Only his surrogate

Seventy two.

"So I'm hoping your samples are ready for me!" I smiled stepping into the office this morning. Fashion week was four days away. My stress levels were super high.

My design team stood in front of me with samples upon the body mannequins. - "I like these ... really good ... I love the designs and what you've all done, I'm thinking maybe adding some brighter colour in. So it stands out more!"
-
"Also bringing this down so it's halter but reverse into strapless?! Other than that amazing work guys, I'm impressed! We need these made by Monday!"
-
I needed this to be perfect. Designers everywhere were seeing my work. Potential clients, I needed something that stands out.
I think this could be it.

I promised Leyton we would all have lunch today, myself him And the twins it's been a while since we've spent family time together it was definitely needed, and I needed a breather from work. I didn't know having your own business would be this stressful.

—-

"I just feel like I'm being super hard on them you know ..." I sighed as I gave the twins their lunch. We decided on a small little cafe in town. Outside in the sunshine.
"But don't. You're allowed to be hard on them, it pushes them to strive further. They'll thank you eventually"

"I guess. Anyway enough about work, it seems to be that's all I ever do at the minute. My mom keeps pestering us to go visit soon"

"Well we can! Once fashion week is over why don't you take some time off? A few days and we can head down?"

"It is what we need right now ... and we could have a date night together alone" which we haven't done since, I can remember.

"Exactly. Your mum will be thrilled I'm sure"

"She will. Oh yeah, I had meetings today ... going back on topic real quick. I'm ready to expand apparently, a store!"

"That's amazing news, where?"

"London."
"And how do you feel?"
"Fine, but Leyton, what if this fails! I mean I'm working super hard as it is - I just want it to do well"
"It will! Don't stress just focus on fashion week, I'm gonna book flights now to Florida, for next week. You need it"

—-

Spending the afternoon and the rest of the day with Leyton, Alfie and Aubrey was what I needed. Family time is precious at the minute, nothing beats it.
We took the twins to a play centre and then a toy store, and the park! It was a wonderful day spent together.

Bath time was my favourite, it gets better as they get older! And bedtime was the same routine with me as it was when they was younger, pyjamas, warm milk. And a story, the gruffalo again. It sends them to sleep within five minutes.

"You look a bit run down? Is everything ok?"
Leyton questions as I close the twins door.

"Hm oh yeah. I just haven't felt great all day ... could be the stress!" He always worried when I wasn't feeling great. It was kind of cute.
"You're doing too much. Why don't you have a relaxing bath? And then maybe I can give you a massage after?" He smiles. He was good with his hands, more ways than one.

"Or we could skip straight to the massage?"

"As you please?" He winked scooping me up and laying me flat on my stomach so my back was towards him.

It's surprising how much the little things really make you relax.

Although I think it's the touch of his bare hand that does it!