A couple days later, Ashley was in the kitchen holding Emma as she cleaned the counter. She heard the front door open and heard Robert walk in.
"Ash?" Robert called.
"Kitchen" Ashley said.
Robert walked into the kitchen and smiled.
"Hi baby. Did you have fun with mommy today?" Robert asked, lifting Emma into his arms.
"She had explosive diarrhea about an hour ago" Ashley said.
Robert looked down at his daughter and kissed her head.
"Her diaper leaked all over the kitchen" Ashley continued.
"Maybe the move stressed her out" Robert said.
"Maybe. She didn't want me to put her down so after I gave her a bath and changed both of our clothes and have been carrying her ever since" Ashley said.
Robert looked down and smiled as he watched Emma close her eyes.
"Did she take her nap?" Robert asked.
Ashley shook her head.
"Let's see if she will sleep on me for a while" Robert said.
"Okay" Ashley said.
"How was your meeting?" Robert asked.
"It was fine. I quit today" Ashley said.
Robert looked up.
"What?" Robert asked breathlessly.
"The management was starting to get a little crazy and excessive. So, I quit" Ashley said.
"Why didn't you tell me when all of this first started?" Robert asked softly looking down at his now sleeping daughter.
"I thought it was my hormones. This all started when I first had Emma. I thought that I was just being sensitive or something. But it kept happening" Ashley said.
Robert sighed. He ran his free hand through his hair.
"We could have talked about this when it first started, baby. I wish you had told me" Robert said.
"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. I thought that I could handle it on my own" Ashley said.
"So, what are you going to do?" Robert asked.
"I will have to start applying to other jobs" Ashley said.
Robert nodded. He walked upstairs to his and Ashley's bedroom. Robert carefully placed Emma into her pack and play. He then left the bedroom and walked back downstairs. Ashley looked at Robert as he walked back into the living room.
"She's asleep" Robert said.
Ashley nodded.
"We have a baby to think about, Ash. You can't just up and quit without talking to me first. I could have helped you try to sort things out" Robert said.
"I know and I apologize for not telling you earlier. We also had a lot of things going on" Ashley said.
Robert shook his head.
"But, that's not an excuse to not talk to me about this type of thing, babe. We are married. We have a daughter" Robert said.
Ashley nodded. The couple continued to argue. Later that night, Ashley was in Emma's bedroom feeding her daughter. Robert walked to his daughter's room and leaned against the doorway. Ashley looked up at him and then looked down at Emma. Once Emma pulled away, Ashley took a burp cloth and gently patted her daughter's back. She then stood up with Emma in her arms and walked over to the crib and placed her daughter into it.
"Night, night, baby" Ashley said.
Ashley turned around and looked at Robert. Robert turned off the light as Ashley walked out of the room. The couple walked into their bedroom. They changed into their pajamas silently and got into bed. Ashley lied down facing away from Robert. Robert lied down facing away from Ashley. There were a couple minutes of silence. Robert lied in bed and thought about the argument that he and Ashley had. He was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt Ashley's arms wrap around his waist from behind. Robert took one of Ashley's hands and entwined her fingers with his. He carefully turned over and looked at his wife.
"I'm sorry that I didn't talk to you about quitting first" Ashley said.
Robert sighed.
"I got upset because we can't just think about ourselves anymore, Ash. We have Emma. I'm sorry for not seeing that you were unhappy with your job at the office" Robert said.
Ashley smiled slightly.
"We both have a lot going on" Ashley said.
Robert nodded.
"How about we do something about that?" Robert said sitting up on his arm with his hand holding his head.
"Like what?" Ashley asked.
"Maybe once a month we could have a date night. Just the two of us. Emma can stay with my parents, Everly, or Eli for the night. It will give us time to talk to each other like husband and wife and take a break from being mom and dad" Robert said.
Ashley smiled and nodded.
"Okay. Let's plan on next Saturday night. I'll plan it out" Robert said.
Ashley leaned in and kissed Robert's lips softly. Robert pulled away slowly.
"Is that a yes?" Robert asked.
Ashley smiled softly. She leaned in again and nodded as she kissed Robert again. The couple fell asleep. A week and a half later, it was Saturday. Everly was going to come over and pick Emma up so that she could sleep over at her house. Ashley still didn't know what Robert had planned. She was packing the diaper bag when Robert came into the bedroom holding Emma.
