The house was quiet, and she was exhausted. Lisa sat down on the top step upstairs, just down from John's room, making sure he was really asleep. She knew if she sat down anywhere else, she might just fall asleep. He'd not gone down easily. As good as he'd done on the trip, today had been rough on him. He'd had trouble on the plane and now at home. It was okay; she knew babies went through their little bouts of frustration, and she was just glad he'd waited until he was almost home to lose it. It was now after 11:00, and she was almost too tired to get up and go down to her own room. She really needed to go downstairs and turn off the kitchen light, but she was considering just leaving it. One night wouldn't hurt, but the idea of walking down and then back up the stairs was almost too much. She dropped her head in her hands, her hair still wet from the glorious shower she'd gotten the first time she thought John was asleep. She'd stepped out of the shower to his crying, and that had frazzled her as she tried to throw on some clothes to check on him. She'd soothed him, finished dressing in something presentable for bed, brushed out her very wet hair that she didn't have the energy to touch, only for him to wake up again. Now, she was hoping the third time was the charm so she could go to sleep. She didn't have any meetings scheduled until after lunch tomorrow, for which she was very grateful.
It was hard sending Jack away, home, but for a multitude of reasons, she needed to be here. She didn't have things at Heartland; she hadn't for some time, since their breakup. John needed a good night of sleep, and Lisa knew from prior experiences at Heartland, the house wouldn't be quiet. Jack would start the morning chores before 6:00, and if Tim was there lurking, he wouldn't be far behind. The kitchen would come to life. Lou was a very early riser usually, and she was not quiet in the kitchen. All in all, it would not be a restful night, and then, the idea of everyone in the one bathroom was too much. She needed some peace and quiet. Plus, they didn't want to just have her show up, "sleeping over" as the family would see it when they had this big news to share.
Jack had helped her get into the house and made sure things were sound. She suspected he'd threatened Tim if he'd tried to help. She had appreciated his help, but again, Tim was being Tim.
"I'm sorry we didn't work this out already. That's my fault," he said, holding her loosely in his arms before he stepped back outside.
She shook her head, "No, we both decided this, meaning we both neglected to talk about actually getting home tonight. Get some sleep. We're both exhausted, and it will do John some good to be in his crib. Maybe he'll wake up in a much better mood. I know you have the chores to get to in the morning, and we'll regroup tomorrow. It's been a very busy couple of weeks."
"I'm so glad I'm coming home better than I left," he said, leaning in for a soft, sweet kiss. Lisa returned it, and she smacked at his side.
"Get home, Cowboy, and please don't hurt Tim," she chuckled, dropping her head into his chest. He smirked at her before putting his hat back on as he stepped outside. Lisa waved from the door, and then, she had almost collapsed against it. She didn't, because John chose to start screaming again.
Lisa took a long deep breath and pulled herself up. John seemed to have settled, and she was ready to do the same. The kitchen light wouldn't hurt anyone. She was going to leave it.
It wasn't even 15 minutes later, and she was almost asleep when she sprang up in bed. John couldn't be awake again. She dragged herself out of bed, but then she froze in the hallway. He wasn't crying, but she'd heard something. She tiptoed to the end of the hallway, and she froze. The kitchen light was off. Instant panic hit her, and then, she swore she heard another noise. The stairway light switched on, and all she thought about was getting to John.
"Lise, it's me. I'm on the stairs," and Lisa about died, letting out her breath. She clutched her chest and walked to the stairwell.
"What are you doing here?" Lisa shook her head, giving him a soft smile. Jack was walking up the stairs, gripping the railing with each heavy step, moving very slowly, and looking very tired, but he met her gaze and gave her a sympathetic glace noting she looked scared to death.
"Sorry if I scared you. I tried to call you," he told her, putting his bag down on the top step.
She put her hand to her face, "I think my phone is still in my purse. John was a mess, and I finally got him settled. I haven't even thought about my phone."
He gave her a warm smile, nodding to his bag, "I wasn't ready to be at home without you now. Bunking with Tim was plain stupid when I had a beautiful," he pulled her toward him, "smart and absolutely wonderful wife here." She looked at him with a huge, warm smile and fell into his embrace. "Your hair is really wet. Did John keep you from everything?" Lisa shook her head, and he just sighed for her.
"I still have all the pillows," she said in her muffled tone into his shirt, referencing to a complaint he'd had before they broke up, before John. He chuckled and pulled her tighter.
"I suppose I can deal with the pillows or just move them," he told her. "I'll need to get to the chores in the morning, but I usually get started with those on my own or with Tim," he spit out his name again, "and I'll see people when I see them after chores. They already saw me tonight. The horses can wait the few minutes it will take me to drive home, at least tomorrow."
"Come on," she stepped back and reached for his hand. "I'm really glad you are here. If we can make it all the way down the very long hall that looks even longer the more tired I grow," she gestured, "we can hopefully fall into a blissful sleep."
