. Not that I'd ever begrudge him Billy," she hastened to add, in case it sounded like she did. "Since the baby came, he's been so happy. Something he's always wanted is now in his life."

Edna beamed at the mention of her grandson. "Something we've always wanted, too," she said fondly. "And he's such a sweet baby... some babies just scream constantly, but Billy is so cheerful, and already so alert for his age." She gave Maddie a rather impish look. "Of course, as grandparents, Norton and I will be shamelessly taking up nearly all of his time for the next few days. So should you and Hank want some time to yourselves for a change..."

Madelyn giggled. "You wouldn't be encouraging me to lead your son astray, would you Edna?" she replied, relaxing into the teasing.

"Me? Want my son to actually relax and enjoy his first real time off since before New Years? Would I do that?" Edna laughed. "The two of you should enjoy it while you can - I know things can be hectic, at the school." She patted Maddie's arm kindly. "He can show you around the place. Nice quiet walks and watching of sunsets, that's what you both need. I'm sure you're just as bad as he is for overworking and not sleeping enough... not that he can help that, with a new baby to care for."

"Well, we all help him as much as he'll let us, but you're right about the overworking. And with Moira just about to give birth herself, well... free time's going to be scarce. So this break is really good. For both of us." Madelyn smiled. "It was very kind of you to let us descend on you both like this, especially with kids in tow."

Edna laughed. "My dear, I've been asking him to visit for months, and those requests started becoming orders after the baby was born." She smiled. "He's a good boy, and he does what his old mother tells him... eventually. He knew how much we wanted to meet both you and Billy."

"Well, the school does tend to spring its surprises. And like I said, Moira's nearly due herself... This'll be the last chance either of us will probably get for a break for a while. I aim to make the most of it." She looked around the kitchen, as always taking in every detail, including the family photo pinned on the refrigerator. Hank before the accident, taller than his parents still, over-sized hand on each parents' shoulder. "He must have been a handful," she said, nodding at the picture.

Edna glanced over at it, smiling fondly. "He was," she said softly. "But never on purpose. Some kids make trouble deliberately... Hank never did. Mind you, he made plenty of it by accident, but he was always puzzled as to how it happened." She shook her head and smiled. "You should have seen some of his early inventions. His first attempt at a wood-chopping device... we had to replace three doors and a fence, and one of the cows was never quite the same again after the shock."

Madelyn laughed out loud at that, laying the dried cutlery down on the counter. "Hank takes a lot of distracting, I've noticed," she said, reaching for another glass. "Too much brain power to keep himself occupied all the time."

"Oh, good lord yes..." Edna shook her head, smiling ruefully. "If you value your sanity, my dear, never let him get bored. You'll wake up the next morning and find him building a working model of a spaceship in the living room."

"With Forge aiding and abetting him, no doubt." Madelyn snickered. "The pair of them together are truly frightening."

Edna shuddered ."I can't imagine what it must be like, having two of them around. At least the baby must help to keep Hank occupied. Believe me, not much free time or not, you may come to look back with fondness on the time he had plenty to keep him busy."

"Did you have to say that? Now I'm trying to figure out how to get hold of another baby once Billy's in school," joked Madelyn.

Edna gave her an innocent look. "Oh, I'm sure you know how to do that, dear," she said as sweetly as only a dear old lady could. "You being a doctor and all."

The only reply Madelyn had to that was her burst of laughter.



Saturday afternoon - meet the 'in-laws' part 2. Norton tracks Maddie down in the middle of feeding Billy, and is pleased to note the pretty doctor likes babies too.



Madelyn hummed softly as she watched Billy eagerly sucking down the milk in the bottle she held. Hank was out with the boys, Dani was teaching Edna how to make fry-bread, and Norton... well, she wasn't sure where Norton was, but that didn't matter right now. All that mattered was the small person in her arms, making the occasional murmur of enthusiasm as he drank - it wasn't often she got the chance to do this, feeding being a task Hank almost jealously guarded. "Hungry, are we, kiddo?" she asked with a soft smile. "Must be all that fresh country air."

