The bright sunshine woke her up. She glanced at the clock, and it wasn't that late in the morning, 7:30. Still, that was as late as she'd slept in a long time. The condo was quiet, which impressed her. Perhaps Andy and Brady had gotten up, Brady had a bottle, and the guys had also gone back to bed. Sharon glanced over to her phone, no missed calls, which was nice for a change. Being on vacation had its perks, but then the date glared back at her, February 14. Her stomach started doing flips again, not sure why the day was already getting to her. Like it or not, Valentine's Day was here, and she was going to have to get through the day. Besides, she was on vacation, and it couldn't be that terrible of a day.
Before she went in search of the guys, she decided to make herself a little more presentable, putting on shorts and a simple t-shirt. Vacation had its perks and comfortable clothing was one of them. She tried to tame her hair and put on some very basic makeup. She would finish later, but she was acceptable for now.
She tiptoed into the kitchen in hopes of not waking the guys. The bottle on the counter by the sink and the spoon, obviously used to feed Brady, were both sitting there, confirming the guys had already been up at some point. She started to walk toward his room to check on the guys, when a scribbled note caught her attention. It was on the kitchen table, close to the front door.
"Sharon-Took Munchkin for walk on the beach. We'll be back soon.-Guess Who."
Sharon let out a quick laugh when she read his signature. She looked around, walking to the balcony to see if she could spot the guys. She couldn't, but she decided she could do something kind and make breakfast. They had gotten some groceries yesterday when they had landed. She dug around and decided to make eggs and toast. Andy had found a specialty loaf of bread yesterday that he had seemed excited to try, so Sharon got busy with breakfast. She didn't want to put the eggs on until Andy returned, not knowing how long he would be, but she didn't have to wait long because the guys returned just before 8:00. In the few minutes she had, Sharon cut up some of the fruit they had bought yesterday too. Ironically, neither liked pineapple, something they had discovered yesterday when at the store. Here they were in Hawaii, surrounded by pineapple, yet they didn't like it. They had bought other fruit, and she a large fruit salad read in no time.
"I think I hear your mom in the kitchen," Sharon heard Andy tell Brady as the two entered the condo. She put down her knife and walked over to greet the guys.
"Good morning," she smiled brightly. Andy was also in shorts and a t-shirt, and he had Brady in a simple green romper with a bucket hat on to keep the sun off his face. Andy had taken him out in the pack they had and both looked like they had enjoyed their walk.
"Morning," he looked up from trying to unsnap Brady. Sharon moved over to help him, lifting Brady out to greet him.
"Oh, you're warm," she told Brady as she held him closely to her. She looked to Andy who was taking the pack off, "Did you have a nice walk?"
"Great walk," he nodded, putting the pack on the handle by the door. "He seemed to enjoy it too. How are you this morning?" he asked.
Sharon nodded, "I'm well," she ran her hand down his, pulling him toward the kitchen. "I was making breakfast. I thought that sounded good."
Andy followed, nodding, "Sounds great. Want me to do anything?" he asked as he looked around.
"Just hold him, or I guess he can play on his mat," she suggested. She moved to the living room where his blanket was on the floor, and she put him down on it. Brady instantly started moving around.
Andy watching, pursing his lips, "I think he's good there. So, breakfast," he clapped his hands and turned to Sharon.
"Just sit," she guided him to the table. "I've got it. I made a fruit salad, and I've got the eggs ready to put on. Scrambled okay? I'll put some toast in too."
"Sounds delicious," Andy agreed. Sharon worked in the kitchen a few minutes before she had breakfast ready while Andy told her about their walk.
"We walked a little further than last night. It's really beautiful here. We should spend a day driving around the island. We've got that rental car," he told her.
"I agree," Sharon nodded. "There are some great places to visit, things to see. I looked up a few. Maybe after breakfast we could sit down and figure out our week. I'm happy to stay here today and enjoy the beach and pool." Sharon brought the plates to the table, handing Andy his. She smiled and sat across from him.
"Ahh, well, that's not exactly all in the plans," he nodded to the spot next to her plate. She'd missed it, but there was a card for her. Her eyes got big as she glanced from the card to Andy.
"You got me a card?" she asked.
"No, Brady," he nodded to the baby who was happily crawling around on the floor right next to the table. "Guy can't read, so I did have to help him with that, but he's got good taste. I'd open it," he encouraged.
Sharon smiled at Andy and stood. "Hold on," she lifted her finger and disappeared. Sharon reappeared and put a card down next to Andy. "Brady must like to shop," she nudged the card toward Andy. He met her glace and grinned at her, nodding.
"He is a good kid, we've said," Andy smiled. "You first."
Sharon nodded, her fingers a bit shaky as she opened the card. At least she and Andy had the same idea, to not hide from the day, but use Brady as the reason for any cards.
"Andy, a spa certificate?" she said, completely shocked. She looked at him, blown away by the gesture. "Andy?"
"Not me," he held up his hands, "Brady," he gestured. "Kid told me he felt bad for straining your back all the time in the pack thing and as you carry him around. He begged me to get you a day at the spa. Kid wouldn't own up to any of the problems he might have caused during your pregnancy, but his heart is in the right place. Works for him too, gives him a guy day with me, which we have plans to play in the pool."
