"Are you ready?" He asked Sarah from his spot on the bed.
They had taken turns in getting ready so one of them could watch Daniel while the other showered and got dressed. Right now he sat on the bed with Daniel who looked pretty adorable in his formal outfit, if he thought so himself. Perhaps he was a little biased on his son's cuteness but as a parent, maybe he should be. So far Daniel was his happy self, even though his bedtime was coming up pretty soon, hopefully his extra nap would hold that off for a few more hours.
He looked up when he heard Sarah walk out of the closet. His eyes widened just a little as he took in the sight before him. She always looked beautiful but whenever she dressed up formally, she looked even more beautiful. Maybe he was biased towards her as well.
"Ready to go." Sarah announced.
He picked Daniel up from the bed. "Let's find all the children then."
At the restaurant the host showed them to the largest table they had available. They were a very large party but family was important on a birthday.
Richie sat with Sarah across of Ava and Heather so he could be close to his daughter. Siblings and grandparents sat on each ends of the table.
Sarah easily picked out her meal from the menu but Richie struggled making his decision, it all sounded amazing.
"Get the steak." Sarah told him.
"But you're getting the steak."
"Because it is clearly the best dish on the menu." Sarah pointed out to him.
"I don't know."
"Then get the salmon." She made it sound like it was an easy choice that really didn't need that much thought.
"I don't know."
Sarah sighed, she knew. "You get the salmon and I'll get the steak, then we can go halfsies."
"Oooh, okay." Richie said excited. "Should I get rice or potatoes?"
This time she refrained from sighing even though she really wanted to. "Please get both."
"Good idea."
By the time he paid for the entire table's bill, he was glad of the choice he had made. Tomorrow morning he would have to leave to make it in time for the show but being here for Ava's birthday was definitely the right choice for him.
Instead of going to Heather's house as Ava usually did while her dad was on tour, for the one night, she wanted to stay in her bedroom at his house.
Richie happily took the change in schedule, he didn't have to say goodbye to her just yet.
Daniel went straight to bed as soon as they arrived home, it being way past his bedtime even if he had an extra nap before they left. The boy needed his sleep.
For Richie, that made it the same as any night he was at home. Once Daniel was in bed, he made his rounds by the teenager's rooms to wish them a good night. Although he was sure they'd be up much later than he would be. At the other end of the hallway he peeked in on Daniel again before walking into his own room across of him, finding Sarah already in bed.
"Time for bed?" He asked as he closed the door behind him.
Sarah watched him walk over to the bed. "It's been a pretty long day."
He started undressing to his briefs before getting in the bed. "I bet you're pretty tired." He moved closer to her, feeling her soft skin against his.
The warmth of his body always comforted her. "I could be convinced otherwise."
"Hmm." He responded in thought.
His right hand trailed over her body, feeling her soft skin form goosebumps under his fingertips. He hadn't touched her like this in weeks. He was craving that touch and closeness with his entire body.
Sarah sighed at the feeling of him, pushing her body closer to his, wanting more of him, she reached out for his briefs.
He moved his hips to grant her access as he pulled his own hand away from her to push them down for her.
Richie's hand trailed over her belly, momentarily stalling there before continuing further down, finding her entirely naked under his touch. He groaned at the thought and pulled away from her although her hand reached out to continue its strokes, he moved on top of her before she could reach him.
Sarah wrapped her arms around him as he entered her, pulling him down on top of her so she could kiss him and show him how much she had missed her husband in bed with her.
He groaned when he felt the telltale sign of Sarah's orgasm. It surely encouraged him to keep his pace. It had been weeks and he was sure she felt the same pent up sexual desire for him as he did for her.
He pushed himself onto his elbows, pulling away from her kiss so he could watch her as she moaned with another release.
"I missed you." He whispered to her before capturing her lips in a tender kiss.
Between kisses she fitted her own words. "Show me."
Richie didn't need to be told twice, he would gladly show her how much he had missed her. His thrusts fastened against her, improving the friction he felt with each movement. Once again it didn't take long for Sarah to react to him with another orgasm, bringing him his own.
He kissed her again before gently lowering his chest to hers, moving his lips to kiss her shoulder. He could feel her do the same.
Sarah's fingers were softly trailing up and down his back. "I love you." She said followed by a kiss to his cheek.