"Are you almost ready?" Robert asked.
"Yeah. You told Ev four o'clock, right?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah," Robert said, kissing Emma's cheek.
"Do you think she will cry? This isn't like her going over to your parents' house" Ashley said.
Robert smiled.
"She will be fine. Everly has taken care of her before. She knows the drill" Robert said.
Ashley nodded. The doorbell rang. The little family walked downstairs. Robert opened the front door and smiled when he saw his sister.
"Hi Emma" Everly said.
The couple smiled.
"Give me directions on what I need to do" Everly said as Robert placed Emma into her arms.
"Okay. She goes to bed around eleven. She gets a bottle before she goes to bed. Ash pumped bottles so you shouldn't have a problem with milk. We change her diaper before she goes to sleep and around two in the morning. She will cry and let you know. At around six, she will most likely start to cry. When she does, you can give her a bottle. I always double-check her diaper too. If we aren't back by eleven, she should take her first nap" Robert said.
Everly nodded. Ashley came downstairs.
"I wrote it all down for you too, Ev" Ashley said.
Robert nodded.
"The number for her pediatrician is in her diaper bag if you need it" Ashley said.
"Okay. Did she take a bath?" Everly asked.
"She did. But, if she has an explosion, you can give her a bath" Ashley said.
Everly nodded.
"How do you usually put her to sleep?" Everly asked.
"We usually sit in the rocking chair. But since there is no rocking chair at your apartment, you can sway gently from side to side. That will make her go to sleep" Ashley said.
"Okay" Everly said.
"I'll put the pack and play in your car" Robert said, holding his hand out so that Everly could give him the keys to her car.
Everly handed her car keys to her older brother and Robert walked out to the driveway. He unlocked Everly's car and opened the trunk. Robert then walked back into the house and went upstairs to retrieve the pack and play. He brought the pack and play downstairs and took it out to Everly's car. Robert placed the pack and play into the trunk and closed it. He then locked the car and walked back into the house closing the door behind him.
"Alright. The pack and play is in the trunk" Robert said.
"Okay. We will let you get your date night started" Everly said.
Robert and Ashley smiled. Robert walked over to his sister and kissed Emma's head softly.
"I'll see you tomorrow, baby. Be good for Auntie Ev" Robert said.
Everly smiled. Ashley did the same as Robert. Everly and Emma left the house. Robert looked at Ashley and smiled.
"Ready to go?" Robert asked, placing his hands on both of Ashley's arms and sliding them down to her fingers.
Ashley smiled and nodded. The couple left the house and went out to dinner. After dinner, Ashley and Robert went back home. Once they were in bed, Robert looked at his wife.
"We needed this" Robert said.
Ashley smiled. She turned over so she was facing Robert.
"We just needed to be us for a night" Ashley said.
Robert nodded.
"Do you feel a little better?" Robert asked.
"Yeah" Ashley said.
"I know that I didn't react in the best way to when you told me about quitting your job. I just want you to feel comfortable talking about stuff like that with me before making big decisions. I am always going to love you. No matter what. I just need you to tell me what is going on" Robert said.
"You reacted the best way that you could. I sprung it on you and that wasn't okay. I think now that we have new priorities and responsibilities it's sometimes hard to just be Ashley and Rob. We have to be mom and dad too. I wanted to tell you as my husband. My best friend" Ashley said as she traced invisible shapes on Robert's chest.
Robert nodded.
"I can understand that. It's a big adjustment. But, you will always be Ashley. I'll always be me. You can talk to me about anything, baby. I'm here" Robert said.
Ashley nodded. She sat up in bed and looked at Robert. Robert looked at his wife. Ashley carefully moved so that she was straddling Robert's lap. She leaned in and kissed him. Robert kissed her back. He moved his hands down to Ashley's waist. Ashley pulled back slowly and wrapped her arms around Robert's neck.
"Are you happy?" Ashley asked.
Robert smiled.
"Of course, I am" Robert said.
"Even though we only get to spend an hour of time together alone every day?" Ashley asked.
Robert leaned in and kissed Ashley's lips softly.
