They pulled up at the party store ten minutes later and all filed out of the vehicle. Once inside, Jalen grabbed a cart, and Rohan looked around for the comic book and superhero section, pointing it out.
Mikal bounced between the different decorations, looking at them, while the twins, who were far from interested in the comic book items, asked if they could go look atMoanathings. Kodi agreed to take them for a few minutes, and the three of them headed off in that direction. Alynn and Landon stayed to help Mikal with decorations.
“Remember that we’re going to be outside and the wind is more than likely going to be blowing. We don’t want things that are going to fly away easily,” Jalen informed them.
“Okay,” the three girls answered almost in unison.
“Mikal, are there specific colors you want?” Rohan questioned.
“I want a Marvel theme, but I don’t have just a color,” she replied.
He looked around for balloon weights in Avenger colors since he knew Mikal liked them. He found several weights and balloons and took them back to show Mikal, who bounced in excitement because she didn’t know they had balloons with all the Avengers on them. He placed them in the cart before walking up behind Jalen, placing his hands on her waist.
“How much sleep did you get last night?” Rohan inquired.
“This morning,” Jalen corrected. “I ended up staying two hours over because someone was running late.”
“Babe, why didn’t you say anything? We could have done this later in the day, so you could have gotten more sleep.”
Jalen leaned her head back against his chest, shaking it. “She was excited about decoration and costume shopping, and I’mfine. I’ll likely go to bed early tonight. Besides, I didn’t want to mess up any other plans you may have had.”
Rohan bit the inside of his jaw, looking at the three going through the racks. He told them he and Jalen would be back in a minute, and not to wander too far. He pulled Jalen away a bit, but he could still monitor them.
“You wouldn’t have messed up any plans I had. I can always rearrange things so that times work better for you.”
“That’s unfair to you. I can’t just expect you to do that, and I don’t. Missing a little sleep isn’t going to kill me.”
“And how often do you miss a little sleep?” he asked with a raised eyebrow, knowing that it was far more than it should be.
“Now and then.”
“Sure,” he responded.
Jalen bit her bottom lip. “Are you mad at me?”
“Of course not, baby. I just know that going to school, working full time, and being a full-time parent is hard. So, rest is needed. Even if that means you need to talk to me less, spend less time with me.”
“I don’t want to do that. I don’t want you to feel as though I’m not putting as much into this relationship as you are.”
“We’ve had this conversation before. I won’t get upset if that happens, because you’re taking care of yourself. I will be upset when you neglect yourself.”
“I’m trying. It isn’t my biggest priority,” she told him.
“Make it one,” he replied.
“Is everything okay?”
Rohan turned his attention to Kodi as she approached with the twins holding either of her hands. “Yeah, we’re fine,” he responded as he went back to where the other three were.
He hadn’t lied to her when he said he wasn’t mad at her, because he understood how much she did, how much she tookon. He just worried when she didn’t get enough rest or take any time for herself.
Once they’d gotten all the decorations Mikal had chosen, they went to the costume store on the other side of town. The ride was again filled with the youngest four singing.
They pulled into the parking lot, and once inside, Mikal immediately headed over to the section they needed. She started going through the racks looking for the costume she wanted. Rohan wasn’t sure who she wanted to be, but knew she had someone in mind with the way she was looking.
“I am Groot!” Nathan exclaimed, and Rohan turned to find her holding the costume in her hand. He chuckled as she hopped up and down, waving the costume.
“You can be Groot,” Jalen told her with a smile.
