Chapter 4: Cabin Get Away
Being at the cabin was relaxing and refreshing for Will and Nat. It gave them plenty of time with the kids and with each other. The kids enjoyed being able to play and spend time outdoors. In the city they didn't get much of that. Will loved seeing his family happy.
He and Jay had a guys day on Wednesday; Jay took the day off to spend with them. They went to play golf leaving the kids with the girls.
"So how have things been?" Jay asked as they started the game.
Will sighed; "It's been busy, super busy. We barely have time for the kids much less ourselves. Nat goes in at six, I drop the kids off and get to work at seven, Nat leaves work at six, gets the kids, I get home, we eat, and then it's bath and bed. I hate it Jay."
"I know man. What are you gonna do?"
"I don't know," he sighed. "Don't get me wrong, I love my job a lot, but I'm a husband and a dad, and I'm essentially failing at it."
"Will you're not failing. You're kids love you and so does Nat."
"We didn't even know she was pregnant. They were supposed to tie her tubes after Mattie, but we never made it in for the post tubal check up because of work."
Jay chuckled a little. "Thought you said you barely had time for each other?"
Will smirked back at his brother. "It's called a quickie for a reason."
Jay chuckled with his brother before replying. "Just because you didn't know, doesn't make you a bad husband Will. You've just been busy. It happens."
"Not for you," Will grumbled good naturedly.
Jay gave his back a slap and a chuckle, "If you think four kids is a walk in the park, you're wrong buddy. Don't get me wrong, not having crazy hours is a major plus with me being home, but it can get crazy around here."
"Y'all just make it look easy. I dunno. I just feel like the city life is just getting too much. They're so happy this week. I haven't seen Nat this relaxed since January."
"Maybe y'all need a change Will."
"I've thought about it. We just haven't talked about it... I don't wanna ask her to give up her job, and I dunno. Like I said, I love my job, but damn I'm more than just a doctor."
"I know. Why don't you let us keep the kids, and y'all go out tonight. Take her out, enjoy the night, and have an adult conversation that revolves around more than just the kids."
"You sure? That won't be too much on y'all?"
"If I wasn't sure I wouldn't have offered man. Take her out, y'all need it."
Will smiled, "Yea ok. Thanks little brother."
"Of course," Jay smiled. Will text Nat to plan for a night out, and they finished up their game of golf.
/
Lauren helped Nat get ready for their night out. She let Nat borrow a sun dress since Nat had just brought comfy clothes for a relaxing week. She was pretty excited to have a night out with just Will. So far this week had been just what they needed and she was feeling more like herself.
He took her to a nice Italian restaurant in town, and it was so nice to just be able to enjoy each other's company. They shared desert with long looks and small kisses. She loved Will more than anything and was glad they'd had this week for them.
"What's on your mind," she whispered laying her head on his shoulder as they held hands walking around town.
He pulled her over to a bench and settled her in his lap with a smile. "Just thinking how wonderful and nice this is."
"I know. It's been a good week already," she smiled giving him a small kiss.
"Are you happy Nat? Like really truly happy?"
"What's this about?" she asked running her fingers through his hair. She thought it was obvious how happy he made her.
"I mean with the way things are? Are you happy?"
"Will... you make me happy. Our kids make me happy. What's really going on in that head of yours?" she asked with a hint of worry in her voice.
He let out a soft sigh. "I know we make you happy, but are you happy in the city?"
"I'm happy with you Will. Are you happy?"
"You make me happy Nat. But I dunno. I feel like I'm failing... I'm failing you, I'm failing our kids. I dunno it just... it's too much. We barely have time for anything besides work, and I hate it because I'm more than just a doctor now."
"William James Halstead, don't ever say that again. You are not failing," she said grabbing his face and making him look at her. "We're busy. That's all. That doesn't make you a failure. Our kids adore you, and I love you," she said kissing him hard. "But if you're unhappy we need to talk."
"I know. And it's not that I'm unhappy. I just wish we had more time for each other and for the kids."
"I know. Work has gotten ridiculously busy."
"I know. I don't see Goodwin cutting us back either," he sighed.
"I know you Will. You wouldn't have brought this up unless you already had something in mind."
Will gave her a small smile and a kiss. "You're right. I just... I dunno. This move has been really good for Jay and Lauren. They're both really happy and get plenty of time with the kids. I just think we need out of the city. This is the most relaxed I've seen you since January and the kids are so happy."
"What about work?"
"I don't know. I'm not saying this is a sure thing, I just wanted to talk about it."
"Don't get me wrong, I'd love more time with the kids and with you, but could you give up your job and move?"
"Yes Nat I could. You and the kids are more important than any job no matter how much I like it. I love you three more than anything. This last week was a wake up for me. I don't wanna keep working and miss out on things. I want things to slow down so I can be with y'all."
"Then I think this is what we need Will because I feel the same. I want more time with my babies and with you."
Will kissed her soundly. "Then we should start looking for houses, jobs, where we wanna be."
She gave him a smile before kissing him again. "I think it'd be great to be close to our family. It'd be good for the kids too."
"Maybe Jay knows of some jobs around here for me or for us."
"I don't wanna totally give it up, I just don't want to work as much," Nat said truthfully.
"Then that's what we'll look for," he smiled.
"Good. I love you William James. Never forget it."
/
The next day, Will talked to Jay about possible jobs, and Jay promised he'd look into for it them. He had a feeling this was coming so he'd already had something lined up. It would just be up to them on what they wanted.
On Friday, Jay took them to the local hospital and doctor's office in town. The doctor's office was looking for another pediatric doctor, and the hospital was looking for an ED doctor with experience of running the ED.
"You set this up didn't you?" Will asked Jay after they left.
"I had a feeling it might be coming so I did some checking before y'all got here," he smiled.
"Thank you Jay," Nat smiled giving him a hug. Everything felt right with this and she knew they needed to do it.
At the end of the week, they return to the crazy city life solidifying their desire for the simpler life. They house hunted for almost a month before settling on a four bedroom cabin about two miles from Jay and Lauren. They took a weekend to go look at it, before deciding it was perfect. It wasn't on the lake, but it was close to family and town. It was cute and cozy and Nat loved it.
They made an offer and after a couple weeks of negotiations, the happy family was able to close on the cabin. While they were sad to be leaving their friends at the hospital, they were equally excited for this new start.
They were able to move in two weeks after officially closing. Jay and Lauren gave them a welcoming party, helping them move and get settled in. Will started at the hospital the next week, and Nat had two weeks before she started three days a week at the doctor's office. They're life finally felt like it was supposed to be and they were happier than they had been since the miscarriage.
