Moments in life

Empty nest

Gabrielle POV

Well that's it. We are driving back home after dropping little Jack off at college. This is going to be so different when we get home. It will be the first time in twenty two years that Jack and I will have to the house to ourselves. It's kind of sad. I wonder how quiet the house will seem now. I got use to always having one or more of our children running around.

But now even our youngest has left the nest. Skylar went back for her final year last week. The twin terrors already moved into their dorm yesterday. So now the house will be empty... Well until the next weekend when Michelle and JC run out of clean clothes and bring them home to be cleaned. I am glad that they go to school so close, but it seems like we only see them when they have laundry or need free food while they are at State. Were Jack and I that bad?

"Earth to Gab. Everything OK sweetheart?"

That's my husband. He always seems to know when I am feeling the least bit melancholy. It can be annoying sometimes to know that he can read me better then I can read myself sometimes. But it's one of those little things I have always loved about him. 

Gabrielle reaches over and takes his hand in hers.

"I was just thinking of how empty the house will seem now. I mean when Skylar first went to college we still had the twins and little Jack. Then we just had little Jack. Now its just going to us. It just feels weird to not have our children underfoot at home."

"I know sweetheart, but that's life. They are growing up. We raised them to face the world and now they are all doing that. All parents go through it. We will still see them plenty. Don't worry."

"I know.. it just seems like only yesterday Michelle and JC began doing pranks on their older sister. Do you remember that? When they painted all of her dolls? Skylar was so upset, but the twins just looked so cute with all that paint over them and the dolls."

"I remember. Those dolls were expensive. But I admit it was hard to get mad at them. They were so cute when they started getting into mischief back when they were six. They were not as cute when they kept at it as they got older. I still blame you."

"Oh no, they took after you. Pranks were always more your thing them mine."

"Yes, but you are the one that had twins running in the family."

They laughed at their age old argument over whose fault it was for the twin terrors. But they both new that they wouldn't change them for the world.

"So Gabrielle, any thoughts about my idea?"

"Jack, we can't just pick up and go to the Caribbean for two weeks like that. What if one of the kids need us?"

"They would be fine Gabrielle. My parents and yours will still be around, their aunts are all reachable, and we are still only a phone call away if they really need us. Our parents already said they would be happy to make sure to be available if there are any problems."

"I know Jack... But still I would have to see if Carol would cover my patients for the two weeks. You would have to..."

"Done and done. I talked to Carol and Markus. Both will be happy to cover your patients for the two weeks. I am already set and have everything done ahead of schedule, so I have no problems with taking the time away."

"But..."

"Gabrielle, please sweetheart? Will you agree to it for me?"

That's not fair. He is using that look. His eyes still make me weak in the knees after all these years and...

"All right fine. When do we leave?"

"Great, we can stop and have dinner when we get back to Springfield and then we can go home and pack."

I just stared at him. He couldn't mean that we were leaving that soon? No, that's crazy. There is to much to work out. There is no way he... Could he?

"Jack, when are we leaving?"

"Ummm, soon sweetheart."

"Jack..... When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow afternoon. Our flight's at 1:35pm"

"Grrr.... Jack.... You mean you have it all set?"

"Yup"

"Jack, how long have you planned this trip?"

"Umm, about a month. Everyone else knows we are going and everything is all set."

"But you didn't tell me because?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise?"

"Jack..."

"Gabrielle, I wanted to surprise you. I know this summer has been tough. I know little Jack leaving home for the first time was rough on you. Please don't be mad. I wanted to do this for you."

"I am not amused that you kept it from me that you had already set it up, Jack."

"But you also love me for it don't you?"

I just shake my head and smile. I leaned over so my head is resting on his arm as we drive toward home. Luckily it's only another hour away. At least my little Jack is not that far away from home. Jack is right. I do love that did that for me...for us.

"God help me, but yes Jack. I do love you for it."

I can't be mad at him. He really does just look out for me and knows what I need, a lot of times earlier and better then I even do. I really am so lucky to have Jack. Our lives haven't always been perfect, but I think they have been as close as I could ever hope. Who would have thought we would still be together now if they had known us back in high school?

There are not a lot of girls that can say that their first boyfriend turned out to be the love of their life. That the first guy they kissed would turn out to be the last.

 I still remember the time we were apart. I so much wish I could go back and hit myself in the head and explain to myself why I was being an idiot... But in the end, we made it through. We had our bumps and shocks, but we always come out stronger together.

I know after everything, I would never want it any other way.

"I love you Mr. Brinkmen."

"I love you Mrs. Brinkmen."

The end