Billy flailed a little, until his hand rested against the warm skin just inside her collar. Reassured by the touch, he sucked happily, secure in her arms.

Norton smiled, watching the two of them together. Not only was Hank's new girl sweet and smart, but she obviously liked kids, too. Good. He knew how much Hank had wanted to be a father, and if Maddie hadn't liked the idea, theyd've been doomed from the start. He kept quiet, enjoying the pretty sight, until she looked up and spotted him. "Hey there," he said softly, ambling over to sit down beside her. "How's the little fellow doing? Eating well?"

"And then some - he's extra hungry today, has been since we got here." Madelyn nodded slightly at Norton as he sat down, smiling. They hadn't had much chance to talk without anyone else around, especially since he seemed to be a quiet sort, but she'd liked what she'd seen of him. And no doubt it was his turn to sound her out since Edna already had. "Hank normally likes to do this himself, but Kyle and Forge insisted on him doing something outside with them. Still, my gain." Billy hiccuped a little, and she carefully lifted him onto her shoulder, where a towel was already draped. "There, there, hon, no sucking on air," she murmured, rubbing his back until he spit up a little, glad she'd braided her hair back today.

Norton smiled, reaching out to touch Billy's tiny hand as it rested on Maddie's shoulder. "I'm hoping Edna and I can talk him into letting us have at least one turn... still, I'm glad the two of you are getting to bond some. Can't be easy, dating someone with a new baby to take care of."

"It's... challenging. But we're managing. Aren't we, sweetie?" she cooed to Billy as she lifted him off her shoulder and cradled him in the crook of one arm again. "Could you pass me those wipes?" she asked Norton, indicated the container on a nearby endtable. As he did she busied herself wiping Billy's face. "There. No more icky milk burp." She looked up to see Norton chuckling a little at her, and blushed again. "My brother has two little ones, but I missed a lot of this since I was in medschool for the first, and the Bureau for the second. So I tend to be overly cute, or so one of the students tells me."

"No such thing, when it comes to babies," Norton said firmly, tweaking Billy's toes and making him gurgle happily. "'Specially babies as cute as this little guy." His grandson was just about the cutest baby Norton had ever seen... and Maddie was as pretty as she was goodhearted, so he was happy for Hank in that respect, too.

"He's definitely a charmer. He'll me breaking hearts all over the place when he's older, especially if he's as outrageous a flatterer as his father." Madelyn caught the slightly yearning look on Norton's face and made a 'take him' gesture with her arms. "Would you like to hold him for a while? He'll probably go to sleep soon now he's got a full tummy."

"Well... if you're done." Norton smiled as she settled the baby into his arms, cuddling him gently. "Hey there, little fella," he whispered, not caring a bit how silly he might look. "You wanna let Grandpa hold you a while?" Billy gazed at him thoughtfully with big dark eyes, and then yawned. "I'll take that as a yes." He smiled at Maddie. "You're right... he's gonna be a heartbreaker."

Madelyn was watching them with a softening of her eyes, usually so keen. "He's a very loved little boy," she said, glad she'd thought to let Norton hold him.

"He is. Hank's wanted kids ever since he was one. I'm glad he's finally gotten his wish." Norton smiled a little mistily. "And... well, we're not getting any younger. It's good to get a chance to see at least one grandchild."

"You had to wait a while yourselves, before Hank turned up?" she asked gently, not wanting to push. It was pretty obvious from their ages that they had, but whether that was deliberate, or caused by something medical... The doctor was never off duty, apparently.

Norton nodded. "We'd pretty much given up hope when he came along.... I was forty, Edna was nearly thirty-eight. We'd been trying for years, but it just didn't seem to be on the cards." He smiled at the memory, cuddling Billy gently. "Then, when we'd finally given up, there he was."

