I woke up the next morning to an empty bed and Iris thankfully still sleeping, As I walked into the kitchen, I saw a note on the fridge reading it, my heart beating out of my chest.
Dear Tessa,
I didn’t want to say goodbye to you because I know what would happen, I’m also not saying goodbye because I hate saying it. It’s like I’m never coming back. But dont worry i’ll be back before you know it. I love you and Iris.
P.s Iris cried before I left so I gave her some milk that you pumped, and left in the fridge tI also changed her diaper so you should be free for a few hours to do school. I love you so much.
I wish he would have woken me up though, I don’t care if he couldn’t say goodbye. I wanted to kiss him one last time, have him hold me in his arms. Convince him to stay, and tell him about my mom and dad.
I miss him already.
I walked into Iris’s empty Nursery, which was slowly coming together, the Mural is starting to be painted which is why I moved her bassinet into my room yesterday when Delilah came and started painting it. She spent most of the time drawing the detailed mural. She would spend several hours a day drawing it and we would have her eat dinner with us. She’s a very talented artist and we made sure she knew it.
I picked up the pile of baby clothes, grabbing the laundry basket placing it into the laundry room throwing the clothes in the wash machine and putting the baby approved detergent on them.
I don’t want to be alone, I don’t want to be mad at Collin, but it’s all I can think about, that he left so we wouldn’t get into a fight. Maybe a walk in the cold air would clear my head. I walked into my room, slowly picked up Iris, put some warm clothes on her. She hated getting her clothes changed, and her diaper changed. I then put her in her car seat and attached it to the stroller, getting Iris fully buckled in. I grabbed my keys and walked out of the apartment.
Is it wrong of me to think that Collin is just going to Virginia for a girl? Is it wrong I’m envious of a girl that probably doesn’t exist.
On the way to the lobby I texted Delilah, letting her know the key is under the matso she can paint in private. I also let her know she’s welcome to eat any kind of food she wants, or she can stay and study for her classes.
Did I make Collin so upset that he just simply didn’t want to say goodbye? He said goodbye to our daughter. He took care of her probably the last time for 12 weeks.
About an hour later I arrived at Nick and Sydney’s house knocking on the door waiting for one of them to answer. I heard the door knob unlock and then the door swung open and Sydney’s eyes went wide, shortly before a smile appeared on her face.
“What are you doing here? Where’s Collin? And where’s your car?”
“I’ll answer all of those questions if I could come in?” I shivered.
“Yes of course come in.” She opened the door wider letting me and Iris in.
I took my coat off and placed it in the coat rack before I took Iris out of her car seat, holding her in my arms, while she sleeps. “To answer your questions spinning in your mind. I walked here, I didn’t mean to, but I was so lost in thought I kind of just walked, and Collin went to Virginia so that’s why he’s not here.”
“Did you guys break up, already? Iris isn’t even a month old and you guys are having relationship problems?” Sydney yelled in a whisper kind of tone, making sure she doesn’t wake up the little baby in my arms. She continued with “Most importantly why didn’t you go with him?”
“He doesn’t know the real reason, but I got the court papers my mom’s lawyer served, and it said I’m not allowed to take Iris, out of Colorado. I tried telling him every chance I could get, and I was going to tell him but he left me a letter instead and I--- I felt so bad I couldn’t get the chance to do that. ”
“I can’t believe your parents are doing this, to you. This isn’t fair for either of you.”
I looked at her and said “Don’t have a baby tell after my parents are chill or whatever.”
“I wasn’t planning to have any tell they were dead.” She scoffed.
“Hey Syd, I’m out.” A voice behind us said.
I turned around and saw my brother. Naked. NAKED!
“Oh my God!” I quickly turned around.
“Why didn’t you tell me Tessa was here?” Nick said as Syd threw him a towel and he wrapped it around him.
“I didn’t know Tessa was coming!”
“Where’s Collin?”
“He’s in Virginia.”
“Why didn’t you go with him?”
“Iris is not allowed to leave Colorado.” Sydney said.
“Why didn’t you tell him?” Nick asked.
“I didn’t want him to be stressed out or for him To never go to the academy. He can’t get a refund for his payment. I didn’t want to stress him out anymore than he already is.”
“Tessa you do realize that you and Collin have to be at court together unless Collin left you or something happened to him. You both are the parents of Iris. Our parents want you both there. He’s on her birth certificate.”
“I can’t have him come home. I can’t.”
“Tessa what the hell is going on with you?” Sydney said.
Iris started to cry, she was scared awake because of Sydney’s shouting.
“Sorry.” She whispered. “It’s settled.” Sydney said
“What is?”
Nickolas walked over to Sydney still in his towel, with a smile on his face, and grabbed her hand, and kissed her.
“You’re going to Virginia. And we’re gonna watch Iris.” Nick said. I felt the need to pee but I didn’t bring any of my supplies, and it still burns down there when I pee.
“I can’t do that, she’s still breast feeding and she doesn’t like sleeping, she’s a horrible sleeper unless it’s during the day and--”
“I remember you telling me you pump and store it in your freezer. We are also your family, not strangers.” Sydney said.
“But you guys don’t know anything about taking care of a baby.”
“Mom left me to do all of the things for you while she went to her stupid lectures, and I didn’t know squat about raising a child. When you gave birth to Iris did you know anything about raising a child?”
I guess he’s right. I mean I don’t want too because she just got home. I could never leave Iris alone for a few days but I can’t just let Collin go. I need to tell him that we have a court date on Tuesday, that he shouldn’t miss any of them.
“Here. Take my house key, leave this dump and stay there till I come back home. “Why am I doing this, why am I leaving Iris to follow after the love of my life?
“What about your clothes and stuff?” Nick said.
“You don’t know Tessa do you? She’s always prepared with a credit card, or Collins credit card really.” We both chuckle and Nick nervously laughs knowing his credit card might go to a negative living with Sydney whos used to her parents supplying her credit card.
“You chicks are weird.” Nick said.