“Then we need to consider it more seriously. I guess I’ve gotten too used to you being available to me and have been taking advantage of you. If this is something you really want then we can find a way to make it work.”
“Do you really think so, Sammy? I don’t want to cause any problems between us. Or make things harder on you.”
“Max, if you’re resisting doing something that you’re passionate about because of me, then that’s what is going to put a strain on our marriage. I just don’t know what we will do when it does come time for another book tour, or how I will get writing done while taking care of Abby at the same time.”
“You can write in the afternoons after I get home. I’ll still take care of her so you can work. As for the book tour, I will have a very flexible schedule. Most of the time if I choose to, I’ll be able to work from home. So we’ll still have the flexibility that we need to make all this work.”
“Well, it sounds like it could really work out for all of us then. So let’s do it, let’s make this work for all of us.”
“Wow, Sammy, I didn’t think you’d go for it.”
“That’s a problem. You should know that your goals are just as important as mine. I’m sorry I haven’t made you feel that way. If you want the job, take it.”
“Are you sure?” His eyes lit up.
I wasn’t sure. Not even close to sure. But I refused to hold him back from what he wanted.
“It’s fine, Max, I promise.” I kissed him, then gave his hand a squeeze. “We’re in this together—always.”
Chapter 27
That night I lay wide awake in bed after both Max and Abby were asleep. The news about Max taking a job had thrown me off completely. I didn’t know how to feel or what to think, but there was no stopping it. A pang of guilt tightened my chest as I wondered how long Max had been feeling so trapped by his role in our family. I’d just assumed that he enjoyed our time together as much as I did.
But Max was the type that needed to achieve. I understood that. He’d always been driven and determined to grow his career.
Would I be able to handle everything by myself? I’d gotten so used to leaning on Max that I wasn’t sure that I could.
Over the next few days I tried not to dwell on what could go wrong. I didn’t want Max to think I was worried, but I was. He was my rock, and though I knew I was capable of parenting Abby, I wasn’t so sure that I was capable of doing the juggling that he expected.
What if I wasn’t in the mood to write during my writing time? What if other things came up and I wasn’t able to get as much done as I wanted to?
One afternoon as Abby and I were sprawled out on the floor reading a book together, Max walked into the room to join us.
“Hey, I’ve got some great news.” He sat down beside me.
“Oh?” I met his eyes.
“It’s official, I got the job—and they want me to start on Monday.”
“On Monday? But today is Saturday.”
“I know.” He grinned. “Isn’t it great?”
“Yes, it’s fantastic.” I kissed him in an attempt to hide the fear in my eyes. “That’s not a lot of time to plan, though.”
“I don’t think there’s much to plan. The first few days will be mostly getting to know the position and the people I will be working with. You’re sure you’re okay with this, right?” He looked into my eyes. “I don’t want anything to be strained between us.
“I’ll admit, I’m nervous. But I’m also very happy for you, Max. I think this is something you need.”
“It’s really going to be great for all of us. Don’t you think so, Abby?”
Abby looked up at her father and smiled. “Yes, yes, yes!”
“Oh, a new word!” I scooped her up and kissed her cheek. “Yes, yes, yes, Abby, it will be good.”
“Yes, it will be.” Max ruffled her hair.
Over the weekend we spent extra time together and also ironed out what our new schedule would be like.
On the morning of Max’s first day, I made us a big breakfast to share.
He walked up behind me in the kitchen and hugged me around my waist. “Thanks, Sammy, this is wonderful.”
“I’m proud of you, Max. I’m glad you’re going after what you want.”
“I learned from someone quite wise.” He kissed the side of my neck.
“Oh, look at you starting something you can’t finish.” I grinned and pushed him away.
“Who says I can’t? We have time.” He pulled me close again.
I leaned in to kiss him, but before I could, a handful of applesauce splatted against his cheek.
Max jumped and looked over at Abby. “Did you do that?” He hid a smile.
Abby giggled and picked up another handful of applesauce.
“Oh, no—I was letting her practice with a spoon.” I laughed and ducked as the applesauce went flying.
“I’m already dressed!” Max grabbed me by the waist and pulled me in front of him as more applesauce flew across the room.
“I am not your human shield, Max!”
“Right now you are.” He ducked down behind me as we moved toward Abby.
I managed to get the applesauce away from her and Max peeked out from behind my shoulder.
“Peek-a-boo, Abby.” He grinned.
“Dada, dada!” She smiled. Then she made the sign for “I love you.”
“Aw! I love you too, sweetie.” Max kissed the top of her head and ignored her grubby applesauce hands as they grabbed at his shirt.
We spent a few minutes signing “I love you” back and forth, then shared our breakfast.
When it was time for Max to leave, we walked him to the door.
“Say bye-bye to Daddy.” I smiled and kissed Abby’s cheek.
She waved her little hand.
