We need more Kleinsen

Stressed days

Evan Kleinsen was a waiter at Magnolias, a really nice restaurant. It had an alright wage. Jared Kleinsen worked to stop hackers and viruses. Jared worked many hours and only had Sunday off. Evan worked afternoon and evening shifts on Tuesday through Thursday. They also had a baby to take care of so on afternoons where Evan was at work, they hired a sitter.

Recently they have needed more money with owning a house, car, baby and they had bills and necessities. Jared agreed to work longer shifts so they could have enough. Evan also agreed to work Monday as well and his shifts were an hour longer.

Jared had to work 10 hours on Monday, 8 hours on Tuesday, 10 hours on Wednesday, 7 hours on Thursday, 9 hours on Friday, and 4 hours on Saturday. He wasn't home much. His work totaled up to 48 hours a week, which is the maximum legal amount in the United States of America.

Evan was often alone with his baby while Jared worked. Now, most people who work 48 hours a week and have a baby and have insomnia would be grumpy and exhausted when they get home from work, but Jared was always patient with Evan. He was never short or grumpy around him. He always made sure to make time for him when he was home.

He knew Evan was probably lonely without him there and that Evan was probably mad at him for working so much and never being there. He felt terrible about it.

He also knew his eyesight was getting progressively worse because of constantly being at the computer. It was seriously affecting his vision. But, he didn't get it checked out or get any new glasses because it wasn't bad enough to interfere with work, and they didn't need to waste the money they needed to survive on new glasses.

Evan on the other hand was getting grumpier and lack of human interaction with him husband was not helping. He knew Jared was just doing it to provide for the family, he knew Jared was really trying hard for him, but Evan was really stressed out because of the baby and work and loneliness.

One Friday Evan was feeling exceedingly worse. But when his child was crawling one time, Evan was watching. The smol human grabbed a table and stood up using it as support. Evan wasn't surprised or anything. The tini person always stood but immediately fell down again. But this time, the miniature human took some steps. Evan ran over to them and  guided them. They fell and Evan engulfed the child in a hug. His little baby took their first steps and Evan got to see!

Evan's face fell when he realized it would be 6 more hours until his husband would be home.

He looked back at his little child and saw that they were nodding off. He put them in the crib and kissed their forehead.

Jared always drove home as quick as he could, but today as work was done Evan called him and told him to 'get his ass home asap' in an angry voice.

Jared got home as fast as he could and sprinted in the house. He saw Evan standing there furious.

Evan held the baby out to him. Jared took their baby and cradled them in his arms.

"You see that? You see your child?"
Evan asked him, pointing at the child.

Jared looked at his baby and smiled, caressing their cheek gently.

"Well that child, the one you're holding right now took their first steps today while you were at work."
Evan stated, crossing his arms.

Jared's blue eyes widened. He looked at Evan. Fear and sadness were visible in his gaze. He couldn't look at his husband anymore. It hurt. He looked down.

"Look. Me. In. The. Eyes. Jared."
Evan asserted.

Jared hesitantly looked back up. Evan walked closer to him.

"You're... never home. I miss you. You missed your own child's first steps."
Evan took back the baby.
"You miss everything. I just want to wake up to see my husband next to me and go to sleep with my husband snuggling with me. I miss that. I feel like you've abandoned me completely. God! This is probably what my mom felt like when dad left!"
Evan had tears forming in his eyes.

Jared wiped away the tears that fell down his face. He felt so so bad. He felt terrible. His hands found their way to his face, covering it.

"I'm sorry"
He whimpered quietly.

Evan was surprised at how small his voice was, but he didn't hear what he said.

"What? I can't hear you!"
Evan said, frustrated.

Jared took his hands away and looked Evan in the eyes. Only then did Evan realize how dark the bags under his eyes were and how exhausted he looked.

"I said I was sorry. I wish I could spend more time with you. I wish I could be home more. I wish I could've seen my child's first steps. Do you know how much it hurts to know that I missed something as big as that? Do you know how much it hurts knowing that I'm hurting you? I just want to see you happy. I want to be able to provide for our child. Everything I do is for you two. You're my favourite people and I love you to death. You're the reason I work so long and hard. I'm so so tired. I'm so so sorry. I'm sorry that I'm not enough. I'm sorry I can't give you guys what you need. I just want to see you smile. I want to see you happy. I jus-"
Jared was cut off by his own sobs. He fell to his knees sobbing.

Evan let the baby crawl around. He sat down and pulled his husband into his lap. He started crying as well. He knew everything Jared said was true. He realized how short sighted he was he felt bad. He caressed Jared's hair until he drifted off into sleep. Evan carried him to bed and tucked him in.

Evan out the baby to sleep and then went to bed himself, falling asleep with Jared in his arms.

That was the best sleep Jared had in literal years. He thanked Evan profoundly when he woke up.

"No Jared, I should thank you. You work so so hard for us and you are never grumpy or an ass about it. I should be thanking you"
Evan told Jared.

Jared took Evan's hands.
"I'm taking today off. We're going out. A stress relief day. Just you and me and the baby."