31

''We have a hike today through a trail in the forest. It's only a five mile hike, nothing too crazy so we should all manage just fine.'' I announced to everyone as finished up breakfast. Jess cooked us a lovely spread of pancakes and eggs and it tasted divine.

Because Jess cooked, I was going to clean.

''You guys go get ready, Taylor and I will take care of everything here.'' I said to everyone on the table before starting to clear the table.

''I'll bring the plates mum and you can load the dishwasher.'' Tay said while stacking plates.

''Thanks honey. We haven't had us time in a while right?'' I took the last pate and loaded it in the dishwasher, closing it and switching it on.

''We haven't actually.'' She said sitting down at the counter.

''Everything's been so crazy and you'll be going ogff to college soon. You're all grown up now.'' I still rmember the days when Tya was a kid. Granted I was basically a child myself but I had a kid of my own. They've basically known each other most of their lives.

''I'm gonna miss you guys but I cannot wait for college. I cant wait until im done with school for good and I can focus on things that aren't studying. "

"I hate to break it to you love but college is hard."

"I know. We should probably go get ready yeah?"

She nodded and we went to get ready for our hike.

———

"What do you mean you need to go? For God's sake Jessica we're on a family vacation. VACATION. And now you're being called into work? What the hell!" I was mad. When we got back to the car from our hike, Jessica's phone blew up with missed calls from the office.

"Calm down Andy. I'm needed at the firm because one of our clients was just arrested. My colleagues managed to get him out on bail but they need me. We can take another vacation at some point." she replies calmly.

Logically I knew I was overreacting but this is my family time with my wife. And now it's being stolen away from me by work. When she explicitly took time away from work for our family.

She puts in so much time for them. Overtime on weekdays when the kids are asleep. Weekends when we were supposed to have family outings. She's even missed school events because of it.

It was foolish of me to think that she'd be able to go more than a week without doing some work but being pulled away from her family? Sometimes I hate her work.

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down. My wife is upping and leaving on the second day of a vacation because she has work. I can't even spend a full day with you without you being pulled away. It's fucking frustrating." I all but screamed at her.

"Well I'm sorry that the job that pays for everything is so inconvenient to you. I'll see you at home in a week." with that she stormed out towards the Uber waiting for her.

For fucks sake. Her comment sliced deep, especially since just yesterday she was telling me how it doesn't matter but now it's that her job pays for everything. I know that if I get a job she'll be okay with it but I won't be able to look after her the way I am right now. Making sure she has 3 meals in the day and running the kids up and down. I feel like I'm not doing enough.

I decide that I should take a shower to freshen up before I go out to make lunch for everyone.

I toss my clothes into the laundry hamper and step into the steaming shower.

The hot water cascades down my body and I know I'll be red when I step out later. I sit down and cross my legs, just letting the hot water hit me as I cry.

"I'm so stupid sometimes God." I know I overreacted and now Jess is on her way home and I won't be able to apologise until she's sorted out this case because she usually doesn't answer her phone if she's working.

She calls it being 'in the zone' and she's not to be disturbed when she's like that. The only thing I do is make sure she eats because God knows she wouldn't do that either if I let her.

I get my first check for the book release soon and I was going to invest it in an up and coming company but instead I think I'm going to surprise my wife with something nice.

I stand up in the shower not knowing how long I've been there for. My butt is numb and so are my legs so it's probably been a while.

I switch off the water and dry off with the fancy towels in the room. They're fluffy and soft and I'm pretty sure they cost alot of money. They also have 'Chase' embroidered on every corner.

After drying off, I change into a sports bra and sweat pants , throwing on Jessica's t-shirt, I walked to the kitchen to start lunch for everyone.

Eli and Taylor came out to help set the table for me and finish up the food while I called the kids who were gaming in the living room.

"Why did Mom leave?" Alec asked from across the table.

"Well sweet pea she had work. Her work called her in to the office to sort something out but she said we should stay here and have fun." I tried explaining to the 10 year old.

"Mom's work is important right?" he asked looking at me with his big eyes that always made me melt on the inside.

"Her work is very important you're right. She helps people." dumbing down what different professions do isn't easy. Usually I say "they help people" because in a way all jobs help people.

We spent the rest of the day watching movies together and eating popcorn before we all went to bed. As soon as I got into the room I jumped into bed thinking I was going to sleep. No. I ended up sobbing over everything that happened.

I cried myself to sleep.