Chapter 38
This weekend Nathan has a conference in California. He invited me to go with him because we have had very little alone time since Henry being here. It ended up working out perfectly, and Ava and Andrew decided to come for The weekend too. Ava is launching a new design of bags in California.
I was very hesitant at first, but after talking it through I think it is a good idea.
Henry will be staying at my parents house. My parents are so excited. They bought a store's worth of toys and have a bed all set up. My dad and mom took off work which is so sweet.
I am packing Henry's bag right now. I am overpacking, I know but it is important he is comfortable. Nathan and Henry are downstairs playing.
We leave tomorrow so we have time. Once I finish packing his bag up I head downstairs and go into the playroom. I find Henry running around in his cape and Nathan pretending to be the bad guy chasing him.
These two and the bond they have created amazes me everyday. It is so sweet to see. Henry adores Nate and so do I. When Henry runs by I grab him and pick him up. He goes into a fit of giggles.
"We gotcha," Nathan says and we lay him down and start tickling him. He is giggling and laughing.
"Bee bad," Henry points and starts running away. Oh I'm the bad guy now. I laugh and start chasing both Nathan and Henry. I grab Nathan and gently pull him down.
"Got him," I say and Henry runs over climbing on top of Nathan laughing.
I am laughing with them both. I love this family of mine. "Woo bee," Henry says.
"Are you hungry?" I ask Henry.
"Yes," he says. It's dinner time so he probably is.
"What do you want for dinner," I ask.
"Chip fil a," he says and Nathan and I laugh. He thinks chick fil a is called chip fil a.
"Do you wanna go?" I ask Nathan.
"That's fine, then he can play on the playground," Nathan says and I nod.
I grab a jacket for myself and Henry. Nathan has his coat on. It is getting chilly now that it is fall. "Come here, buddy," I say to Henry and he runs over to me. I help him put his jacket on and we head down the elevator.
"Are you going to play on the playground?" I ask Henry as I buckle him in.
"Um yes and you," He says and I look at Nathan and laugh. No way I am getting on the playground.
I get up front with Nathan and he takes my hand in his. Such a gentle reminder of how amazing he is. We drive to chick fil a or Chip fil a as Henry would say. Once we get there Henry starts trying to unbuckle himself.
"Henry, remember we don't touch our buckles. Only Nathan or Phoebe can touch them," I say. Henry nods and stops.
"Thank you for listening," I say to him and he smiles at his praise.
We get him out and Nathan holds him as we walk into the chick fil a. Nathan and I get chicken sandwiches and we get Henry nuggets and french fries. We sit down by the playground and Henry is begging to go in.
"I'll wait here for the food," Nathan says and I smirk.
"Oh so I get the viral disease from going in there," I tease and we laugh. I take Henry in the playground room and he runs off without looking back. I watch him climb up to the top and slide down the slide. I sit on the bench and watch.
To see the joy on his face makes it all worth it. I laugh as he waves from the top shout Bee Bee watch. He slides down and runs over to me. "Watch," he says and I promise him I will. I think motherhood is 90% hearing "watch this" over and over again.
Nathan knocks on the window to let us know our food is ready. "Henry," I call for him. He puts his face against the orange glass from the top of the small play structure.
"Slide down," I point to the slide.
Henry listens and goes down the slide. I catch him and pick him up. "Got ya," I say and tickle his belly. He giggles until he realizes that we are walking out of the play structure room. Then it is world war 3.
"No," he says and reaches for the playground.
"Henry, it is time to eat," I say and he starts crying. I take him to our seat and sit him down. I squat down so I am eye level with him.
"Henry, I know you are mad that we can't play," I say. "But it is time to eat right now, and we can play after," I say.
"No," Henry cries.
"I can't talk to you when you yell and cry," I say and sit up. Nathan and I go to eat our burgers and Henry's cries turn into wimpers. When we feed into his tantrum is when they get louder and louder. Terrible twos.
