Chapter 23 Taylor
Taylor
“Rough day, Taylor?”
Taylor dropped down in her chair and released a deep sigh. She glanced over at her coworker. “Rough doesn’t even begin to
describe my day.” In the morning she’d had back-to-back patients, and it seemed as if every child was in a bad mood. This
afternoon she’d just finished with her last patient, a two-year-old whose mother had confessed the child had an upset stomach
after he’d vomited all over Taylor, himself, and the mat. She’d calmly asked the woman to keep him home next time. Although she’d
changed her top—she learned early in her career to bring extra clothes—the stench still clung to her nostrils. “The good thing
is in fifteen minutes, I’ll be out of here.” And thankfully she’d already finished her charting.
“Same,” the woman said with a laugh. “And hallelujah, it’s Friday.”
“For real.” All she wanted to do was go home, take a long soak in her tub, stretch out on her bed, and binge movies all night.
She’d been feeling a little down because she missed Austin.
Their second anniversary was next week, and the plan he’d had to come home had fallen through.
She would be destined to spend it alone, as she had their first one.
Taylor knew what she’d be getting into as a military wife, but it didn’t mean she had to like it.
“Any big plans this weekend?”
“Nothing, aside from dinner tonight with my brother- and sister-in-law. What about you?” Tariq and Kamryn frequently invited
her over so she wouldn’t be alone all the time. She always appreciated spending time with them, but tonight she just didn’t
feel up to it.
“My nephew is playing in a basketball tournament, and I promised him I’d be there. That means instead of having two glorious
days of no kids, I’ll be spending all day in a gym with them. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was only one game, but I think he
has three on Saturday. If they win, it’ll be one or two more on Sunday.”
“You might want to take a good book.” She wondered if she and Austin would have children one day, and whether she’d be running
around with them to their extracurricular activities.
“Honey, I already have my tablet loaded with the newest books, and I’ll be taking plenty of snacks.” She glanced up at the
clock, then started powering down her computer. “Oooh, it’s time to go.”
Taylor did the same and packed up her belongings, and the two headed out. As she drove home, she swore she could still smell
the vomit and had to drive with her windows down. “First thing I’m doing is taking a shower,” she muttered.
As soon as she stepped into her place, she kicked off her shoes and dropped her tote on a chair. She started walking toward
the kitchen for water but stopped. She had an eerie feeling, like she wasn’t alone. Glancing around the room, she cataloged
everything and noted that nothing seemed out of place, but she couldn’t shake the sensation. Get a grip. You’re just exhausted. Finally, she continued to the kitchen.
“Hey, baby girl.”
She whirled around at the low-toned voice. “Austin!” Taylor ran across the room and launched herself into his arms. “Oh my goodness. I thought you said you weren’t going to
be able to come home.”
“I was able to get three days, so I called Tariq and had him pick me up at the airport and drop me off here. He mentioned
that they’d invited you to dinner.”
“They did, but we don’t have to go.” She’d have to figure out dinner if they stayed in because she hadn’t gone grocery shopping.
“I’d like to go. I haven’t seen my beautiful niece since the wedding, so I want to hang out with her for a bit. Then later
I can hang out with you. Tomorrow and the next day, breakfast in bed, just like I promised.”
“Oooh, I can’t wait. But for now I need to shower. I had the day from hell today. Kids crying and vomiting all over me.”
“Sounds like a fun time. Need help washing your back?”
“I will later,” she said with a sultry smile. “We do it now, we’ll never make it to dinner.”
Austin grinned. “You have a point.” He kissed her once more before she headed to the bedroom.
Taylor couldn’t stop smiling. Her Austin was home, even if it was only for a few days. Stripping, she made her way to the
bathroom, pinned up her hair so it wouldn’t get wet, and took a quick shower. Her long soak would have to come later. I wonder if I can convince Austin to join me. The thought made her pulse skip. She recalled every sensual moment of what happened the last time they were in the oversized
tub together.
After changing into a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved tee, and tennis shoes, she went back out front. “I’m ready.”
He finished typing on his phone, then stood and stuck it into his pocket.
Outside, she tossed him her keys so he could drive. “I’m taking advantage of being a passenger princess while you’re here.”
He slanted her an amused glance. “Is that what you’re calling it?”
She nodded slowly and leaned back. “Yep.”
Austin chuckled, started the car, then pulled off.
