Why Now?

Chapter 4

The next day I woke up to make breakfast for the kids and Finn was still asleep. I made breakfast and woke the kids up. He got up around the same time they did and said

"Good morning!"

"Morning!" the kids said stuffing their faces with bagels and eggs

"Morning love!" he said to me and kissed my cheek.

He looked so good today. He came down fully dressed in his suit and tie. He must have a case today. The kids ate their breakfast and then finished getting ready for school. It was nice to have him back. The kids were sad when they heard Finn had to go to work and they made him promise he would be back for dinner tonight and sure enough he promised them! Before Finn dropped them off at school on his way to work he was explaining to me how this guy he has to represent is absolutely nuts and just needs some serious help. After he told me about this dude my self esteem sky rocketed. I cleaned up the mess that was made with breakfast and then did some laundry. I have a couple days off so I figured I would use them to catch up on house work and everything. Before I knew it, it was time to pick the kids up. I went to the school and picked them up then came home and decided what we were doing for dinner. I texted Finn and asked him but he said he didn't care. I eventually came up with the idea of garlic Parmesan chicken wings with broccoli and french fries. The time that Finn said he was supposed to be home was WAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY later than what he said. He told us he would be home around 5 and by the time he got home it was 9:30. The kids waited, and waited, and waited for him. It broke my heart to see them so upset. All they wanted was to see Finn and tell him about their day. I had to force them to bed and I had to force them to eat without him and they were not happy but they had school the next morning so they had to be up early the next day and it was so upsetting to see them sad the way they were. especially Julian who got an A on his social studies quiz. Finn came walking in kissed me  and said

"Hey babe!"

"Hi." I said kinda short with him

"What's wrong?"

"You're late. Those kids of your's are really upset and missed you. They waited up for you as long as I would let them. Had I of let them they would probably still be up. They refused to eat dinner till you got home so I had to force them to eat. I don't want to be the bad guy here but...when they hear those words 'I promise' you better believe they will hold you to it."

"I know. I'm sorry I got held up at the office with that client. He told me his life story for the hundredth time now and I have to listen to it and be polite cause if not I could lose his business which then means no money and that can't happen." 

I looked at him and said "Oh I know that but I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. I can stay up and see you however late my energy will carry me, but them? They had to go to bed without seeing you, without talking to you. They miss you Finn. They want you to be a part of their lives. Don't let work and shit get in the way of that. One day they will understand but today is not that day. So until they can understand know that work...has to come in at a close second now. I'm not trying to control you or anything and I'm not saying your job isn't important or telling you to pick but those kids adore you...don't ruin that." I said 

"I know that it's just I want to be a good dad but I don't know how." he said

"Babe, you're doing an amazing job right now. You just have to make sure that work is prioritized in a reasonable manner and those promises you keep to them and those kids are your 1st and main priority. Being a parent is all about making mistakes and learning from them. We will take it one day at a time. We got this." I said holding his hand

"I love you." he said pulling me toward him

"I love you too!" I said then kissed him

"I'll go upstairs and see them really quick. I think they would like that."