"Even then. I knew it was going to be crazy at first. But, the time that I spend with you is one of the highlights of my day. The other one is being able to spend time with Emma too" Robert said.
Ashley smiled.
"I love you" Ashley said.
"I love you too, baby" Robert said.
Ashley kissed Robert's lips. The couple spent the rest of the night cuddling, kissing, and talking. A couple months later, Robert came home from a long day at work. He walked into the kitchen and smiled when he saw Ashley carrying Emma on her hip.
"Hi ladies" Robert said, kissing Ashley's lips and lifting Emma into his arms.
"Hi baby. How was your day?" Ashley asked.
"Fine. How was everything here?" Robert asked.
"I applied to a couple businesses that need a marketing head" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. Ashley had been trying to get back to work. She had been to a couple interviews and was still waiting for someone to offer her a position.
"When are you supposed to hear back?" Robert asked.
"A couple weeks. Baby?" Ashley asked.
Robert lifted his head up to look at his wife.
"Yeah" Robert said.
"I need to tell you something but you need to sit down" Ashley said.
Robert looked down at Emma and then walked to the kitchen island and sat on one of the stools.
"What's up?" Robert asked.
"Your mom got into a car accident today. Your dad said that she is okay. But, she has some bruising" Ashley said.
Robert felt his body go cold.
"Why didn't you call me? Why didn't someone call me?" Robert asked.
"Ev and East are handling it. Your dad didn't want to bother you at work" Ashley said.
"But, why didn't you tell me?" Robert asked.
"The same reason your dad didn't. We don't need you getting in an accident too, Rob" Ashley said.
"Is she in the hospital or is she at home?" Robert asked.
"She's at home now. Once they made sure that she was okay, she was released" Ashley said.
"I'm going to go over there" Robert said.
Ashley nodded. Robert looked at Emma and kissed her cheek twice.
"I love you, Em" Robert said.
Ashley smiled softly. Robert carefully placed their daughter into Ashley's arms again. He then kissed Ashley's lips.
"I'll let you know what's happening when I get there" Robert said.
"Okay, and Rob?" Ashley started.
Robert looked at his wife.
"I was just trying to protect you. That's why I waited until you got home. I didn't mean to keep that from you" Ashley said.
Robert smiled softly.
"I know, baby. Thank you" Robert said.
Ashley nodded. Robert left the house. He drove to his parents' house and unlocked the front door with his key. Robert walked into the house.
"Dad?" Robert called.
"Living room, bud" Troy said.
Robert walked into the living room and saw his father sitting on the couch with his mother's head in his lap. Easton and Everly were sitting on the couch next to their parents.
"What happened and why didn't you two tell me?" Robert asked, looking at the twins.
"Rob, you were at work. Plus, you of all people don't need to be getting into an accident too. You have a daughter" Everly said.
Robert sighed. He looked at Gabriella, who had looked up at her frustrated son. Robert walked over to the couch and kneeled in front of his mother's face.
"I'm okay, bud. I'm just a little shaken up" Gabriella said.
"What did the hospital say? What did the insurance company say about the damages?" Robert asked not taking a breath between questions.
Gabriella sat up carefully. Troy looked at his wife.
"Help me up" Gabriella said.
Troy stood up and helped Gabriella stand up. She walked closer to Robert and wrapped her arms around him. Robert wrapped his arms around his mother. He took a deep breath and released it.
"I'm okay, bud. I promise" Gabriella mumbled into her eldest son's shoulder.
"You need to tell me when something like this happens, mom" Robert said.
"I didn't want you to worry about another thing. I had Ev call Ashley and tell her. I wanted her to tell you first so that you would be calm when you came and saw me" Gabriella said.
Robert took a deep breath and released it.
"What did the hospital say?" Robert asked.
"They just said to take it easy the next couple days" Gabriella said.
Robert nodded.
"I'll bring Em over and help you out" Robert said.
"Honey that is very sweet of you, but you don't-" Gabriella started.
"I do. Tomorrow when the twins and dad are working, I will come over with Emma and we can hang out here for a while" Robert said.
Everly looked down at her hands that were folded in her lap. Robert only called Everly and Easton "the twins" when he was mad.
