The second the plane hit the ground, I called Tyler.
He picked up n the first ring and we talked for moment, and then we got off the phone because I had to go to baggage.
This morning was stressful, trying to get the kids up, dressed, and fed.
I did it though.
I did it without a problem.
Now I'm driving the Range Rover through Southampton.
The kids are glued to the window.
I pull in after the bus, parking in my old spot.
I'm so fucking sad Tyler isn't here.
I could be in his arms right now.
I get out, upset, and I unbuckle the kids one by one, instructing them to stay with me.
I get out their children's suitcases.
Emily's is a Little Mermaid suitcase.
I set it down in front of he and pull the handle up.
Everyone is getting off the busses, and they're all talking and laughing and happy.
And I'm just...
I'm sad.
Sighing, I hand Ethan his Monster's Inc. suitcase and pull the handle up, and then I hand Declan his Toy Story suitcase.
My bags are on the bus, and I know Mom will have somebody in the house get them, so I let them be.
I look down at my phone as I walk, the kids walking in front of me.
I keep my eye on them as I clear my notifications. I lock the Range Rover.
And then Emily screams.
She screams.
On top of her lungs.
I drop my phone, startles.
"What?" I gasp, frantic. "What happened?"
She starts crying.
She starts sobbing.
She's hysterical.
I pick my phone up.
"Em, Emily, what's the matter?"
She runs.
The boys start screaming, and they run, too.
What the fuck?
I follow them.
Tyler.
Oh my god.
He crouches down, catching the three of them in his arms. He's grinning from ear to ear, kissing their forehead and cheeks, wiping tears.
"Daddy's here, Momma!" Emily says.
Oh god.
I stand there, my hand over my mouth.
He's here.
He's here.
Slowly, I walk over to him, crying, I watch him greet the kids.
Finally, after a few minutes, he stands up, smiling.
And this time, it's not just my daughter that starts sobbing.
I do, too.
"Oh my god." I gasp, locking my arms around is neck, burying my head in his shoulder. He smells so familiar. His clothes lost their scent at home, and sometimes I randomly catch his scent and I just stand there and take it in.
