Page 7 of Sean
Mom huffed and put her hands on her hips.
“Don’t get your nose out of joint, Alex.”Dad put his arm around Mom’s shoulders.“The baby’s tired, and I doubt he remembers us.Let’s get our travelers settled.”He motioned to the car.“What do you need for the night?”
“The backpack and the blue suitcase.Everything else can wait till tomorrow.”
By the time Mom led them through the house to Benjamin’s old room, where a crib had been set up, Jace was already half asleep.
Mom pulled a blanket back.“Poor baby.”
“We’re both pretty worn out.”Sean laid him down.“Hand me a diaper from the bag, will you?”She did, and he made quick work of getting Jace changed and settled with his pacifier.The little guy’s eyes were closed before they could tiptoe from the room.Sean pulled the door almost closed and, once they were in the hall, wrapped his mom in a tight hug.
Holding her close, he felt some of the weariness from the trip fall from his shoulders.
“Welcome home, baby.”
She was five-foot-two to his six feet, but she still managed to rock him back and forth.The gentle motion was so comforting, it was all Sean could do not to yawn into her hair.“I’ve missed you, Mom.Thanks for making a place for us.”
She stepped back and gripped his hands.“Dad and I are tickled to have you here for as long as you need.Now let’s get you settled.Tomorrow’s Sunday, so there’ll be no sleeping in.”She motioned him to the room across the hall, where the light was on and his bag sat at the foot of the bed.“Everything’s pretty much where it’s always been.Wash up and get some rest.We’ll catch up in the morning.”
He’d crashed hard.
Now, the light coming through the window was getting brighter by the minute.Sean looked at his watch, then scrambled from the bed.It was eight o’clock, nine where they’d come from.Why wasn’t Jace raising the roof?He crept across the hall, determined not to disturb his son if he still slept, but when he peeked in, the crib was empty.
A giggle filtered from up the hall, and Sean followed the sound to the kitchen.
Jace sat in a highchair while Mom played peek-a-boo with a dish towel.Sean watched as she tossed the blue terry cloth over his head.
“Where did my baby go?”
Jace grabbed the corner and threw the cloth to the floor.
“Boo,” Mom said, tickling his belly before she bent for the towel to start the game over.
Sean leaned in the doorway.Maybe this move wouldn’t do a thing for him, but if Jace could reap the benefits of time spent with his grandparents, then it would be worth it.
He yawned, pushing away from the door frame.
Jace turned toward the sound.“Da!”He reached in his direction.
Sean scooped him up and settled him on his hip.“You having fun with Nana?”
Jace buried his face in Sean’s shoulder, then straightened quickly with a wide grin.“Boo.”
He hugged the child close and faced his mom.“I see you didn’t waste any time this morning.”
“We were both awake early.I didn’t see the need to bother you.”She stood.“You want some breakfast?Jace already had a scrambled egg.”
“I can wait on Dad.”
“Dad left for church thirty minutes ago.We’ve still got some time, though.What’s your pleasure?”
“You don’t have to wait on me.”
“I know, but it’s your first morning home.Indulge me.”
He put Jace back in the high chair and handed him a sippy cup.“Eggs and toast are fine.”
While his mother bustled around the kitchen, he took in the familiar space.He hadn’t been home in nearly two years, but nothing had changed.The light-yellow walls seemed to amplify the sunshine, while the curtains decorated with bumble bees and the matching cookie jar added the note of whimsy he associated with his mom.
