'Hey it's Saffron. I can't get to the phone right now so please leave your name and number and I'll get back to you' her voicemail rang out in Max's ear for the third time tonight.
He checked the clock, it was 2am in Monaco. He was upset. He had a terrible qualifying, he was missing his wife and baby and Carlos's comment had really struck him. He threw his phone on the bed and stripped off heading to the shower. He decided a hot shower and sinking into the bed might make his struggles go away for the day.
He wandered out in his boxers back to the bed drying his hair with the towel when he noticed his phone lit up. Two missed calls from Saffron. He threw the towel down and scrambled to pick up his phone as it lit up with her face again.
'Hello?' He answered almost out of breath.
'You called?' She asked sounding unimpressed and he could imagine her pursed lips, her unimpressed look, her picking and playing with her nails holding the phone to her ear as if she didn't care.
Max didn't say anything but listened to her voice instantly feeling better.
'Hello?' She asked growing impatient.
'Sorry' he blurted out.
'Huh?' She asked.
'I said I'm sorry' he said in a low and solemn voice.
'What for?' She asked.
'For being an asshole. I didn't mean it. I miss you so much' he said, his voice quivering with every word.
She paused for a moment 'I forgive you' she said yawning 'is that all you called for?'.
'I wanted to check in' he said perking up slightly.
'Everything is fine here. Cedric is okay. He's sleeping at the moment. I've been sleeping on and off. I have a check up tomorrow with the gynaecologist so I'll let you know how I go' she said trying to stifle a yawn.
'How are you doing though?' He asked quietly.
'I'm okay' she said
'Are you sure?' He asked.
She chuckled 'yes Max I am fine' she said trying to put his mind at ease.
But in reality she wasn't. Not being able to co-parent was actually quite difficult for the new mum. Even though Max had only assisted for two weeks, the week that he had been gone was actually difficult. It was now up to Saffron to take care of the both of them. She could do this and she knew that deep down. But right now what she needed was to be surrounded by like minded people. She just needed to get through the 6 week phase and then she could be out and about. She couldn't wait to get Cedric into play group and she already had a daycare lined up and had put his name down for. She would put him in a couple of days a week so he could learn and play with other children and so that she could work. The other days she was going to plan activities for the two of them together. But that was all in the future. She needed to focus on what little Ced needed right now.
'I'm thinking of seeing my therapist again' She said quietly.
'What?' Max asked confused.
'I'm thinking of going back to Dr. Jacobi again' She said quietly looking down at her fingers.
'Why?' Max asked.
'I just think I need to okay?' She asked.
'Okay' He said 'whatever you need I will support you' He said smiling.
'Thank you darling' She said and his heart lit up.
'I love you' He said.
'I love you too Maxy' She said before silence fell upon the couple.
She eventually hung up staring down at the photo of her and Max next to her bedside table. She grabbed the frame and pulled it close. This was her favourite photo of the two of them. It was three months into their relationship and they had taken a holiday the Maldives where they proceeded to get tanked. They were so drunk that night. It was the first time Max had told her that he loved her. She told him he loved her. She grabbed his face and pulled him in for a drunken selfie. It was one of her core memories. She smiled and laughed through her nose amused.
She put the photo back on the bedside table and snuggled into bed. She put her phone on charge, pulled the covers up and turned the bedside lamp off. She rolled over facing away from the bassinet and was about to close her eyes when Cedric started to stir. She squeezed her eyes shut and didn't move to see if he would settle himself. He went quiet for a few moments before stirring again. She sighed and got up out of bed and grabbed the baby to soothe.
It was going to be a long three weeks.