"Okay. If that makes you feel better" Gabriella said knowing she was not going to win this argument.
"It will. Plus, Emma has healing powers" Robert said.
Gabriella smiled.
"I know she does" Gabriella said.
Robert and Gabriella talked for a little while longer. Robert didn't speak to Easton and Everly for the remainder of the time that he was at the house. As Robert was unlocking his car so that he could drive home to Ashley, he heard the front door open and close.
"Rob" Everly called.
Robert looked at Everly. Everly walked to where Robert was standing.
"I'm sorry for not telling you about the accident" Everly said.
Robert took a deep breath and released it.
"You and East need to understand that things could have been more serious. You both need to talk to me and tell me if something like this happens. I don't care what situation is going on or the time of day that it is. This is real life, Ev" Robert said.
Everly nodded.
"If you won't be responsible and tell me what is going on with mom, how am I going to trust you to take care of Emma if something happens?" Robert asked.
Everly's eyes filled with tears. She knew that her brother was mad at her and he deserved to be.
"You can trust me, Rob" Everly said breathlessly.
"I can't right now" Robert said.
Robert got into his car and drove home. Once he got home, Robert walked into the kitchen and looked at Ashley.
"Is she okay?" Ashley asked.
"She, who?" Robert asked.
"Your mom. The person that got into a car accident. Did something happen?" Ashley asked.
"East and Ev knew about it and didn't tell me. Ev and I fought about it as I was about to come home" Robert said.
Ashley sighed.
"Are you guys okay now?" Ashley asked.
"I made her feel bad" Robert said.
"What did you say to her?" Ashley asked.
Robert told his wife the conversation that he had with his younger sister.
"You didn't need to make her feel that bad, Rob. She's never had a situation like this happen. You shouldn't have brought up Emma at all" Ashley said.
"I was upset. I don't like feeling this way about Ev" Robert said.
"You both will eventually need to talk. I will be surprised if she doesn't call or come over to talk to you" Ashley said.
Robert sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
"She knows that I'm mad at her and East" Robert said.
"I know. But, Ev knows that she hurt you. She felt it. I'm sure of it" Ashley said.
Robert nodded. That night, the doorbell rang. Ashley opened the door and smiled when she saw her sister-in-law.
"Has he calmed down a little bit?" Everly asked.
Ashley smiled softly.
"He's putting Emma down to bed. You can go up there" Ashley said.
"Okay" Everly said.
Everly walked upstairs and went to her niece's bedroom. She leaned against the door frame and smiled when she saw Robert rocking Emma to sleep. Robert looked up and saw Everly. He motioned for her to come closer. Everly walked deeper into the room and kneeled down and kissed Emma's head softly. Robert stood up carefully and walked over to Emma's crib and placed his daughter into it.
"Good night, baby. I love you" Robert said.
Robert turned to Everly and motioned for her to walk out of the room. Everly walked out of Emma's bedroom with Robert following behind. They walked downstairs.
"Let's go out to the backyard and talk" Robert said softly.
Everly nodded. Robert and Everly walked out to the backyard. Everly sat down in a chair that was next to an outdoor couch. Robert sat down on the couch.
"I know that you are really mad at me" Everly started.
Robert looked at Everly and nodded.
"I didn't keep what was happening to mom from you out of spite or malicious intent. East and I knew that you have a lot going on. You have a family of your own" Everly said softly.
"Ev, what have I always said to you and East? I will always be there. Whenever you need me to be. This wasn't like keeping a secret about a friend. This was our mom. It makes me so mad that you both didn't tell me" Robert said.
"I'm sorry for not telling you. I would understand if you didn't trust me or if you wanted to choose someone else to be Emma's godmother" Everly said.
Robert looked at Everly and saw the tears forming in her eyes.
"We don't keep secrets from each other, Ev. We've been saying that since you were old enough to talk. I don't want to start keeping secrets now" Robert said.
Everly nodded.
"And I would never take Emma away from you. I know how much you love her" Robert added.
Everly smiled slightly. Robert smiled back.
"I love her so much" Everly said.
Robert motioned for Everly to come sit next to him. Everly got up and walked over to the couch and sat down next to her brother.
"Are we okay?" Everly asked.
Robert nodded. He kissed his sister's head and hugged her.