Mr.Brightside

Chapter 27

Jack

The first few months of Olivia's life flew by in a blur of sleepless nights, diaper changes, and moments of pure, unfiltered joy. Our days blended together, punctuated by Olivia's milestones-her first smile, the way her eyes followed us around the room, the soft coos she made when she was happy. Each new development felt like a small victory, a reminder that we were doing something right.

Returning to Work

Eventually, the day came when I had to return to work. I had taken as much time off as I could, wanting to be there for Clara and Olivia during those first precious weeks, but the reality of work couldn't be avoided forever. The night before my return, I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, a knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.

Clara, sensing my tension, reached out to hold my hand. "You're going to be okay, Jack. We'll be okay."

I turned my head to look at her, her face soft in the dim light of the room. "I know. I just... I don't want to miss anything. What if she does something new while I'm gone?"

She smiled gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from my forehead. "You won't miss anything important. And even if she does, I'll record it for you. We're a team, remember?"

Her words were comforting, but the thought of leaving them both behind in the morning still felt like a weight on my chest. I nodded, trying to shake off the anxiety. "I know. I just need to get back into the swing of things."

The next morning was harder than I'd anticipated. Olivia was still asleep when I left, her tiny form nestled in her crib, her breathing soft and steady. I kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment before heading out the door. Clara was already up, making coffee in the kitchen, and she gave me a reassuring smile as I grabbed my bag and keys.

"You've got this," she said, her voice full of confidence that I was trying to muster. "We'll be here when you get home."

I leaned in to kiss her, grateful for her strength. "I love you. Call me if you need anything."

"Love you too. Now go before you're late," she teased, giving me a gentle nudge toward the door.

As I drove to work, the familiar route felt strangely foreign, as if I were returning to a life that no longer quite fit. The office was the same as I'd left it, but I felt different-more aware of the time passing, more conscious of what I was leaving behind each day.

Balancing Work and Family

The first few days back at work were challenging. I found it hard to focus, my thoughts constantly drifting back to Clara and Olivia. I wondered what they were doing, how Olivia was growing and changing, if she missed me as much as I missed her.

During lunch breaks, I found myself scrolling through the photos on my phone, the ones Clara had sent me throughout the day-Olivia smiling, Olivia napping, Olivia discovering her toes for the first time. Each photo was like a small lifeline, connecting me to the life I wanted to be living.

My colleagues were understanding, asking how Clara and the baby were doing, sharing their own stories of balancing work and family. It helped, knowing I wasn't alone in this struggle, but it didn't make the longing any less acute.

Every evening, when I finally walked through the front door, the tension of the day melted away as soon as I saw them. Clara would greet me with a tired but warm smile, and Olivia's face would light up as I picked her up and held her close. Those moments were what kept me going, what made the long hours away from them bearable.