Richie lifted his head. "I love you more." He kissed her lips before moving off of her and to her side.
"I can't move." Sarah sounded exhausted.
"You don't have to." He pulled the sheet up to cover her. "Go to sleep." His arm draped over her belly as he leaned his head on Sarah's shoulder, ready to follow his own advice.
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Chapter 71
On his way home, he made a quick stop at Sarah's favorite bakery in town and bought her favorite pastry. To be safe, he got an extra one. Maybe she would like a surprise second or one to save for later.
Afterwards, he went straight home where he happily walked into the house. Glad to be able to see his wife's face and kiss her lips, even if it was only for one day. Any day spent with Sarah, was a perfect day. She was all he needed to be happy. He knew that very well.
He brought her pastry into the living room and found the family scene he loved to be part of. The tv was on a kids cartoon for Daniel who was paying no attention to it as he played with his toys. Caleb was excitedly talking about university classes. Sarah tried to pay attention but Richie could easily see she was tired. He just wasn't sure if it was because she'd been taking care of Daniel alone plus studying for the last month or because she was pregnant. Perhaps a combination of both of those options.
"Want to go play some guitar?" He asked Caleb, pulling him from his dialogue.
Caleb looked up at him, just noticing Richie's entry. "Sure." He said as he stood up from the chair and started out of the room.
Richie sat down with Sarah as he gave her the paper bag he got for her, noticing a pout on her face. "It's your favorite."
She opened the bag and looked inside it. Happy with her treat. "Thank you." She said but pouted again.
"Then why are you sad?"
She looked at him. "You want to go play guitar while I only have you for one day."
"You looked tired, I wanted to let you rest." He explained.
"I love listening to you play and so does Danny."
"Alright." He stood up again. "I'll get Caleb and we'll play here."
Upstairs he found Caleb in his office, the door was left open so he was easy to spot. The boy stood in front of a guitar case, thoughtful. Richie pushed the door further open as he walked into the room, making Caleb look up at him.
"Tough choices?" Richie asked him as he walked into the room.
Caleb shrugged. "They basically all do the same."
"That's insulting."
He rolled his eyes. "Electric?"
Richie pursed his lips in thought.
"Acoustic?"
"Yeah, let's do that and we don't needs amps so we can go downstairs, then we can let Daniel join in."
Caleb picked up a guitar to pass over, then another. "That would actually be a lot of fun when he's older, we can teach him."
"We will." Richie agreed. "I want to get him one of those mini guitars when he's a little older. He likes to listen so I think he'd be interested in learning when he can." He explained his future plans as he headed back down the stairs to the living room.
Sharing the gift of music was something he had always loved to do. To be able to do so with his children meant even more to him. Inspiring them with music was an amazing way to build a relationship, to share the love of music and instruments.
As they played, Daniel took notice of the music and abandoned his toys to watch them, fully enjoying the sound of the guitar music. Watching him so amazed, always filled Richie with love and joy for his son, knowing that such a young mind already had such passion for music.
When they took a break from playing, he noticed Sarah had fallen asleep next to him. She looked so sweet and peaceful, he knew she needed to rest and let her. It gave him the opportunity he came home for, spend time with his son and make Ava's birthday special tonight. Since he hadn't planned to be home for her birthday evening, he called Heather to catch up on what the plan for tonight was and how he could be included and contribute.
A little while later he quietly walked back into the living room but saw his cautiouness wasn't needed anymore.
He sat down on the couch next to Sarah and Daniel.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, feeling hungry for lunch himself.
"I'm alright."
"Yeah? I can make food as long as it won't make you throw up." He suggested, also remembering how her last pregnancy had gone.
"I think I'll be okay. I haven't been feeling very morning sick."
Richie frowned at that.
"Except this morning." Sarah added. "That was the first time I had to throw up."
Richie nodded. "Okay. I think we should still play it safe though." He said.
After lunch he was more than ready for a nap. Not because he was tired and needed the rest but because he had missed his midday cuddles with Daniel. The boy was too active to want to cuddle so naptime was the perfect time to get that dose of closeness that he craved from his little boy.
He took Daniel upstairs to his room and changed his diaper, not bothering to put his pants back on and carried him back to the bedroom. He was glad to see Sarah was joining them. Once in bed, he turned on the tv and turned the volume a little lower so Daniel would soon enough be asleep in his arms as he watched midday talkshows.
