Two Pink Lines

chapter 14: alone time

The next morning Taylor woke up first, getting out of bed to feed James. Joe woke up half an hour later, walking out to the living room where Taylor and James were. Joe walked over to them, "Need any help?"

"Can you just take him for  a moment while I use the restroom?" Taylor asked, handing James to Joe.

"Sure," Joe said, holding James. Joe looked at his son as Taylor walked away, "How'd you sleep?"

James just smiled, clapping his hands together. Joe chuckled, kissing James forehead. A few minutes later Taylor walked back out, leaning against the kitchen counter, "So do you have a lot of work today?"

"I have a few audition emails I have to answer this morning, but I should be free by the afternoon. What about you?" Joe asked, bouncing James up and down in his arms to keep him entertained.

"Nothing really," Taylor shrugged. "Here, why don't I take James to the playroom while you do your work, then we can all do something together once your done."

Joe nodded, handing James to Taylor. They both went their separate ways, Joe to his office, and Taylor to the playroom. Mid-playing with James, Selena called her, and she accepted. "Hey what's up?"

"Just checking in," Selena shrugged. "How's the little one doing?"

"Good," Taylor turned the camera so Selena could see James. "It's pretty much eat, sleep, play repeat."

Selena laughed a little, "And where's Joe?"

"He's doing some work," Taylor replied, propping her phone up so she could talk to her while playing with James.

"So how's the parenting life been," Selena asked.

Taylor bit her lip, "Good, it's just..."

Selena raised an eyebrow, prompting her to continue. Taylor sighed, "Joe and I just haven't had as much alone time. I wouldn't trade James for anything, but I feel like Joe and I are so busy with him we don't have time for each other."

Selena frowned, "Maybe you just need to have someone babysit for the night. It would be good for you guys."

Taylor considered this for a moment, "Yeah, but I don't know how Joe feels. I don't want him to think I'm too clingy or anything."

"Tay if he thought you were too clingy, you wouldn't be married right now," Selena rolled her eyes.

Taylor smiled, "Yeah, I guess so. But who would I ask? No one's in London right now."

"I'm staying in London for a night tomorrow, I could take him then. But I have to leave the evening after," Selena said. "Why don't I just pick him up tomorrow and you can pick him up the next morning? So you and Joe can just have a day to yourselves."

"Really? Could you do that?" Taylor asked eagerly.

"Of course!" Selena smiled.

Taylor grinned, "Thanks, I'll tell Joe later."

A few hours later James was sleeping, and Joe had just finished working. They were sitting on the couch, both of them scrolling through their phones. Taylor looked up, "Oh by the way! Selena's coming over tomorrow morning to babysit James and we'll just pick James the next morning."

Joe gave her a blank look, "Why?"

Suddenly Taylor became less confident with her decision. Maybe I should have asked him first. "Oh um, I just thought we could have alone time. You know, just us."

Joe furrowed his eyebrows, "But we're already alone right now. Will James be okay without us? I don't want him to have a hard time sleeping or anything."