“No, stay!” he shouts, stamping his little feet on the ground.
“Jacob,” I warn, kneeling down in front of him. “We’ve had fun at the park, but now it’s time to go home. Okay?” Since he turned two a couple of months ago, he’s been testing the boundaries and voicing his opinion more. This is normally followed by a tantrum when he doesn’t get his own way. I’m hopeful I’ve avoided one today as he nods, his bottom lip wobbling. Pulling him into my arms, I give him a cuddle, not wanting to see him cry. “We’ll come back another day,” I promise. I tickle his side, and he giggles. I think I’ve averted a meltdown.
It’s about a ten-minute walk back home, and when we get there, my parents are waiting on the driveway. After a round of hellos, we go inside, Jacob pulling my dad into the sitting room to play with his trucks. My mum follows me into the kitchen and leans against the counter as I turn on the coffee machine. The gurgling of the machine fills the silence, and I busy myself, tidying up the breakfast dishes. I know she’s worried about me, and after last night’s phone call, she likely has more to say.
“Did Libby call last night?” she asks flippantly. Turning from loading the dishwasher, I raise my eyebrows.
“Yes. But I’m guessing you already know that?”
Her face flushes pink and she shrugs. “I’m concerned about you. I’m your mum. You might be twenty-five, but I still worry about you.”
I put the last dish into the dishwasher, then turn and pull her into a hug. “I’m okay, Mum. Sure, I’m tired and fall asleep most nights before nine, but I love every minute of being Jacob’s dad.”
She pulls out of the hug and her hand cups my face. “And you are the most amazing dad to that little boy. I am so proud of you.” She smiles at me and I smile back. “He’s lucky to have you. I just think you need a break.”
“You’re giving me a break this morning,” I tell her with a wink.
“I mean a proper break, Jack. One that’s longer than an hour, and where you aren’t doing laundry.”
“Lib asked me to go to the ranch.” I’ve no idea why I’ve shared that with her, it’s not like I can go. I’m guessing if she knows Lib called me though, she probably knows she asked me to go.
“What did you tell her?” I turn away from her and pour three cups of coffee. Turning to hand one to her, I shrug.
“I told her no. Don’t get me wrong, I want to go. Jacob would love it. I just can’t take time off right now.”
“If it’s about the money—”
“It’s not about the money,” I tell her, cutting her off. “I’m an accountant, Mum. I make good money and good money choices. I just need more time to plan with work for time off. I told Lib maybe early next year, once the baby’s born.”
“If you’re sure, honey. Your dad and I will help out whenever you want. If you want a night out with the guys, we’ll have Jacob overnight anytime.”
“I know, Mum, and thanks. I appreciate it.” I haven’t seen the guys in a while. Maybe a night out will do me good. “I’ll message them, see when’s good.” She smiles, and I think my agreeing to let them have Jacob while I go out has somewhat pacified her for now.
“I’ll go and see what your dad and Jacob are up to.” She goes up on her tiptoes and kisses me on the cheek. “Take your time with the laundry.”
Two hours later and the last of the laundry is in the machine, I’ve also had time to clean the bathroom and vacuum upstairs, which is an added bonus. I can still hear my parents in the sitting room with Jacob, laughter and squeals of delight filling the air.
“How about some lunch, my treat?” I ask as I walk into the sitting room. I can’t help but smile as I look around. Almost every one of Jacob’s toys is out, and he’s currently driving a digger over my dad, who’s lying in the middle of the floor. Clearly playing with the trucks won out over the petting zoo.
“Daddy!” Jacob cries as he sees me come in. “Look, digger!” He holds it in the air. My dad takes that as his cue to get up, moving to sit next to my mum on the sofa.
“Hey, buddy. It looks like you’re having great fun with Pops.” He nods and walks over to me, holding his hands up. Scooping him up I kiss his cheek. “You hungry?” He nods again and snuggles into my neck. “Let’s go eat.”
After lunch at the local pub, my parents say their goodbyes, my mum promising to call in the week. When we get home, I put Jacob down for a nap and tidy up the sitting room before finishing off the laundry. The chores seem never-ending, but I do manage thirty minutes or so to myself before Jacob wakes, which is a novelty.
The rest of the weekend flies by, and as I climb into bed on Sunday night, I groan as I think of my week ahead. Despite Jacob waking early every morning, it always seems to be a mad rush to get him dressed, fed, and off to nursery. I have to be at work for 8:30 a.m., and I need to drop Jacob off by 7:45 a.m., or else I’ll be late. Mornings are chaotic, but I have somewhat of a routine to follow. I can only hope everything goes to plan and Jacob doesn’t decide to fill his nappy just as we’re about to leave the house.
Jack
Ibreathe a sigh of relief as I make it to work just before 8:30 a.m. Despite Jacob throwing his breakfast all over the kitchen this morning, I’d managed to leave on time and get him to nursery. As I step off the lift, I see my assistant, Liz, is already at her desk, and I give her a small wave as I push open the door to my office. Liz follows me in a few seconds later, a coffee in her hand.
“Good morning, Mr. Davis. How was your weekend?”
I smile as I take the coffee from her outstretched hand. Despite Liz working as my assistant for almost a year, she insists on calling me Mr. Davis, even though I’ve told her numerous times to call me Jack.
“Thank you, Liz. My weekend was good. How about yours?”
“Busy. I had John clearing the attic. He’s gone off to work for a rest.” Liz and her husband are downsizing and have spent the past few weeks packing and getting rid of things they no longer need.