"Ugh Gidge, I really didn't think it would be this hard to leave her – I know we're only away for a few days, and it's not even far but I'm going to miss her so much." I say to my wife as I hold my daughter tightly in my arms, putting kisses all over her face and hat clad head.
"I know darling, but she will be absolutely fine – my parents have her first and she's used to them by now so I don't think there'll be any issues." I know that I'm being irrational – of course Olivia will be fine, I trust the people we are leaving her with, there's just this feeling in the back of my mind I can't quite explain – it feels like I'm worrying for no reason though.
"You're right, you know what I'm like though, oh Gidge, did you remember and pack the nebuliser? Just in case she needs it, hopefully not though." I ask Bridget this because there have been a few nights Olivia has needed the nebuliser to help with her breathing – she has been colicky recently – which has caused her to wheeze at night.
"I did yes – hopefully she won't need it, I hate having her hooked up to it, I know it helps but I don't like it at all."
"Me neither, but I feel better knowing she is breathing okay because of it, especially at night." I smile at Bridget, we're just about to leave for her parents' house, where we will drop Olivia off, then head to the airport.
"Yeah I know, anyway we better head off – go put her in her car seat, I'll grab the last bag." Bridget says so I go out to the car to get Olivia settled.
Thirty minutes later, we're saying goodbye to our daughter, it will take only 15 minutes to get to the airport from here so we're savouring every minute of goodbyes. Olivia is nestled between Bridget and myself – she's just awoken from her nap.
"Bye Olivia, I love you so much and mummy and I will be back soon – you're going to be looked after so well while we're gone though, be a good girl okay?" I give her a kiss and Bridget does the same.
"Yes my sweet girl, we won't be gone long – be good and I love you too." I then hand Olivia over to William, making sure Bridget's parents' have all the information they'll need, before we then head off to the airport.
The flight only took two hours to reach The Gold Coast, we are now all checked in to our hotel room – a lovely one-bedroom suite Bridget picked for us with excellent views of the ocean.
"Darling, when do you want to go for dinner? The restaurant in the hotel is supposed to be lovely, but we can always get reservations there for our anniversary on Sunday night and try somewhere else tonight." Bridget says as we are getting changed for the evening.
"How about we go for a walk and see what restaurants we find? There'll be loads down at the beach area, it's not too far."
"Sure sounds good – I'll wear my flats tonight then!" I laugh at Bridget as she says this – she's trying to pick what to wear tonight, I've already settled on a pair of black skinny jeans and a long sleeve red & black plaid shirt, which I've tucked in. I'll wear my black leather jacket and black suede boots to finish off my look. Bridget has tried to get me to wear dresses and skirts in the past but it's totally not my thing, so she's learned to accept this is as fancy as she'll get me.
"Gidge, what's taking so long? I want to leave while it's still light out since we don't know the area." I hear sniffling coming from the bedroom as I'm grabbing a beer from the minibar, I frown, put my drink down and head to the door.
"Babe, what's wrong? Why the tears all of a sudden?" She's standing looking at her reflection in the mirror.
"I'm repulsive Franky! Look at me! I brought that LBD you like so much on me but it doesn't fit properly anymore!"
"Oh honey, come here." I reach out for Bridget and pull her in to me so her head is resting on my chest, I brush my hand through her hair as my other rubs gentle strokes on her back.
"Sweetie, listen to me okay, you're perfect – and before you even think about protesting, I love your body even more now than I did before, and do you know why that is?" I can feel her shaking her head from side to side, signalling 'no'.
"Well, it's because now, your body has done the most incredible thing, it nurtured and housed our daughter for nine whole months – every part of you is now a testament to that little girl we have." I lift Bridget's chin up so she looks me in the eye, the sight is heart-breaking – I had absolutely no idea she was feeling so insecure.
"You really mean all of that Franky? My body doesn't disgust you now?" I feel tears start to build in my own eyes at my beautiful wife's words.
"God, Bridget I love every single part of you and I always will okay? I know you must be feeling unconfident – but can we please take a minute to remember it's only been like two months since Olivia was born? I think you look incredible, my love." I emphasise this by placing a tender kiss to her lips.
