Chad
Chad turned his head to look at Hope asleep in the van. She was curled up against the passenger side window, with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. They had three more hours to go and his driving assistant had fallen asleep after two. He was glad that the doctor approved her last book signing before she had the baby. Chad smiled, and was tempted to reach out and touch her arm, but was afraid to wake her. He glanced in the rearview mirror to find Isabella in a similar position in her car seat. She was a beautiful reflection of her mother and he adored her very much.
These signings were an opportunity for him to watch Hope shine. She loved to write and loved the stories she brought to life in her books. There was nothing more charming for Chad than to watch his wife “do her thing.” Even when she climbed into her writing cave at home – really, an alcove usually used as a sitting area in their master bedroom, converted into a writer’s corner – her aura would glow. He found solace, simply standing in the doorway and admiring her silhouette at work. She typically chewed at the end of her pencils while she jotted notes on her notepad, her favorite being the yellow Ticonderoga #2 pencils. She claimed they had the best lead. He couldn’t tell the difference, but whatever made her happy.
Chad spent the remaining drive in silence, the radio off to encourage his beauties to sleep. He tapped the turn signal on and turned into the parking lot of the event hotel. This signing was one of the larger events on Hope’s schedule, so the venue was equally as large. It was early evening; the sun was setting behind the hotel, as he pulled into one of the parking spots near the main entrance. He hated to wake Hope, but he needed to check in. He leaned over the middle console and pressed a kiss on her shoulder, smiling as she stirred, stretching her slender arms before turning to him. She blinked and pressed her hands to her face. Chad admired her beautiful waking form, and touched her upper arm. “Hey, beautiful. I’m going in to check us in. I’ll come back and park us closer to our entrance.” He motioned outside of the van, pointing at the different entrances of the hotel, denoting each section’s room numbers.
Hope nodded with a sweet sleepy smile. “Okay, honey.” She was still not quite oriented. Chad smiled at her, letting his fingers graze across her soft skin; he never could get enough of her. He slid out of their minivan and walked into the hotel. As he entered, the cool air conditioning hit him like a wall. It was a hot, humid day, so the cold air was refreshing. The lobby was elegant enough for a business event, yet casual enough for a family to vacation in without standing out. He approached the counter, sliding his hand across the cool marble surface; leaning in, he looked for the desk clerk. It didn’t take more than a few seconds before he was greeted. He checked in, briefly engaging in friendly local banter, and made sure to ask for the best entrance for their room. After gathering all the information, he walked out to the minivan.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, he handed the small sleeve with their room keys to Hope, winking at her. “I asked for a corner room away from any elevators or stairs. Hopefully, that means Isabella will be able to sleep. Thankfully, they obliged.” He started the engine, turning just briefly to catch a glimpse of his adorable daughter fast asleep in her car seat, her head leaned gingerly against the surface of the side support. He smiled as he pulled the van out of the parking spot and drove it around the immense venue to their designated entrance.
Once he was parked, he reached over to touch Hope’s leg as she was gathering her belongings that had spread across her lap and the floor of the van. Her swollen belly prevented her from reaching very far, but she slide out of her seat just as elegantly as she did when she wasn’t pregnant. He didn’t want to interrupt her automated routine, so he just admired the view. She was just as stunning pregnant, with her face glowing and her hair shining. Hope went to wake the sleeping Isabella, as Chad gathered the heavier bags that would be needed in the room. He would return later to get the rest.
He tapped the door to close and hit the alarm before following Hope and the still sleepy Isabella. From behind, no one could tell she was pregnant, but the second she turned, the belly bump was hard to miss. She was all baby. He smiled at the way she didn’t allow it to get in the way of caring for Isabella, who cradled her drowsy head against Hope’s hand. The little girl wiping her eyes, her hair messy and ruffled from slumber. He knew it wouldn’t be but a few minutes before she was bouncing off the walls or jumping on the beds of the hotel. Their little girl was a pistol and it was hard to tell who she took after.
They navigated the elevator and hallway like a team. Once they arrived, Hope slid the key card into their door, but Chad pushed the door open with his shoulder, allowing the ladies to enter first. He followed her in, settling the bags by the door.
“Are you going to do the bedbug inspection, while I’ll take Isabella to the potty? It’s been awhile since she last tried.” He smiled as he approached where Hope had carefully led their slowly awakening daughter to the bathroom. He leaned down and pressed a kiss on his girl’s temple, to her glee, as he shooed her into the bathroom further to encourage her to use the toilet.
“Yes, definitely. Thank you, babe, for helping. Do you think we should bring the book stuff or unload the van tomorrow during setup?” Hope asked, as she initiated the compulsive inspection of the bed, linens, curtains, and fabric surfaces for evidence of bedbugs.
He chuckled, “Not a problem, and I think we can unload tomorrow. The event is at the convention center, which is on the other side of the building. No point in dragging it up and then back down to the van. I will go get the other bags we need tonight though.” He walked by her as she made her way around the end of the bed. He playfully swatted her bottom. “See you in a few.” As he exited the hotel room, he heard her laughter, mixed with Isabella’s giggles; their little girl finding amusement in their innocent, yet teasing, banter.
