Time Away

Family Visit

Daniel and I have been pretty rocky lately since that phone call last month. We're constantly back and forth arguing about petty things and if we weren't arguing we didn't even really talk at all. Daniel just texts me now, avoiding conversation.
Just then my phone lit up beside me.
Daniel: Hey S, how's it going? How's little man?
At this point, I was ignoring him. I was lying in bed with Si beside me, fast asleep. And then my phone rang.

"Hey pretty lady!" Mrs Justine sang happily into the phone.
"Hey girl!" I said giggling. "What's going on?"
"Oh nothing really, I just wanted to come and see my grand baby! How are you guys doing?" She asked.
"We're great. Si is a handful but he definitely keeps me on my toes. He's too cute to stay mad at." I said smiling.
"Just like his daddy." She said chuckling into the phone.
"Yeah, something like that." I mumbled.
"Okay, so Daniel said he has some relaxing time from the tour so he's staying at a hotel. It'll be for a few days, do you and Si wanna tag along with us?" She asked.
"Umm, I'm not so-" she cut me off adding,
"It would be great for you both to see him, I'm sure of it."
"Mrs Justine, things are reall-"
"I can come and just pick you both up, honey it's on the way. And you and Daniel need to talk. I'm sure being together in person will be perfect resolution."
Damn she's pushy.
"Okay, sounds great." I said, the words gritting through my teeth.
"Great, I'll pick you up tomorrow. Love you baby. Kiss Josiah for me."
"Okay. Love you too. Bye."
"Bye."

...

The next day, we were all packed up waiting on Daniel's parents to arrive. I packed Si and I for a good week. I dreaded every part of this trip.
Daniel called. I hesitated but finally answered on the last ring.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey, why didn't you text me back yesterday?" He seemed upset.
"Yeah sorry, I had my hands full with Si yesterday. Your mother called me too."
"Yeah, are you guys coming? I get things have been weird between us."
"Weird? Okay.. We're coming. Your mother is a 'no is not an answer' kinda woman. She thinks if we talk things will be okay." I rolled my eyes.
"Maybe so. I do miss you Sloane."
"Well you choose to leave." I mumbled into the phone. There was a heavy sigh from his end of the line.
"Okay. How's Si?" He changed the subject.
"He's great, he's sleeping now. That boy can sleep a whole day away." I said chuckling lowly.
"Just like his daddy." I was so sick of hearing that.
"Okay, I gotta go. Mrs. Justine just got here."
"Alright, I love you Sloane. Seeya later."
" I love you too, seeya." I mumbled and ended the call.
Daniel's parents hugged me as his father, Joe, carried our things and put them in the trunk.
We all packed into the car and drove to see Daniel.

By time we got there Josiah and I were fast asleep in the backseat. Mrs Justine tapped my knee to wake me, and there was Daniel by my window. He knocked on it, smiling weakly.
I rolled down my window saying,
"Can I help you sir?"
We all laughed as I lowered my glasses, examining Daniel.
"Yeah you can help me.." he whispered.
He opened my door and pecked my lips. I backed away from him.
"Aye aye!" Joe hollered.
"Get the bags boy!" He yelled again.
Daniel sighed, heading for the trunk.
I grabbed my son out of his car seat and took him inside with Mrs Justine trailing behind me. Joe and Daniel came in a minute later with our bags. Mrs Justine and Joe booked a separate room by ours. We waited for them to check in and all headed upstairs.
Once we were all squared away, I was walking around the hotel room with Josiah. I was in awe at how beautiful the room was. The bathroom shower was all glass, there was a huge marble sink, there was a kitchenette. Or more accurately a huge ass kitchen. It looked like a nice studio apartment.
Just then, Mrs Justine knocked on the door. Daniel opened the door for her as she barreled through for Josiah.
"May I?" She said, holding her hands out to me.
I hesitated but Josiah flew forward towards her. She squealed happily at him as she took him from me.
"I'm gonna take him to my room, is that okay? So you guys can talk?" She said.
Daniel and I looked at each other but she just walked out without an answer.
Silence fell across the room when she left.
"What do you want to talk about?" I said, sighing heavily. I sat on the edge of the bed, he did the same.
"I guess she thinks we're having problems." He said, scratching his head chuckling.
"Couples argue, that's normal." I replied, rolling my eyes.
"Not to this point though Sloane. You barely even look at me, you don't even wanna kiss me." He looked dead at me.
"I don't know Daniel." It got quiet again.
"Look, I just feel like the way things are, the things we keep arguing about, you just find a way to do things your way and I'm stuck just following. First this tour, the job situation.. whenever I mention something I wanna do, we have to do it your way." I said. I sat up on the bed, my arms around my legs, my head buried in them.
Daniel started like he was going to speak and then stayed quiet.

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I don't want you to feel like that, I guess I just thought my way made sense." He tapped me knee,
"But you just now saying something, doesn't help. If it was bothering you this much why didn't you just say something? You just hang up on me or storm off."
I looked into his eyes, thinking of his words. He wasn't wrong.
"I guess I'm sorry too." I said.
He chuckled. He laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"I am," I laughed a little. "I really am. I'm a brat too but I just didn't think I'd have to fight you on what I wanted to do. This relationship is definitely about compromise but I don't like it when you shut me down when I have something to say."
"When have I ever-" he started.
"This damn tour is when! We argued for a month straight after you told me that and you're here now, are you not?" I hollered angrily.
"Sorry. This is a discussion, not an argument." I lowered my tone.
"Sloane, I told you-"
"This is for us." We said in unison.
"I got it." I replied.

There was a knock at the door. Daniel got up to answer.
"Hey Michelle." He said.
"Hey Daniel. Perry needs you in his room."
He looked towards me.
"I'll be right back."