Tony awakes to the sound of his little lady's cries through the baby monitor. When he opens his eyes, he yawns and stretches simultaneously, as he hears his love's calming voice. Suddenly he realizes she's not in bed next to him. He looks at the video monitor as he hears, "Hey hey there little mama; we are trying to let daddy sleep in." She leans over the crib as she picks her up, as she says, "We had a deal, I would get the packing done for our trip. And then i'd play with you."
He smiles watching the interaction as his baby girl replies with a gurgle, and his wife smiles at her, and kisses her sweetly. Watching them is definitely his favorite pastime.
Wanting to be of service to his lady love; he gets up and slips on some shorts, and prepares to rescue his wife from baby duty. So she can finish the packing. When he enters the nursery Kerry hears Isa's giggles louden. And she looks behind her to see her husband walking up behind her. She shakes her head as she says, "So for him you squeal. But for me you cry, huh? Is that what we're doing now little one?"
As he reaches them, he kisses his wife sweetly as their daughter coos in response, making them both chuckle. He says, "Good morning babe." She replies, "Morning my love. I was trying to let you sleep. You were sleeping so well." He strokes her face as he says, "Well, you kinda had a huge role in making that happen, didn't you?" Sneakily she grins as she says, "Maybe, maybe not.." They kiss once again, and Isa reminds them they're not alone. As she grunts, breaking their reminiscent moment of last night's festivities.
Understanding they really need to get the packing done, before they prepare to head out later today. He says, "Okay little one. We see and hear you. No need to make yourself known." Kerry replies, "She's been doing that all morning. Do you think she's coming down with something, and she's trying to get our attention?"
He adores her new mommy concerns, but quiets them as he gets in Isa's face, and sweetly says, "No. I think she's fine. She's just doing what baby's do, Which is upstage everything. And, this one here, is the cutest of them all." Their daughter giggles uncontrollably and she gives an adorable belly laugh, as he blows zerberts on her belly. The scene makes Kerry giggle herself; these moments are absolute heaven for her. And she can't get enough of them.
Suddenly, their moment is interrupted as her phone rings; he grabs it off the changing table and says, "It's your mom." She sighs, "Oh yeah. We need to finish planning the menu." He nods as he answers, via hitting the speaker button, "Morning Val." His mother in law's voice rips through the air as she says, "Morning my favorite son in law. How are you doing today?" He grins, looking at his wife as she shakes her head and he responds, "I am doing well, my favorite mother in law. Thanks for asking. Just trying to get packed to come see you, Earl, and the gang."
Kerry interjects, "Really, is that why I'm the one up with the suitcases out. Because you're packing." He comically quips, "Ahh you didn't have to rat me out." To which Valerie supportively says, "He's right Kerry. I'm sure he was with you in spirit." He nods as he replies, "Yes. I agree. I surely was." They all laugh together as she says, "I'm done with both of you right now. Here, you take ladybug while I talk to mom and finish packing." He agreeably takes Isa from her, as Valerie says, "Hey there Isa bear." Cutely, their daughter looks around for the source of the familiar voice. Kerry smiles as she says, "Awe. You're looking for your nana." Tony grins as he adds, "She's looking for you Val."
Valerie replies, "I'm here Isa; nana is here baby girl. And i will see you very soon." Tony has the phone in Isa's reach, and she grins as she clicks her tongue. Another cute site, and Valerie hears her as she says, "There's my Isa bear. Nana hears her baby girl." Isa kicks her feet and grins the sweetest, toothless grin. Warming their hearts and making them all smile lovingly, as Kerry kisses her baby girl's forehead. As he looks up at her husband, with loving tears in her eyes, they share a sweet kiss that ends in a smile.
Isa's giggles snaps them back to reality and Tony says, "We can't wait to see you Val. Tell Earl he owes me a chess game, and I am coming to collect." She smiles as she replies, "I surely will favorite son-inlaw." Kerry teases, "Enough you too. He's your only son-in-law." They both laugh at her jealous tone of her remark, and she has to chuckle too, Because she knows it's rooted in envy.
Tony then says, "Okay. I will let you have her all yourself Val. Isa and I will enjoy our alone time." Valerie replies, "Good deal. Later Isa bear." Isa smiles and clicks her tongue in response, and they all smile as Kerry says, "If she gets hungry there's a bottle in the reserve warmer. He nods as he heads into the living room his baby girl in his arms.
Feeling hungry, he realizes pouring a cup of coffee and holding his baby girl is a challenge he's not looking to attempt. He puts her in her bouncer, and gives her a rattle to play with to distract her. It works perfectly, and he kisses her atop her head as he says, "You're such a good girl. Look at you being good for daddy."
She smiles at him and kicks her feet with glee, a site he can never get tired of seeing. In the span of 20 minutes he manages to make himself a sausage egg and cheese sandwich with a hash brown. And he makes an extra hashbrown and sausage patty for his wife, because he knows her too well. After sitting down at the table, he moves Isa to her carrier and sits it on the table in front of him while he eats.
The way she entertains herself always amazes him, he watches her as she shakes her rattle, and laughs as he eats. He smiles looking at her, and appreciates how simple her life is. No cares or worries, just needs and wants being fulfilled by those around her. He's positive life couldn't be simpler by any stretch of the imagination.
As he finishes his breakfast, he is interrupted by the sound of his cell ringing. He grabs it, and sees it's Jane. He takes a breath as he answers, "Hello." She replies, "Hi Tony. How are you?" He responds, "I'm well thanks. How are you?" She replies, "I'm good. Hey I'm calling because I want to visit with Sam. But, nobody is answering his phone." He responds, "Oh, if you call Liz. She can add you to the schedule."
He hears her sigh, as she replies, "What schedule? I thought he was home."
He replies, "He is home. But he is still under a doctor's care. And has a home nurse, who administers medication to him throughout the day. So there are better times than others to visit; hence the schedule. What's the big deal with you calling Liz? You're trying to see dad, not ask her out for drinks."
Jane rolls her eyes, and the shift in her tone is felt in her response as she replies, "You know she doesn't like me Tony. So why would she be willing to even take my call?" Tony shakes his head, and doesn't care to entertain her foolishness as he says, "Jane, despite the state of yours and Liz's relationship. She wouldn't prevent you from seeing dad. Just stop being dramatic, and call her." There's a slight pause, and Tony senses what's coming next. But, he still let's her say it. "Can you call her for me?"
Her lips barely close after she speaks before he replies, "No. I am not calling her for you. You're being irrational. And making things unnecessarily awkward by asking me to call her for you. Just call her and leave a message if she doesn't answer, or even text her. But, if you want to see him Jane; you're going to have to call her. Nobody else. Including the girls."
Annoyed at his directive, she quips, "You can't tell me what to talk to my kids about. You're completely overstepping your bounds here."
He doesn't want to raise his voice, disturbing Isa. But, he can't let her get away with this nonsense either, as he interjects, "Last i checked they're my kids too Jane. And, they don't deserve to be roped into this unnecessary, childish nonsense you're perpetrating. Stop making this about something it's not; instead of addressing what it should be about, which is you visiting my father."