Afterwards, he went straight home where he happily walked into the house. Glad to be able to see his wife's face and kiss her lips, even if it was only for one day. Any day spent with Sarah, was a perfect day. She was all he needed to be happy. He knew that very well.
He brought her pastry into the living room and found the family scene he loved to be part of. The tv was on a kids cartoon for Daniel who was paying no attention to it as he played with his toys. Caleb was excitedly talking about university classes. Sarah tried to pay attention but Richie could easily see she was tired. He just wasn't sure if it was because she'd been taking care of Daniel alone plus studying for the last month or because she was pregnant. Perhaps a combination of both of those options.
"Want to go play some guitar?" He asked Caleb, pulling him from his dialogue.
Caleb looked up at him, just noticing Richie's entry. "Sure." He said as he stood up from the chair and started out of the room.
Richie sat down with Sarah as he gave her the paper bag he got for her, noticing a pout on her face. "It's your favorite."
She opened the bag and looked inside it. Happy with her treat. "Thank you." She said but pouted again.
"Then why are you sad?"
She looked at him. "You want to go play guitar while I only have you for one day."
"You looked tired, I wanted to let you rest." He explained.
"I love listening to you play and so does Danny."
"Alright." He stood up again. "I'll get Caleb and we'll play here."
Upstairs he found Caleb in his office, the door was left open so he was easy to spot. The boy stood in front of a guitar case, thoughtful. Richie pushed the door further open as he walked into the room, making Caleb look up at him.
"Tough choices?" Richie asked him as he walked into the room.
Caleb shrugged. "They basically all do the same."
"That's insulting."
He rolled his eyes. "Electric?"
Richie pursed his lips in thought.
"Acoustic?"
"Yeah, let's do that and we don't needs amps so we can go downstairs, then we can let Daniel join in."
Caleb picked up a guitar to pass over, then another. "That would actually be a lot of fun when he's older, we can teach him."
"We will." Richie agreed. "I want to get him one of those mini guitars when he's a little older. He likes to listen so I think he'd be interested in learning when he can." He explained his future plans as he headed back down the stairs to the living room.
Sharing the gift of music was something he had always loved to do. To be able to do so with his children meant even more to him. Inspiring them with music was an amazing way to build a relationship, to share the love of music and instruments.
As they played, Daniel took notice of the music and abandoned his toys to watch them, fully enjoying the sound of the guitar music. Watching him so amazed, always filled Richie with love and joy for his son, knowing that such a young mind already had such passion for music.
When they took a break from playing, he noticed Sarah had fallen asleep next to him. She looked so sweet and peaceful, he knew she needed to rest and let her. It gave him the opportunity he came home for, spend time with his son and make Ava's birthday special tonight. Since he hadn't planned to be home for her birthday evening, he called Heather to catch up on what the plan for tonight was and how he could be included and contribute.
A little while later he quietly walked back into the living room but saw his cautiouness wasn't needed anymore.
He sat down on the couch next to Sarah and Daniel.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, feeling hungry for lunch himself.
"I'm alright."
"Yeah? I can make food as long as it won't make you throw up." He suggested, also remembering how her last pregnancy had gone.
"I think I'll be okay. I haven't been feeling very morning sick."
Richie frowned at that.
"Except this morning." Sarah added. "That was the first time I had to throw up."
Richie nodded. "Okay. I think we should still play it safe though." He said.
After lunch he was more than ready for a nap. Not because he was tired and needed the rest but because he had missed his midday cuddles with Daniel. The boy was too active to want to cuddle so naptime was the perfect time to get that dose of closeness that he craved from his little boy.
He took Daniel upstairs to his room and changed his diaper, not bothering to put his pants back on and carried him back to the bedroom. He was glad to see Sarah was joining them. Once in bed, he turned on the tv and turned the volume a little lower so Daniel would soon enough be asleep in his arms as he watched midday talkshows.
Monday, June 17, 2019
Chapter 70
He found her down the hallway, in the half bathroom.
"Are you okay?" He knocked on the door, before peeking in.
Sarah looked up at him from the floor. "Yeah." She stood up as Richie walked into the bathroom.
"I was waiting to tell you when we were alone."
