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“I’m going to miss you daddy.” Aubrey sniffles and shoves her face into Tim’s chest. He has to go away for five days for training for work and really hates leaving his wife and daughter. It’s in Colorado, but it could be worse.
“I will call you every night, I promise. Plus, you get to have all the girl time with mommy.” Aubrey is four and is a daddy’s girl through and through.
Lucy runs her hand over Aubrey’s back and hates how sad her daughter is. Her hand lands on her belly where the newest Bradford is growing. “I’ll be mommy’s protector.” Lucy smiles at her husband and daughter.
“I love you Aubrey.” She gives her dad a kiss and then runs to Kojo. Lucy looks up at her husband.
“Please try to rest some Luce.” He pulls her into him and rests his hand on her belly. Lucy places her own over Tim’s. She’s seven months pregnant, something neither of them thought possible.
“I don’t want you coming home to a mess. I just can’t wait for you to come back.” Tim pulls her in for a kiss.
“We’re a team. Your doctor said to not overdo it, so please don’t. You three are my priority. Enjoy your time with Aubrey.” Lucy was already on maternity leave and planned on soaking up every moment before their son is born. “I’m going to miss you.”
Lucy hugs him a little tighter. “I’ll miss you too. We can’t wait for you to come back.”
Angela walks inside. “Are you ready to go?” She’s going to drop him off at the airport so it’s easier on Lucy.
“I guess so. I’ll see you both in a week.” Tim kisses his girls each one more time and leaves. Aubrey feels like she’ll never see her daddy again, even though it’s only a few days. Lucy holds her until she cries herself to sleep. It might just be a long week.
Tim is able to get through security easily and then to his gate. He pulls his phone out and something catches his eye. What is this? Aubrey drew him a heart and shoved it in his bag. His heart melts and he holds it close to his heart.
To Lucy😘
Look at what I found. I love my girls. I’m at my gate and waiting to board. I’ll call you once I’m settled in my hotel room.
His phone almost immediately dings after he sends his text.
From Lucy😘
Aww that’s so sweet. Maybe I can send you my own pictures later😉. We love you. She sends the picture of Aubrey asleep on her and Tim smiles. He has to start boarding and tells Lucy that. Since the training is in Colorado, it shouldn’t be too long of a flight.
Lucy lays Aubrey down and does clean up. It’s not too messy, thankfully. Meanwhile, a few hours later, Tim is finally checked into his hotel room. It’s just past five, but he’s tired. He plans on ordering room service, but not doing much else. Grey is also on this trip, but Luna came with him.
Tim unpacks his clothes and when he does, he sees Aubrey’s favorite dress up shoes and tiara tucked away. He chuckles to himself and can’t wait to talk to her. He decides to FaceTime them and Lucy picks up immediately, well, Aubrey does.
“Daddy!” She squeals and she runs around with the phone in her hands.
“Hi baby. Did you have a good day with mommy?” Aubrey runs over to Lucy who’s in the kitchen.
“We did! Daddy, we had burgers for dinner.” She giggles. He sees Lucy half in the frame because of how Aubrey is holding the phone. She rambles on about her day and Tim listens very intently. Finally, Lucy grabs Aubrey and they go to sit on the couch. She fixes the phone so Tim can see both of his girls.
“I’m glad you had a good day Aubrey. Daddy unpacked his clothes.” Aubrey giggles. “And I found a tiara and some pretty dress up shoes.”
Lucy’s eyes go wide in amusement. “Those are my favorite and you can dress up for work!”
“Daddy will look pretty, won’t he?” Lucy teases him and he can’t help but laugh.
“Yes! So pretty!” She is so excited and that makes Tim happy. She whispers something to Lucy and she tries not to laugh. “Love you daddy. Can you read me a story later?” It’s only just past seven for him, which means it’s earlier for them.
“I will call you and read you a story. Why don’t you go get your bath and get ready for bed? You can call me when you’re ready.”
Lucy looks at Aubrey. “Go play for now and we will do our bedtime routine in a bit. Mommy’s going to talk to daddy.”
Aubrey runs off and Lucy blows out a breath. “She’s really the energizer bunny.”
Tim chuckles. “I think she takes the energy from us.” Lucy doesn’t disagree.
“What time do your meetings start tomorrow?” Lucy looks at Tim who is staring at her.
“Eight thirty. They’re providing us breakfast and lunch apparently.” His eyes are twinkling. “I just hope it goes by fast. Wade brought Luna with him.”
Lucy knows he wishes they were there too. “It will babe.” Lucy hears her name being called. “Let me go take care of our girl but when she’s in bed, we will talk more. I hate sleeping alone.”
