Expect the Unexpected

Misunderstanding

The months had gone by fairly quickly for the little family.  It was now December.  Tatum was half way through her senior year.  Dempsey was at the end of his first semester.  And things were not going very easily for him, as he had expected. 

Lately, Dempsey had been beyond stressed.  It was the week of finals and he knew that he had had a short fuse at home.  He was over worked at the dealership.  His dad thought if he gave him too many hours he would be forced to drop out of college and take things over like he had wanted him to, to begin with.  Then it was also finals week.  He had three papers due and four huge finals to study for.  Not to mention he really was trying to help with Oakley as much as he could when he was home.  He was spread so thin and he knew that it wasn't only effecting him, but also Tatum and Oakley, too.

Dempsey sighed as he dropped his bag by the door.  As he walked in the door he saw a bag packed by the door.  His heart dropped.  He should have saw it coming.  He should have known that the way that he was treating Tatum would cause her to leave him eventually.  Not only would she leave him, but she would take their son with her, too.

Dempsey went running through the house just hoping to find her and beg her to stay.  He couldn't lose them.

Her found her in the nursery changing Oakley who was whimpering.  Dempsey went up behind her and wrapped his arms around her as the tears started flowing down his cheeks.  He began, "Please don't leave me.  I know I have been unbearable.  I'll change.  I'll drop out of college.  I'll find another job.  I'll do whatever it takes.  I just can't imagine life without the two of you.  I'm so sorry for the way that I have treated you.  I never should have done and said the things that I have said."

Tatum turned around and said, "Oh baby.  I'm not leaving you.  You are stressed.  You have finals.  They will be over soon and you will have  a month to take care of yourself.  I would not be opposed with you quitting the dealership.  Your dad is treating you terribly.  It's not fair to you."

"You aren't leaving.  Really?"

"Of course not."

"Why are there bags by the door then?"

"Oh!  Oakley has finally started teething and has not calmed down.  With how much studying you have to do I thought he would spend the night with mom and dad.  Give you a chance to study without our sweet boy interrupting you."

Dempsey took Oakley in his arms and said, "Hey little man.  Sorry those teeth are being so mean to you.  I just have to get through finals this week and then we'll get to have more father/son time.  I'm sorry I've been so cranky."  He looked at Tatum and said, "I really am sorry for the way that I have treated you and Oakley lately.  It hasn't been fair to you.  You have been just as stressed as I have, but I have put more on you with taking care of Oak."

Tatum pulled him in for a kiss and said, "We are a team.  Everything is good.  You just have a week more.  I just have two more.  Then we'll have the holidays to decompress and have some much needed family time."

"That sounds amazing.  I miss time with you and Oak."

"So, tonight I am going to take Oak to mom and dad's.  Sophie and Scott have been driving me insane to spend more time with him.  Then I'm going to come back here.  We are going to have a nice dinner.  I'll help you study and then we can get to bed early."

"Are you sure?  If Oak is teething he is going to need us."

"He'll be fine.  We can be with him while he teethes tomorrow night.  I think this is what he really need tonight.  I know I need some one on one time with my husband.  I hate that you have been so overwhelmed lately.  I want to help you in any way that I can.  I'll help you study and we will just have some childless time together doing normal teenage stuff as a married couple."

Dempsey laughed.  "Very true.  I'll go with you to drop off our boy."

Dempsey and Tatum were lying in bed.  Dempsey had his arms around Tatum as he said, "Thank you for helping me study tonight.  I think it really helped.  Once I have these four finals I'm going to take you out.  I'm really looking forward to a month of time with you and Oakley.  I'll just have dealership work.  I'm going to start looking for a new job.  I know the money is good, but it's not worth losing time with you two.  I'll find something else that will give me more time with you."

Tatum leaned up at kissed him, "I'll look for a job, too.  That way we will have two paychecks and all the stress won't be on you.  I shouldn't have let you take it all on yourself for so long.  That wasn't fair to you."

"I'm just glad you were able to be with Oak more.  He needed you.  Now that he is a little bit bigger I don't feel so bad about you possibly looking for a job."

"We are a team, D.  I want us to do this marriage right.  I love you.  I want you to know that I am your biggest fan and supporter.  We are in this together."

"I couldn't have a better team behind me.  I love you, Tate.  I'm so glad I have you in my life.  Now, lets get some rest."  The two of them were asleep before their heads hit their pillows.