Henry kneels up and grabs Nathan's arm. "Are you ready to eat and be a big boy?" Nathan asks Henry.
"Yes," Henry nods sadly.
"Buddy, you did a good job using your words. We know you feel angry, but we have to use our listening ears when Bee Bee says it is time for dinner," Nathan says gently to him. I smile watching him.
"Sowwy Bee Bee," Henry says and I smile going over and hugging him.
"We love you, buddy. Thank you for saying sorry," I say and he smiles hugging me back. Nathan hugs him too. I wipe Henry's hands down and then have him eat his nuggets. He finishes the 6 nuggets and then eats his french fries and some of Nathan's fries. He was hungry.
"Good job, Henry," Nathan and I high five him for eating.
"Do you want to play here or at home?" Nathan asks Henry.
"Room," He says and that means his room.
"Okay let's go," Nathan says. He picks up Henry and we head out.
"You look pretty," Nathan says to me.
"You look pwetty," Henry repeats after Nathan. We both start laughing and I Kiss them both. Two of the sweetest boys I know.
"Are you excited for this weekend?" Nathan asks me as we drive.
"Of course, I am. Are you?" I ask him.
"To have you to myself, of course," he says and I smile.
When we get home we head up to our place. Henry runs inside and goes to find his truck. He was talking about it on the way home. It is his favorite blue truck.
I am getting sad about leaving him, but I know it'll be so good for Nathan and I. It'll be good for Henry. Henry loves my parents so much. He calls my mom Nana, which is so cute, and my dad Bub. He heard my dad call me Bubs and then started calling him Bub. It has stuck.
"We should get him bathed and to bed," Nathan says. I nod checking my watch.
"Henry man," I yell out for Henry. Henry comes running in and rolls his blue truck to me.
"That's fast," I say bending down to pick it up.
"Are you ready for bath time?" I ask him. He smiles and starts to take off his shirt.
"More than ready," Nathan says and I laugh. I pick him up and carry him upstairs. Nathan starts the tub and we put Henry in it. He requests his boat and baby shark. Anything for him.
"Baby shark doo doo doo doo," Nathan sings and Henry laughs rolling his boat in the water. I wash his hair and his body. I wash him well after being in the germ filled playground.
"What story are we going to read?" I ask Henry.
"Uh Natin Bear," he wants Nathan to read brown bear brown bear what do you see.
"Oh that's a good one," I say as I pick him up and wrap him in his shark towel. Nathan has his jammies ready. He is wearing his red truck jammies tonight.
Nathan helps him put on his night time pull up then his jammies. "You look good," Nathan high fives him and I smile. He is so cute.
We get him in his bed and all cozy. I sit on the top of his bed and run my hands through his hair as Nathan kneels by his bed reading the book. I smile as I watch Henry's eyes open and close. Finally, he is out like a light.
I turn on his sound machine and we sneak out. As we walk downstairs nathan kisses my head. "Have you packed?" I asked.
"Nope," he says and I laugh.
"Get on that will you," I say and he smiles.
"Anything for you, love," he says and I laugh.
"I'm going to take a bath while you do that, my body is really achy," I say.
"Why didn't you say something?" He asks.
"Cause it's not that big of a deal," I smile.
"Bee," he starts.
"I'm fine, I promise," I say and he smiles.
I go to the bathroom and start a bath and pour in our jasmine bubble bath. I dim the lights then strip down as it fills and step in. Oh my body has been killing me. I'm getting my period soon, so I have been not myself.
I can't believe it's been months since my miscarriage. As my mind drifts to that day I quickly shift it. I don't want to remember that. I close my eyes and smell the jasmine
Soon, I hear the bathroom door open. I open my eyes and see my model husband in just his sweats. I smile at him and he walks closer. With the lights dim it's hard to see. He sits on the edge of the tub looking at me.
"How're you feeling?" He asks while running his hands through my hair. I shrug.
"Did you finish packing?" I ask and he nods.
