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Once I changed the subject to our weekend alone, counting down the days, it seemed to put her in a better mood. I love knowing she’s as anxious as I am to spend some alone time together. We haven’t spent enough time with just the two of us. I love spending time with the kids when we are together, but we haven’t truly been alone since our first date.
I miss feeling that skin-to-skin connection, letting her know exactly how much she means to me, no words needed. As much as I love it, a quickie in the next room when the kids are preoccupied isn’t going to do it. We’re going to need time to connect after these two weeks apart. I’m going to try to let her know, as much as possible, that she and Jacob are as much a priority in my life as Jackson and Bree are. It would be great if Bree’s wrist had a miraculous two-day recovery. I know—wishful thinking on my part.
Landon: Lacey baby, I miss you.
I send her a text at the bar before I go home to make Bree lunch and help her move around, then pick up Jackson from school. We’re short-staffed this week, and I’m so busy it feels like I’ve hardly spoken to Lace, and it’s only the third day in.
Lacey: Hey, it’s busy in here today. I can’t talk. I miss you too.
Landon: Can’t wait for Saturday. Us. Love you.
Lacey: Can’t wait either. Love you.
After dropping Jackson off after school with Bree to help her while I’m gone, I go back to the bar for a few hours, then back home to cook dinner. Three days of this hasn’t been bad. We’ve settled into a routine of sorts. Jackson seems happier than I’ve seen him in a while. He helps his mother out with little things, like picking up after himself and vacuuming.
He’s even helped me cook dinner every night while Bree watches from the kitchen table, cracking jokes at us while we put a show on for her. To pass the time after dinner we’ve taken up playing board games—Jackson’s suggestion. My kid has a lot of great ideas. He has planned out our after-dinner activity for every night of the week. All good, but one thing was missing—Lace.
“Thanks for helping out, Landon. I know you don’t want to be here with me. You’re putting on a good show for Jackson,” Bree says, while I help her settle back on the couch, where we’re about to watch a movie.
“Of course I’m going to help you. What kind of a dick do you take me for?” I smile and she laughs. “I’m not just putting on a good show for our kid. It’s been nice spending time with you and him. It makes him happy to see us getting along.” I look at him getting drinks out the fridge to go with our popcorn.
“Yeah, he’s happy because his parents are happy. And together, without all the tension that’s been around us for months. It reminds him of the way things used to be I guess.”
She touches my hand in that familiar way looking up at me expectantly. I’m not sure if I should say something or leave it alone. “Bree—”
“Don’t worry, I know you’re all into Lacey.”
“I am.”
“Here you are, suffering with me as my nurse mate, shlepping me around back and forth to the bathroom, doing all the housework and mundane errands, without the incentive of sex. A husband’s worst nightmare,” she chuckles, shaking her head, hair flying.
We both break out into laughter. Not one to miss the action, Jackson jumps on the couch between us, smiling. “What’s so funny?”
My phone rings, and I answer right away, seeing it’s Lacey. “Hey, you.”
“What’s so funny?”
“Bree was making a joke about being married.”
“Tell me what’s so funny!” Jackson says laughing as Bree tickles him mercilessly
“You’ll understand when you get older and have a wife of your own,” she tells him.
“Sounds like you guys are having a hell of a good time.”
Hearing a change in her voice, I move away from the couch. “Jackson wants us to watch a movie with him before bed,” I say, hoping she understands this is for Jackson’s benefit. “I miss you. How was your day?”
“It was fine. I should let you go back to Bree and Jackson. I know it’s bedtime soon, so…”
“I have enough time to talk to you, Lacey, to find out how you’re doing.”
“Dad, come on. The movie’s starting. We have to watch it before bedtime, and you help Mom read my story.”
God, we need to work on that kid’s timing.
“Like I said, I should let you get back to family time.”
I sigh. “Lace, this isn’t family time; I’m just helping her out.”
“Sure,” she says, not convincing me she does at all.
“Dad!”
“Land, get over here before your son jumps out of his skin. Grab the drinks on your way back.”
I shut my eyes at their shouting. “I love you, Lace.”
“I know. Good night.” She hangs up without hesitation.
Dammit. I stare at my phone.
