Princess of the universe // Hardzzellee

Chapter 18

If they could, they would have planned it differently, but Gwil had to leave for a week-long work trip. Addison had been with them for a little over a month now and Gwil didn't want to miss a moment, but now he had to leave. A week never seemed so long before. A few days before his departure, he sat down on the couch with Addison. Gwil had printed out a world map and traced it onto a corkboard.
"Do you know what this is?" Gwil asked.
"The world?" Addison asked. Gwil immediately nodded.
"Yes, it's the world. And do you know where we are in the world?" Addison frowned while looking at the board in front of her. She pointed at Canada.
"Almost, We are here," Gwil said before pinning a pin to New York.

"For my work, I have to travel all the way to here," Gwil put a pin in France.
"How long is that?" Addison asked.
"Well, it takes a long time to get there. I have to go all the way by aeroplane," Gwil said. Addison nodded slowly while she was processing what Gwil was saying.
"That is why I am staying there for a week because I can't travel back home every day." Addison frowned.
"You is leaving?" She asked.
"It is you are leaving. But yes, I'll leave for eight days. After that, I'll be back home," Gwil said. Addison looked down at her lap.
"You are going to have so much fun with Benny and Joey though. And if you want to we can call every night before you go to bed. How does that sound?" Gwil asked.
"Okay," Addison mumbled.

Joe woke Addison up the morning that Gwil had to leave.
"Are you coming to say goodbye to Gwilly? You can go back to bed after that," Joe said while letting his hand run through her hair. She nodded. Joe picked her up from her bed before making his way into the living room. Gwil's luggage was standing next to the front door. Gwil and Ben were wrapped in a tight embrace.
"I love you," Ben said while pecking Gwil's lips.
"I love you too."

Gwil turned himself to Addison. He got down onto his knees in front of her.
"I'm going to miss you," Gwil said while opening his arms. Addison stepped forward to embrace Gwil. He placed a kiss on the side of her head. When she pulled away, Gwil grabbed a piece of paper out of his pocket.
"There is a square for every night I'm away from you. Every morning you can cross off one of the boxes, okay?" Gwil asked. Addison nodded.
"I love you, my sweet girl," Gwil said before placing another kiss on her forehead.

Gwil got up to give Joe a hug.
"And of course, I love you too," Gwil said while placing a kiss on Joe's lips.
"I know you do. I love you too," Joe said. Gwil smiled at him.
"Take care," Gwil said.
"One more hug?" Gwil asked Addison. When she nodded, he bend down one last time to give her a hug.

When he was in his hotel room later that night, it hit him. A few tears made their way down his face. He always thought parents would exaggerate when they would say that it was hard to leave their kids behind. But now he just realised how hard it actually was. He checked his watch to see that Addison was already in bed. He called Ben.
"Hey, love. Everything okay?" Ben asked as soon as he picked up the fun. Gwil hummed.
"I'm missing Addison," Gwil said.
"I can imagine. She misses you too," Ben said. Gwil sat down on his bed.
"Can you send me some pictures over the next few days?" Gwil asked.
"Of course, love. You hang in there, okay? Next week you'll get to spend as much time with her as you want," Ben said. They continued talking before Gwil was so tired he almost fell asleep.

Ben walked into Addison's room the next day. She was already awake and sat up in bed when the door opened.
"Goodmorning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?" Ben asked. Addison nodded. Ben looked at the piece of paper Gwil had given her the day before.
"You get to tick off the first box," Ben said. He looked around the room until he found a marker. When he handed it to Addison, she immediately started colouring in the square.
"Only 7 more nights before Gwilly is home again," Ben said. Addison smiled.

"What do you want to do today?" Ben asked.
"Play games," Addison said. Ben smiled.
"We can do that. Joe is still in bed. Shall we see if he is awake?" Ben asked. Addison nodded while climbing out of bed. Ben picked her up and took her to their bedroom. Joe was still sound asleep. He was laying on his back with his mouth slightly agape. Ben laid Addison down next to Joe. When Addison crawled over to place her head on Joe's shoulder, Joe put an arm around her. Addison pushed on his chest a few times. Joe's eyelids fluttered. When he opened his eyes, a huge smile spread on his face.

"Hey, good morning," Addison giggled at the roughness of his voice. Joe lifted his hand to brush his fingers through her hair. His eyes were barely open.
"Gosh, I love you," Joe whispered.
"I love you too," Addison said. Joe's eyes widened while he pulled her close. It was the first time she had said it to any of them. Ben was still standing in the doorway. A huge smile was coating his face while he looked at the two. Quietly, he turned around to make some breakfast.

***********