Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Peyton, Stevie Nicks, our little bean, and Mack are arriving in Portland today. Mack is attending a football camp put on by the Pioneers. This is one of the events I’m proud of and happy to be a part of. And I like the idea of Mack coming out. I miss the kid a lot.
As soon as the jet lands, I get out of the car. Not gonna lie, having something like this at my disposal is a perk that I’ll never take for granted. The door opens and the steps descend. For some reason I hold my breath while I wait for my wife. Seeing her every day on video chat is nice but having her in my arms is a whole other ballgame.
Mack is the first one off the plane. He has Stevie Nicks with him and she’s wagging her tail. I crouch down, praying she’ll remember me. When they’re close enough, I hear Mack say, “There’s Daddy.”
She’s not so little anymore and if I had to guess probably as big as Beau. She rushes to me, and I let her jump on me because I need this type of affection just as much as she does. After a minute or so, I glance up and my wife is coming down the stairs. I stand and go to her. This is the longest we’ve been apart, and I hate it.
I meet her at the bottom of the stairs and Peyton leaps into my arms. I hold her tightly, pressing my lips to hers. “God, I fucking missed you,” I say in between kisses.
“I missed you too.”
I set her down and squat, raising her T-shirt as I do. “Hey, little bean,” I say to her growing bump. “How’s my baby doing? Yeah, I know you can’t answer me, but Mommy tells me you’re growing and doing everything you need to be doing in there. Daddy loves you.” I rub my thumb back and forth over her skin, hoping I’m not bothering my wife.
After placing a kiss there, I rise and kiss Peyton again. “How are you feeling?”
“Fantastic.”
“Your appointment is set for today, right?”
“Eleven weeks,” she says. “And I feel wonderful.”
“No morning sickness?”
She shakes her head. “Very little and only with certain foods.”
“Perfect,” I say and then correct myself. “You’re perfect.” I take her bag from her and head toward my rental. The cargo team loads the few bags she and Mack brought into the back and tells us to have a good day.
Once we’re inside and heading out, I look in the rearview mirror at Mack. He’s had to grow up so much in the last couple of years, with his dad leaving for a bit and his parents’ subsequent divorce.
“How are you doing?” I ask him.
“Good. I’m excited.”
“Yeah, me too. You won’t know anyone other than Julius’s son, but he’ll be in the lower age level, although he’s going to be a fantastic wide receiver when he’s older.”
“That’s cool. It’ll be good. I’m here to learn from the best.” Mack smiles at me. We hold eye contact for a bit longer and then I turn away. I don’t feel like the best and have felt off this past month. Maybe it’s because Peyton wasn’t here.
The drive through the city is hectic, with bumper-to-bumper traffic. I’m annoyed. I want to get home, relax and be with my family. Maybe watch a little TV before Peyton has to go to the doctor’s or play with Stevie Nicks at the dog park across from the building.
By the time I pull into the garage, we have an hour until we need to leave. I take Stevie Nicks into the courtyard and encourage her to do her business. All she wants to do is sniff and has no interest in going to the bathroom.
She finally goes, watching me the whole time. “Yes, you’re the goodest girl.” I give her lots of love but don’t have a treat for her. “When we find your Mommy,” I tell her. “She’s got your cookies.” At the mention of cookies, her ears perk. She nudges my pocket, looking for her snack. I hate that I’m already disappointing her.
The elevator ride to our apartment is quick and as soon as I step off, I yell for Peyton. “We need a snack.”
“Do you want me to make you something?”
I point to Stevie Nicks. “She did her business, and I didn’t have anything to reward her with.”
Peyton laughs, goes to her purse, and pulls a bag of dog treats out of it. Stevie Nicks goes to her and sits. “Do you want to show Daddy your new trick?”
“Yes, she does,” I say as I sit down.
“She’s really smart,” Mack says when he comes into the room. “I’ve been working with her after school, mostly when Beau isn’t there or Elle doesn’t need me to babysit him.”