NICOLAS

My only regret about getting married on the same day as my best friend is that our families always threw us a joint celebration. Not to sound too bratty because I loved my family and friends but I loved them more when I had Layla all to myself.

“After the brunch, we’ll be on vacation. We don’t even have to stay that long. We can leave after Daddy’s toast,” Layla assured me.

As I drove my family to my in-laws’ house, I smiled as I looked forward to spending the next five days on a cruise ship with my beautiful wife. Thanks to Layla’s parents, we were about to have our first vacation alone together.

“Why can’t we go?” Kya pouted from the backseat.

“Because as much as we love you and your sister, Mommy and I need to spend time together,” I explained as I pulled up to the Michaels residence. We parked behind a car with out-of-state plates.

“Great. More unwanted company,” I thought to myself. Trying my best to keep a smile on my face, I escorted my ladies into the house.

“HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!” exclaimed Elliott and Anita Michaels. The girls “counter attacked” by hugging their grandparents.

“Thanks Mom and Dad,” I said as I balanced my daughters’ luggage in my hands and arms. “I think Layla packed their entire room but I’ll still give you the house key in case the girls forgot anything.”

Laughing as he took half of my burden, Elliott lead me to his guest room. “Anita’s been waiting all day for the girls to come over. She almost went and picked them up when she got up this morning. If I wasn’t already up before her, she might’ve done it!”

“And I would’ve let her! Those girls have been driving us nuts all week! Kahleemah asking when is she going to Ganny and Paw Paw’s; Kya begging to go with us!” I lamented as I thankfully dropped the girls’ luggage onto the bed. Noticing that the only bed in the room was full sized, I frowned. “Just so you know, they’ve never slept in the same bed together. Not sure if that’ll be an issue or not.”

“Son, did you forget I raised twin girls?” Elliott laughed. “And I’ve got Anita for backup. If the two of them sharing a bed is the WORST of our troubles, this will be a great week!”

Chuckling, I said, “OK, Dad. I know you guys know what you’re doing.”

“I understand, Nick. This is your first time being away from your babies so I’m sure you’re nervous,” said Elliott.

“Until you said it, I didn’t realize how anxious I am!” I laughed nervously. “Yeah, Layla and I need to get away more often.”

“As many times as I’ve offered to keep the girls, I’m surprised you two are just now going somewhere,” Elliott commented as we returned to the living room.

“Blame Nicolas, Daddy,” said Layla as she sat next to her mother. “I’ve been trying to get him to tear himself away from the girls for the longest time!”

“What can I say? I love my family!” I smiled.

“So why can’t we go with you?” asked Kya as she squeezed between Layla and Anita.

“I already told you why, Kya,” I said as I realized that I’d pretty much contradicted what I’d told my daughter earlier.

Since her birth, Kya and I rarely spent much time away from each other. At the most, we’ve been apart only for the occasional sleepovers at Chico’s house when Layla could convince me to get out of the house. As I settled into my role of husband and father, I was content to spend my free time at home with my girls.

“Baby, come here,” I gestured toward Kya. After she joined me in the recliner, I sat her on my lap. “I know you’re afraid because we’ve never been apart but I’m afraid too!”

“You are?” Kya looked up at me. “What are YOU afraid of, Daddy?”

“I’m afraid you’ll be so busy worrying about me and Mommy that you won’t have any fun with Kahleemah, Ganny and Paw Paw,” I said sincerely. “Do you want to tell me what you’re afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid of nuthin, Daddy! I just wanna go with you and Mommy!” Kya pouted. “We don’t never go nowhere no more!”

After Layla and I decided to have a third child, we tightened our financial belts which cut down on most of our family fun. Layla’s creativity found many cost saving substitutes but that also meant that most of what we did was at home.

“When Mommy and I get back, we’ll have a Family Meeting to decide when and where to have our next family vacation. While we’re gone, you and Kahleemah have fun with Paw Paw and Ganny. OK?” I encouraged.

Hugging my neck, Kya said, “OK Daddy! Have fun on your cruise! I love you!”

Layla looked over at me and smiled. After mouthing the words, “Very good”, she blew me a kiss.

“Is everyone ready to eat?” Anita asked as she rose from the sofa to lead us into the dining room.

Once the girls were seated, I proceeded to the kitchen to prepare their plates. Our flight didn’t leave until this evening and I wanted to spend as much time as I could with my family. That way I wouldn’t feel as guilty for finally having my wife all to myself. I never feel like I do enough for my loved ones, no matter how much they tell me I do. But after five years of marriage, I’m taking my wife’s advice and doing something to make myself happy: being alone with Layla.

As promised, my wife and I were headed to the airport shortly after we finished our brunch with the family. By the time we reached the Explorer, the car with out-of-state plates was gone. My paranoia made me think we were having extra guests and it turned out they were visiting elsewhere.

“Babe, I am so glad we are getting away. I’ve missed you so much!” I said as our plane took off.

“Missed me? I haven’t gone anywhere, Nicolas!” Layla giggled.

“I mean I miss spending time alone with you,” I explained. “With me working extra hours and you with your back to back promotions at Forté, not to mention keeping up with the girls, we only have time to crash in bed together.”

“I know, Baby,” Layla said as she took my hand. “That’s why I’ve been trying to get you to take some time off. We need to reconnect with the girls and each other.” After a moment of silence, my wife asked, “Nicolas, are you sure you want to have more kids? We barely have time together with the two we have now.”

“Layla, whether we have two or twenty, I want every baby you give me! Not just because it’s fun to make them,” I said with a kiss. “I know God will never give us more than we can handle. And instead of complaining about the time we’re not getting with each other and the girls, let’s fully enjoy every spare minute we get to spend together. Cool?”

With a smile and a kiss, my wife said, “Cool.”