A LITTLE PIECE OF ADVICE
It was in there in the mid-summer day when she came up to me. I never really imagined my self giving advice like this to a girl I hardly knew. She was very frantic to say the least. Beating around the bush, not getting straight to the point. It was getting quite frustrating. But in the end, she was just a sweet innocent girl with a problem. Something I've never really experienced, myself. Thank goodness I didn't. From what she's telling me, I would be hyperventilating if I were her. But I'm here sitting on my friends couch listening to her and trying not to lash out my opinions too harshly.
Her name is Lydia Bauer. Dia, was her sobriquet. She had a really bad problem. She was 19, almost a junior at University of California, San Francisco, she was taking up visual arts, is a member of the Track & Field team, she had a boyfriend and she was 6 weeks pregnant.
She was almost a complete stranger to me. I've only met her 2 hours prior to this very moment of our conversation. I knew very little about her and yet her she was pouring her very heart and soul to me. Asking me for my attention to just listen to her and try to decide for her, which I know I can't do. But I'mma try and give her a little piece of advice.
That morning…
It was about a quarter to six when I suddenly heard the very distinct door hinges squeak open. Out of my quite pleasant sleep, I was then disturbed by the idea of someone breaking into my house. Seemingly clam, I slowly opened my eyes, barely, to a figure, a silhouette. It was no burglar; it was just my 2 ½ year old son, Travis. Rubbing his sleepy eyes while walking in, mumbled something to me. "Mommy, I can't sleep." was all I heard. I was too tired to ask him what was wrong so I then turned to my left and checked on my husband if he awoke. Nothing. He barely twitched, he was just sleeping peacefully. His chest rising and falling, up, down, up, down. A rhythm I've become so accustomed to. Seeing as my husband had no reaction whatsoever. I quietly got out of bed, and went to my son, who was almost leaning on the doorframe. Picked him up in my arms and he immediately snuggles into my chest. His eyes were drooping, and I bet so were mine. "Do you wanna sleep between mommy and daddy?" was all I asked, and he nodded. I then took him to our bed, and settled him between us. Kissed him on his forehead then on his cheek and we both drifted off to a peaceful slumber.
Our bed. Well our bed is very special to all of us. It is not only where the magic happens, that's what everybody says on MTV Cribs, true (including the magic of child conception, in that case the making and creation of Travis), but we consider it as a haven. Our bed was a really big issue. Since we lived separately the entire duration of our relationship, and only moved in together when we got married, decorating and designing our future home wasn't all that easy, especially when it comes to furniture selection. With the mention of the bed, we both agreed we wanted it to the best piece of furniture we ever bought. We agreed on most parts except the size. I wanted something big, king size, Troy wanted, queen size. I wanted a king sized bed 'cause there's a lot more space to move around in, I may be petite but I'm a bit of a restless sleeper so I need the space. The other reason was he was a tall man and if we get a queen he may not have the space he needed, I don't want us to get cramped up in the confines of our own bed! A very understandable explanation, very good reasons. While his were a tad bit pathetic. He said he doesn't think we need the amount of space I protest to have, that we were paying for extra space that we didn't need. And he wouldn't be able to cuddle with me at night, because of the space; our bodies won't "touch". What a lame excuse! I was exasperated, I guess he kinda noticed, 'cause in the end I won.
And now 4 ½ years later I prove my husband wrong. Extra space was needed, now that our son is in the picture. He didn't usually sleep with us, only the very few instances wherein he truly couldn't sleep well. Let's just hope it doesn't become a habit of his. About 30 minutes into our sleep, I feel something moving on our bed. I semi-opened my eye, found out that it was my husband. He then turned to his side facing Travis and me. Acknowledging our son's presence, he wraps an arm around Travis' torso and rubbing my arm in the process, then went back to sleep. With my very vague vision, due to my sleepy demeanor, I watch my two favorite boys deep in their sleep, and fall back myself.
Two Hours Later…
As I take a glimpse at the clock on my bedside, it read 8:02 AM. It was a good time to wake up and start a new day. I fully flutter my eyes wide awake I squint at the presence of sunlight. Then I was suddenly drawn into a pair of very azure eyes. My husband, Troy, was starring at me with a twinkle present in those gorgeous orbs.
"Good Morning, Beautiful." he remarked accompanied by his dazzling smile. God, I'm amazed how it still makes me flutter after all these years.
"Good Morning to you too, Handsome." he chuckles and I giggle.
"How did this little one get here?" he asked. Talking about our still sleeping son between us, curled up in the sea of blankets.
"Well, he sneaked in our room at around quarter to 6 this morning, and said he couldn't sleep. I didn't want to argue so I just asked him if he wanted to sleep beside us and he agreed." I replied.
"That explains how he got here." he said with a chuckle.
"I was surprised you didn't hear him get in."
"My sleep was so well, I was oblivious to his presence. But I did, eventually. I think I might've crushed him if I wasn't careful with the moving around!"
"We wouldn't want that."
"Do I get my morning kiss from my beautiful wife?
"Only if I get mine from my handsome husband."
He leaned in and he kissed me. I deepened it and he responded. Trying our best not to crush our little one between us. I just love how passionate our kisses would be, even if they weren't as heated.
As our 'conversation' went on, I suddenly felt movement beneath the sheets and on my side. We pull back feeling the movement.
"He's starting to wake up now." I say with a smile
Just then Travis cuddles closer to me and hugging me as best as he could with his very small frame.
"Travis, baby, I think it's time to get up." I hear a whine and a "No!"
"Hey buddy, come on time to get up now." Troy tries his best to get Travis to get up. And another whine was emitted from the almost 3 year old. He's definitely awake he just doesn't wanna get up from his comfy spot.