Max caught it and kissed each fingertip. “I’ll be back soon, sweetheart.”
“We’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.” He kissed me on the lips, then hugged us both. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck.” I smiled as I watched him step out the door. It was a relief to really mean it. I wanted him to do well, and I hoped that his first day would be everything that he wanted it to be.
As the hours passed, however, I noticed how much I missed Max. It wasn’t because he would offer to make breakfast or take Abby for a few minutes so I could use the bathroom in peace. It was because he wasn’t there to turn to with a gleeful smile when Abby did something so amazing that I thought I might burst.
Instead, I had to settle for snapping a picture or jotting it down to tell him later.
After a few hours passed, I began to feel more content. Abby’s chipper attitude and her determination to get to her feet distracted me.
As I watched, she skimmed the coffee table and cruised the couch.
It amazed me that she could change so much in such a short period of time.
As a newborn, when we’d brought her home, I could remember looking into her eyes and wondering how such a tiny being was going to learn so much in such a short period of time. Yet she’d done it and I’d been able to witness it every step of the way.
The best part was, I didn’t feel pressured to write constantly. Instead, I knew that I would have my time to write when Max got home. Knowing that allowed me to focus on Abby and our time together.
First we practiced our signs. Then we stretched out on the floor and did some tummy time. Then we did some crawling. She got to her knees and pulled herself up with the edge of the couch.
I stood up beside her.
She looked up at me, then at the couch, then at me again.
“You can do it, Abby. Give it a try.” I smiled at her.
She lifted her hands from the couch and held them up in front of her.
Before my very eyes she went from a cruiser to a stander.
“You did it!” I clapped and laughed.
She tried to clap too and fell right down on her bottom.
&
nbsp; “Oops. Don’t worry, Mommy does that all the time.” I grinned and picked her up. “When Daddy gets home we’ll have a big surprise for him, hm?”
That afternoon when Max returned, Abby was very happy to show him her new skill.
“She’s standing! Max, you know what’s next? Walking!”
“I know, and then running.” He laughed. “She’s going to have her hands into everything. Aren’t you, Abby?” He poked her nose.
She swatted at his hand and pouted.
“Aw, I’m sorry. Want to get my nose?” He pointed to his nose.
She grinned and grabbed for it.
“Oh no, you got my nose!” Max gasped.
Abby’s smile faded. She thrust her hand back at him, her fingers spread wide.
He laughed and plucked his imaginary nose from her hand.
“So, how was your first day?”
“It was busy. And a bit more complicated than I expected. But good. How was yours?”
“It was great.”
“Okay, well, off to work with you.” He waved his hand toward my office.
“Nice.” I grinned. “I guess it’s time for me to clock in.”
Chapter 28
Over the next two months, Max continued to work, I neared completion of the new book and Abby spent time exploring the entire house. She had her hands in everything she could reach, from the kitchen drawers to the laundry basket, to the big pile of magazines that I’d been meaning to donate to the library.
Though she was sleeping more at night, I was just as exhausted from chasing her around. Our new routine worked well for all of us, and I was too busy to obsess over what Abby should or shouldn’t be doing.
Abby did a lot of standing. She stood and stared. She stood and giggled. She stood and threw soft blocks at me until I gave in and played with her. Once she was on her feet, however, she didn’t attempt to take a step. It seemed she was more interested in just keeping an eye on everyone and everything.
Max and I spent most of our time fascinated by our child as she blossomed right before our eyes.
“Can you believe she’s almost one, Max?” I brushed her blonde hair away from her eyes and smiled.
“I can’t. It’s gone very quickly. It makes me a little sad, honestly.”
“I understand. It makes me sad sometimes too. But I’m also really excited. Now that she can communicate a little more she’s showing her likes and dislikes. It’s so much fun getting to know her personality.”
“Yes, it is.” Max nodded and kissed Abby on the cheek. “So what do you think about her birthday?”
“How about at the park? I think that would be nice. We don’t have too many kids to invite, so it might be nice for it to just be us. We could have a nice picnic and some cake. I think Abby would really enjoy that.”
“That’s it?” Max raised an eyebrow. “It’s her first birthday. We need to do something spectacular.”
“Max, remember that we agreed to tone things down.”
“But we have plenty of money to make it fantastic.”
“She’s turning one. She won’t even remember it.”
“But we will. And we’ll take pictures.”
“A picnic at the park.”
“With a surprise?”
“Okay, fine—with a surprise.” I smiled.
“You’re not mad?”
“How could I be mad that you love your daughter so much you want to spoil her?”
“I guess you can’t.” He grinned.
For the next few weeks I tried to focus on getting the book finished before Abby’s birthday. I tried not to pressure myself too much, but it was hard not to.
On the night before her birthday, I still had a few more chapters to finish. With determination, I stayed up later than I should have. I was so close to the end that I pushed and pushed. By the time I typed what I thought might be the last sentence, it was already after three in the morning.