Sharon shook her head, "Andy, you didn't have to get this," she held the certificate in her hand. "The spa is here, on the grounds? Andy," she sighed.
"Brady woke me up early to go pick it up. He had me call here a couple weeks ago to check on it. Guy is a real keeper, Sharon, for the right girl when he gets older. We stopped by this morning to verify everything, but they've got you starting at 10:00, and she said it was a full day. You should finish around 4:00. So, not to worry; you can still come and join us in the pool or on the beach. I figured we do one thing before lunch, Brady and I would come back here for lunch, then he could take a nap, and we'll go to the other-beach or pool-after his nap, which should be around the time you finish."
Sharon just stared at the certificate in her hand, nodding, as Andy explained the day. She was touched, more than touched. Andy had done a very nice thing for her, something she never did for herself anymore, but it was a true indulgence she really would enjoy. "Thank you," she met his glance, smiled, and she could feel herself tearing up.
"Hey," he stood, grabbing a napkin, which was in reach, walking around to give it to her. He bent down next to her, now eye to eye. "I hope you enjoy your day to relax. I know you never get to do that," he said, and he stopped because Brady had reached Andy and was starting to pull himself up on Andy's leg. Sharon and Andy watched him and started to chuckle at the sight. "What good is a vacation without a little time to relax and indulge in something fun? See," Andy broke the tension, "he's just checking in to see if you like his gift."
"I love it," she nodded. "Thank you," and with that, she leaned in and kissed him. It was better than yesterday had been when she'd missed his cheek and kissed his lips, not that kissing him was ever bad, but she hadn't planned on that. This time, she planned and executed a kiss on his lips. It was short, sweet, and effective.
"Hey, not that I mind the affection," he joked, "but, really, it's Brady you should thank," he winked to Sharon, pulling Brady onto his knee. Sharon leaned in and kissed Brady as she tickled him. "We'd better eat, though, so you aren't late for the spa. This guy," they looked to Brady, who was yawning, "is almost ready for his nap. When he gets up, I think he and I will hit the beach." Andy stood, jumping around with Brady to get him laughing. Sharon nodded to Andy.
"I'll put him down," she raised her hands for Brady. "You sit, eat," she encouraged. "I'll be back. He won't fall asleep, though, until you open your card." Truthfully, Sharon wanted Andy to open the card when she wasn't right there looking back at him. She'd spent most of the night up, thinking through their discussion about trust, realizing that Andy was waiting for Sharon to trust him with her life, yes, not in the sense of work, but in a relationship. She wasn't there yet, not that Andy was doing anything to stop her from trusting him, but she was still in the healing stages herself. She'd stayed up most of the night trying to figure out how to convey that in the card she now had for Andy. She disappeared with Brady while Andy took his seat and started to open his card.
"To Daddy on our 1st Valentine's Day," the card read. Andy smiled at that, as he opened the card. Sharon had written a lengthy note inside, "Andy-I know it's not your first Valentine's Day as a dad, but it is your first Valentine's Day as Brady's dad. This card seemed to fit. I've thought (and overthought) what to write in the card, and at one point, I thought about chickening out and just signing Brady's name. That isn't want I want to convey to you. I want you to know you mean the world to me and to Brady. I'm very glad you are in our lives and pray you will continue to be. My life has been a mess, BUT I am working hard to move past all of that. I hope you will continue to be my support, Brady's support, because I don't want anyone else to take your spot. You pointed out my trust is hard to earn, and I want you to know that I trust you with Brady and continue to stretch myself on a daily basis to expand that trust. One day, I hope to get there, to trust you with my life. -Sharon."
Sharon walked into the room at coincidently the same time Andy seemed to finish. "He's already asleep," she said as she took her seat again. She met Andy's eyes and smiled, reaching for the card she had given him. "I mean everything I wrote," she told Andy.
"Good," Andy nodded and smiled. "I'm keeping the card, and I'll hold you to all if it," she replied in a joking manner. He knew the topic was heavy for Sharon right now. "If you start to backslide, I'm going to pull out the card and make you read it to me at work."
She narrowed her eyes, wishing she could wipe the smirk off his face, "That would be your last mistake," she told him without batting an eye.
"Oh?" he smiled playfully at her. "Just remember, I'm keeping the card, Captain," he winked. "Provenza would surely have a heart attack if I made him ever listen to that."
Sharon closed her eyes and started to chuckle. Andy's humor had broken the tension, and she nodded. The two continued their breakfast, and when it was time to clean up, Andy had to almost push Sharon out the door to head to the spa.
"I've got it here," he told her. "Brady is good. I'm going to clean up breakfast, and I'll just relax and read until he wakes up. Go, enjoy your day, and we'll see you this afternoon. We can swim and then have dinner."
"Oh, dinner!" Sharon turned, a panic in her eyes again.
Andy continued to nudge her, "Yeah, Brady told me I have to make dinner," he shrugged. "Kid is thoughtful, but can be bossy," he teased. "Guess I'll cook because he promised to behave this evening if I did. Go. The day is yours. Spa and dinner here, that is, unless you want to try a restaurant on Valentine's Day?" Andy knew Sharon would hate that, especially since she was still raw with emotion.
"Tell Brady I can't wait to try his dinner," she smiled, squeezing Andy's hand as she left.