"Come on, baby. Get up so we can go early to Aunt Tanya's house. Then you can play for a much longer time." and he immediately unattached himself from my side and opens his eyes, similar to his father's.
"But I don't wanna!" Travis says.
"Sweetie, don't you wanna play?" I say trying to reason out with him.
"I do…"
"Then let's get up!" Troy said joyfully.
Travis follows his dad's command and rises from his spot and stretches his arms. Then places them around both our shoulders and kisses us both. We kiss him too simultaneously.
Then we begin to tickle him. Until we all lose our breaths. And decide to officially get up from bed with little Travis in tow.
All in all it was a good Tuesday morning.
Later that morning…
It was around 10:30 AM already, Travis and I are sitting on the couch while I flip through a magazine and he watches the last round of cartoons on TV.
"Ok honey, you said that's the last episode. We gotta get ready if we wanna meet Aunt Tanya on time." I remind him. We were suppose to meet Tanya at 11:45 AM, for lunch. But Travis gets easily distracted. And it'll take me awhile to get him ready, so I foresee the trouble we might encounter and extend the length of time. Plus it only takes 10-20 minutes to Tanya's house. So we'll hopefully get there on time.
"Mommy…" he stretches it out with a whine. "… it's not even done yet."
"But you promise when it's completely done, we'll go get ready for our little meeting with Auntie Tanya, alright?" I ask. He nods.
After a couple of minutes, the credits show up. Bath time!
"Ok! Let's go! It's bath time!" I say joyfully.
He didn't even wince, just held my hand as I lead him to the stairs.
Bath time was actually quite successful. Not that much mess and delay. He was very excited to go and see his aunt again. You could see it in his eyes and very evident at the sound of his giggles.
As Travis' bath time was over and I was now in the process of dressing him. I could here the shower in the master bath sounding off sudden flow of water. Troy is probably getting ready too and heading to work. Well it wasn't his usual work, it was his side job. He does assistant coaching and training at the basketball league of UC San Francisco. He got the offer a couple years back and couldn't turn it down. He only does this during summer when the college athletes need to go into heavy training, that's where he steps in. My husband works in the line of sports… sorta.
After dressing Travis in a green t-shirt that says "Big Green Monster" and a pair of khaki shorts, I carry him to our room. Troy was now only in his boxer shorts, with little droplets of water coming from his still damp hair.
"Hey buddy! You're finally ready now."
"Yeah daddy! I took a bath!" he responds triumphantly
"Well good for you, Travis." Troy chuckled then steps into our closet.
I place Travis down on our bed while I get ready. Distracting him with more television.
"Just stay put and watch TV while mommy gets ready."
"Ok mommy." he says without even looking at me, just at the TV.
After my quick shower, I go into the walk-in closet connected to the bathroom. Seeing my husband no longer there, I begin to dress.
…
I am now in a grey burnout tank top tee, denim skinnies (ripped out), and really cute studded cognac sandals. I throw in an ecru cardigan (I know it's summer, but it gets windy here in Frisco) accessorize a little and I'm all set.
My fashionable taste has definitely changed since moving and starting up college in California. I take more risks with my style aesthetics. My hubby sure sees it, and is quite fond of the improved Gabriella.
I step out of the closet and found father and son on the already made up bed, cuddled together, with the little guy on his daddy's lap just watching TV.
Troy notices I've come out of the closet. He was dressed in his usual training outfit. Gym shorts and a t-shirt, he looked so much more handsome.
"Why hello my darling. Are we all set?" he grins. I giggle.
"Yes we are." they then climb out off the bed. Troy smoothes out the bed, I grab my purse, Travis' hand and we head downstairs.
Waiting at the foyer, Travis starts bouncing up and down, squeezing his legs together as tight as he can, his eyes bulging out.
"What's wrong sweetie?" I ask, though I already new the problem.
"Mommy, I need to go pee!" he says as best as he can, even with a little squeak at the end.
"Go to the powder room and…" he zooms out mid-sentence. I laugh at how cute he's acting.
Troy was now descending the stairs with his gym bag swung across his upper body then sets it on the couch.
"Where's the little man?" he asks while snaking his hand around my waist and lightly pecking my lips.
"He's a kinda busy at the moment." Troy's face becomes puzzled. Then Travis comes out of the powder room with a relieved look on his face.
"You alright buddy?" he says chuckling.
"Yeahhhh… Much better…" relief evident in his voice. Troy and I both laugh.
"We better get going." I say.
Heading out the door, I grab my keys and purse from the console table before going to the garage.
I buckle Travis up in his car seat, before firing up the car's engine.
"I'll see you later, ok buddy." Travis nods and Troy kisses his forehead.
"Don't forget to save me a kiss for later." Travis nods again.
I then step out of the driver's side to bid my husband goodbye. As I face him, to my surprise, he captures me in his arms.
"And you better save me a dozen kisses later." he says then pecks my lips.
"How about infinite kisses?" I say with a grin and kiss him on the lips much deeper than the previous one.
"I can't wait for this day to end." then kisses me even deeper.
I look over at Travis who was too busy playing with a bunch of his toys to notice his parents' little love fest.
"What time will you leave?" I ask.
"Maybe a little later. I just gotta finish some stuff then I'll go."
"Alright, don't forget to lock up."
"I won't." he demanded then kissed me on my forehead.
I get into the car buckle up my seatbelt and start to drive out of the driveway.
"See you guys later! Love you!" Troy exclaims to us.
"Love you too!"
"Love you too daddy!"
He waves goodbye to us then we start our journey to Tanya's house.