As I'd predicted, both Abby and Alexis were awake early on Monday morning, despite the fact that neither of them nor me, for that matter, had school today. So, I found myself in the kitchen at 7.30, struggling to stay awake while I made pancakes for the two excited girls who were happily colouring in at the nearby table.
"Daddy, can you put chocolate in them, please?" Alexis had begged, giving me her best puppy-dog eyes. I'd sighed and searched through the cupboard for the bag of choc-chips I knew was buried there.
"Alright," I said, more to myself than to them. I looked over at Abby who looked very focused on what she was doing. "Abby, do you want me to call your papa after breakfast? I'm sure he'll be happy to hear from you."
"Yes, please. Do I have to go home?"
"Only if your papa says so. He might still be busy. But we'll see." I swallowed harshly at the thought of what Nick could possibly be 'busy' doing. I knew I shouldn't feel jealous but I couldn't help that I was starting to get feelings for the brown-eyed man.
"Okay. Cause me and Alexis wanted to watch Sesame Street together."
"You can do that. Now, who's hungry?" I lifted the first batch of pancakes out of the pan and set them on the table. Alexis and Abby cheered as they rushed over. "Shh, girls. Nathaniel's still sleeping." I warned them, turning back to the stove.
"No, I'm not. Why is everyone up?" Nathaniel appeared in the room, yawning.
"The girls got up and wanted pancakes. Do you want any?" I asked him but he shook his head.
"Nah. I'm not hungry right now. I might go for a run, okay?" In the past few weeks, he'd gotten it into his head to try out for the track team and was eagerly going out for runs nearly every day. I was both impressed and proud of him so I nodded my consent for him to go.
"Don't be too long. I'll need your help here soon."
"Alright. I'll just go around the block a couple times." He turned on the spot and I heard him jogging up the stairs to his room to get changed into appropriate running gear.
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The rest of the morning passed smoothly and about eleven-thirty, I was sat in the study, going over some music when I saw Nick's car pull into the driveway. Jealousy began to creep up within me as I watched him and Imogen climb out. Nick pressed Imogen back against the car for a moment to kiss her and my heart ached at the fact that it wasn't me who had Nick's fingers woven through my hair. Finally, though, Imogen pushed Nick off, saying something that caused him to grin and walk towards the house, pulling Imogen along behind him. It was then that I realised I should start heading downstairs to answer the door when they knocked, which happened as I descended the stairs.
"Good morning. It's good to see you back, Imogen." I greeted them, opening the door. "How was New York?"
"It was alright, I guess. I wish Nick had been there with me, though." She wrapped an arm around Nick as she spoke, hugging him tightly.
"As I'm sure he wished he was with you." I agreed, swallowing down the jealousy that bubbled up at the way Nick was looking at his wife. "Come on in, I'll get Abby."
I led them into the living room, making sure they were comfortable before going out to the backyard where Abby and Alexis were playing in the tree house.
"Abby! Your papa's here. Come say 'hi' to him." I called and the little girl scrambled to climb down the ladder and run over. I followed her into the house, grinning when she stopped short in the doorway to the living room.
"Mummy? Why are you here?"
"I came to surprise you. Are you happy to see me?" As Imogen spoke, I reached the living room too and saw the satisfied smile on Nick's face.
"Mummy!" Abby shrieked and ran across the room towards Imogen, throwing herself into her arms when she stood up. "My mummy's back!"
"I missed you, baby girl. I missed you so much." Imogen hugged her tightly, kissing her head where she'd buried her face against her neck.
"Missed you too, mummy." Abby said and I noticed her trembling a little with excitement. "Are you back for real now?"
"I hope so. Are you ready to go home yet?"
"Will you be at home too?" She pulled back to look at her and she nodded.
"I sure will."
"Then, okay." Nick stood up then too, with a smile.
"Alright. Let's get all your things and don't forget to say goodbye to Alexis." He said to her, helping her to stand on the floor as Imogen put her down.
"Mummy, come with me." Abby insisted, clearly not wanting to let Imogen out of her sight. Imogen smiled at her and followed her up the stairs, leaving Nick and me alone in the living room.
"So, how was last night? Was it everything you'd hoped for?"
"And then some." He laughed.
"I'm happy for you. You look so much happier than you have been."
"I feel happier. I feel like the other half of me is home again." It was exactly the sappy, love-sick comment I used to say about Ben years ago. And even through the jealousy, I was happy for Nick. He had a wonderful relationship with a woman who thought the world of him.
"Have you got anything planned for the rest of the day?"
"No. Imogen's actually pretty jet-lagged so we're just going to spend some time at home with Abby."
"You don't want to hang out here for a bit?" It was probably a totally transparent thing to say but I was almost desperate to spend more time with Nick. Part of me was glad, though, when he shook his head.
"We want to just be a family today. Thanks for the offer, though. And thanks for having Abby last night. I owe you."
"No, you don't. It was a pleasure. I mean, aside from the fact that I was woken early on my day off to make pancakes."
"Oh no. I'm sorry. Abby's not the best at waiting to get up in the morning." He apologised with a laugh.
"It's fine. Alexis does it too sometimes." I stepped close to hug him, feeling him wrap arms around me too.
"It's good to see you back to your normal self again."
"It feels good too."
"Papa!" Abby and Imogen came back into the room then and I let go of Nick to let him catch Abby who ran across the room to him. "Mummy got me a present."
"I know. She told me." Nick grinned, hugging her. "Are you ready to go home?"
"Yeah."
"What do you have to say to Charlie?" Imogen asked her and she looked over at me.
"Thank you, Charlie. I had fun with Alexis."
"You're very welcome Abby. You'll have to come and stay again one day."
"Yes please." I smiled at her as Nick carried her towards the front door. I was about to follow him when I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to look at Imogen.
"Thanks for looking after him while I was away. I know it was hard for him and I'm glad he had someone to turn to." She spoke quietly, so as not to let Nick hear.
"Of course. I wasn't about to let him spiral out. I'm glad you're home again though. Even in the few hours you've been back, he's gotten so much happier."
"Imogen?" Nick appeared again, looking a bit confused. "What's up?"
"Nothing. Just thanking Charlie for watching our little monster last night." Imogen told him with a smile, heading over to him and kissing his cheek affectionately. Nick just smiled and followed her to where Abby was waiting patiently by the door.
"Bye, guys," I said, waving as they crossed the lawn together towards the car. "See you tomorrow, Nick."
"See you tomorrow." He waved once from his seat in the car before turning to say something to Imogen that caused them all to laugh. I watched them drive away, feeling something in my stomach that felt a lot like longing.