"I'm sorry Franky, I think I've been overcome with these feelings because it's the first time I've tried to dress in my fancy pre-pregnancy clothes, I can get the dress zipped up but my stomach is bulging and makes me look fat." Bridget has a little pout on her face and I can't help but lean in to kiss it away.
"Well, I want to see it, let me help you put it back on this time okay?" I get a slow nod in agreement and grab the dress off the hanger.
"Here, step into it babe." I kneel down and Bridget does as I ask; I slowly pull the dress up so it is at her hips, I place a kiss at her bellybutton before I stand, bringing the dress up with me and help her put her arms into the awaiting sleeves, I turn her around so she is facing the mirror, her back to me, I slowly zip up the dress, planting little kisses up her spine as I do so. Once the zip is fully up, I move flush behind her, lean my chin on her shoulder and put my arms around her waist.
"See Gidge, so beautiful." I say as I kiss her neck. She turns into my embrace and kisses me on the lips.
"Thank you Franky, I think I just worry what people will think – at least when I have Olivia with me it's obvious why my stomach is still a bit large."
"You're gorgeous and I can't wait to have you on my arm for the night – if you still feel self-conscious, then tomorrow we will go shopping for other outfits you can wear out to dinner – and leave your pre-pregnancy ones until you feel comfortable in them again."
"That's why I love you so much baby, you're always so understanding and care for me so much."
"Anything for you." I kiss her again as she finishes getting ready.
The next morning, I wake with Bridget in my arms – last night once back at the hotel was the first time we have been intimate with each other since about a month before Olivia was born – I'm not going to lie – it has been killing me but obviously we couldn't resume our usual routine until Bridget was fully healed and also ready – I didn't want to pressure her. Last night was amazing though, I made sure to be careful but to also worship every part of my wife's body – trying my best to fully emphasise everything I said to her before dinner last night.
"Morning Franky." Bridget says sleepily as she stirs next to me.
"Good morning indeed!" I enthusiastically reply to my wife.
"Last night was amazing darling, thank you for having patience these last few months – I hope the wait was worth it." I give Bridget a kiss and pull her so she is fully on top of me.
"Babe, you have no idea! It was incredible." I kiss her again more forcefully this time.
"God, you are insatiable!" Bridget says with a laugh as we begin to explore each other all over again.
Bridget POV
The days go in fast, before we know it, it's our anniversary – we have phoned and checked on Olivia each day so far – most days multiple times, judging by the time it is now, Maura and Erica will have Olivia, we'll give it until evening time to phone so they can at least get her settled. Franky and I have had a lovely few days, but I think it's fair to say we are both more than ready for tomorrow to come so we can go home to our baby girl – we miss her so much.
"Gidge, reservations at the hotel restaurant are for 7pm tonight, that'll give us time to get ready once we're back in the room."
"Sounds great – we can phone to check Olivia before that then so she's still up, maybe we could facetime." I say with a hopeful tone.
"Yeah, that should be fine, will be nice seeing her cute little face."
"I can't wait – so annoying we couldn't get it to work with my parents – it was far too fuzzy to see her at all." Franky gives me a sympathetic nod, then runs fast back down to the ocean to enjoy the last hour or so at the beach.
Three hours later, Franky and I are both ready for our anniversary dinner – it's just after 6pm now so we decide to phone Erica, Maura and Olivia, then we will head down to the bar for a drink before our reservation time. I grab the iPad and sit down on the sofa next to Franky – we dial Maura first – no answer. We then try Erica, after about ten rings, we are about to abandon our attempt when a rather dishevelled Erica picks up. She looks like she's been in the middle of something and Franky and I exchange raised eyebrows before turning our attention back to Erica.
"Hi Erica – hope we're not interrupting anything important." I say directly to her through the screen.
"Hi, Bridget, Franky – no, no nothing like that – honestly! Umm actually we're kind of in the middle of a situation here, can I call you back later?" Erica's eyes are pleading with us and we both can hear Maura call for her to 'come quick' in the background.
"Erica – what's going on? Is everything okay there?" Franky says, her voice laced with worry.
