September 21st 2021
- Karlie -
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay, Karls?" I roll my eyes as I lift Auggie out of his highchair, "we will be fine, Teff, it's just a few days and then you'll be home." She's been planning this music video with Blake for months and now it's finally come round to going out to New York go film it, she's nervous to leave us. "Are you sure you don't want me to take him, I'm sure we could figure it out, huh?" She runs her fingers through Auggie's hair and I just shake my head, "go and focus on your job for a few days, Tay, I've got the kids."
I sit Auggie down in his playpen before pulling her into a kiss, "you've got half of them anyway," she laughs as she rests her forehead against mine and I smile, "these two might just be the best behaved of the lot." She sighs as she lifts my sweatshirt, my bump has grown a lot in the last few weeks so we've been avoiding family and friends until it's safe to announce my pregnancy to them next weekend. "You two better be nice to your mama for the next few days, otherwise we'll let your brother practice his drums on mama's belly again." I just roll my eyes as I laugh at her, Taylor stroking her thumb over my bump as she wears a nervous smile on her face.
"It's three days, Teff," I stroke her cheek and she looks back up to me, "just be careful, okay? And call me if you need me to come home, I don't want you overdoing it." I nod, giving her a soft smile, "Augs is going to hang out with me while I do some work, then we'll get the girls from school and have dinner and chill out, and I will call Selena if I need help." She frowns but knows she has to trust me to do what's best, "I've got Lil too if I'm really struggling, so please just don't sacrifice your work, we'll be okay."
Taylor sighs, "okay, but I want frequent updates," I nod in agreement, "yes, ma'am," she leans down and presses two soft kisses to my bump, "don't go giving your mama any trouble, little ones." Tay kisses me one more time and then I usher her off to grab her stuff and retrieve August to say goodbye to her at the door.
"There's the little bruiser," when I open the door for Tay, our head of security is waiting to help with her stuff and he immediately holds a hand out to get a high five from August who returns it but is acting all shy. "Can you say hello, Auggie?" I urge the little guy, holding him on my hip as he hides his face in my shoulder, "you are not this shy, Mr man," Taylor laughs as she kisses the top of his head and August giggles.
Ian puts Taylor's bags in the car as she takes August from me and covers his little face in kisses, "be good for mama, buddy." He places both hands on either side of her face and she holds her nose to his as he smiles brightly back at his mommy, "I love you, monkey man." He's a mommy's boy through and through so he's going to be the most challenging one until she gets back.
"Tell the girls that I love them and I'll call later to say goodnight to them," I nod, she's never been away from the kids for more than a night before so three days feels like forever to her. "We'll be okay," she hands Auggie back and I hold him on my hip as I squeeze Taylor's hand, "I know, things are just very different now," she laughs nervously and I can't really disagree there, "but they'll be just the same in three days time when you get home, okay?" She kisses Auggie on the cheek and then pulls me into a kiss, "I know, just be careful, yeah?" I nod too, "I will, I promise."
Ian tells Taylor that they've gotta get going and she tells him she's just coming. "I love you," she kisses me one last time, "I love you too," when she pulls away she goes to the car and I keep a soft smile on my face, "say 'bye-bye mommy'," I coo at Auggie and he waves his little hand, "bye-bye," he mumbles the same words as we wave her off and once the car is out of sight, I take a deep breath and nod to myself - trying to convince myself that we're gonna be okay for the next few days.
