Two weeks later
Elizabeth and Aria walked out of the salon with new pedicures and manicures.
"Aria, honey? I think you're getting taller. I think you need some new pants."
"Yeah and my shoes hurt."
"Let's go to the mall then."
"Can I get my ears pierced? Oh, Mommy! Please?"
Elizabeth had only been slightly older than Aria when she had gotten her ears pierced. She remembered how much she had wanted it. "Okay, honey. Sure."
"Thank you! Yes!"
….
Lucas sighed as Jamie finally slept. He was restless himself, so much on his mind still. He was gaining a step-father in Campbell Pratt. Aria was so moody and cried a lot, complaining that he was never around. He missed Elizabeth and finally they were going to do something about that after she and Aria got home and Grace and William picked the kids up for the night. The doctor had given them the green light.
On top of all those things, Lucas decided to turn down the job in Cleveland. It just wasn't the right time for their family and he would tell Elizabeth that night.
He checked on the roast that was slowly cooking in the oven and added potatoes. Then he slid the chocolate cake batter into the oven to cook.
He next put a bottle of sparkling grape juice in the fridge to chill and set up some candles around the living room, dining room and master bath and bedroom.
He would light them in a bit, making sure everything was perfect for them.
Then, Elizabeth and Aria returned. Aria was in tears and Elizabeth was overwhelmed.
"What's going on?"
Aria stomped up the stairs and Lucas raised his eyebrows.
"Everything was great. We got our nails done, bought her new pants and shoes, got her ears pierced but the moment I said no to buying her a new doll on top of all of that, she threw a fit. She yelled at me in the store and told me she hated me and that's where we are right now. I grounded her."
"What is going on with her?"
"She's struggling with everything. All the change in family, not getting everything she thinks she needs when she thinks she needs it. Honestly, I'm worried about how she's going to take a move to Cleveland at this point."
"We don't have to worry about that. I'm turning them down Monday. In the meantime, how long is she grounded for?"
"A week. Starting now. No tablet, no friends over. You're turning them down? Lucas, you deserve this."
"But they are still going to your parent's house right?"
"I don't think so. She stepped over the line, Lucas."
"Babe, this is our night in. Just us. We need this."
"I know. There's nothing to say we can't enjoy ourselves even though the kids are home, right?"
"I…you know wha? What's one more night apart?" He walked up the stairs and left her standing there.
Elizabeth knew he was struggling too and honestly with all the drama with Aria that evening, she had forgotten temporarily about their date night. Now she needed to fix that.
She knocked on Aria's door and walked in. "Aria, please pack to get ready for Nana and Papa's. I will let them know you are grounded there too."
"I'm not going." She crossed her arms and stubbornly stared back at Elizabeth.
"Yes you are and your Dad and I have plans tonight."
"I can stay here by myself."
"You are eight years old, Aria May."
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!!!"
"Aria!" Lucas said, raising his voice in the doorway. "Stop yelling at your mother."
"Whatever."
"Two weeks."
"What?"
"You are now grounded for two weeks. Wanna make it three?"
Aria stayed silent this time. "Please pack your things. Nana Grace will be here in a little bit to pick you and Jamie up." Elizabeth grabbed Aria's tablet and walked out of the room, taking it to the closet in the master where it would sit for the next two weeks.
"I thought she wasn't going," Lucas mentioned quietly since Jamie was still asleep in his crib.
"You were right. We need time for ourselves. I'm sorry."
He sat down on the bed and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Babe?" she asked, sitting next to him.
"I'm so overwhelmed too. I know a little bit about how Aria is feeling. And how you were feeling a few months back."
She put her arm around his back and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I know you are. I hope that tonight though, you and I can put aside everything thats hard and just concentrate on us."
"I want to." He didn't know if he could just push it away.
"Let's try. What did you have planned?"
"Dinner, jacuzzi."
"That's it?" she teased lifting her head.
He smiled and kissed her temple. "No, that's just a start."
"Its good to see your smile, Lucas. I've missed it."
"I've missed you." He slipped his fingers under the edge of her shirt and started to lift it up and over her head when the doorbell rang. Max barked downstairs and then Jamie woke up.
She stood up, pulled her shirt back down and kissed him. "Soon." She picked up Jamie and changed his diaper.
"Can you please fill my mom in on Aria? I'll be right down with Jamie."
"Yeah."
Aria stomped out the front door, pulling her suitcase behind her.
"I'm sorry, Grace."
"For what, dear?" she asked, receiving Lucas' hug.
"Lately she's been so disagreeable. And rude and yells. I hate that you have to deal with that."
"You forget, Luke. I raised three pre-teen girls myself. This is typical behavior. Nothing I haven't seen before."
"Well, no tablet and no tv for her tonight. I'll let you guys choose if you want her to do extra chores or not."
"Got it."
Elizabeth walked in with Jamie and a backpack with all his clothes and diapers in it. "I'll go grab his milk and bottles and he will be all set."
Ten minutes later, the kids were off and Lucas barely knew where to start. He just wanted time with his wife and now he had it.
"Dinner ready?" she prompted, smiling at his slight uncomfortable look.
"About."
"Okay." She kissed his cheek and smiled. "I'll go change and be right back. Give me ten."
He nodded and watched her walk away, fighting the urge to just follow her right upstairs. Instead he walked to the kitchen and pulled out the roast and potatoes and then the cake. It was done and it smelled amazing.