“So do I. I’m going to shower and get comfortable.” Lucy visibly groans and hates that she isn’t there. “What?”
“You’re showering without me.” Tim breaks into another smile and sees Lucy pouting.
“There will be plenty of that when I get back. I love you.”
“Love you. Talk soon.” She hangs up and goes to find her daughter.
Tim grabs some pajamas and quickly goes to shower. When he’s taking his toiletries out, he finds a small stuffed animal shoved inside. “Aubrey really wanted me to not be lonely apparently.” Tim adores it and squeezes the stuffed animal.
Aubrey calls him as soon as she’s in bed and he’s relaxing on the hotel bed. “I’m ready for my story now daddy.” He smiles softly.
“Which one do you want?” She tells him and then she’s asleep not even ten minutes later listening to him talk. Lucy takes the phone and goes to make sure that the house is locked up.
She walks into their bedroom. “Let me go get changed.” She winks and Tim can see her position the phone so he can see her naked and then steal his shirt.
“You’re really trying to kill me.” Lucy shrugs.
“What can I say? I wasn’t comfortable.” She winks and giggles. “That bed looks big and lonely.”
“It is Luce. Aubrey seems to have left me more surprises.” He shows her the stuffed animal and when he was taking his shoes out for the next day, he found a Barbie shoved inside.
“Someone really wanted you to not be alone.” Tim just smiles and he reaches out to graze his fingers over his phone screen. “I’m glad she easily went to bed. She misses you. You’d think you’re going to be gone for months.”
Tim shrugs his shoulders. “To her it might seem that way.” Lucy is exhausted. “Did she give you a hard time today?”
“No, not at all, she just misses her favorite person.” This pregnancy hasn’t been easy and Lucy is terrified that Aubrey thinks she’s being replaced.
“Well I can’t wait to be home again. Get some sleep baby. You need it. Have fun with Aubrey and I probably won’t be able to call until tomorrow night.” Tim hates not being able to call as much.
“I figured as much. I think you’ll learn a lot. I love you Tim. Talk soon.” She blows him a kiss and reluctantly hangs up.
Tim falls asleep quickly. The next two days go by in a blur and even though he’s learning a lot, it’s tiring. “Why don’t you come out to dinner with us?” Grey and Luna ask on the third night. It is still early. Tim agrees and it’s actually a nice time.
He takes his wallet out and as soon as he opens it he starts laughing. “What?”
Tim pulls something out to show them. “Someone wanted to pay for my dinner.” It’s Aubrey’s toy credit card and they laugh.
“She wanted you to have dinner on her dime. She’s the sweetest.” Luna loves Aubrey so much, they both do.
“She really is.” He murmurs.
Once dinner is done, he heads back to his room. He’s found a few drawings shoved away and it is the best part of his trip. The rest of his time goes by quickly and he’s walking back into his house two days later. Aubrey runs to him and wraps her arms around his legs. “Daddy, you’re home.” Lucy comes over and watches them together.
“I am. Did you protect mommy?” Aubrey shakes her head enthusiastically. “That’s my girl.” He kisses the top of her head.
It’s dinnertime and he decides to order something so he can let Lucy relax. “Why don’t you put your feet up? I’ve got her.”
Lucy kisses him and heads to sit down. Tim goes to find Aubrey. “You know.” Tim looks at her while unpacking. “I found a lot of stuff in my bag.” She starts to giggle.
“Did you play with it?” Aubrey’s eyes are twinkling.
“It didn’t leave my side.” Aubrey smiles widely and proudly. He pulls out the credit card.
“Oh you found it! Did you buy yourself food?” She really is the sweetest little girl.
“I sure did. I also bought you something.” He pulls out a new bear and she squeezes it. She squeals in excitement.
“Thank you daddy. It’s so soft.” She wraps her arms around Tim and hugs him.
“You’re welcome.” The doorbell rings. “Now let’s go eat some dinner.”
It feels good to be home with his family. Once Aubrey’s in bed, he walks to their room. Lucy’s sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Someone left quite the collection for you.” She teases him.
“She didn’t want me to feel left out.” Tim moves onto the bed and Lucy curls into his lap. “I’m just glad to be home. She gave me her credit card to buy lunch. It was the sweetest thing.”
“She’s pretty amazing.” Lucy’s hand lands on Tim’s heart and one of his is on her belly. “She told me to rest a lot. She is just like her daddy. I got a lot of cuddles though.”
Tim chuckles. “She just took her job very seriously.” He sees how tired Lucy is. “Now we both need sleep and I think it’ll be a good night for both of us.”
She looks at him and they definitely do not go to bed right away. She’s been needy all week. There is absolutely nothing better than being home with his family.