He raised an eyebrow in question. "So?" He asked, hopeful.
Sarah smiled and nodded, then reached up to kiss him.
He helped her to the couch in the living room as she didn't want to be near the smell of eggs again.
"Can you text Ava for me?" He asked before leaving. "Ask her to come over to pick up her birthday present. If you text her, it'll be less obvious."
Sarah smiled at him, adoring how cute he was. "I will."
Once in the kitchen, Richie made her some toast and a nice hot cup of tea, just the way she liked it. The three boys were having their breakfast already.
"Is mom okay?" Caleb asked.
"She's just not feeling well." Richie explained, not sure if he should tell them.
"That sucks."
Richie agreed to that. "Noah, ready for school? I'll drive you."
He grabbed a plate for Sarah and carried it and the cup of tea to the living room for her.
"Ava said she's on her way." She accepted the cup of tea and wrapped her hands around it. "Is Daniel okay?"
"Yeah, he's fine. Caleb's helping him."
"Our kids are going to have a lot of experience before they have their own kids."
Richie shrugged. "They'll also know not to make any now."
Sarah smiled at him again. "I'm still a mom, I don't need to be a grandma yet."
He sat down on the couch next to her. "Exactly, another 10 years before that, please."
"At least."
After breakfast Caleb and Daniel moved to the living room as well, catching up on the last 6 weeks as Noah got ready for school.
The doorbell disturbed their conversation but before anyone could get there to open it, a key from the outside did the job for them as Ava walked in alone.
They all watched her as she walked into the living room, which made her instantly suspicious.
"Whaaat?" She asked, then realized. "Daddy!" She said happily, rushing over to hug him.
He hugged her tight. "Happy birthday Princess."
Ava pulled back a second later. "I thought you were in Vancouver?"
"Yeah but seeing you on your birthday was something I'd rather do."
"What about the tour? Will you be there for my party tomorrow?" She asked excitedly.
"I have to fly back tomorrow morning to be there in time for the next concert but you can stay here tonight, if you want."
"I do want." She hugged him again.
Noah finally made his way downstairs, confused at what had just happened, he had missed it all.
Even though it was it was Ava's birthday, it was still a school day.
"Ready for school?" Richie asked them both when Noah sat down on the other couch. "You're wearing pants and a jacket?" He asked Noah. "It's warm out, why not wear shorts? Ditch the jacket."
Noah shrugged. "It's fine."
"Alright." Richie said, thinking the kid would get too hot at school at some point today. He stood up and got his car keys before kissing Sarah goodbye. "Off to school." He announced, leading the teenagers out the door.
"Are you okay?" He knocked on the door, before peeking in.
Sarah looked up at him from the floor. "Yeah." She stood up as Richie walked into the bathroom.
"I was waiting to tell you when we were alone."
He raised an eyebrow in question. "So?" He asked, hopeful.
Sarah smiled and nodded, then reached up to kiss him.
He helped her to the couch in the living room as she didn't want to be near the smell of eggs again.
"Can you text Ava for me?" He asked before leaving. "Ask her to come over to pick up her birthday present. If you text her, it'll be less obvious."
Sarah smiled at him, adoring how cute he was. "I will."
Once in the kitchen, Richie made her some toast and a nice hot cup of tea, just the way she liked it. The three boys were having their breakfast already.
"Is mom okay?" Caleb asked.
"She's just not feeling well." Richie explained, not sure if he should tell them.
"That sucks."
Richie agreed to that. "Noah, ready for school? I'll drive you."
He grabbed a plate for Sarah and carried it and the cup of tea to the living room for her.
"Ava said she's on her way." She accepted the cup of tea and wrapped her hands around it. "Is Daniel okay?"
"Yeah, he's fine. Caleb's helping him."
"Our kids are going to have a lot of experience before they have their own kids."
Richie shrugged. "They'll also know not to make any now."
Sarah smiled at him again. "I'm still a mom, I don't need to be a grandma yet."
He sat down on the couch next to her. "Exactly, another 10 years before that, please."
"At least."
After breakfast Caleb and Daniel moved to the living room as well, catching up on the last 6 weeks as Noah got ready for school.
The doorbell disturbed their conversation but before anyone could get there to open it, a key from the outside did the job for them as Ava walked in alone.
They all watched her as she walked into the living room, which made her instantly suspicious.
