Rehearsals, rehearsals, rehearsals. All of the dancers managed to get every single move taught to them correct with the exception of a few people who became frustrated that they were good. I had to pull them aside to reassure them that they were doing fine and just needed to continue to practice.
"I'm not good at this, Tia. Everyone else has memorized everything so well and I still can't get the last part down!" Ramy, the perfectionist. Sweet soul but way too hard on himself. "I'll never get this!"
"You are talented like the other dancers. Just because you can't get the last few steps down doesn't mean that I can't help you."
"Everyone else is intimidating, to be honest. Nothing against them but they're all pros at what they're doing. I'm still fresh out of dance school."
"I was in your shoes, too. I was so frustrated at first when I got out of dance school because I couldn't land a role in anything for a month but finally I got a big break in a theater play. From there, endless opportunities flooded my way."
"I'll still mess up somehow."
"No, you won't. I'll stay behind while the others head home after practice to help you if you want me to."
"All I would need is an hour."
"I can spare that. Make sure you're nice and hydrated because we are starting from the top."
As much as I enjoyed teaching my fellow dancers, this instructor was tired and needed an Epsom salt bath immediately once I got home. Thankfully, Tyson picked me up from the theater and brought me back home to a nice surprise: a nice hot Epsom salt bath and also made me a fruit smoothie that was sitting in the freezer. I couldn't thank him enough for what he did.
Tyson, Jules, and Jackie made sure that they kept the kids occupied so that they wouldn't bother Mommy as she took a bath. They did have a habit of sometimes bursting through the door whenever I'd be in the bathroom but tonight was the night that I enjoyed my bath in peace and quiet. What I didn't expect was to get out of the tub and walk into the room to see a text message from Tyson to let him know when I was out but I responded to him to tell him I was about to get dressed. He told me to hold on for a second because he was on his way to the room; this man walked in, locked the door, and quickly grabbed a bottle of lotion from the side of his bed.
"Let me help you lotion up," he said.
"Thank you." I let my towel drop to the ground as I laid across the bed.
My husband's hands worked some miracles as he moisturized every part of my body that needed some more loving and care right now. He finished putting lotion on my body and went to pull out some panties and pajamas for me but I told him that wasn't necessary: but he insisted.
"You get relaxed, I'll go grab your smoothie, and I'll bring the kids in here so we can read a bedtime story."
"That sounds like a plan."
The arrival of the children were loud and clear in the hallway as I heard their little feet making their way to my room and soon I had two children hopping on the bed. Tyson told them to sit down before they hurt themselves and thank goodness they listened to him when they told to calm down. T.J. gave me a kiss on my cheek and snuggled up next to me as I put an arm around him.
"How are you, Mommy? What did you do today?" he asked me.
"Well, I taught people how to dance! We had a lot of fun doing that. Then Mommy had to come home because she was so tired."
"Sleep, Mommy. I am sleepy."
"Do you still want to do story time?" I asked him.
"Yes!"
"I have the book!" Tyra said as she indeed held up a small book. "Daddy, read!"
"You need to stop ordering me around," Tyson said to her. "What are we reading, young lady?"
"Papa Pig!" she said.
"The story of Papa Pig, huh? We'll, let's start reading then."
Tyra handed the book to Tyson as he climbed into bed and clapped her hands excitedly when she saw the book open up.
"Papa Pig!" she repeated.
"Here is the story of Papa Pig," Tyson began.
I continued to sip on my fruit smoothie as Tyson began reading the children's book to them and pretty soon they were sound asleep between me and him. He pulled the covers over them, gave them a kiss on their forehead, and then gave me a kiss on my lips before turning off his light.
Seeing my cousin's leave to go home was a sight that I didn't want to see and only made me a bit homesick as we walked with them to the entrance of the airport.
"I wish you guys could stay longer," I said to Jules and Jackie.
"I know but one day you'll be back up in Canada," Jackie told me.
"I don't know when," I said.
"Sooner than you think!" Jules said.
They gave the kids big hugs and kisses then gave me an even bigger hug and finished with a quick roast of Tyson's eyebrows blending in with the sunlight outside before telling him bye. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the insult because it was super damn funny. Tyson gave me a side eye and shook his head.
"You guys are banned from my house," I said.
"Hmm...don't think so! Alright, time for us to check in. We'll call you guys when we get to our layover," Jules said.
"Okay, I'm going to hold you to it!" I said.
While on the way home, I did begin to think about home and couldn't help but to ask Tyson when we would indeed return to Canada and I was surprised at what he had to tell me.
"Well, I'm glad you asked: I have to go to Canada for business in regards to AEW but it's perfect because we get to stay for about two weeks! I don't have to wrestle this Wednesday so everything is good...ah, shoot. You have your rehearsals."
"Actually, the theater is being renovated for the next two weeks so I have some time off for a bit."
"This is perfect! That was my surprise to you and I'm happy your cousin's didn't tell you even though Jules was about to give it away."
"He's the type that'll mess with you about spilling your secrets but won't actually do it."
"And now that the secret is out of the bag: are you ready to pack your bags?"
"Yes and yes."
"Good. As soon as we get home, we're going to pack and we leave the day after tomorrow. Also: let's surprise our parents."
"Sounds like a good plan. I can't wait to go back home."
Tyson smiled at me as we approached a red light.
"Me neither," he said.
"Daddy, I'm hungry," T.J. said.
"Would you like some chicken nuggets?" Tyson asked him.
"Yes, please!" T.J. and Tyra said in unison.
"How about Mommy?"
"Yes, I would like some."
"Good. Chicken nuggets for everybody."