"You're beautiful," he says and his finger traces against my chest. I blush and he smiles at me.
"I can't wait to have you to myself," he says and I nod.
"I know me too," I say.
"Let's get you out and I'm going to give you a massage," he says and I smile.
"No, you don't have to do that," I say and he comes over with a towel.
"I want to," he says and as I step out he wraps me in a towel. I stay in his chest for a bit.
He has me put on his boxers and I lay flat on my stomach on our bed. He gets lotion and starts to massage my back. I moan slightly.
"This is going to turn into something else if you keep that up," he says and I laugh.
"It just feels good," I say.
"Good," he says and I smile. How did I ever get so lucky?
He keeps massaging my back and neck. He tells me I am very tight in my back. He works his way down to my legs and I start to fall asleep.
The next thing I know I am on my pillow with the covers pulled over me with Nathan's arm wrapped around me. It is so cozy. "I love you," I say.
"Most," he says back sleepily.
When I wake up I feel a little hand brush against my face. I open my eyes to find Henry in our bed. Luckily, I have a sweatshirt that I put on when I got cold. Nathan is asleep and Henry is between us.
"Hi buddy," I say and Henry smiles. Then I realize he went down the stairs by himself and that scares me. They are wooden and if he fell he could have gotten hurt. Time to double lock the baby gate. He is so smart he has figured out how to open it.
"I up," Henry says and I smile.
"I see that," I say. I sit up and rub my eyes.
"You wake?" Henry asks. I am now, buddy.
"Are you hungry?" I ask Henry.
"Yes, cakes," he says and wants pancakes. He loves Nathan's pancakes, but I will try to make them the best I can. I let Nathan sleep and pick Henry up, taking him to the kitchen.
"Okay buddy," I say and set him down on the counter. I get all the supplies out and let Henry help me.
"Help me pour," I say and Henry takes the measuring cup and dumps it in.
"Good job, Henry," I say and he smiles, clapping for himself. I laugh and crack the eggs.
"Do you want chocolate chips?" I ask him. He nods smiling at me. I dump some in and he helps me stir.
"You are such a good helper," I encourage him.
Nathan walks out and smiles at us. "Good morning," I say and put the pan on the stove.
"Good morning," Nathan says and goes over to Henry tossing him in the air. We have to leave for my parents in an hour. Henry giggles and grabs onto Nathan.
"Hi Bee," Nathan says and leans down kissing me while he holds Henry.
"Me," Henry says. I smile and give Henry a kiss too. He is so stinking cute. I am going to miss him so much.
"I got this you go get ready," Nathan says while checking the time.
"Deal," I smile and go into the bathroom.
I shower and do my hair and makeup. I have learned to be super quick since having Henry. We are going on a plane so I put on my travel clothes which are just leggings and a long sleeve shirt. I put on my tennis shoes and grab a jacket just in case.
When I hear screaming, I walk out and find Henry on the floor throwing a temper tantrum. I watch as Nathan bends down to his level and holds his hands. "Henry, I need you to use your words please," Nathan says calmly.
"I know you are feeling mad, let's use our words so we can fix it," hwo did I ever get so lucky with this husband of mine.
"No sit," Henry says. I am not sure what that means.
"You don't want to sit?" Nathan repeats. Henry's screams turn into whimpers.
"Show me where you want to sit," Nathan says. Henry walks over to a chair and pulls it out.
"You can sit there," Nathan says and Henry smiles.
"Henry, next time we need to be a big boy and use our words okay?" Nathan says. I smile as he winks at me.
"Good job," I smile and place Henry's plate in front of him. He begins to eat and I let Nathan go get ready.
Henry chows down and is being so funny. I put his plate in the sink and since he is covered in syrup I go and take him to clean him up.
We have a fun bath with lot's of singing then we get dressed. I put him in his black pants and by his request his Lightning Mcqueen shirt. He looks darling.
"Henry, we are going to Nana's and Bub's," I say and Henry gets the biggest smile.
