I walked in the house after my run and tossed my keys on the table. I was about to walk into the kitchen to get Ellie's after school snack ready when I saw suit cases packed. My heart sank.
"...Avery?" I asked, my voice cracking with fear.
No answer.
"Avery!" I nearly screamed.
He came running out of the bedroom.
"What?! What's wrong?!" He asked, startled.
I pointed to the suitcases, "What are these?"
"Suitcases."
"I know, but for what?"
"For our trip of course."
I looked at him strange.
He walked over to me and grabbed my hands.
"Let's go somewhere! Somewhere fun!"
"What about Ellie?" I asked him.
"She will be coming of course, we leave as soon as she gets home from school."
I smiled a little bit, "Honey, this is sweet but Ellie only has about four or five days of vacation time at school. If she misses any more then that her grades will be effected."
"I have this all planned out. We all will go as a family, and then on day five of the vacation Ellie and I will head home so she can be back at school. You will stay for the remainder of the week and have a few days by yourself for quiet and relaxation."
"You really are something." I smiled.
He smiled and leaned in for a kiss.
So after Ellie returned home from school and the bags were packed into the taxi, we headed off to the surprise location. I've never been on a trip like this before, the closest thing was when mom and I moved to our little park. Before we got there I was blindfolded.
"Avery!"
"It's a surprise."
I grumbled.
I felt the taxi cab come to a stop and the doors open and close. My door opened and a hand, which belonged to Avery, grabbed mine and helped me out of the taxi. I heard the trunk close and the taxi cab drive away.
"Our stuff."
"The taxi driver unloaded it, Ellie is taking care of it right now."
"Was she in on all this?!" I gasped.
"I am not allowed to disclose this kind of information."
I growled.
"Open." Avery said as he removed my blindfold.
"Oh my..."
"How did you do all this?!"
"I have my ways." He beamed.
Tears rushed to my eyes as I ran inside. I felt like a child again, I explored this huge house that was all ours for the next seven days. While I explored the house more Avery and Ellie went in the backyard to play a game.
I walked into the kitchen. It was about dinner time. The appliances weren't as nice as ours were, but it was nice. Our entire house could probably fit into this house.
"Avery this is absolutely amazing." I said.
We were getting ready for bed.
"I'm so glad that you like it."
"I love it."
We got under the covers and I curled up next to Avery laying my head on his chest.
"You think that Ellie is okay up there?" I asked tracing his muscles.
"I'm sure she is sound asleep."
I became sad all of a sudden, he could feel the change in my mood and looked down at me.
"Hey, where did you just go?" He asked.
"She's going to be a teenager soon."
"I know, she's growing up."
He kissed my forehead before we turned in for the night, not before spending some quality time alone first though.
...
"This is so cool mommy!"
"I'm glad you are enjoying it!"
"Did you sleep alright?" I asked her.
"Uh huh! It's so neat up there!"
I smiled.
"Mama?"
"Yes?"
"If you and daddy have another baby, will we share a room?"
"Well, not if you don't want too."
"I don't know, it might be neat."
She started humming as she roasted another marshmallow, and I smiled at the thought of another little baby.
"I'm going to start lunch."
"I want cereal!"
"For lunch?"
"Yeah!"
"Okay, come back to the house in five minutes and we will eat together."
...
"What are you doing out here Ellie?" Avery asked.
"Homework."
He smiled, "You amaze me sometimes, we are on vacation and you still are doing school work."
"I can't get behind."
He smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Our child is outside working on homework."
I laughed and shook my head. He walked up behind me resting his hands on my hips and laying his chin on my shoulder.
"How's mama doing?" He asked.
"Amazing."
He kissed my cheek.
"I don't want you guys to leave in a few days." I sulked.
"I know, I don't want too either."
I finished cooking dinner and we ate at the island and talked about our favorite parts of the vacation so far. We had gone hiking in the mountains, tried out fishing at the creek, and laid in the backyard and looked at the stars. I was truly happy.
...
The last night together came way too fast. In the early morning I would say goodbye to my husband and daughter as they head home. I tried to tell Avery that I wanted to go home with them, but he insisted on me staying to get some alone time. Alone time would be amazing, but it would be my first time away from not only Avery, but my little girl who wasn't so little anymore.
"No fair! You cheated!" I joked.
"Let's play again!"
"Okay, but you go first!"
Avery ended up winning again.
"Ellie! Time for bed!" I called from the back door.
She was outside running around and trying to catch bugs to take home.
"I caught a butterfly!"
"Nice! Take it to daddy and he'll pack it up!" I said sliding the glass door shut and locking it.
We tucked her into he bed before heading downstairs and spending some time together.
"I don't want you to leave." I whispered.
"I know." He said at breakfast.
"Make sure she has her homework packed and ready in her school backpack."
"I will."
"Oh and she likes grapes and a grape jelly sandwich for her after school snack. It has to be grape jelly or else she will just eat the crust. She's allowed one hour of TV, but only after her homework is finished. Friends are allowed to come over after school as long as homework is done and they are home safely by supper time. Princess pajamas for bedtime along with a bedtime story and do not forget to check for monsters. Also-"
"Babe, she's my daughter too remember?" He laughed.
"I'm sorry." I said biting my lip.
"Don't be, you are just worried."
"I am, I'm going to miss her." I said getting emotional.
He had me stand up so he could hug me, he rubbed my back as I brushed the few tears that escaped from my eyes.
"I'm ready!" Ellie said coming downstairs.
I turned around and gave her a hug.
"Mama, are you crying?"
"Mama is just going to miss you so much."
"Me too mama!"
I walked them out and watched as they loaded up the taxi. Avery gave me one last look and blew me a kiss. I waved goodbye as I watched my heart drive away slowly.
I looked around before going back inside. The house felt cold and lonely all of a sudden. I looked around the house before going to sit down, but I got up within seconds.
What was one suppose to do in this alone time?
Finally the last day showed up. I was in the backyard and decided to call Avery.
"Hey. I miss you too. It's nice, yeah. Yeah, thank you Avery for all this. How's Ellie? And school? That's great! Aww I miss her. I love you too. The taxi called last night and confirmed, yeah. I'll be home by ten in the morning. Okay, give her kisses and hugs! I love you. Bye."
I went to bed with a smile on my face that night knowing that tomorrow my heart would be full again and I would be reunited with my family.
Cute little chapter! =]