"Whaaat?" She asked, then realized. "Daddy!" She said happily, rushing over to hug him.
He hugged her tight. "Happy birthday Princess."
Ava pulled back a second later. "I thought you were in Vancouver?"
"Yeah but seeing you on your birthday was something I'd rather do."
"What about the tour? Will you be there for my party tomorrow?" She asked excitedly.
"I have to fly back tomorrow morning to be there in time for the next concert but you can stay here tonight, if you want."
"I do want." She hugged him again.
Noah finally made his way downstairs, confused at what had just happened, he had missed it all.
Even though it was it was Ava's birthday, it was still a school day.
"Ready for school?" Richie asked them both when Noah sat down on the other couch. "You're wearing pants and a jacket?" He asked Noah. "It's warm out, why not wear shorts? Ditch the jacket."
Noah shrugged. "It's fine."
"Alright." Richie said, thinking the kid would get too hot at school at some point today. He stood up and got his car keys before kissing Sarah goodbye. "Off to school." He announced, leading the teenagers out the door.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Chapter 69
It was early morning when he woke up to Sarah shaking his shoulder. "Mmmm?" He asked.
"You wanted to get Daniel in the morning, he's awake."
That woke him up, now he heard Daniel on the monitor as well. He sat up and rubbes his eyes, it was much too early but he wanted to see his son.
Sarah got comfortable in the sheets again as he got out of bed, which is what he wanted, she'd been taking care of their son all alone for the last few weeks. A short little break was the least he could give her right now.
Before walking out of the room, he leaned down by her side and kissed her sweetly.
In Daniel's room, the night light was dimly lighting the room so he did not have to turn on any lights to get to his son. He had expected Daniel to be excited or surprised at the least but it seemed like Daniel was absolutely fine with him showing up out of nowhere. He went straight for his sons outstretched arms and picked him up gave him a tight cuddle before taking him to get changed.
It was too early to take him downstairs, besides that, he wasn't dressed. His small son wouldn't care about that but he knew his big sons would.
He carried Daniel across the hallway to their bedroom, where he let him sit on the bed. It warmed his heart to watch Sarah's lips turn into a smile, her eyes still closed but knowing what was going on straight away. She cuddled her son as Richie went into the closet and got dressed.
A smile appeared on his face when he walked back into the room dressed. He took a mental image before walking over to Sarah, gently kissing her before picking up Daniel. He was only home for one more night and he was going to let Sarah rest and take on his fatherly duties while he could.
In the kitchen, he put Daniel in his high chair and started making breakfast for everyone. Noah had school today so at least someone should be joining him down here soon. First he started the coffee. First things just came first.
"I smelled coffee." Caleb said as he walked into the kitchen, straight over to his little brother that had been asleep the night before. "Hey buddy." He grabbed him out of his highchair and sat down with him.
He poured an another cup of coffee, added sugar and cream, then passed it over to Caleb.
"Oh thanks." He said. "Do you need help making breakfast?"
"No," Richie said on his way to the fridge, "just going to scramble some eggs and make some bacon."
He started with the bacon and started making toast before he started scrambling eggs into a second frying pan.
Richie looked up when Sarah walked into the room, but she turned back down the hallway almost as fast as she walked in.
He frowned at Caleb, who knowingly clued in and put Daniel back in his highchair before taking over at the stove.
"I'll go check on her."
"You wanted to get Daniel in the morning, he's awake."
That woke him up, now he heard Daniel on the monitor as well. He sat up and rubbes his eyes, it was much too early but he wanted to see his son.
Sarah got comfortable in the sheets again as he got out of bed, which is what he wanted, she'd been taking care of their son all alone for the last few weeks. A short little break was the least he could give her right now.
Before walking out of the room, he leaned down by her side and kissed her sweetly.
In Daniel's room, the night light was dimly lighting the room so he did not have to turn on any lights to get to his son. He had expected Daniel to be excited or surprised at the least but it seemed like Daniel was absolutely fine with him showing up out of nowhere. He went straight for his sons outstretched arms and picked him up gave him a tight cuddle before taking him to get changed.
It was too early to take him downstairs, besides that, he wasn't dressed. His small son wouldn't care about that but he knew his big sons would.
