The Family Man

“Come on Mommy! Let’s go!” Jack said, pulling me to the front door. Samantha was already standing there, backpack on.
I laughed as I tried to keep up. “I’m coming, I’m coming.” I said, grabbing my car keys.
It was the twins second week at camp and they were extremely excited. They had loved their first week, and now couldn’t wait to get there every day. I got them in the car and headed off to the school it was being held in.
“I wonder what we’ll do today.” Samantha pondered.
“I hope we get to go in the gardens again.” Jack said. “Alex said that if we found some insects or a lizard we could keep it in the glass box until the end of camp.”
“You mean the habitat?” I asked, looking at him in the rear view mirror.
“Yeah!” He said excitedly.
“What are you going to be doing Samantha?” I asked.
“I think we’re doing improv.” She said with a smile. “Hannah said we’d be playing games where we have to make it up as we go. That’s improv right?”
“Yes it is.”
We pulled up to the school and I walked them to the door. They both gave me a hug and then rushed inside for the morning circle. Apparently that was really the only time they were together. The rest of the day was spent in their groups doing different activities. I smiled as I left. Maybe I should do this every summer.

Once I was home I went to my study and pulled out my sketchbooks. I flipped to the last page I had worked on and studied the design. It had the BVB penta star on the front drawn in a bright gold. I started adding lines to the outside of it, to make it seem as if it was glowing like a real star. I scanned the drawing into my computer and sent it off to Andy for approval.
Not having much else to do I picked up a book and curled up on the couch to read for the rest of the day.
I was at a good part in my book when I heard the doorbell ring. I went to answer it and found Juliet and Wayne standing there.
“Hey Juliet, is everything okay?” I asked.
“No, not really.” She said in a shaky voice. “Can I come in?”
“Of course.” I said, letting her in and closing the door behind her. “Would you like some tea?”
“Yes please.” She settled herself with Wayne in her arms and waited for me to join her. I came back with a cup of tea, which she took gratefully.
“So what’s up?” I asked.
“I think I’m having separation anxiety.” She said. “Andy’s only been gone two weeks and already I’m going crazy in that house all by myself.”
“Well are you sure it’s not just from being in the house so much? How often do you go outside?” I asked, taking her hand.
“It’s not that.” She said firmly. “I take Wayne for a short walk twice a day to let him get some fresh air.”
“So you think you just really miss Andy?”
She nodded her head.
“Well I should hope that you miss him. We all miss the guys when they’re on tour.” I said, thinking of Ashley and how I should call him tonight before their show.
She shook her head. “No, that’s not it. I’ve never felt like this before. I mean, I always missed Andy when he was gone, but this feels different.”
“Maybe it’s because you have Wayne now.” I suggested.
She looked down at him, sleeping in her arms. “Maybe.” She conceded. “It just feels more lonely, more empty.”
I thought for a minute. Juliet was really in a bad place right now. I didn’t think it was a good idea for her to be alone, not while she was feeling like this. Then I came up with an idea. “What if you stayed with us?” I suggested.
“What? For the whole summer?” She asked, surprised.
“Sure, why not?” I shrugged. “The boys won’t be back until September and I don’t think you should be alone right now. Besides, Jack and Samantha love Wayne and I think it would be good for them to get used to having a baby around 24/7.”
“Thanks Belle, that’s great of you to offer.” She sat there, just thinking for a moment. “I knew he would have to go back on tour eventually, but I’m so grateful that he postponed it for me. You know, moving it up a month so that they wouldn’t have to leave until July?”
“Yeah, that was great. Andy truly is the best.” I commented, thinking about what she had said and it was true. When Juliet had been really anxious about him leaving when Wayne was only four weeks old, he had immediately said that he would stay for another month. She truly was extremely lucky to have him.
“Don’t let Ashley hear you say that.” Juliet said with a small laugh.
“Oh he knows it already.” I said. “He still remembers when we were dating and I had Andy keeping tabs on him whenever they went on tour.”
“Really?”
It was then that I realized that I had never told Juliet this. “I didn’t trust him back then. I knew his reputation and was skeptical from the beginning. You remember how that ended.” I was referring to my pregnancy and briefly breaking up with Ashley, not a highlight of our relationship.
“Yeah I do, but hey, at least you don’t have to worry about that now.” She said happily.
“Yeah, that’s cause if he makes one wrong move Ashley knows he’s in for a world of pain.” I said. “That and the twins. I think they give him a strong incentive to be loyal.”
“Mhmm.” Juliet said.
I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost 3pm. “Well, I have to pick up the twins from camp. When I get back we can pull out a crib for Wayne to sleep in and put it in the guest room with you. We still have the twins cribs in the basement.”
“In case you had another one?” She asked with a knowing smile.
“Hey, it’s better than having to buy new ones.” I said with a shrug. I grabbed my keys and headed for the door.

Notes

Please comment! Promise more chapters coming soon!