I wish I could laugh and make a joke, but he’s across the aisle, sitting with Collin, who currently whispers something to him. I don’t want to interrupt their conversation. I close my eyes since the plane is a lot quieter now and wait for us to land.
When I get home, I peek in on Jackson, then Bree, and my anxiety spikes when I find Raelynn’s bed empty. Did she fall asleep on the couch? I walk into my room, turn on the light, and my breath catches when I see her asleep in my bed, the last place I expected to find her. I didn’t think we’d made up to this point. I set my bag down, quickly change my clothes, and after turning off the light, I crawl in next to her.
“Elias?” she mumbles.
“The one and only,” I reply. I wrap my arms around her and hold her as close as she’ll let me. “I’m surprised to find you here,” I admit quietly.
“I missed being here,” she shares just as quietly. “And I wanted to be here when you got home.”
“I’m glad you are.”
She surprises me further by kissing me. It’s not too long, not too intimate, but the perfect mixture of both. “Me too,” she whispers. And then she settles in to fall asleep.
In the morning, I wake up first and sneak into Bree’s room.
“DaDa!”
I smile at seeing her standing in her crib. “Hey, princess. Did you miss me as much as I missed you?”
“DaDa! No, no.”
I laugh as I pick her up and sit in the recliner. “You didn’t miss me? I don’t believe you.”
She smiles at me; what more could I ask for? After about ten minutes, Raelynn walks into her room. Would it be childish to pout when my daughter reaches for her, considering I’ve been gone for two days? Instead, I playfully turn away and say, “No.” Bree giggles and reaches for Raelynn more eagerly every time I face her again. Eventually, I hand my little girl over and Bree claps as if she knows she won.
“Will you go with me to drop Jackson off?” Raelynn asks.
“Yeah, of course. Still nervous?”
“Just a little panicky.”
I think she’s lying, but I let it slide. Jackson runs into the room, and our morning officially starts. Jackson seems mostly excited about going to Henry’s. Enough so, that when Raelynn mentioned he would have to pack a bag, they had to do it last night. After breakfast, Jackson runs upstairs to grab his bag.
“Let’s go! I’m ready.”
Raelynn tears up and I laugh at Jackson. “Hold up, J-man. We’re all still in our pjs. Let’s change and then we’ll take you to your dad’s.”
We have to rush because Jackson is ready to go and since he’s eager, we don’t want to give him time to change his mind. On the ride there, Raelynn gives herself a pep talk by telling Jackson what he can expect.
“You can call me anytime you want, just ask your dad to call me.”
“Okay, Momma.”
“And he’ll bring you home before dinner tomorrow, but if you want to come home sooner, baby, just tell him.”
“Okay, Momma.”
“If you feel bad, make sure you tell your dad.”
“Okay, Momma.”
I reach over and take
her hand. “I think he’s got this, Raelynn. So does Henry.”
“Momma?”
She twists in her seat to look at him. “Yeah, baby?”