Their New Beginning (Oh Captain, My Captain 5)

“There’s a couple of pizzas in there,” Avery suggests.

“Let’s do that then,” Mom nods. “We just got here! We want to catch up.”

I glance nervously at Avery. As far as my parents know, our marriage is fantastic and running smoothly. Avery gives me a small smile.

“I’ll carry the bags to the guest rooms then, I guess, while y’all catch up in the kitchen.” I take the bags from my dad and tell my brother, Stan, that he can follow me. I’m not carrying his luggage even if I had the extra hand. I put him in the smaller guest bedroom and place my parents’ things in the one I’ve been sleeping in. I quickly make the bed and make a mental note to give them clean sheets at some point.

As Stan and I enter the kitchen, I hear Avery casually ask, “So how long do y’all plan on staying?”

“Just for the weekend. We don’t want to intrude too much and that still gives us plenty of time to hang out with you two and see Jax play a game.” Mom grins at me.

“Great. This is a nice little surprise, Mom.” How bad is it that my first thought is I’m going to have to sleep in my own room for two nights?

The oven beeps, alerting us that it’s preheated, and I take the chance to pop the pizzas inside.

“Avery, darling, we can all watch the TV and find out how Jax is doing with his job, but what about you?”

“I’m enjoying my job.” I look over to see she’s smiling. “I don’t work at the hospital anymore though. I decided it was time I officially became Jax’s personal assistant and accountant. Working at the hospital wasn’t what I wanted anymore.”

When Stan speaks, I want to slap him up across the head. “So, you’re unemployed now, Avery? Pretty much, right?” His gaze turns to me. “Guess your wife isn’t so different than me, Jax.”

Stan is one of the laziest people I’ve ever known. He can’t keep a job, and for no reason other than he would rather not work. That leaves him still living at home with my parents and them footing the bills 99.9% of the time.

“Avery didn’t quit because she’s too lazy to get off her ass and make her own money, Stan. She–”

“Boys, don’t start,” Mom interrupts me.

“You could have made the trip without him,” I say, anyway. Avery takes my hand as a silent message to let it go. Facing my dad, I ask, “How are the renovations going?” He’s always finding something at their house that can be fixed up, redone, or torn down and rebuilt. We talk about that until the pizzas are done and then conversation takes a turn I’d rather it didn’t.

“Jax, are you planning something big for your lovely wife on your anniversary?” my mom asks.

“Of course,” I lie. “But I can’t really say what, now can I?”

She laughs. “I guess you’re right. How was your vacation, Avery? That was the last time I talked to Jax, and he said you went on a girls’ trip.” I really wish I could have had a warning before they arrived. Then I could have possibly talked them out of coming. All eyes turn to Avery as they wait to hear all about her trip.

“Well, it was fine. Lots of sand, clear water, you know, a typical vacation.”

“That sounds nice.”

“Are y’all planning summer vacations yet?” Dad asks. “You two didn’t go anywhere last year, right? I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already figured out where you want to go and when.”

“They should be figuring out when I’ll have a grandchild,” Mom adds as casually as she can. I shake my head at her.

Keeping up with the image they have in their heads, I ignore my mother and answer, “We were thinking maybe New York and then taking another one at some point.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Avery look at me, but Mom speaks first. “Why New York?”

“Avery has always wanted to see a musical on Broadway, so it’s about time I take her, don’t you think?”

Mom smiles. “That’s sweet, Jax. I can remember when your father took me to Washington D.C. I had wanted to go for so long, but had never taken the time to go. He surprised me one year, and it was like a second honeymoon for us.” She looks lovingly at Dad. After all these years of being together, they still look at each other like they did on their wedding day, like every day is the happiest day of their lives because they are with each other. It hurts a little because that’s what I wanted for Avery and me and we don’t have it anymore.

Dad pats her hand and leans over to kiss her cheek. I glance at Avery and she seems to be feeling the same thing I am. The rest of lunch seems to go a bit more smoothly. We’re putting plates in the dishwasher when Mom comes over and puts an arm around Avery and then an arm around me.

“We’re old and it was a long way here, so we’re going to take a little nap. I just wanted to tell you two that we’re really proud of you both. You’ve each accomplished so much with your careers, but more importantly, together as a couple. We were a bit worried at first with the pace you two moved, but here you are, almost five years of marriage later, and you’re still together and in love. We love you both.” Mom kisses my cheek and then Avery’s.

We mutter thanks before she’s off to take a nap. The moment they all disappear to their respective guest bedrooms, Avery quickly, but quietly, runs to the bedroom, the tears in her eyes.

I follow her without a second thought. I reach the door just as it’s about to close.