Some like to sleep, We like to play

Gerard has been gone for a week and I feel a tight pain in my chest all the time. I keep a happy facade up for the kids but inside I feel dead. I miss Gerard a lot and not even speaking to him for a whole week is affecting me way more than I ever thought it could. Riley and Bandit are painting on the back patio while I sit at the table with Princess curled up at my feet reading a book when the phone rings. I jump up and go into the kitchen to answer it and when I hear Gerard's voice say "Hey beautiful" I feel like I can breathe again. I smile so wide my cheeks ache as I make my way back outside while we talk about how the recording is going and how the kids have been. We talk for a while before I call Bandit and Riley over to talk to him. They each talk for a few minutes telling him all about the new toys they got yesterday and how Princess knocked over the plant in the living room and mommy got mad at the mess. When I get the phone back they run back to the painting and Gerard says "Sounds like you guys have been having a good time." "Yeah." I sigh out and Gerard lets out a loud breath as he says "Baby I miss you so much. I know how hard this is for you but things are going really well and it might not even take as long as we said at first." I smile at the news and tell him that I can't wait to see him.

As time goes on I start to find it easier and easier to cope with Gerard being gone. Before I know it three weeks has passed since he left and I can actually get out of bed in the morning and smile. I still miss him like crazy but the pain in my chest has eased and when I tell Trick this when he comes over he smiles and tells me that it's great news.
Bandit and Riley have been good as they always have and I am so grateful that they are such easy going well behaved kids and have been since birth. Bandit is playing on her rocking pony in the corner of the living room while Riley and I are curled up on the couch reading a book when there is a knock at the door. Riley wraps his arms around my neck so I pick him up and carry him with me as I answer the door. When I open it there is a delivery man standing there holding a big box. "Azali Way?" He asks and I nod before signing for the package, putting Riley down and taking the box. "Thank you" I say to the delivery guy before closing the door and walking into the living room, sitting the box on the floor. "Box" Riley says as he points at it and bangs his hand on the top. "Should be open it?" I ask him as I sit on the floor and pull him into my lap. He looks up at me and nods so I tear open the top of the box and look inside. Bandit comes running over as I take the wrapped present with her name written on it out and I hand it to her before reaching back in and getting one for Riley out. They sit on the floor and tear at the wrapping paper as I reach into the box and pull out the wrapped canvas that's still in there. There is a note stuck to the front so I open it first and read it. 'Z, you are the most amazing thing in my life and you inspire me with everything I do. I miss you so much and I can't stop thinking about your beautiful face. Sleepless nights after studio sessions and thoughts of you running through my mind resulted in this. All my love, G'
I tear open the wrapping on the canvas and gasp when I see the painting. It's a picture of me but I look way more beautiful and flawless than in real life. I smile wide as I get up and leave the room, putting the painting upstairs before coming back and sitting on the floor playing with the kids new toys with them. "Where they come from mommy?" Bandit asks and I tell her that daddy sent them because he misses them so much. "I want daddy" Riley pouts and I sigh and pull him into my arms saying "Me too baby boy."

The next morning I wake up and Gerard is in bed next to me. I squeeze my eyes shut and when I open them again he's still there. "You're really here" I ask and he laughs and says "Yes babe I'm here." I launch myself across the bed and ontop of him as I attach my lips to his. "I'm so happy you're back" I tell him when we break apart. He smiles before pulling me back in and we kiss until Riley comes in and jumps on the bed screaming "Daddy." We pull apart again and Gerard sits up and pulls Riley into his lap giving him a big cuddle. Bandit comes walking in a few minutes later rubbing her eyes and when she spots Gerard she runs the rest of the way and climbs up on the bed and tackles him back onto the bed as she drives herself into his chest. "Oh B not so rough baby" he groans out and I laugh as I pull Riley out of the danger zone and into my lap. We lay in bed and cuddle as a family for a while until Riley speaks up and says "I'm hungwee mommy."

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