He carried Daniel across the hallway to their bedroom, where he let him sit on the bed. It warmed his heart to watch Sarah's lips turn into a smile, her eyes still closed but knowing what was going on straight away. She cuddled her son as Richie went into the closet and got dressed.
A smile appeared on his face when he walked back into the room dressed. He took a mental image before walking over to Sarah, gently kissing her before picking up Daniel. He was only home for one more night and he was going to let Sarah rest and take on his fatherly duties while he could.
In the kitchen, he put Daniel in his high chair and started making breakfast for everyone. Noah had school today so at least someone should be joining him down here soon. First he started the coffee. First things just came first.
"I smelled coffee." Caleb said as he walked into the kitchen, straight over to his little brother that had been asleep the night before. "Hey buddy." He grabbed him out of his highchair and sat down with him.
He poured an another cup of coffee, added sugar and cream, then passed it over to Caleb.
"Oh thanks." He said. "Do you need help making breakfast?"
"No," Richie said on his way to the fridge, "just going to scramble some eggs and make some bacon."
He started with the bacon and started making toast before he started scrambling eggs into a second frying pan.
Richie looked up when Sarah walked into the room, but she turned back down the hallway almost as fast as she walked in.
He frowned at Caleb, who knowingly clued in and put Daniel back in his highchair before taking over at the stove.
"I'll go check on her."
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Chapter 68
Sarah got comfortable in the living room. She had just put Daniel to bed and was ready for some relaxing on her own. In the kitchen she got a few snacks, in the living room she grabbed a soft blanket and wrapped it around herself as she sat on the couch. Time to catch up on some tv shows. Not much later, a black cat snuggled up to her.
As she fast forwarded through the last commercial of her current episode, the cat jumped up from her lap and ran to the window, staring out of it. His actions made Sarah wonder as she looked out the window as well but didn't see what the feline had seen. What had spooked him?
Then, she heard scuffling outside.
She could hear the front door being unlocked.
Noah was in his room, who would be trying to get into their house?
She pulled her blanket closer around her and picked up her phone. What was happening?
Sarah watched the door being opened from the couch, only to be overwhelmed with relief.
"Richie!" She exclaimed, making him look over at her as she got up. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
"I'm sorry," he said, "I brought you a surprise."
Sarah met him at the door, not waiting for him to move any further before wrapping her arms around him. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to be here for Ava's birthday and then I thought I'd bring you a surprise."
"I'm so happy to see you." She kissed him deeply.
"Do you want your surprise?" He asked when they broke apart and he tried to get further into the house.
"I figured you were the surprise."
"Nope." He took her hand and made her take a step back so he could move away from the door.
Sarah smiled when she realized what her surprise was.
"Caleb." She said with a happy sigh as he was finally able to walk inside.
"Hi mom." He hugged her quickly. "When dad told me about his plan, I had to get in on the action." He smiled at her.
"I'm glad you did but don't you have classes tomorrow?"
He shook his head. "I have one class on Fridays so I'll be fine and I called in for work, it's all good."
"Well, I'm glad you're here." Sarah repeated as she hugged him again.
In the living room they sat down on the couch together. She cuddled right up to her husband, happy to have him there.
"What were you doing?" He asked, gesturing at the cluttered coffee table. It was full of papers, stickers, stamps and photographs.
"I decided to make a scrapbook for Daniel." Sarah explained. "With all photos being digital, not a lot of people make scrapbooks anymore but I thought it would be neat for him to have one."
"That's pretty cute. Show me what you made."
Sarah leaned over to pick up the book she was working on and showed him the first page. It started at the beginning, the ultrasound picture. Then continued on to the he was born, she had written little details on the pages for them to remember when he grew older.
"I like it." Richie said when they reached the last page.
"Yeah?"
"It's very cute. I love how you included even the rough parts but you made it look like it wasn't so bad, which will be nice for him later in life. He doesn't need to remember tough times."
"That's what I was thinking. Not that he would remember anyway but even looking at pictures, I don't want him to feel too sad or scared of what he went through."
Richie put the book back onto the coffee table and as soon as he sat back on the couch, Sarah cuddled right up against him again. He changed the TV channel to one of the late shows he liked to watch and held Sarah close.
Soon enough, he could feel she had fallen asleep against him.
