Taking a Break
"Are you sure about this?" Moffitt asked his wife as she was adjusting her hat.
"Completely," she answered, expertly putting the hatpin in place.
"But I've never been alone with them by myself," the anxiety in his voice sounded a bit like whining.
"Then it's about time you were," she replied, pulling on her gloves.
"Pippa, please," he begged.
"You don't think I deserve a little break from all my parenting responsibilities?" she looked him in the eye. "They are six months old and during that time I have been the one seeing to their every need. I have taken off the spring semester from teaching and haven't written a single chapter in a book the publishers are anxiously awaiting."
"Of course you deserve some time off," Moffitt agreed. "But do you have to go so far away? Couldn't they stay with my parents? Or yours?"
"No, they are your children, Jack. It's time for you to get comfortable with caring for them," she insisted. "Besides, Mark asked me to do this for Isla. She has been working hard to rebuild her life after mourning the loss of her child. Can you imagine the pain and sorrow she has been experiencing without her friends at her side? Could you say no to Hitch's request if he needed help?" Moffitt sighed.
"No, you have to go," he finally relented. "Give her my love and make sure Hitch knows about the sacrifice I'm making."
"I love you, Jack. I know I'm leaving my babies with someone who loves them as much as I do. You will be fine," she kissed him. Lifting each of the twins, she kissed them goodbye, spoke a few words and handed them to their father. Then picking up her suitcase, she left the house. She didn't dare look back, knowing Moffitt's face would be one of sheer panic.
In Kentucky, the scene played out differently. Mary Ellen was likewise putting on her hat and gloves.
"You have a great time," Tully was saying. "Liam and I will get along fine."
"I know," Mary Ellen replied confidently. "Just try to keep him on schedule as much as possible."
"Yes ma'am," Tully saluted, then pulled her close. "I'm going to miss you, but I'm glad you're getting some time away. It hasn't been easy taking care of the little wiggle monster, working part-time and supporting me while the business takes off. I appreciate everything you do for me."
"I love you, so much," she kissed him. "I will miss you, but I'm glad to be there for Isla. She's such a great friend."
"She will be so happy to see you," Tully agreed, returning the kiss. "Tell her I love you and hope she's soon be back on her toes. Tell Hitch he owes me." They kissed again and Isla lifted Liam in her arms to say goodbye and handed him off to his father.
"You boys have fun," she remarked, picking up her suitcase and walking through the door. She waved and blew kisses as she entered the cab that would take her to the airport in Lexington.
"Zu-Zu," Hitch called as his wife emerged from the bedroom after cleaning up from the day's rigorous therapy sessions. "You have visitors." She entered the sitting room and was astonished to see Mary Ellen and Pippa.
"Happy Belated Birthday," they chorused and ran to hug her. They embraced for several long moments and Hitch was again overjoyed to see the smile on his wife's face.
"I can't believe you're here," she said excitedly.
"Mark called and set it all up. It is so good to see you," Mary Ellen answered. Isla hugged her husband and give him a big kiss.
"Thank you, Tadpole. You always know exactly what I need."
"I was delighted to get Hitch's call," Pippa confessed. "I needed a break, and this was a great opportunity to see you again."
"Who's caring for the twins?" Hitch asked, aghast at the thought of Moffitt doing it alone.
"Their father," Pippa replied with a somewhat evil grin.
"Oh, I'd love to be a fly on the wall, watching that unfold," Hitch returned the evil smirk.
In Cambridge, Moffitt was certain he was trapped in one of the rings of hell. If one baby was smiling, the other was crying. If one was sleeping, the other was awake. If one needed changing, so did the other. The same was true of feeding, although they had different preferences. They were just being started on infant cereal and some strained fruits. Normally fastidious in his appearance, Moffitt realized he sported baby food in his hair and down the front of his shirt. He smelled like soured milk and Pablum, and he didn't care for the experience at all. As covered in baby food as he was, it was nothing compared to the highchairs, walls and floors of the kitchen. How did Pippa do this every day?
On top of everything, the twins were teething and the constant flow of drool down their chins was enough to make him lose his lunch. He was continuously wiping fluids from two tiny faces and trying to ease their gum pain. He would definitely appreciate Pippa more when she returned and try to help out more.
Tully and Liam were having a great time. They had built a tent in the living room where they played for hours on end. They roasted hot dogs over the fire and made s'mores. Tully read lots of books to his young son and they went exploring in the land surrounding the house. Liam helped his dad plant seeds in the garden, and they had ice cream every night. They had been fishing and Liam watched as his dad cleaned and filleted their catch before cooking it over an open fire.
At times, Liam would ask where his Mommy was and Tully told him she was on an adventure, visiting Aunt Isla and Uncle Hitch, but she would be back soon. Then they would devise their own adventure and off they would go searching for buried treasure or looking for discarded bird's nests or any number of activities. Tully relished this time with his son, and he was looking forward to the new child on its way. He loved being a father and felt proud that he was able to care for him on his own, if necessary.
The three friends had a great time together in Switzerland and the visitors were amazed at how far Isla had come in her recovery. She was beginning to do pointe work but being careful not to push things too quickly. They went to dinner and celebrated with a birthday cake. Hitch faded into the background so they could speak freely and catch up on what was happening in their lives.
Isla asked about their children, a subject the other two had been reluctant to bring up since they didn't want to stir up any feelings of loss in their still suffering friend. At one point, Mary Ellen took Isla's hand and hesitantly said,
"I want to share some news with you but I'm nervous you won't want to hear it." Isla's face grew concerned and she covered Mary Ellen's hand when her own.
"Don't be nervous, you can tell me anything," she assured her friend.
"I'm expecting," Mary Ellen said quietly. Isla paused for a moment before breaking into a smile.
"I'm so excited and happy for you. Liam will be a big brother," she said and looking at both of the women added, "You don't have to worry that your news will make me sad. I think its marvelous and one day I hope to share similar news with you. Alexander's memory will always be with me, and Mark too, but we will always rejoice in your children." The three hugged one another, glad an obstacle was out of the way.
Mary Ellen returned home to Tully to find him waiting with a clean, dressed up Liam holding a bouquet of flowers to welcome Mommy home. In Cambridge, Pippa arrived to discover an exhausted, disheveled Moffitt and her babies asleep in their cribs. He greeted her with a kiss and said, "I think perhaps we should consider a nanny."