Through the Years with Nick and Charlie

November

A/N: This is a bit all over the place...also might be over 10k words🙃

-Darcy's pronouns will be they/them now (per s3)
-surprise at the end (I tried my best😔)

****TWO MONTHS LATER (NOV 4th)****

Nick:

Two months ago, I turned 25 and I feel like so much has already happened and will happen. For starters, I have a four, almost five month old daughter who can now roll over and grab things including her feet when they're in the air. She may look like a dead bug, but the cutest one you'll ever see. Speaking of, for Halloween, we dressed her up as a little pumpkin, the same costume that Ollie had when he was younger, so he was excited to see her in it when we took him trick or treating around our neighborhood with his mates. They claim that the better candy was here instead of where they live!

We've started to feed Ro foods like purée, but she doesn't eat much, mainly because I'm too mesmerized by her smile when I pretend the spoon is a "choo choo train" or an "airplane" that I just keep doing it, not really feeding her. It's truly the best thing ever, but Charlie snuck a few videos of me, sending them to the group chat and Darcy won't leave me alone about it, saying that I've gone soft...I've offered to feed them "choo choo train" style but they declined!
Rome's also been much better about supporting herself when sitting up or laying down. She's just been doing great overall, but the only thing kicking my ass is the sleep regression stage and colic. It's been going for about three weeks now where she just won't go to sleep in the first place, crying a bunch, or she'll go to sleep, but wake up very fussy. Her sleep pattern is just nonexistent.
I'd say it's a little easier for me since I don't have to get up and go to work in the morning like Charlie, but I'm the one that has to embrace the very loving side of char without any sleep, it's great. I love when he's cranky and can't be around anyone or anything that just might set him off...fun.

In other news, I got my cast off at the end of September, so now I'm back in a boot. For whatever reason, I truly thought that I would be back out on the pitch by now, but I'm not, and it's been over a month since. It sucks and took a toll on me at first, it still is to be honest, but I'm trying to put it aside and focus on my physical therapy. Speaking of rugby, the awards are coming up in 16 days now. It would be fine, but they're in Monaco meaning we decided to leave Rome behind, but suddenly, Charlie has brought up the option of staying with her instead of coming with me. It's disappointing, a bit annoying to be honest but I've decided to not think about it too much because there isn't a set decision on it.
Overall, I'd say we've been doing okay, just a few bumps here and there!

****LATER THAT SAME NIGHT****

Nick:

In the middle of an already late dinner due to Rome just completely sobbing for a reason that I can't figure out, Charlie leaves the table and goes to sit in the basement by himself, saying he really needs to finish his lesson plans before tomorrow...well, he sorta yelled it or raised his voice because I asked him if he would at least finish dinner with me...obviously it was a no, so I took Rome upstairs to hopefully get her to calm down, and once she did almost 20 minutes later, I went back downstairs into the basement, monitor in hand "she's down now!" I say, standing over Charlie as he nods but continues typing. I glance at my phone to check the time "are you gonna come to bed soon?!?" I ask after reading "10:38pm" across the top of my phone "I don't know, I need to finish this!" "...Are you almost done?!" "I've barely even started, Nick!! Hasn't been the best environment to work in lately" "...don't you think you should try and get some sleep while she's-" I get cut off by cries coming through the monitor, and muffled ones coming from upstairs. I sigh and Charlie looks at me, doesn't say anything but says enough with his eyes. I just walk away, up to Ro's nursery.