Exhausted, I collapsed in bed beside Max, but I felt a sense of pride. As a family, we’d handled the first year and I looked forward to the next.
When I woke up I found Max had already made Abby and me breakfast.
“Oh, Max, thank you. I’m sorry I slept so late.”
“It’s no big deal. I figured you were up working.”
“I was, in fact. And I’m done!”
“You are?” He hugged me. “Congratulations, my love.”
“Thank you.” I kissed him. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“And now we get to celebrate our little girl’s first birthday. What an amazing year it’s been.”
“Yes, it has, and I’m looking forward to many more.”
When we arrived at the park, I spread out a blanket not far from the playground and began to put out all of Abby’s favorite finger foods.
She was so excited that she tasted a little bit of each one.
Max produced a bundle of balloons and I grinned.
“Nice surprise.”
“Thank you. I know how much she likes balloons.”
A loud beeping sound interrupted our picnic. I looked up to see a truck backing up near us.
“What’s going on? I thought I picked a quiet spot.”
“Oh well, you did say I could have one surprise.”
“I thought that the surprise was the balloons.”
“Not exactly.”
A man stepped out of the truck and unloaded a giant bouncy castle. Within a few minutes he had it inflated.
“Max, this is crazy!”
“It’s a castle—for my princess.” He smiled as Abby squealed and clapped her hands. “See? She loves it!”
“But Max, it’s too much.”
“No.” He locked eyes with me. “Nothing will ever be too much for my family. I respect your desires and choices, Sammy; I’m asking you to do the same for me. I want her to have an amazing day. Is it overindulgent? Sure. But it’s just a bouncy castle, after all.”
“It does look like fun.” I grinned. “Maybe I could go in with her.”
“I think you’d better get moving if you plan to.” He pointed to Abby as she crawled across the grass toward the bouncy castle.
Within a few minutes, we were all inside of the castle.
Abby loved rolling around and bouncing.
“Sammy, can you do this?” Max did a half-flip and landed on his feet.
“Uh, no. I don’t think I can.”
“Just try it.” He smiled.
“I don’t think so.”
“What happened to being brave and daring?”
“I’m old and rickety.”
“Nonsense.” He wrapped an arm around my waist. “You’re beautiful and adventurous. Now give it a shot.”
“Alright, but only once.”
Chapter 29
Max picked up Abby and backed up to give me some room. I attempted to do the same flip that he had done. However, instead of landing on my feet, I landed on my backside.
Abby shrieked with laughter.
So of course I had to do it again.
After a few more tries I actually managed to land on my feet.
“Oh, she’s wet. I’m going to go change her. We’ll be right back.” Max stepped out of the bouncy house.
I continued to practice the flip. At one point I flipped a little too close to the door and slid right down the pink slide that led to the grass. I landed rather hard on my back and grunted. When I turned over I saw big black shoes right in front of my face.
“What?” I looked up from the shoes along bright yellow and orange pants and further to a matching top and further to a bright red nose. “Clown!” I jumped to my feet.
“Hiya, Sammy!” He laughed and waved his big gloves in the air.
“Max! I never agreed to a clown!”
Max laughed and waved from the picnic blanket. “Did I forget to mention the clown?”
“You’re evil, Max! Evil!”
I ran toward him with a gleeful smile on my face.
>
We sang happy birthday to Abby and then she tasted cake for the first time. She obliged us both by smashing her face right in it.
After the castle and the clown were gone, we all spent some time together on the blanket. Abby was just as happy as ever, and I was glad that she’d had a special day.
While Max took things to the car, Abby and I hung out near the playground.
A woman and her daughter sat nearby blowing bubbles.
“Would you like some?” She offered me a small bottle.
“Thank you so much.” I smiled. “I haven’t blown bubbles in a long time.”
“It’s a lot of fun. Here you go, Callie.” She smiled and blew some bubbles for the little girl in front of her.
Callie squealed and chased after the bubbles. Then she returned to her mother for more.
I blew some bubbles for Abby.
She blinked at me and blew some spit bubbles back.
“Don’t you want to catch them, Abby?” I frowned and blew some more for her to chase.
“She has to see you having fun first.” The mother beside me smiled. “They don’t know it’s supposed to be fun unless you teach them.”
“Oh. I can’t believe I never thought about that.”
“It’s easy to get lost in all the things we’re supposed to know as mothers, but I’ve found that the best part of being a mom is sharing experiences. I try to think of all the things that I loved to do as a little girl and then I share them with Callie. As adults, we forget how to play way too easily.” She laughed.
“I used to love chasing bubbles.”
“Then she will too. Just show her. You can’t be afraid to be silly. They need silly. Heck, we need it too.” She blew some bubbles, then waved her hands through them with a laugh as she tried to capture each one.
Baby on Board (Single Wide Female & Family #2) Page 9