As she fast forwarded through the last commercial of her current episode, the cat jumped up from her lap and ran to the window, staring out of it. His actions made Sarah wonder as she looked out the window as well but didn't see what the feline had seen. What had spooked him?
Then, she heard scuffling outside.
She could hear the front door being unlocked.
Noah was in his room, who would be trying to get into their house?
She pulled her blanket closer around her and picked up her phone. What was happening?
Sarah watched the door being opened from the couch, only to be overwhelmed with relief.
"Richie!" She exclaimed, making him look over at her as she got up. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
"I'm sorry," he said, "I brought you a surprise."
Sarah met him at the door, not waiting for him to move any further before wrapping her arms around him. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to be here for Ava's birthday and then I thought I'd bring you a surprise."
"I'm so happy to see you." She kissed him deeply.
"Do you want your surprise?" He asked when they broke apart and he tried to get further into the house.
"I figured you were the surprise."
"Nope." He took her hand and made her take a step back so he could move away from the door.
Sarah smiled when she realized what her surprise was.
"Caleb." She said with a happy sigh as he was finally able to walk inside.
"Hi mom." He hugged her quickly. "When dad told me about his plan, I had to get in on the action." He smiled at her.
"I'm glad you did but don't you have classes tomorrow?"
He shook his head. "I have one class on Fridays so I'll be fine and I called in for work, it's all good."
"Well, I'm glad you're here." Sarah repeated as she hugged him again.
In the living room they sat down on the couch together. She cuddled right up to her husband, happy to have him there.
"What were you doing?" He asked, gesturing at the cluttered coffee table. It was full of papers, stickers, stamps and photographs.
"I decided to make a scrapbook for Daniel." Sarah explained. "With all photos being digital, not a lot of people make scrapbooks anymore but I thought it would be neat for him to have one."
"That's pretty cute. Show me what you made."
Sarah leaned over to pick up the book she was working on and showed him the first page. It started at the beginning, the ultrasound picture. Then continued on to the he was born, she had written little details on the pages for them to remember when he grew older.
"I like it." Richie said when they reached the last page.
"Yeah?"
"It's very cute. I love how you included even the rough parts but you made it look like it wasn't so bad, which will be nice for him later in life. He doesn't need to remember tough times."
"That's what I was thinking. Not that he would remember anyway but even looking at pictures, I don't want him to feel too sad or scared of what he went through."
Richie put the book back onto the coffee table and as soon as he sat back on the couch, Sarah cuddled right up against him again. He changed the TV channel to one of the late shows he liked to watch and held Sarah close.
Soon enough, he could feel she had fallen asleep against him.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Chapter 67
As he packed, he only took out what he needed, his phone charger, wallet, passport to put into his shoulder bag. He wasn't going to take anything he didn't need.
Once ready, he pulled his suitcase off the bed and extended the handle bar, then wheeled it out of room and across the hall to Jon's room. He knocked on the door twice before getting an answer.
"What's up?" Jon frowned as he saw Richie ready to go.
"I'm going for lunch with Caleb, then heading to the airport and going home-"
"You're going home?" Jon exclaimed.
Richie rolled his eyes as he sighed, then continued where he was cut off. "I'm going home for Ava's birthday tomorrow and I'll meet you guys in Tacoma the day after."
"What?" Jon was still confused but he opened the door further and motioned for Richie to get into the room.
Richie took the invitation and wheeled his suitcase into the room, leaving it by the door as he followed Jon to the chairs in the sitting area.
"How do you do this? Missing birthdays all the time?" He sighed as he sat down in the chair opposite of Jon.
Jon shrugged in response. "They're just birthdays. I like being there for them but they're also just a day."
"But she's turning 16. That's a big deal. I've got her the best surprise for a gift."
"A car?" Jon asked.
"Well yeah, but she doesn't know that. We told her she had to earn her own car when we went looking for one but I got her exactly what she wanted."
"You'll see her in a week." Jon reminded him.
Sure the Los Angeles concert was only 8 days away but Ava's birthday wasn't in 8 days.
"No. I have to see her for her birthday. I can miss her party but I want to see her tomorrow." He said resolutely. He got up from his chair, picking up his bag again.
"You can't just leave. We're travelling in two days."
"I'm pretty sure I can. It's only a few hours flight. Hang on to my bag and I'll see you on Saturday." He started heading to the door. "I'll take a flight to Tacoma on Saturday and be there for soundcheck, 4 o'clock."
