Stranger Things Have Happened, I Know

Ch 45

Chapter 45

“Kate!” Dave cried. “Don’t pick that up. Leave it, I will get it!” I rolled my eyes and set my suitcase back down.

“Dave,” I groaned. “I’m only 15 weeks!”

“And if you want to get to 16 weeks, you’ll let me carry that for you!” he said. I threw my hands in the air and kicked the suitcase so it fell over.

“There isn’t really anything in it! Anything that I pack now isn’t going to even fit me by the end of the trip!” I said as I tossed a few toiletries into my carry-on bag.

Since I had told him that I was carrying his child, Dave had been completely and utterly ecstatic, but slightly…over-protective. He winced every time I picked up one of the girls, he was constantly after me to “take it easy” and I even caught him hovering around me while I was walking down the stairs in my high heels on our way out to dinner!

“Katelyn,” he laughed, standing my suitcase upright again. “Let me dote on you, will ya? This is what fathers-to-be do!”

“I can’t take another 25 weeks of this. Can you at least save up the serious doting until I’m out to here,” I said, holding my arms about 6 inches out in front of my belly. Dave came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my middle. He slid his hands under my shirt and over my belly, which was ever so slightly beginning to pop. Even though all the hovering and doting could get on my nerves, I never tired of feeling his hands on my skin. I leaned against him and he buried his face in my neck.

“I love you,” he whispered, holding me for a few more seconds, then letting me go. “Do you need to put anything else in here? I’m going to bring it down stairs, the car should be here soon!” I let him know that he could take it and I threw a few last minute things in my carry-on.

“Am I allowed to carry this one?” I called downstairs to him.

“You just love giving me a hard time, don’t you?” he yelled back up to me. I smiled and threw the bag over my arm and headed downstairs to join him. I was looking forward to this tour, never having been to Europe before. Cara and Ali were also going and lugging their kids along for the trip. “The car’s here!” Dave said excitedly, opening the front door and starting to carry our luggage out. Once the car was loaded, we hopped in and headed out to meet everyone at the private airfield where the Dave kept the official Foo Fighter’s plane. The driver parked the car and I saw that the Hawkins had also just arrived. I climbed out while met Dave and the driver at the trunk of the car to unload. I lifted my carry-on and headed over to help Ali with her two kids. Dave followed, towing both suitcases and carrying his own carry-on.

                “Should she be carrying that?” Taylor asked, giving Dave a concerned look. I rolled my eyes and Ali laughed.

                “She’s fine,” Ali laughed, unbuckling Shanabelle from her car seat and passing her off to me. I looked over at Dave who already had a panicked look on his face.

“Come on Shanabee!” I said to Taylor’s youngest, “Let’s get on the plane before Uncle Disco has a heart attack.” I turned and headed towards the moveable stairs leading up to the plane.

“Katie, careful on the st--,” Dave started, then clamped his mouth shut. “Sorry, sorry, sorry!” I laughed and paused so he could catch up to me. I kissed his cheek.

“Longest 9 months of my life!!” I joked.

“You’re not kidding!” he replied, as we made our way up the stairs and settled in on the plane. The Shifletts arrived soon after and, in no time, we were taxiing down the runway, on our way to England.