"You look like you've had a bad night," Conner said as Tommy walked into his first class of the day and gave the boy a look that clearly said to not press the issue. "The couch treating you nicely?"
"Yes, the couch has been just fine," Tommy muttered as Conner stared over at him. "Kim has been in a bad mood for the last several days. For my own safety, I'm sleeping on the couch."
"Why is she in such a bad mood?" Conner asked as Tommy looked over at him and he saw that he clearly did not want to hear this. "That bad?"
"It's just her ex. The time has come up and he can have a retrial for parental rights of custody. We were sure that he was going to sign the adoption papers and now…" Tommy trailed off as he took a seat behind his desk and looked around at the empty classroom. "Where is everybody?"
"Decided to skip today. The only reason that I am here is the game this afternoon. I can't miss school and be able to play," Conner said as Tommy nodded and Conner then sat down in one of the front row desks. "Do you think it's going to get ugly?"
"Yeah, Kim is going to handle the trial this time and if I know one thing about her, she's pissed that he is pulling this now. He has a new lawyer, the old one won't touch him after what he saw in Maryland," Tommy said as Conner barely nodded. "Even Ethan and Kira skipped?"
"Kira is actually sick, Ethan should be around here somewhere. Most of the teachers aren't sure what to do when there aren't any kids in class," Conner said as Tommy nodded with a smile. He could think of some things that he would rather be doing right now, but he knew that it wouldn't happen. "How's everything going with the baby?"
"She's been sick every morning for the past week, this is just one more thing on her plate that she doesn't need. I've heard that she's scary when she has a bad mood swing," Tommy said as Conner chuckled. "You laugh now, but I can promise that those stories have something behind them. She's generally someone that most people can get along with. According to Jason, I don't want to cross her if she gets on the warpath for the next few months."
"She's your wife, I don't think that she would do anything to you," Conner said as Tommy gave him a hard look, wondering what the boy really knew about their relationship. "What's that look for?"
"You don't know Kim," Tommy said as Conner went silent and Tommy began grading papers. If he was going to have a half day off, then he might as well be able to get some work done in his empty classes.
"Tommy, if you could call me when you get this, I would really appreciate it, I love you and remember to pick up the kids," Kim's voice said as Tommy walked over to his car and just shook his head. Whatever had happened today was probably not good for her to be calling him and leave that message. Sure, other people would think that it was loving and it was, but he knew that she was mad and he didn't know about what.
"Hey, can I please speak to Kimberly?" Tommy asked as the receptionist picked up and he hopped in his jeep. He hoped that quick phone call and soothing words would be enough to calm her. He had other things he needed to do today.
"Mrs. Oliver is not in," the receptionist said as Tommy gave his phone an odd look.
"It's Tommy, is she in?" Tommy asked as she hung up the phone and he immediately dialed the number back. "I want to speak with my wife."
"Nice try buddy," the receptionist said, as she hung up again and Tommy just shook his head. He then made the right turn towards the elementary school where he picked Jessie up and then headed down the road to the daycare that Austin was in.
"Daddy! Guess what we did!" Austin yelled as Tommy bent over to pick him up.
"What did you do?" Tommy asked as Austin held up the picture for him that he had drawn and Tommy could not help but smile. He knew that it was a picture of their family and Kim now had a significantly rounder stomach, which was still not the case in real life. "Mama's going to love that."
"Daddy…is Mama going to be home tonight?" Austin asked as Tommy cringed. Kimberly had not gotten home until late last night and he had had to put the kids to bed on his own, not that they were a problem, but they missed Kim when she wasn't there.
"I don't know…we're going to go see Mama at work since Mama's receptionist won't let Daddy talk to her," Tommy said with a smile as Austin and Jessie exchanged a glance. They both could tell that he was mad with whatever the 'receptonist' had done.
"Mr. Oliver, it's so good to see you," Shannon said as Tommy walked into the office and leveled a glare on the woman. "Something wrong?"
"Why wouldn't you put me through to Kim?" Tommy asked as Shannon stared at him with wide eyes.
"I'm so sorry, it was just that a man called earlier today that said he was her husband, she about killed me for letting that call through," Shannon said as Tommy nodded and then looked back at the kids.
"Can you watch them for a little while?" Tommy asked as Shannon nodded her head yes and he went on back to Kim's office. "Kim?"
"Tommy…" Kim breathed as she walked over to him and gave him a strong hug. "Why are you here?"
"Shannon wouldn't let me talk to you…so I came by," Tommy said as Kim nodded and then walked back over to her desk. "The kids missed you last night, Kim."
"I know and I feel bad enough that I did that, but I don't exactly have a choice here Tommy. The trial starts next week and this judge wants to talk to the kids, I'm not sure how to handle this," Kim said as she pulled at her hair and Tommy gently reached over and grabbed one of her hands.
"Look at me," Tommy said, calmly, as she looked up and he gave her a smile. "Finish up here and I'll have supper ready for you when you get home. The kids need to see you, Kim and I know that you're busy, but just bring some of it home. You can spend some time with them that way."
"Okay, I'll be home around five thirty," Kim said as he leaned across the desk and gave her a quick kiss.
"I'll see you then. Call if something changes," Tommy said as she nodded and then leaned back in her chair, trying to slow down her racing pulse as Tommy walked out of the room. She didn't know how he did this to her, but he did every single time and it was something that she would never tire of.