Thrive - Side 2
An Ocean Away
We’re about to leave for tour and Abby’s struggling to keep it together. I’m relieved that Scarlett doesn’t understand what’s about to happen because this is an emotional situation. At the moment, I’m sitting next to Abby while our daughter is in her stroller.
“How many weeks again? Four?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
Before I could get even respond, she spoke again.
“I can’t believe I even asked that. Of course, I know.”
She placed her head in her hands and then I ran my left hand up-and-down her back.
“Thank you.” she said.
“For what?” I asked.
She sat up and turned to look at me.
"For being amazing.”
I pressed my lips to hers, engaging her into a deep kiss which was one of the things that I was going to miss the most for the upcoming weeks.
“Why do you have to taste so delicious?” she asked.
I laughed.
“I just do.”
We both heard Scarlett cry. She picked her up and took a whiff to see if she needed a diaper change, but that wasn’t the problem and since she was fed only a half hour ago, we were baffled.
“Do you think she’s picking up on my emotions?”
“It wouldn’t surprise me. You two have a deeper bond than her and I do.”
Abby smiled at the thought as she held her in her arms trying to calm her down; she was still wailing. She lightly touched her cheek with my thumb then kissed her forehead.
“Oh, sweetie. What’s the matter?”
Scarlett continued to cry.
“Let me hold her.” I said, motioning for her.
She nodded and carefully handed her to me.
“Hey, baby girl. What’s wrong? Whatever it is, it’s gonna be okay; everything’s gonna be okay. I can promise you that.”
I said this while I rocked her. She slowly but gradually began to calm down and her tears stopped.
“Like I said earlier, you’re amazing.” Abby whispered, kissing my cheek.
I smiled and blushed.
“I’m really gonna miss this cute face along with your beautiful face.”
It was her turn to blush. She laid her head on my shoulder till my flight was called ,which was only ten minutes, but any amount of time wouldn’t be enough. She moved her head, so I could put Scarlett back in her stroller. Then, she stood up, so we could properly say our temporary goodbyes.
“I’m not ready for you to go yet.” she said, wrapping her arms around my neck while mine were around her waist.
“I’m not ready to leave you and Scarlett.”
She buried her face into my shoulder while a few tears soaked through my shirt; this was the hardest goodbye by far. She moved her head so she was able to kiss me. I wiped her tears away before kissing her.
“I love you.” she said, pulling away.
“I love you, too.”
I could hear my name being called, but I wasn’t ready to leave. I knelt down to her level and kissed our daughter’s forehead.
“You be good for your mama. Ok? This is gonna be hard for her. I love you.”
How am I holding it together? Leaving my wife and daughter for the first time? This is beyond rough and difficult.
She giggled when I smiled at her.
“Let me know when you guys land. Ok?”
“Will do. Let me know when you two get home.”
“Absolutely.”
And with one more kiss and another ‘I love you’, I was gone. I didn’t dare look back despite how much I wanted to; my heart was beginning to ache already and I’m not even on the airplane. When I sat down and buckled, I put my earbuds in, not wanting to speak to my best friend. I hoped he’d understand since this isn’t his first rodeo; he left just a few days after Luca was born and was an absolute mess only minutes after he was gone.
I've got emotion drippin' out my pores
And I thought I would let ya know
You are the nightlight rippin' through my wicked world
How you make it sparkle and glow
Before I lose control there's just one thing you should know
This is for real
This time I mean it
I'm coming clean, please, don't let go
I said from the start that you could take it or leave it
I'd prefer that you keep it
Don't let go, don't let go, don't let go
I had some nightmares clawing at my skin and bones
I nearly did explode
You smoked the demons, gave me back my feelings
Now, I am good to go
Before my face hits the floor
There's just one thing you should know
This is for real
This time I mean it
I'm coming clean, please, don't let go
I said from the start that you could take it or leave it
I'd prefer that you keep it
Don't let go
This is the best thing I've ever had for real
This is the best thing I've ever had for real
For a physical challenge, I'm notoriously bored
Intravenous delivery: electrolytes and more
Every time it's the same routine:
Out with the bad, in with the clean
Before I lose all motor skills, there's one thing you should know
This is for real
This time I mean it
I'm coming clean please don't let go
I said from the start that you could take it or leave it
I prefer that you keep it
Don't let go
This is the best thing that I've ever had for real
This is the best thing that I've ever had for real
This is the best thing that I've ever had for real
This is the best thing that I've ever had for real
A hint of a smile appeared as one of my favorite songs played. The flight passed by fast and hours later, I was ready to talk to Abby despite how tired I was.
“Hey.” she said happily.
“Hey.”
“How was your flight?”
“Good. I thought about you and Scarlett nearly the entire time, aside from food that is.”
She laughed.
“You’re sweet.”
“How was your day? I know how you were feeling when I left.”
“For the most part, it was great. My mom, Miranda and Luca joined us for a fun filled day.”
I picked up on the fact that she didn’t sound entirely content.
“For the most part? What happened?”
“I broke down a couple times. Can you blame me?”
“Of course not. I just wanna make sure you’re okay. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“So, you are okay. Right?”
“Alex. I’m okay. Our daughter is gonna help me get through this.”
“That’s great to hear. How is she by the way?”
“Wonderful. I just put her in her crib.”
“Is she asleep already?”
“Let me check. Probably.”
I sighed. I truly wanted to say goodnight to her.
“Sorry, babe. She is.”
Damnit.
“That’s fine. Did you at least tell her that Daddy loves you?”
“Of course.”
“I love you, Abby.”
“I love you, Alex.”