"Pick two toys," I say and hold up the number two. My parents bought a bunch so we do not need to take lots of ours. Henry picks his blue truck and his yellow tractor.
"Okay, are you ready?" I ask.
"Nana Bub," Henry says and I smile.
"You are right, Nana and Bubs," I say and he smiles. I take him downstairs and Nathan has both of our bags by the door. He has Henry's too.
"Natin," Henry screams and goes over to him. I smile and go to grab the bags.
"No Bee I got it," Nathan says. He is still as chivalrous as the first time we went out. I smile and take Henry's hand as we get into the elevator. Henry presses the button and we get down to the car.
As we drive to my parents we listen to music. Henry is rolling his car against the window and playing. Nathan has his hand on my thigh. The drive is quick and when we get there Henry is practically bouncing out of his seat.
My parents come out to the front as I get Henry out of his car seat. Nathan has his car seat and bag in his hand. Henry runs over to my parents and gives them both hugs. My heart melts as he hugs them. I love his relationship with them. I start to get sad. This is our first time leaving him.
"PWAY," Henry yells, clapping.
"Let's go play," my mom says as we all go inside their house.
"Hi Bubs," my dad says as I give him a hug and then my mom a hug.
"Thank you guys again for doing this," Nathan says.
"Of course we are so excited," my dad says.
"Bub," Nathan calls. I laugh at him wanting to play with my dad.
"You guys better get going," my mom says as she checks her watch.
"We have to do the hard part first," I smile and go over to Henry.
"Can you give us hugs bye bye?" I ask Henry. He knows the drill when he stays with Stella.
"Bye bye," Henry says and hugs me tightly. I give him a kiss on the head as I hold him to me.
"Bee Bee no sad," Henry says and I smile as that is always what I tell him.
"Bye Henry Man," Nathan says and he gives Nathan a hug.
"We pway," Henry says and runs over to my mom who has a sippy cup which I'm sure is full of juice.
"Bye guys," I hug my parents. Nathan gives them hugs too. We turn to leave and Henry is waving while my dad holds him. I am so emotional because I am about to get my period. We walk out and get into the car.
"That went well," Nathan says and I nod.
"You okay?" Nathan asks and looks at me. I look back and nod as tears fall.
"I'm sorry, I am just about to get my period so I am so emotional and it is our first time leaving him," I say and Nathan reaches over hugging me.
"Shhh, hey it is okay. He is going to have so much fun with your parents. You and I also get some time to ourselves," he says and I nod. He let's me go and I wipe my eyes. We head over to SEA-TAC and see Ava and Andrew.
"Ready for Cali?" Ava asks as she hugs me.
"Hi babe," I say and hug her.
"Grey, how is it going?" Andrew says as I hug him.
"It is Moore to you," I say and he laughs.
"Uh huh," he says and I smile. We board the plane and Ava pops a bottle of champagne and makes mimosas.
I sit next to Nathan and across from Ava and Andrew. I smile as we clink our glasses and drink. "I am ready for a weekend away," Ava says.
"Us too," I say.
"I bet, how is the little guy," Andrew asks.
"Good, staying with my parents. He is going to be spoiled," I say.
"Oh I believe it," Ava says and I laugh.
The flight takes off and I end up falling asleep most of the way there. When we land I wake up and have another glass of champagne. We drive to our hotel and head up to our rooms. No one has work to do today so we are going to meet down at the pool cabana in an hour.
We get into our hotel room and it is absolutely stunning. It is modern and clean. I smile and place my carry on bags down on the floor. I smile and look at Nathan who is sitting on the bed.
"Well we have an hour," I say and Nathan smirks.
"I know what I want to do," he says and I smile. I walk over and straddle him. We are sitting up chest to chest with me on top. His hands find my butt.
"You have been teasing me in these all day," he says and slaps my butt. I smirk and we start to kiss.
We get lost in each other then spend the rest of the day drinking and hanging out with Ava and Andrew.