The smell of bacon filled the air as I made my way into Luke’s room. Slowly opening the door, I grinned when I saw him sitting in his crib. “Good morning, handsome boy.”
He smiled and called out, “Mama!”
I never knew I could love someone like I loved Luke. He was my entire world. Reaching into the crib, I picked him up. “Let’s get you all cleaned up and join Daddy downstairs for breakfast.”
“Dada!” Luke yelled out. Kissing him on the cheek, I grinned. “But who is the boss?” I whispered.
Luke let out a sweet laugh. “Mama!”
Tickling his stomach, I nodded. “That’s right. Mommy is always in charge.”
My little happy man laughed the entire time I changed him and got him dressed. Holding him close to me, I headed downstairs. He was growing up so fast and now that he was full-on walking, he was everywhere. I took full advantage of the moments he let me hold him.
The smell of bacon and pancakes filled the air. Rounding the corner and heading into the kitchen, I came to a stop.
“Hey, Ari.”
“Dad, what are you doing here?”
Jeff turned and looked at me with a frown on his face. “He decided to show up early and hang with me some today.”
Pressing my lips tightly together, I attempted not to chuckle. “Oh. Um. Why?”
Luke cried out for my father and he quickly made his way over to me. He took Luke from my arms and proceeded to fly him around like he was an airplane.
“Do I need a reason to spend time with my family?”
“Yes,” Jeff mumbled. I pointed to him with my brows furrowed and mouthed stop. Jeff and my father had been at odds with each other since day one. Daddy didn’t think Jeff was good enough for me and Jeff swore up and down the only goal in life my father had was to take him out. Deep down, I knew they both loved each other but were too damn stubborn to admit it.
“No, of course you don’t need a reason, Daddy.”
Taking off into the living room, Jeff started shaking the spatula at me. “Why is he here and why does he want to hang with me today?”
I shrugged and whispered, “I don’t know. Maybe he wants to get to know you better?”
“Ha! He’s trying to get my schedule down so he can hire someone to take me out! He’s been waiting patiently all this time and now he’s ready to make the hit.”
My hands went to my hips. “Really, Jeff? Take you out? Make. The. Hit?”
Jeff pinned me with his eyes. He looked so serious I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re ridiculous, Jeff,” I said as I got Luke’s breakfast ready.
Dad walked back into the kitchen with Luke and proceeded to put him in his highchair.
“I think the little guy is ready to eat.”
With a grin, I handed the bowl of oatmeal and bananas to my father.
“So, are you kids packed up and ready to go?”
Jeff placed a plate full of bacon, and another with pancakes on it, in the middle of the table. For some reason with this pregnancy, I craved both all the time. “We are. I got everything packed up yesterday. The truck is ready to go.”
“Did you get both of my cases?” I asked with a sweet smile.
Rolling his eyes, Jeff replied, “I did. But you do know we’re only gone for three nights, right?”
“You never know. They have dance parties at Garner!”
My father chuckled. “Camping with you was always … fun.”
I sat and made a plate while Jeff did the same. “Where’s Mom and Matt?”
“They stayed at the hotel in Fredericksburg so Matt could swim in the indoor pool this morning.”
Jeff cleared his throat. “And look at you, up all bright and early.”
With a smirk, my father replied, “Well, if I’m going to be playing you for a few days, I need to know your routine in and out. What is it you do every day, Jeff?”
When Jeff’s head snapped up, I had to fight hard to keep my composure. His eyes widened as he glared at me and mouthed, I told you so. He motioned his throat being cut and all I could do was shake my head and look away.
A small part of me wondered if what my father was doing was exactly what Jeff was saying.
Glancing back at my dad, he was smiling and talking to Luke. He was a giant teddy bear. No way.
He stopped and shot a dirty look over to Jeff for no reason at all. My stomach dropped.
He wouldn’t. Would he? No.
Looking back at my father, I gave him a long hard look.
No. He wouldn’t.
“Ari, we have to go.”
I hugged Luke one more time. “Mommy loves you, buddy! I’m going to miss you so much!”
Jeff moved in and kissed Luke on the cheek and gave him another hug. “We’re going to be late, Ari. If we want to get set up before dark, we have to leave now.”
“Mom, we’re just under two hours away so if you need anything, you’ll text me, right?”
“Yes, Ari, I’ve raised two kids and I’ve watched this handsome boy plenty of times. Go and have fun.”
I nodded. “We are going to have fun!”
“Good, because once this baby comes, the fun is over.”
My smile dropped. “What?”
Pushing me toward the truck, my mother replied, “I’m kidding. Sort of.”
“Well that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, Mom.”
Jeff opened my door for me as I climbed in. Reaching in, my father gave me a kiss. “Don’t worry about Luke, sweetheart. He’ll have so much fun he won’t even notice you’re gone.”
A sinking feeling in my heart hit me. I was going to miss him so much. “O-okay.”
“And don’t worry about the horses. I followed Jeff around and I’ve got it. Seems easy enough to do.”
Jeff huffed as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “Easy enough my ass,” Jeff spoke under his breath.
“Plus, Scott’s going to be stopping by each morning and evening. Turns out your husband doesn’t trust me to do the job.”
With a fake grin, Jeff stated, “He said it not me.”
Jerking my head over to Jeff, I said, “Stop already.” I looked back at my father. “Thanks, Daddy. I love y’all. Hey, where’s Matt?”
“He’s napping. All the swimming this morning wore him out,” my mother replied.
With a slight frown, I nodded. “Okay. Well we’re leaving I guess. Tell him bye and I love him. Hope he has fun here!”
Jeff started the truck.
“Be safe driving,” my father said as he pointed to Jeff. “If anything happens to my baby, I’m coming after you.”
I shook my head and turned to Jeff. He had a look of total fear on his face. “Right. We’re off.”
Daddy stepped away from the truck. I waved and shouted, “Bye, Luke! Be a good boy! I love you!”
Luke waved and blew kisses to us as we drove off.
I watched them until Jeff turned and headed down the driveway. My heart felt heavy.
“Jeff,” I whispered.
Taking my hand in his, he gently kissed the back of it. “He’s going to be fine, baby. We’ll be back Monday morning. Just think, it’s just us. No getting up early, no middle of the night diaper changes. Just you and me naked in a tent all weekend.”
There was no denying the ache between my legs. “No Gramps walking in on us.”
“Hell yes!” Jeff shouted. He squeezed my hand. “The things I’m going to do to you tonight.”
I ran my tongue along my lips. I ached to feel Jeff against my body. A part of me longed for the days when we could strip down and have sex any time and anywhere we wanted. Now it seemed like we both collapsed into bed with exhaustion, a good night kiss was the only action we saw on those days.
“You’re right. This weekend is going to be magical.”
“Yes it is, baby. A weekend to remember.”