ALWAYS BEEN THERE: A Lloyd Hansen Story

chapter thirty-nine

"Hi baby sister." Max said as he kissed his eleven month old sisters head. I smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Awe Maxie. So sweet."

Lloyd came in behind him with a glass of water for me. I smiled as he handed it to me before sitting down on the bed.

The last year had been perfect. I couldn't be happier.

And our little Maeve Hansen. She was so perfect.

I handed Maeve over to Lloyd. He was much better with her. Max was definitely more my genes, but Maeve was all his.

"Hi sweet girl." Lloyd said. Max came on my lap immediately and turned on the tv.

I think max was a little jealous. I mean he had just us for three years. But at the same time, he loved being a big brother.

But I knew he didn't always get the same attention, so nights like these I just held my boy.

"You need a haircut shaggy." I said to my son. He giggled.

"So does daddy."

"Yeah he does."

I hugged him close on my lap as we watched tv. Lloyd kissed my cheek as we watched. Maeve was falling asleep on his chest.

I smiled at him. He gave me a little smile back.

"I love you." I whispered.

"I love you too."

Max looked up at lloyd. He smiled softly.

"I'm gonna go put Maeve to bed." He said. I nodded and kissed her head. He took her upstairs.

Max rested his head in the crook of my neck. I hugged him close.

"You okay buddy?"

He nodded. "I just like it here."

I smiled and held him there, rubbing his back. My baby was four now. Where did the time go?

Lloyd came back in and changed out of his jeans, and into sweats. He took his flannel off and kept his undershirt on before getting into bed with max and I.

"You tired big guy?" Lloyd asked. Max shook his head no.

"He said he's enjoying it."

"God you're so mature. Just like your mom." Lloyd said as he pulled me in, which brought max with. Lloyd moved so that I was between his legs. Max just stayed put.

Lloyd and max were similar in the sense that they longed for physical touch.

I pet maxs hair. Lloyd was rubbing my free arm. I looked up at him. He smiled.

Max moved up to look at me and his dad. I rubbed his cheeks, making him smile.

He moved to rub his nose against mine. I closed my eyes and let him have the precious moment.

"I wanna go to bed." He whispered as he yawned.

"Okay. Let's go get you tucked in." I said as I brought him upstairs. He got his pajamas on before running into bed.

"Goodnight sweet boy."

"Night mama. I love you."

"I love you too." I said as I turned off the light. He waved goodnight before I shut the door and went downstairs.

I came back into the bedroom and kissed Lloyd's cheek. He pulled me back in right away.

I cuddled up with him. He was shirtless now. I set my hand on his abdomen as he pulled me into a kiss.

I heard a little rumble of thunder outside. Lloyd pulled away and smiled.

"Is max gonna come back down from that?"

I shook my head. "He likes thunder weirdly enough."

"Okay. Well we both know Maeve can sleep through anything so that's fine."

"Aweee you're such a good dad thinking of your kids."

He chuckled. I rested my head down on his chest.

I turned on a movie as lloyd scrolled through his phone.

"You talked to Suz lately?" Lloyd asked. I nodded.

"Yeah. She's good. Molly is good too."

Suzanne and denny had a little girl. She was beautiful. They were planning to come visit soon.

Lloyd sighed and showed me his phone. It was Molly and denny at the mansion.

"So when are they coming over here?" He asked.

"Do you miss our friends Lloyd?"

"A little."

I smiled. "We haven't gotten to socialize much. The only socializing we have is with our kids. And our food is Dino nuggets and our drinks are juice boxes and-"

"Yeah. I agree." He said.

I giggled. "We need to drink some wine and actually have fun with friends."

"Yes. We can get our big kid juice on." He said.

"Hell yeah." I said as I grabbed my phone.

Me: lloyd wants you all to come over so us mommy's and daddy's can get our big kid juice on.

Lloyd laughed. "Amen to that."

Suzanne: denny and I are in. Tomorrow? And should we spend the night

Me: yes. I miss you so much. It'll be nice for the kids to get to know each other too!

Suzanne: yes it will. Cousin time

Lloyd smiled. "Thanks."

I nodded. "Just like college?"

"Ha! No. We were alcoholics in college. We need to pace ourselves. And you're weening off of breastfeeding."

"Yeah yeah."

"Pump and dump?"

"Such a hassle. But yes, my baby isn't getting drunk." I said and laughed.

"Is that actually how it works?"

"I don't know actually." I said and giggled. "But I'm excited. This is gonna be fun."

"I'm excited too."

I smiled and kissed him softly.

"Getting our juice on." I said and did a little happy dance. Lloyd chuckled.