Chapter 6 #2
“Working with you?” she repeated. “It’s all I do. I’m constantly rearranging my schedule. There are three kids here, Leo. They need constant care and attention, not your fifteen minutes of fame when you slide in at the last minute.”
“I do everything for you and the kids,” Leo argued. “I’m trying.”
“Really, Leo?” Kit Kat asked him with tear-filled eyes. “Where in line do I stand? After the president, the team, your job, the community,” she listed.
“Come on, Kit Kat. You know better,” he chastised as Grace started crying.
He bent to pick her up when Derrick started.
Kit Kat headed toward the bathroom and ran water for Grace’s bath.
Leo stripped his daughter down and plopped her in the water.
He tenderly wiped her face and handed her a bath toy to hold while washing her hair.
Leo rinsed it off and washed her body, noticing his wife disappeared into the other room.
The silence signaled that she sat in the rocking chair to feed their son.
He dried Grace off and put her in PJs. “I need you to go to sleep, baby girl. I’m in trouble with your mama. If you don’t help me out, she might bury me in the backyard,” he said, picking her up and rubbing her back. Grace rubbed her eyes as he took her to her bedroom and lay her in the crib.
When he returned, Kit Kat rose from her chair, cooing softly as Derrick drifted to sleep. Leo checked on Melody and found her asleep, her book lying out in front of her. Leo gently shook her awake and helped her to bed.
When he returned to the kitchen, he watched his wife gently close the nursery door. He walked toward her and attempted to put his arms around her.
“No, Leo,” she said. “This won’t go away by you kissing me and giving me empty promises.
You don’t understand what it’s like to juggle three kids, your kids, every single day.
I handle everything here. It’s like you come in, check in, and go back to work in your office.
Do you know what went through my head when I saw the pregnancy test? I didn’t want it,” she sobbed.
“You’re tired and frustrated with me. You don’t mean it,” he said, tugging at her hand and pulling her close.
She lay her head against his chest and sobbed her grief.
“Shhh,” he said, leading her to the couch. “You’re getting all worked up. It can’t be good for either of you.”
“Yes, I’m exhausted. You don’t understand how this feels. Please, Leo, go back to the facility,” she said, sighing. “I still need a shower, and I haven’t gotten Melody into one.”
“She fell asleep with her math book. I put her to bed. She can take one in the morning,” he informed her.
“Leo,” she groaned. “It’s already chaotic in the morning, and it takes me forever to get her out of bed in between dressing Grace and Derrick.”
“She’s studying hard for her test. I decided she needed rest,” he explained.
“I need rest. For once, it’d be nice if you’d consult me before making household decisions.
Now, I’ll get to deal with it in the morning while you wake up, shower, and eat a lovely breakfast provided by Tess.
Drink your morning coffee without once getting interrupted while you chat with grown adults.
Let me rephrase it. You get to watch grown adults talk, and when they want a man-child’s opinion, they’ll ask you. ”
“I’ll be here in the morning. You can sleep in while I get the kids ready for school,” he offered.
“Remember what happened last time you promised to arrive on time? I ended up forty minutes late for work,” she reminded him. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll manage,” she said before retreating to their room and shutting the door.
“Damn it,” he whispered. Walking to the door, he pressed his hand against it, listening to his wife sob.
His forehead touched the wood while he struggled to find the right words.
Finally giving up, he slowly got into his truck and headed to the facility, feeling a lonely pit in his stomach which nagged him day and night.
Tonight was supposed to be his second chance to talk to his wife about the unplanned pregnancy.
Now he’d spend the night alone, missing his wife and family.
* * *
Liam felt the slobbering tongue against his cheek and raised his head to realize he spent the night at Addy’s house keeping her dog company. Zeus whined at the door and ran back to him.
“All right, buddy. Let’s take a bathroom break,” he said, yawning.
Zeus ran outside and came right back in. Liam took his bowl and filled it, saying, ‘Dinner.’ The dog sat on his haunches and waited for him to set his food down.
“You’re such a good boy,” he praised him. “I’m picking up your mom today. She’ll be happy to see you. Maybe you keep out the part where we slept together.”
After he cared for the animal, he glanced at his phone and saw a text from Addy.
Hello, Liam. It’s Addyson Parker. If your offer still stands, I need a ride home.
He shook his head at her formality. Hello, Addy. Good morning. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Will it give you enough time?
Yes, thank you.
Heading to the facility, Liam dropped his bag on his assigned bunk, took a quick shower, and changed his clothes.
Jumping back into the vehicle, he drove to the hospital and parked near the ER doors.
Entering the ER, he went to Addy’s room and knocked on the door. When she didn’t answer, he peeked inside to find her missing. Liam walked to the nurses’ station.
“Hi. I’m here to pick up Addyson Parker. She’s not in her room?” Liam told them.
The nurses laughed. “She’s on the floor giving last-minute instructions before you arrived. Doc told her to go home and rest for the next three days. She’s worried we can’t function without her,” the younger nurse informed him.
“Thanks,” he said, smiling. He entered the elevator and headed to his precious floor. When he stepped out, he saw her instructing the nurses.
“Make sure room 204 gets his bath before dinner. He doesn’t stand well in the evening.
Room 216 needs an all-liquid tray ordered for her.
She’s still having trouble with solid foods.
Nora, room 217, please redress the wound.
It’s itching him, and he’s tearing the dressing to pieces.
Ask Doc to give him some antihistamine.”
Liam walked up beside her before she noticed him. “Oh, I have only a few more notes,” she said, turning the page of her clipboard.
“These ladies appear to know how to read. I’m sure they can go over your lists,” he said, taking the notes from her and handing them to the nurses, who watched in approval.
Guiding her down the hall, Liam moved her to the elevator. “I needed five more minutes. Doc told me not to come back for three days. What will I do?”
Liam chuckled. “How about relaxing?” he suggested. “Or we can go car shopping. I know Zeus will be happy to see you.”
She smiled. “I guess I can crochet,” she said, sucking on her bottom lip.
“Addy, slow down. Let’s not go crazy,” he teased. “When was the last time you took a day off?”
“I don’t like them,” she admitted. “I like staying busy.”