After we ate our cupcakes, we snuggled back down in the dark and watched the stars for a little longer, until the soft snores of Delilah reached our ears. I helped pack up, and hand a sleeping toddler to Wesley. He buckled her into her booster, and we made our way back down the road to the house.
After we got inside, Wesley took her to her room, and I went to mine to brush my teeth, so thankful Wesley had me get comfy clothes on earlier.
We meet in the hall after both our tasks are accomplished and he tugs on my hand until we reach his room. He shucks off his pants and shirt, and disappears into the ensuite to wash up for bed.
I slip off my light sweater and socks, and climb into his bed, knowing this is where I’ll be sleeping. I still plan on sneaking out before Delilah wakes, but I want to be in here. When Wesley emerges from the bathroom, he shuts off the light and climbs into bed, pulling me into him, and wrapping his entire body around mine.
It’s silent for a couple minutes, but then he speaks up. “I wish you would’ve told me. I could’ve done so much more for you,” he whispers in my hair.
“I know,” I reply, squeezing my eyes shut. “ It just felt like a burden after all you’ve done. But don’t worry, your sister scolded me for it earlier,” I say with a laugh.
“She can’t scold you, it’s your birthday,” he grumbles.
I playfully pinch his side. “Yes she can. She was right, I should've said something. No more keeping things from you. I’m sorry,” I add on, then yawn.
He lets out a heavy sigh, settling down further into the mattress, and me. His breath coasts over my face and I’m cloaked in the delicious minty smell.
“Just promise you won’t do something like that again,” he rasps, chuckling softly. “Nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“I promise,” I reply, then kiss the center of his chest.
“Happy Birthday, baby.” he mutters into my hair.
“Thank you. For everything. It was wonderful,” I whisper.
Wesley grabs my thigh, hiking it over his waist, and I burrow somehow further into him, yawning loudly.
He tilts my head up with a finger to my chin, and plants a sweet kiss to my lips.
“Good night,” he murmurs onto my lips.
I feel my eyes finally giving in to the weight, and shutting on their own. “Night,” I reply.
I know I fall asleep fast, but my last thought before I submitted to my exhaustion was that I lied earlier today at the tattoo shop.
Thisis the happiest I’ve ever been.
35
Wes
Just as I thought, my daughter refuses to go to New York. I did my best, trying to bribe her with all the fun activities in the city, but it did nothing to convince her. I considered not going at all, dreading being away from my girls for a whole week. I’veneverbeen away from Lilah that long.
I’ve always hated leaving Lilah, and have turned down many opportunities for guest spots, just because I didn’t want to be far from her. Now that Ivy is in the mix too, the dread has doubled.
All of that aside, I know that this is good for my business. It will get me, Leo, and the shop more exposure to more clients, and open us up to different shop cultures and styles. We’ll have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with other artists. The change of scenery keeps things fresh, and gets the creative juices flowing—helps prevent the burnout. The studio in New York asked me to bring my best artist, and that’s Leo.
If it were just me, maybe I would turn them down. However, knowing that I would be denying Leo the opportunity to expand and grow as an artist if I did, makesmy decision for me. I need to go to New York, and I am so incredibly lucky that I have Ivy, who is willing to stay with my daughter the entire time while I’m gone.
I won’t lie and say that I’m not a little worried about leaving them. With my parents leaving the day before me, that leaves Ivy’s resources for support slimmer than usual. Of course, Sophie has promised to stop by. Then there’s Maverick and Lincoln who have sworn they’d check in as well.
Do I know that Ivy can handle herself and Delilah just fine without all of that?
Absolutely.
Ivy is the strongest, most capable woman I’ve ever met. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to make everything as easy on her as I can. I want them to be supported and cared for as much as possible while I’m gone.
The weeks between Ivy’s birthday and the day I leave for New York are flying by way too fast. I do everything in my power to make time stand still. I want to soak in every night I get with Ivy and Lilah before I have to leave. Lilah doesn’t seem to share the sentiment, and is over the moon she’ll have uninterrupted girl time with Ivy for a whole week.
