Home, sweet home. My time here never lasts long enough. Sometimes I still feel like a young boy in High School when it comes to Juli. Like we're fighting to see each other on the weekends, knowing the hardest part is going to be saying goodbye. Sighing to myself, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. Being home always made me pretty lazy, so I decided it was time to shave and get myself together.


With a clean face, nice hair and comfortable clothes, I met Jules in the living room and planted a kiss on her cheek. She was already dressed to go, a light jacket falling over her shoulders. If I were being truthful, I'd say Jules is absolutely nuts. I agreed to this day because I needed to spend time with the two ladies in my life that I miss the most, but Jesus, the October air isn't forgiving. I knew we wouldn't be able to keep Noelle at the zoo any longer than an hour, before it really started to get chilly. It would be a nice break, though.


Smiling to my wife, we climbed in the car and I drove to where Noelle was attending school. We wanted to surprise her, so Jules stayed in the car while I went after her. It took a few moments for them to pull her from class, since we arrived about ten minutes before the kids were generally released, but when I saw her come running towards me with her pink jacket over her shoulder, I beamed.


"Daddy!" Noelle squeaked. "Where's Mommy?"


"She's in the car," I laughed, picking my daughter up. I helped her pull the jacket over her arms before we ventured back outside. "Wanna go see animals today?"


"Like puppies?" She questioned, waving madly at Jules as I sat her in the car, buckling her into her seat. "I wuv puppies."


"No, like.. Zebras, and lions!"


Noelle giggled as I slid back into the car, driving us in the direction of the zoo. We parked and Juli got her out, zipping up her jacket as we made our way to the gates. Paying the fee, I led my girls through the doors until we were at the first animal: A monkey. Noelle clapped her hands, yelling at the monkey in hopes that it would pay attention to her, but it didn't. So instead of letting that discourage her, we took her around the entire zoo until she'd stopped to yell at every animal for at least five minutes.


Juli was snapping pictures left and right, because occasionally, I yelled at the animals with Noelle. Sometimes she reminded me of Jack, what with her energy and all. Laughing like the happy family we were, Juli and I decided it was time to call it quits, because the air was getting colder and colder. Not only that, but I wanted to spend some time with Liam tonight as well.


Before we left, though, we took Noelle through the gift shop. Juli picked out a shirt for her, while Noelle picked out a stuffed animal of zebra, clinging to it like her life depended no it. This trip left me about a hundred dollars short, but it was worth it, just to see them smile.


"I can be a lion!" Noelle called from her seat in the car, holding her zebra high above her head. "Rawr!"


Jules and I couldn't help but laugh at this. Her soft, childish voice was in no was threatening, but it was quiet possibly the most adorable thing I'd ever heard. She continued this until we got her home, and once her feet made it through the doorway, she took off to 'find Stella and attack her like a lion does!'


I was exhausted and Juli and I parted ways. She had agreed to run back out and pick up some pizza and movies, mostly movies that Liam would be interested in, so I could kick back with him tonight. I had agreed to keep an eye on our insane children until she returned home.


"So, I guess you guys had fun today," Liam mumbled, watching Noelle run around with her zebra, jealousy in his eyes. "Why didn't you come get me, too?"


"Because unlike Noelle, you aren't easily exhausted. So," I plopped down on the couch next to my son. "Mom went to rent some movies for us. You and I are going to eat our weight in pizza and scream like little girls watching scary movies."


I saw his eyes light up, but he'd never admit it, not when he's upset with me.


"You'll be the only one screaming like a girl," he smirked. "Chicken poop."


"Daddy," Noelle wedged herself between Liam and I on the couch. "Lion hungee. And sleepy."


I chuckled, pulling her closer to my chest. Juli arrived home a few minutes later. She agreed to feed Noelle and put her down while Liam and I started on our guys night. I may have been worn out and lazy, but this day had been perfect. More than anything, I wished I could see this part of my family more often. Watching Noelle run around today absolutely melted my heart, but watching Jules feel complete again turned me to mush. Even Liam, picking on me through out the movies, it gave me a sense of comfort. This was my family, and even though sometimes I wondered if they even needed me while I was gone, I knew that they did.


That's the best feeling in the world.

Notes

Bleep.