"Will you actually be there this time?" Jon put the emphasis on actually, sounding bitter.
"Oh fuck you." Richie said as he opened the door and walked out of the room. "Saturday 4 o'clock." He repeated as he walked down the hall to the elevator.
He had made plans to have lunch with Caleb today as he was working that evening. He didn't want to cancel their lunch plans last minute but was also sure Caleb would understand he would be leaving tonight instead of Saturday.
Once again, he took Caleb to a place he had suggested and wanted to go to. He knew Caleb was trying his best doing his whole university experience on his own and was only spending the money he earned, which, was minimum wage employee in a world city, wasn't very easy. All too gladly Richie paid for another meal but felt proud that his son was so aware of his expenses and trying to be the best adult he could be. His own young adulthood had been very different from this, he did his best in college as well but housing wasn't as expensive and neither was the cost of living.
Before their meal was over, he made sure Caleb knew he was proud of him.
After their lunch, a taxi took them back to the university housing where Caleb got out of the car, promising to only need a few minutes so Richie waited for him. He watched him go into the large building, as he waited he sent off a few texts to his favorite women in the world.
Next, he phoned some airlines for last minute flights to LAX for the same evening, leaving in the next few hours. The first airline that had two seats available for him was the lucky one.
Once ready, he pulled his suitcase off the bed and extended the handle bar, then wheeled it out of room and across the hall to Jon's room. He knocked on the door twice before getting an answer.
"What's up?" Jon frowned as he saw Richie ready to go.
"I'm going for lunch with Caleb, then heading to the airport and going home-"
"You're going home?" Jon exclaimed.
Richie rolled his eyes as he sighed, then continued where he was cut off. "I'm going home for Ava's birthday tomorrow and I'll meet you guys in Tacoma the day after."
"What?" Jon was still confused but he opened the door further and motioned for Richie to get into the room.
Richie took the invitation and wheeled his suitcase into the room, leaving it by the door as he followed Jon to the chairs in the sitting area.
"How do you do this? Missing birthdays all the time?" He sighed as he sat down in the chair opposite of Jon.
Jon shrugged in response. "They're just birthdays. I like being there for them but they're also just a day."
"But she's turning 16. That's a big deal. I've got her the best surprise for a gift."
"A car?" Jon asked.
"Well yeah, but she doesn't know that. We told her she had to earn her own car when we went looking for one but I got her exactly what she wanted."
"You'll see her in a week." Jon reminded him.
Sure the Los Angeles concert was only 8 days away but Ava's birthday wasn't in 8 days.
"No. I have to see her for her birthday. I can miss her party but I want to see her tomorrow." He said resolutely. He got up from his chair, picking up his bag again.
"You can't just leave. We're travelling in two days."
"I'm pretty sure I can. It's only a few hours flight. Hang on to my bag and I'll see you on Saturday." He started heading to the door. "I'll take a flight to Tacoma on Saturday and be there for soundcheck, 4 o'clock."
"Will you actually be there this time?" Jon put the emphasis on actually, sounding bitter.
"Oh fuck you." Richie said as he opened the door and walked out of the room. "Saturday 4 o'clock." He repeated as he walked down the hall to the elevator.
He had made plans to have lunch with Caleb today as he was working that evening. He didn't want to cancel their lunch plans last minute but was also sure Caleb would understand he would be leaving tonight instead of Saturday.
Once again, he took Caleb to a place he had suggested and wanted to go to. He knew Caleb was trying his best doing his whole university experience on his own and was only spending the money he earned, which, was minimum wage employee in a world city, wasn't very easy. All too gladly Richie paid for another meal but felt proud that his son was so aware of his expenses and trying to be the best adult he could be. His own young adulthood had been very different from this, he did his best in college as well but housing wasn't as expensive and neither was the cost of living.
Before their meal was over, he made sure Caleb knew he was proud of him.
After their lunch, a taxi took them back to the university housing where Caleb got out of the car, promising to only need a few minutes so Richie waited for him. He watched him go into the large building, as he waited he sent off a few texts to his favorite women in the world.
Next, he phoned some airlines for last minute flights to LAX for the same evening, leaving in the next few hours. The first airline that had two seats available for him was the lucky one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)