Jaycee looked over at Charlie as they drove off toward the airport. "Can you tell me where we're going? I mean you just said we were going for a drive and now we are close to the airport. Oh my god, are you running away?"
Charlie looked at her. "What? No. Why would you think that?"
"Well, the way things are right now. I thought maybe you were going on a little trip to get away from things." Jaycee replied.
"Not a bad idea but no. I'm okay."
"Then what with the bag?"
"The bag? Oh, that's for you."
"Me?" She asked. "Why is there a bag in here for me?"
Charlie smiled as she pulled into the airport. "Because you are going on a trip."
"I'm going on a trip? What kind of trip?"
"Ask your husband," Charlie said as they pulled up and saw John standing there.
John opened the door and helped Jaycee out. "Glad you got here." He smiled.
"Well, you were sneaky. So where exactly are we going?"
"You'll find out in time." He said as he got her bag. He turned to Charlie. "Thanks for this and taking care of Ethan for us. We will call you when we land and check on him. But we know he will be fine."
"I'm getting Phil to watch him tonight. And I have all the plans for E's birthday so I'll have everything ready to go by the time you guys get back."
"Good." John smiled. He turned to Jaycee. "Well, let's go. We have a flight to catch."
She nodded and hugged Charlie. "Take care of my baby." She said to her. Charlie nodded and watched as the two of them walked toward the gate.
She smiled and got back in the car and drove back to John and Jaycee's. She saw Phil's car in the driveway. She sighed and headed into the house.
"Do you often trespass in your sister's house?" She asked walking.
"I have a key. Jaycee and John gave me one in case I needed to get Ethan from school or anything."
"Ethan is already at school. Although since we're on the subject, John and Jaycee are out of town and I need you to watch him for me while I go on my date."
He looked at her. "You want me to watch Ethan so you can go out with another guy?"
"If you won't do it, I'll see if Lexie or Natalie will. It's just a few hours."
"That you'll be out with another man."
She sighed. "Yes, I will be out with Ted. Phil, we ended it and I have to move on." She said to him. "So, will you watch Ethan or not? I have to make other arrangements if you won't."
"Are you sure there isn't a way I can change your mind about going out with him tonight?"
"No there isn't." She replied. "I'm going out with Ted. So just tell me. Will you watch Ethan or not? That's all I want to hear from you right now."
He looked at her and then looked back down nodding. "Yeah. I'll watch him for you. Drop him off at school in the morning too. Have fun on your date." He said bitterly as he walked toward the door. Charlie sighed.
"You won't marry me but you don't want anyone else to have me either. What do you want from me Phil?" He turned and walked back to where she was standing. He leaned in inches from her face.
"I don't want you to give up on me, on us." He said as he leaned in and kissed her. He pulled away and walked out. Not saying more about it. He hoped she would rethink the date.
Jaycee looked over at John. "This is a nice surprise." She said as they were on the plane heading toward their destination.
"Well, I wanted us to have some alone time since we are expecting another baby." He said to her. "Jaycee, I know I haven't been exactly on board with a new baby. I am excited about another one but I'm worried because of things when you were pregnant with Ethan."
She took his hand in hers. "John, I understand why you're afraid. And this wasn't planned. I mean we have been married almost ten years. Ethan is eight. In the last eight years, this is the only time we're gotten pregnant. I see it as fate. And I know everything will be fine. But let's not focus on that right now. Let's enjoy this vacation." He smiled and leaned in and kissed her. She smiled when he pulled away and rest her head on his shoulder. She couldn't wait until they got to their destination.
Phil picked Ethan up from school. "Uncle Phil, where's mom?" Ethan asked. "Is she okay?"
"Yes." Phil laughed. "Your mom and dad went out of town. So, you're staying with me tonight and then Aunt Charlie."
"Where's Aunt Charlie?"
"She is going out to dinner with a friend tonight." He replied as he looked up and saw Ted leaving the school.
"What friend?" Ethan asked as they pulled away from the school.
"Just a friend. Nothing for you to worry about." Phil replied. "So, what do you want to do? Mom and dad out of town. Just you and fun Uncle Phil."
"We could go spy on Aunt Charlie's date. I mean she is going on a date isn't she?"
Phil looked at his nephew. "Yes, she's on a date." He replied. "You would really be okay spying on your Aunt Charlie?"
"She doesn't belong with anyone but you."
"I happen to agree." Phil smiled. "But we have no idea where the date is taking place, little man."
"She'll have to call you and give you the number to where she's going to be in case of an emergency won't she?"
"Probably but she has her cell phone and I have mine. So that doesn't really help us."
"We could follow them."
Phil looked at his nephew. "Where did you get the sneaky gene from?" He laughed.
"Part you, part Dad but mostly I blame television."
"Does your mom and dad know what you watch on television?" Phil asked him. "I mean don't you watch Disney or Nick?"
"Most of the time." He looked at his uncle. "So, are we following her?"
Phil looked at him. "Yeah, we are. You know if your mom and dad find out about this, they're going to be pissed."
"Yeah but if mom's on board. She can get dad on board and then no one will be in trouble."
"You are so sneaky." Phil laughed. "Okay, the date is later this evening. So let's go get a snack or something and then we will head to follow her."
"Pizza?"
"What is with you and pizza?"
"You and Aunt Charlie get the good pizza. Mom gets that healthy pizza."
"Alright. Pizza and ice cream. Just don't tell your mother."
"Real ice cream? Not that lactose-free stuff that mom gets."
"The real deal." Ethan smiled.
"You're my favorite uncle."
Phil laughed. "That's because I give you real junk food not what your mom does." He replied. "I have no idea why she eats healthy."
"She wants us to live for a long time," Ethan replied looking at him. "Well, that's what she tells me and dad when we say something about it."
"Let's go eat and then see if we can't figure out where she's going on this date." Ethan nodded and they drove off toward the pizza place.
Phil couldn't really believe he was going to spy on Charlie. But he loved her and he couldn't let someone else come in and steal her. They were meant to be together and now he just had to get her to see he had changed.