The next morning, after a continental breakfast provided by the hotel, Chad and Hope made their way back to begin setup for the book signing. The doors opened at noon for readers and attendees. It was only 10 o’clock in the morning, but Chad wanted Hope to be confident that her table was perfect. He sent her to wait by the table with Isabella, while he unloaded her things. There were boxes of books, decorations, her retractable sign, and all the swag she gave away. With every box he loaded onto the bellhop’s cart, the prouder he got. He knew the journey Hope had to complete to return to this world. The loss of her mother stole her away from this community while she grieved. She chose to face her grief and return. Her courage inspired him, and he loved her for it.
He pulled the trunk door down, eyeing the guitar cases in the trunk. He would bring those out at some point, he hoped. They always did whenever they caught a moment of quiet. Singing and playing with Hope was fun. She had ignited that spark in him early in their relationship and it was something they enjoyed doing together. They frequently wrote silly, juvenile songs for Isabella, who would also sing, sway, and dance to their voices. He lived for those familial moments. It was what got him through the long duty nights away from them, and even worse, the months long deployments and separation. That was what they chose as a couple, and they were both aware of the consequences. Hope always supported his military career, equally as much as he supported her. She had shifted into the role of military wife, and mother, naturally.
He pushed the cart through the convention center lobby and straight into the large ballroom where the book signing was taking place. The hustle and bustle was beginning to grow as authors and their assistants began to piece together tables and decorations for readers to enjoy. As he approached Hope’s table, he smiled at the private-in-public scene that was occurring. She had seated Isabella in the second seat, and she sat knee to knee to the three-year-old. He couldn’t hear her, but from her body language and hands, he knew Hope was singing. As he got closer and closer, he heard her voice sing the melodic tune of one of their children’s songs.
He waved at Isabella when the little girl caught sight of him coming in. Hope turned to see who Isabella was eyeing, when Chad was greeted by the dazzling smile Hope always had when she was immersed in her author paradise. “Oh, hi Chad. We were just being silly,” Hope greeted, standing to wrap her arms around his waist appreciatively.
“I like silly.” He pressed an affectionate kiss on Hope’s head before moving to unload the boxes around the table so she could start setting up. “I think I brought everything.” He layered each box so that she could reach the items without lifting or bending over too far.
“It looks like it!” Hope replied cheerily. She had straightened the table cloth on the table, and began instructing Isabella on simple tasks to help her set up. The little girl was eager to be helpful. He turned to return the cart to the lobby of the convention center, so another author could use it.
Hope liked glitter and sparkle, so the table reflected as much. He watched as she gingerly twisted battery-operated lights around the edge of the table, using Isabella’s small fingers to help in taping them down. As she began to set up the actual books, he kneeled on the ground and handed her items as she requested them. She diligently sorted the books and perched them on holders. She was in her zone and he was here to watch her shine.
After Hope was satisfied with the way her table looked up close, he watched her stand back and admire the display. “It is perfect.” She clasped her hands together. “What do you think, guys?” she asked as she wrapped Isabella up in her arms when she came around the table to see the finished product.
“It is perfect.” Chad stood from the floor and moved to his wife. He wrapped an arm around her waist as they admired it.
“Pretty!” Isabella exclaimed before she bounced out of her mother’s arms and took off down the aisle, dodging boxes and books in her young mischievous spirit.
Chad patted Hope’s side affectionately as he laughed, “I got her, don’t worry. Go upstairs and get ready, and we will watch your table.” He pressed a kiss to her temple as he moved quickly to scoop up the small child, who was as adept at making friends as her parents.
Once Hope made her way back to the room, he got lost in conversation with neighboring authors, their partners and spouses, and their personal assistants about business dealings and upcoming book releases. Isabella was making friends with everyone as well, trading her mother’s swag, such as bookmarks, lip glosses, and keychains, in exchange for the unique ones the other authors had. As much as he was a military man, he had learned the ins and outs of the industry, alongside Hope. He was committed to be the best partner that he could be, even if it meant shutting his Marine-brain down for a weekend. It was surprisingly pleasant to do once in a while. He had no care in the world when he was with Hope’s friends and Hope was doing her thing. It was perfection.
When Hope made her way back to the table, he stood to greet her. She was dressed in a long tunic that covered her belly, and leggings that hugged her legs perfectly. It was Isabella who greeted her with a hug first, the young child wrapping her small affectionate arms around her mother’s legs. He watched as Hope lifted Isabella in her arms cradled her, talking to her sweetly. He admired Hope’s patience. This was a busy day, but she never let anything distract her from her maternal duties.
Chad pulled the two of them to his chest in a warm embrace. “Are you ready?” he checked in with Hope, knowing she frequently got nervous before the doors opened for the readers.
He stroked her cheek when she smiled up at him. “I am ready. I think the readers really took the Tory Series, so I expect a lot of talk about it. And Enduring Heat is always a hit.” She peered over at the table, looking at her book.
Before their conversation could continue, there was a loud squeal and a gaggle of girls wrapping their arms around Hope. Chad recognized the group as fellow authors and industry professionals; these were her friends and colleagues. They frequently only saw each other at events such as these. He leaned down and tickled Isabella to distract her from her mother and pull her away so she could do her thing.
He gathered the small child in his arms and whispered in her ear, “Do you want to go see Andria? I hear she may have heart-shaped cookies to give away today. She might have saved one for you. We also need to go get your autograph book so we can fill it up.” He patted her back as he made his way around to tour the other tables, stopping to talk and catch up with friends, and occasionally pausing for Isabella to scoop up loot and swag that her eyes had spotted.