They spent the drive catching up on each other’s lives. He’d completed Officer Candidate School and was currently in the middle
of The Basic School to develop skills in his specialty, which happened to be cybersecurity, which meant he could be stationed
anywhere.
Taylor was afraid of that. Part of her wanted to quit her job and follow him because she had no idea how she’d handle him
being a world away. She could do physical therapy anywhere, and there were always traveling therapist positions available.
But then she’d be far away from her dad. Even though he no longer recognized her, she couldn’t leave him, nor could she just
pack him up and move him all over the world. So for now, she had to leave things as they were.
He grasped her hand. “We’re not going to worry about it right now, okay? Let’s just wait until that time comes, then we can
decide what to do.”
“All right.”
When they arrived, he gently helped her out of the car and wrapped his arms around her. “You good?”
“Yeah. This is harder than I ever thought it would be.”
“I know, but as long as I have your love, I can do this.”
“Me too.” He dipped his head and kissed her.
“Okay, you two. Save all that for later.”
They sprang apart and met Kamryn’s smiling face.
“You see your uncle and aunt?” she asked the baby. “Just out here with all this PDA.”
Austin kissed Kamryn’s cheek. “Give me my niece. You act like you and Tariq are any better.” Kamryn handed him the eight-month-old.
“Hey, Imani. You remember me?” She smiled and laid her head on his chest. “That’s right. Don’t forget Uncle Austin is the
best uncle.”
Taylor rolled her eyes. “Let’s go in the house, although I don’t know how your big head is going to get through the door.”
He’d mentioned that he tried to chat with the little girl through videoconference as often as he could so she wouldn’t forget
him. Apparently Imani had no problem recognizing him.
“Don’t hate,” he said, following them into the house.
Inside, after all the greetings, Taylor sat next to Austin as he talked to and played with Imani, while Tariq and Kam put
the finishing touches on dinner. Watching him, she knew he’d be a great father. “You’re a natural with her.”
“I fell in love with her the first time I saw her. You ever think about us starting a family?”
“It’s crossed my mind a time or two.”
“Mine too, but I worry because with me being gone so much of the time, you’d have to do most of the parenting. Then there’s
the fact that I’d miss the doctor appointments, hearing our baby’s heartbeat, feeling him or her moving around for the first
time. I want to be here for everything.”
“Sounds like you’ve been thinking about this a lot.
I hear everything you’re saying, Austin, but we wouldn’t be the first couple to do this.
There are thousands and thousands of military families who do it all the time.
Yes, I’d want you to be here for all the things you mentioned, but I know your family wouldn’t hesitate to step in when necessary.
” In her mind, Taylor could imagine a sweet baby boy with Austin’s smile.
“All obstacles aside, I’d love it if we had a baby. ”
Austin leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “Then we’ll have lots of fun working on it.”
She agreed wholeheartedly. “Lots of fun.” Not to be left out, Imani gave Austin an open-mouth kiss, then grinned. Taylor and Austin laughed. “Aw, that’s so cute.”
“That’s my girl.” He bounced Imani, and she giggled.
“Dinner is ready,” Tariq called from the kitchen.
Both were still laughing when they joined Tariq and Kamryn.
“What are y’all laughing about?”
“Imani is something else. Austin gave me a kiss, then she decided to join the fun and gave him one, complete with slobber.
You’re going to have to watch this one.” Taylor tickled her niece. “Isn’t that right? You’re going to give the boys fits.”
Kamryn reached for Imani. “Wait. You’re giving away my kisses? I barely get kisses, and I’m the one feeding her, but let Tariq
walk in her line of sight, and I’m a distant memory. He gets all the kisses. And it’s really funny that Austin has been the
only uncle that she smiles at like this. I mean, she doesn’t have any problems with Vince and Shawn holding her, but the way
she lights up around Austin is crazy since he’s rarely home.” She placed Imani in her high chair and strapped her in.
“Probably because he and Tariq look so much alike.”
Austin held the chair out for Taylor. “Or maybe she just knows I’m the best. T, you’re lucky you’re her father, or you might
mess around and get your feelings hurt.”
Tariq playfully popped Austin upside the head. “Boy, don’t get put out.” That brought another round of laughter as they settled
around the table.
Dinner was filled with lively discussion and good food.
“The next time you’re home, we should plan a dinner with all of us since everybody’s married now,” Tariq said.
Austin nodded. “That would be cool.”
Tariq lifted his glass in salute, and Kamryn said, “Agreed.” The two had prepared a melt-in-your-mouth tri-tip, potato salad,