As the food rested, he lit the candles and dimmed the light, letting Max outside for a few minutes. He poured the sparkling juice into wine glasses and set the table for two.
As he started the soft music on the bluetooth speakers, he heard her come into the room. He turned and shook his head. "You are so gorgeous."
"Thank you."
He pulled her close, enjoying the feel of her new motherly curves against him. He rested his hands on her hips, giving her lips a taste. "Mm."
"I'm starving. Let's eat."
…..
Grace and William's house
"Its not fair, Nana," Aria said, crossing her arms. "I'm not at home. I shouldn't have to be grounded."
"Sorry, sweetheart. Just because you aren't around your parents, doesn't mean you shouldn't have consequences for your actions."
"Why is everyone so mean?"
"Including yourself?" Grace asked, raising her eyebrows. "You need to respect adults, Aria Bouchard. Me included. Please take your plate to the kitchen and take a bath."
"I don't need a bath."
"Aria, now."
Aria stomped up the stairs and slammed the door. William shook his head. He remembered moody girls all too well. Jamie drank his bottle and kicked his legs, staring up at him.
"Hi, buddy. You sure are getting big."
Grace took William's plate and Aria's since she had left it there on the table. "Coffee, dear?" she asked. He always had decaf after dinner.
"Yes please, but maybe we can have it together after the kids are asleep?"
"On the couch?"
"Yes. Its too cold for the porch, so the couch by the fire sounds perfect."
……
Dinner and the jacuzzi had been perfect. Now Lucas and Elizabeth laid in each other's arms, enjoying the silence of their house.
"It has been a long three months and twelve days," he muttered, making her giggle.
"You counted the days?"
"Yes, I did."
"Silly man," she whispered, turning her head to kiss his chest. "Can I ask you something?"
"Always."
"Are you sure that turning down Cleveland is what you want?"
"What I want and what I think is best for our family are not the same," he admitted. "Sometimes family means making sacrifices and changes. In fact, I am going to be changing my hours at the lab so that I'm home earlier. And I think Aria should start soccer, if its not too late in the season."
"Okay."
He looked in her eyes and he could tell something else was on her mind. "What else, hon?"
"What if I want to go back to work part time?"
"At the hospital?"
"No, the kid's pediatrician is looking for a part time nurse. I think I want to apply."
"I thought you wanted to stay home with Jamie and Aria."
"Aria has school until 3:30. I would only work three days and I would take her to school and only work until it was time to pick her up."
"And who would watch Jamie?"
"Mom. She offered. Retirement is boring apparently."
He laughed and sat back against the pillows. "I think you should do it if you want to."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Thanks, Luke!"
She pulled the covers back and slipped her robe on.
"Where are you going?"
"To get some cake. Want some?"
…..
The next evening
"A date? I'm only eight, Dad."
"A date with me, Aria. You and me. We will go out to eat wherever you want and then go to the movies."
"Don't you have to work?"
"Nope. No work tonight. What do you say?"
"I guess."
He was hoping for a little more enthusiasm but she seemed relatively agreeable.
"Great. Now let's go get ready."
Elizabeth wandered past the bathroom and caught Aria sniffling as she stared in the mirror.
"Babe? What's wrong?"
"I want to look perfect for Daddy. But I can't get my hair right and I'm so ugly."
"Sweetheart, you are not ugly. You are gorgeous. I can help you with your hair if you want."
Aria hopped off the stool that she barely needed anymore and threw her arms around Elizabeth's waist.
"Mommy! I'm sorry I've been so mean. I love you so much!"
"I love you more, my sweet girl." Elizabeth sat on the toilet and pulled Aria over in front of her. "Can you tell me what's on your mind?"
"I don't know. Stuff just makes me mad and then I yell. I don't understand why but then I can't stop it."
"Its hard to be a kid sometimes, isn't it?" Elizabeth knew Aria was only eight and a half but her hormones could be amping up inside her body. She'd read studies about girls who got their period by ten sometimes.
Elizabeth looked closely at Aria and didn't know how she had missed the changes going on. She was starting to develop a bit and that made things fall into place.
"Yeah. Its hard and I know you and Daddy love me but…it feels like you forget about me since Jamie."
Elizabeth smiled and kissed both of her cheeks. "Lets talk while I help you with your hair."
"I tried to braid it in the back but I couldn't make it work."
"A french braid?"
"Yes."
"Alright. I can do that. Now, just to let you know, you are not an easily forgettable person, Aria May and I promise you that I have not forgotten you. Not for one moment. I'm sorry that it feels like that."
"Its okay."
"That's sweet of you, but its not okay. I have felt sad the last couple months and that has made it harder for me to do anything."
"Why were you sad?"
Lucas listened from the hallway, not wanting to interrupt the mother/daughter time happening.
"Sometimes when Mommy's have babies, they feel sad that the baby isn't inside anymore. There's things called hormones that are similar to what you are feeling when you get angry and yell. Its hard to control and sometimes I can't."
"I can't either, Mommy."
"I know. So the best I can do is tell you that I will try harder to be the Mommy you need and that Jamie needs."
Elizabeth finished the braid and turned Aria to face her. "Alright?" Aria nodded.
"I promise to be the daughter that you need too, Mommy. I'll try not to yell."
"Thank you, love." She sighed and smiled. "You are so beautiful and I know Daddy will agree."
"Both my girls are beyond beautiful," Lucas said, leaning against the door frame.
"I'm ready for our date, Daddy."
"Me too, sweet pea. Me too."