Doing it Alone: Sequeal to Giving Her Away

Doing It Alone: Chapter 3

Shane

“This is so much harder than I thought it was going to be,” Jennifer sobbed as I shut the front door and led her into the living room and sat her down.

“Shhh,” I said softly. “ It'll be okay.”

“No! No it won't! He' s missing every damn thing that Nat is going through! How can he not be here to watch his daughter growing up! If it weren't for Skype she wouldn't even know who he is!”

“Oh sis... I know it’s hard, but I promise you.. he loves you and Nat so much..... he’s trying to make a way for you......” I insisted.

“I have 5 weeks.. till we see him again..” she cried.

“I thought he had 12 weeks left of his tour....” I asked, confused.

“I do... but the last week overseas is in London... he was gonna fly us out to stay with his mum, the other six weeks is here in the US so we’ll be on the bus with him.....” she said.

“Well see.. he’s trying everything sis.... please.. please don’t give up on him....” I said.

“Listen to you... this coming from the man who didn’t even want me to get married...” she chuckled, wiping her tears.

I chuckled,” I know,” I said. “But now that you are married, well marriage takes work. And compromises.”

“I just don't get how this can work if he's always away from us.”

“Give him a chance to make it work the best that he can,” I said softly.

She nodded slowly as she took a deep breath,” I'll see how it goes when we are traveling with him and stuff.”

I smiled,” good. Now are you hungry?” Max came out of the kitchen and his eyes lit up when he saw his aunt Jennifer sitting with me.

“AUNT DENY!!!!” he said, and ran to her. She picked him up and held him to her.

“Oh my sweet boy I missed you so much!” Jen cooed.

“Nat asked for her daddy! Where is Unc Hawwy?!” he asked her.

“Your uncle Harry is over seas, singing...” she said, smiling and stroking his hair.

“Oh whens he come homes?” he asked.

“In a couple months sweetie.....” she said.

“You misses him?” he asked. She chuckled and nodded.

“very much...” she said.

I smiled,”Alright Maxy, go play with Sophie and Nat, make sure they don't get hurt okay?” I said.

Max nodded his head seriously,” Okay,” he promised and scampered off to where Sophia and Natalie were playing with each other.

“Come on I think today is a beignet day and some coffee. Minnie is making Jambalaya for lunch,” I said.

“Oh sounds heavenly!” Jennifer said as she stood and followed me into the kitchen where Minnie was already at work on lunch. I grabbed the ingredients for the beignets to start making the dough so that I could bake them, Jennifer took a seat at the counter.

“Hey Jen, how are you doing?” Minnie asked.

“I've had better days,” Jennifer replied.

“it’ll get easier... I promise.. Shane and I did almost a year when he was with Johnny was.... if i can get through that you can get through 5 weeks...” she said.

“Right, back when my brother thought he was a rock star!’ Jen joked.

“HEY! i was.. we were HOT okay?!” I chuckled.

“Yes you were baby...” Minnie giggled.

“Thank you Shane for letting us stay with you for a bit..... I couldn’t get through this without you... or your beignets,” Jen said, softly.

“Jeny you are always welcome here for as long as you need. I want you to feel comfortable wherever it is.Whether it's here or your place or on the road with Harry. I love you and Minnie loves you,” I said.

“Thanks guys. I mean it,” she said softly. I smiled as I kneaded the dough for the beignets, while Minnie was chopping ingredients and cooking and adding spices to the pot on the stove.

“If you need anything else please let us know,” Minnie said softly.

　

　

Sophia

Is was sittings ons the floors withs Natties, shes bes mys bestest friend wes weres playings with the balls. Mama n Daddy says Is hasta plays gentals withs Natties causes shes a stills a baby. Sos Is was pushings the ball slowly sos its wents to Natties sides ands shes woulds pushes its backs.

We was doings this, balls goes tos mys sides thens hers sides ands backs agains to mys sides. I giggled I likeded this game. Is pushed the balls again but this times its past Natties and went under the sofa.

“Uh oh,” Natties whispered.

“Is gets its,” I said and got up walking to the sofa and trieds to get its and my hand founded its but Is pulled my hand back and it wouldnts comes out, no balls and no hands. I trieds again and when it no comed outs again I burst into tears and started screaming.

“MAMA DADDY!”

“Uh Oh!” Natties said her eyes going wide.

　

Shane

I heard my Sophia scream for me and I took off like a bolt, abandoning the dough, Minnie abandoning the stove and we ran in to see her with her hands under the sofa, crying.

“Oh baby girl!!’ Minnie said.

“Hol don princess... lay real still okay?!” I said.

“Daddy helps mes!!!” she cried.

“I am sweetie...” i said. I gently pulled back on the couch, lifting it slightly and Minnie freed her hands and the ball Sophia had been reaching for.

“Shhh, princess, all better,” Minnie cooed, rocking her back and forth.

“Yays!!!” Nattie said, clapping her hands.

“Mama mama mama! DANNEYS!!!!!” she said, and made her arms into a flex. Jen giggled, and nodded.

“Yes... he’s very strong!” she giggled. I smiled. That was the first time my baby niece had ever said ANY thing resembling my name.... Sophia sniffled and I reached over wiping her tears away slowly. Nattie frowned when she saw Sophia was still crying.

“It's okay sweetie,” I whispered,” does your arm hurt?”

“I justs wanteds mys balls backs tos plays wif.”

“I know. But this sofa sits low there isn't enough space for a person's arm under there princess. Next time call Mama or Daddy if something rolls under there okay?” Sophia sniffled.