"That sounds like Hank, appearing at the last possible moment. He excels at the 'in the nick of time' rescue," she said with a chuckle. "And I have to admit, he caught me by surprise too - I wasn't expecting to find myself in a relationship after all this time."

Norton raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He looked at her appraisingly. "I'd think a lady as pretty as you are.... and smart and a doctor to boot... could just about have her pick of any man she wants."

"Not this conversation again," she replied with a wry roll of her eyes. "I can see where Hank gets the flattery from. But it was more career choices - I've been so busy trying to prove myself, it didn't leave a lot of time for anything else. But now..." She sat back a little in her chair, smiling at Billy. "Proving myself doesn't seem anything like as important as it used to be."

Norton chuckled. "I raised that boy right, then," he said, smiling at her. "And it never does, when you get older. Caring what people think of you, wanting them to see how good you are at what you do... it seems real important when you're young. When you get to my age, believe me, it doesn't matter nearly as much." He glanced down at Billy, who was asleep now. "This... this is important."

"I think you just might have something there, Norton," Madelyn agreed. Then she glanced out the window as Kyle's voice could be heard, sounding much more relaxed and happy than she could remember for a while. "I think you might have trouble convincing Forge of that, 'though."

Norton laughed. "He's a kid, still. It'll come to him when he's older." He smiled. "Edna and I.... we hope you'll visit again," he said softly. "Along with Hank and Billy. We'd be happy to see you, anytime."

"I'd like that a lot, Norton," Madelyn said, and she meant it - she liked Hank's parents a lot. "Although finding the time could be tricky. Two doctors and a baby doesn't make for a lot of free time. Although..." and she gave him a mischievous smile. "Do you think you could manage a visit to the school? I know Hank would love that."

"We could try." Norton returned the smile. "We don't travel much... the farm takes a lot of attention, even though we can't do much of the real work anymore... but for Billy, at least, I think we could make the trip. He's gonna grow real fast."

"They usually do - we'll make the effort to come as often as we can. Or at least I can take Hank's shifts so he can visit more often. Although if I don't take him and Billy to meet my family soon, I just might be disowned." Madelyn laughed wryly.

Norton nodded, a trace of worry showing on his face. "That is important," he said seriously. "But... no offense intended, Maddie, but... how are they likely to take him? Hank, I mean." He worried about his son, always would... Looking the way he did bothered Hank a lot, and if Maddie's family were going to be bothered too...

Normally Madelyn would be insulted by the implied slur, but Norton didn't know her or her family. And no doubt they'd have had to deal with much more than the usual insults and jibes, coming from a small town. "It won't be a problem," she said with utter conviction. "My family holds a lot of store by who a person is, not what they look like. And Hank's a good man. They'll see that."

"Good. We... worry. Always have, and we're too old to stop now." Norton smiled ruefully. "He's had to put up with looking strange all his life, and... well. It's hard." He jiggled Billy gently, and the baby sighed in his sleep. "An' once he's met your folks, the next step is us meeting each other." He grinned impishly. "And exchanging embarrassing stories about the two of you."

"Oh God, no," Madelyn said, trying to hold her expression of mock-horror and failing through the laughter. "I think there will be stealing of photo albums next time I go home. Mom has this embarrassing habit of bringing them out, baby pictures and all."

Norton laughed softly. "Oh, I'm sure you were a beautiful baby," he said firmly. "I'll tell Edna to bring the photos of Hank, so you won't be embarrassed alone. She's being good and not bringing them out now because the kids are here, but if she gets the two of you alone..."

"Oh, no doubt she will - she and my Mom will get on like a house on fire..." Madelyn grinned. "You and my Dad, too, I think. There could be manly bonding involved." The back door slammed, and the sound of feet could be heard. "And there goes our quiet time. Hank will be in any second, making sure we haven't lost his son."

"Well, it was nice while it lasted." Norton smiled, and reached over to pat her hand gently. "I'm very glad you and Hank met, Maddie. I hope things keep going well for you two."