Chapter 3
(COPYRIGHT©2024 MAIRA DAWN)
James moved closer, his expression pained. “Liz, listen to me. I would never do what you’re thinking — not to you and the kids. Never.”
“Okay,” she whispered, giving him a look that said there would be more to discuss later. She took a deep breath and looked around the room, gaze landing on the suitcases and bags strewn about the floor. Two still had contents spilling onto the floor. They had a lot to do before they left this house.
She met her husband’s eyes. An unspoken understanding passed between them - the argument would have to wait. Right now, they had to focus on getting this family on that plane. They wouldn’t disappoint the children.
James gave her a small nod. Then he turned and loudly clapped his hands. “All right! Fifteen minutes ‘til butts are in the car.”
Emily and Michael grinned at each other, thrilled that their parents seemed to have a sudden change of heart. They jumped up and raced to their rooms for their last piles of clothing.
James watched his daughter sprint there and back. Man, she was fast! When his attention moved to his son, Emily snuck off to the bathroom for some more stuff. “Fourteen minutes!” he shouted. He had to keep them moving. This wouldn’t be the first time his teenage daughter had run late, not even the tenth or twentieth time. Time and Emily just never seemed to get along.
Before he knew it, she’d rushed in and out of the kitchen, her arms filled with energy bars. She threw them into an extra backpack he’d probably end up carrying.
Liz ran the opposite way, rushing to pack a few more last-minute things. James smiled. There was no doubt that Emily’s ‘time-blindness’ came from her mother. True, it sometimes irritated him, but not today. Today, it reminded him of who he was and who they were. He couldn’t be any luckier! He shouldn’t have forgotten that. Not even for a moment.
As the rest of the family dumped their packed bags by the door, James double-checked each one, making sure they were zipped tight and tagged. Afterward, he gathered up a couple of armfuls and carried them to the car, stacking them inside. Then he returned to the front door.
In the living room, Elizabeth grabbed a couple of backpacks from the couch and brought them over to him. She glanced at him from under her eyelashes and he could see the lingering hurt. Somehow, he would need to convince her he would never have made another move toward Valerie or anyone else.
A thought whispered through his mind. He shouldn’t have taken the first one. He knew better than to flirt with other women.
He tried to ignore it. Almost everyone at work flirted, and their marriages were fine. At least, he thought they were.
Well, at least his wife was still willing to go on this vacation with him. That was a move in the right direction, wasn’t it?
Within the allotted fifteen minutes, the car contained all of their luggage and the two kids. The parents did a last sweep of the house, then took their seats in the SUV.
Keeping it fun, James announced, “Off to the airport. Like a herd of turtles!”
Emily rolled her eyes. “Dad, that is the lamest joke and you say it all the time.”
But she still cheered with her brother.
In the front seat beside James, Elizabeth’s lips turned up the tiniest bit.
He smiled. Things were looking up.
Thanks for reading this chapter!
Please remember this is a developing story and in a rawer state than what I publish. As such, it has only been self-edited and you will see some errors.
In addition, some changes may occur between now and publishing, including major storylines. I try to avoid this, but it sometimes happens.
I welcome your kindly worded feedback. :)