"Well, I don't want either of you to worry but – Olivia seems to have a little bit of a temperature, I went out earlier and bought a baby thermometer and her temperature came back at 99.7F, and I read on-line and it says normal should be 97.5F, so we're just monitoring it for now, I'm taking frequent readings and we have Olivia in just a nappy so she should cool down hopefully, if it gets any higher we'll let you guys know – we just didn't want to worry you when it's only slightly raised."
"Oh god! She's never had a high fever before, Erica – how is her breathing? Remember she's been suffering from colic the last two weeks or so, it could be related to that." I say to Erica, feeling myself begin to worry.
"She seems absolutely fine right now in every other way, just a bit of a high temp so far – when your parents dropped her off earlier your dad said he had a bit of a cold so I'm thinking she might have picked that up." I wish we were back at home now so I could look after Olivia – typical that this is the first time and we're not with her.
"That's probably it then, she can pick up things like that so easy at her age." I say, more than anything just trying to reassure myself that she'll be fine.
"Listen guys, Maura is trying to give her a bath right now so I'm going to go help her out – we'll talk later and I'll give you an update okay?"
"Right, sure yeah go help Maura – thanks for looking after her, hope she won't be too much trouble for you both." Franky says.
"We'll be absolutely fine you two, now go, try and enjoy your last night – it's your anniversary after all, Olivia will be fine and you'll see her tomorrow."
"You're right, okay thanks Erica – give her kisses from us." I say as we end the conversation.
"I don't like not being with her for this, it's the first time she's been sick Franky, what if she gets worse through the night? How will they know what to do? God Franky – I wouldn't even know what to do and I'm her mother!"
"Bridget, baby calm down okay – they've done a great job so far, Erica done her research and went and bought a thermometer, they're obviously keeping a close eye on her and if anything changes they'll call, okay?" Franky pulls me into her lap and holds me close to her.
"Okay, yes you're right – of course you are. Let's go down for dinner then since we can't do anything right now anyway, plus it is our anniversary after all." I kiss Franky then move to get off her lap and stand up.
We have a lovely meal at the hotel restaurant, however, I think it's safe to say both of us are too worried about Olivia to properly enjoy ourselves. Franky and I are back in the room by 10pm, we heard from Maura about an hour ago and Olivia's fever appears to be the same – I suppose that's better than it getting worse though.
"Want to just head to bed then Gidge? We can always get up early and see if there's a morning flight home to Olivia."
"Yes! Let's definitely try and do that – I was missing her before but now I just need to be with her, it's killing me."
"I know baby, same here – we'll be back with her soon – then we're not leaving her again until she's 18!" Franky says in a serious voice and I can't help but laugh.
"I couldn't agree more babe."
The next afternoon we are pulling up to Maura's house, we called to say we managed to get an earlier flight back and I think there was relief for both Erica and Maura when we told them. I knock on the door with Franky by my side. Not a minute later, Erica answers the door, our daughter sleeping in her arms.
"I literally just got her to sleep, it's been a restless night, she's been very fussy – just because she's feeling under the weather. Maura has just gone for a quick shower; your lovely daughter here was sick all in her hair." Erica says in a hushed tone, as she steps aside, letting us in.
"Oh god, we are so sorry Erica – you must both be exhausted today! Can I take her? I missed her so much." Franky says, also whispering so as not to wake Olivia.
"Here, you got her?" Erica says to Franky, handing our daughter over.
"Yup, there's my little baby, your mummies missed you so much – we are so sorry you got sick and we weren't here – but we're here now baby." Franky coos, just then, Maura appears, hair still wet from the shower.
"Hi guys, so glad your back – I think Olivia really missed you, how was the trip?"
"Well thanks for watching her, she's so lucky to have two such great aunties. The trip was perfect, we really enjoyed ourselves – just missed Olivia so much though." Maura gives me a sympathetic smile.
"Well, you'll be glad to know I checked her fever an hour ago and her temp was down to 98F, so almost back to normal – maybe just a 24 hour bug she caught." Erica says.
"You both did so great with her, thank you so much. I'm so glad her fever is disappearing now." I say, stroking a finger over my daughters cheek.
"No problem at all – hopefully next time we watch her; it'll be a little more fun for all of us!" Maura laughs then exits the room with Erica to gather all of Olivia's things.
"Right Olivia – let's get you home shall we?" Franky says quietly, swaying side to side.