Chapter 34

On December 16, two days before my twenty-sixth birthday (the 18th), my maternity leave was over and it was time for me to get back to work. I was excited to get back to work, because as much fun as it was taking care of my baby, I was bored.

Little Johnny and I both headed to the office at seven o'clock that Monday morning. I was so excited. I missed seeing Amy every work day. I liked to see my BFF every day. It was great.

We were at the office by 7:30. The day care part of the office was open at seven in the morning. I took Little Johnny there. I had been by before then for them to meet Little Johnny, because I wanted everyone at the office to meet my son. My boss said he was cute. Amy had loved it when I showed up that day.

I was very sad to leave my little baby: separation anxiety. But I had Amy and my work to keep occupied, at least until lunchtime, which I would be down to see my little guy.

At 7:55 AM, I arrived at my desk. Amy was already there.

"Good morning, Amy," I said.

"Good morning and welcome back," Amy said. She got up and gave me a hug.

"Thanks. I needed that." I sat down at my desk and got organized.

"Was it really that bad leaving Little Johnny?" Amy asked, sitting back down at her desk.

"Yes. We got here at about 7:30. I spent five minutes explaining stuff to the day care staff about him. Then it took me five minutes to get up here, so I was with him for fifteen minutes before I finally said good-bye."

"I get the whole separation anxiety thing, but come on. It's not like he is back at the apartment with a nanny or sitter, while you are here. He is down-stairs in the day care and you can go see him at lunchtime."

"And that is what I intend to do."

Amy smiled. "I figured. But I am so glad you are back. I hated the temp that filled in for you. She was a b-i-t-c-h and she did not hide it. Even Doug thought so."

I nodded my head. Doug was our boss.

"Okay, so has anything changed since I've been gone?" I asked.

"No, everything is the same. We have a couple clients coming in to meet with Doug today," Amy said.

"Okay, so do you want me to grab their files?"

"No, I got it. You can assist Doug with all those things. One is a new client and I did his interview. He is back to meet with Doug and discuss his case."

"We'll talk with Doug and see what he wants me to do!"

Amy agreed.

The first day was very busy, which was nice. I got an hour break for lunch. I went to see Little Johnny for twenty minutes of it. Then I went back up to my desk and ate and worked.

At 5:50, Amy and I both were headed home. She walked with me down to the day care center. I have my baby boy a big kiss when he saw him and then I let Auntie Amy hold him while I gathered his stuff. The three of us then headed out.

I got home at 6:30. I changed out of my work clothes and into a regular long sleeved shirt and sweatpants. I then threw a Stouffer's Family Lasagna meal in the oven to cook for dinner. It would take it an hour.

I then went into the living room to watch TV. Little Johnny was chilling in the baby swing nearby. Shadow, my black cat that John got me for my birthday last year, came up and sat me. He was a lover. He had enjoyed having me home for six weeks with my maternity leave. He was good with Little Johnny being in the apartment.

John got home shortly after I settled down in the living room. I got up and greeted him with a hug and kiss.

"How was your first day back?" He asked.

"Busy," I said. "I was occupied the whole time, while missing my baby, who was down-stairs in day-care."

John chuckled. "Well, you made it through one day. Four more days and then it'll be the weekend."

"Two more days and then it'll my birthday."

"Yes, I know."

"Dinner is in the oven. It'll be ready in an hour."

"Where would you like to go for your birthday?"

"You mean go somewhere other than Cenas'?!"

John laughed. We always made a joke about it when we didn't go to Cenas' to eat. We said we were cheating on John Sr. when we did it.

"I'd like to get some Mexican on Wednesday." I then named a restaurant.

"That sounds great. I'll make the reservation tomorrow," John said. He gave me a kiss. "I also have a baby sitter lined up for Wednesday evening so we can enjoy ourselves."

"Who?" I asked.

"Amy and Phil."

"Good thinking and thanks. We could use a night just the two of us."

"Yes, we can. I want you all to myself for your birthday."

"I do too."

Tuesday came and went. And on Wednesday evening, John and I left Little Johnny in the care of Phil and Amy, while we went out to celebrate my birthday. We went to my favorite casual Mexican restaurant: Alberto's. It was very good.

"So how does it feel to be twenty-six?" John asked as we ate.

"It feels no different than twenty-five," I replied. "But getting to spend an evening out with you is nice."

"It is. I'm glad it is just you and me. We haven't been out just the two of us since before Little Johnny was born."

"That's because I have insisted on taking him everywhere with us when we go somewhere. The last three days at work have helped to learn that I do not to have my baby around me every minute of every day."

"I know, I hated it when I went back to work after he was born. I had enjoyed the time off with my girl and my little boy."

"Well, you'll get that again in the near future," I said.

"Yes, I will," John said.

"Can you believe Christmas is one week from today?"

John nodded his head. "I know. I have to work Christmas Eve, but I have Christmas Day off."

"I know. I love it. That is most important."

"Yep. I got it off, because its LJ's first Christmas."

"There won't be much reaction from him with presents, because he'll only be a few days away from being two months old."

"I can't believe he'll be two months old in eleven days."

"I know!" I said. "It is crazy. It seems like he was just in my belly, now he's seven weeks old. When should we have another?"

John laughed. "I think it's a little bit too soon to be talking about having another one. I know Christie was born eleven months after you and Dan was born fourteen months after me, but we still have plenty of time to have as many kids as you want."

I grinned. "I don't know how many kids I want, honestly. All I know is I want to marry you and have more babies with you."

"Me too. How about we focus on getting married first and then we consider having more kids?!"

"It's a deal."

"All right," John said.

John and I both stood up to seal the deal with a kiss. We both sat down.

"I love you," I said.

"I love you too."