Chapter 113 113. Weight of Goodbye

Chapter 113 113. Weight of Goodbye
The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows, casting golden light across the marble countertops where Hazel stood, her fingers wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee. Her hair was still damp from the shower, her eyes soft with the afterglow of their passionate morning. The scent of pancakes and fresh fruit filled the air, mingling with the sound of George's giggles as he played with his toys on the floor.

Michele descended the stairs, his eyes finding her immediately. A slow smile curved his lips as he crossed the room, his hand finding her waist, his lips pressing a kiss to her temple.

"You look beautiful, darling," he murmured, his voice low and warm. 

Hazel smiled and leaned into his touch, her heart swelling with contentment. "George has been asking for you all morning."

"George!" Michele called, his voice carrying across the room. "Come here, little warrior."

George abandoned his toys immediately, his chubby legs pumping as he launched himself at his father. Michele scooped him up, pressing kisses to his cheeks, his forehead, the tip of his nose. George's giggles filled the room, a symphony of pure joy.

"Good morning, Daddy! George missed you," George shrieked, his small hands patting Michele's face. 

"I missed you too, little warrior," Michele replied, his voice thick with emotion.

Nathan's cries filtered through the baby monitor and Hazel's attention shifted. "I'll get him," she said, already moving toward the stairs.

"We'll come with you," Michele offered, George still perched on his hip. 

They climbed the stairs together, a family united in the quiet morning. Nathan was in his crib, his tiny face red with frustration, his fists waving in the air. The moment he saw his mother, his cries subsided into hiccupping sobs.

"There's my little love. Did you miss Mommy?" Hazel cooed, scooping him into her arms. "I missed you too."

Nathan's tiny hand reached up, his fingers wrapping around her thumb with surprising strength. Hazel's heart swelled as she pressed a kiss to his downy head, breathing in the familiar scent of baby powder and innocence.

"You're a natural, baby. You make it look so easy," Michele observed, his voice warm. 

"It's not easy. But it's worth it. Every chaotic minute," Hazel corrected, her lips curving into a tired smile. 

The morning unfolded in a blur of laughter and love. They gathered around the kitchen table, George's small hands clutching a syrup-covered pancake, Nathan nestled in Hazel's arms as she fed him his bottle. 

"What's on your mind, Mr. Richardson? You've been quiet all morning," she observed, her voice teasing.

Michele's expression shifted, something flickering in his eyes. He set down his coffee cup, his jaw tightening. "I need to tell you something, Hazel and I need you to listen before you panic."

Hazel's heart seized, her grip on Nathan tightening. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he assured her quickly, his hand reaching across the table to cover hers. "But I have to leave for a business tour next week. A week. Maybe ten days."

Hazel's face went pale. "A week? Michele, you can't…"

"I know," he interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. "I know it's not ideal. But I have to finalize the merger with our Asian partners. It's been in the works for months and I can't delay it any longer."

"But the kids…" Hazel's voice was climbing, her eyes wide with panic. "I can't handle both of them alone for a week. George is a handful and Nathan…"

"Breathe, sweetheart. You can do this. You're the strongest person I know," Michele said, his voice calm and steady. 

"I'm not strong. I'm barely holding it together with you here. Without you…" Hazel protested, her voice cracking. 

Michele interrupted gently. "You're not going to be without me. I'll call every night. I'll video chat with you and the boys and if you need anything, anything at all, Maya is just a phone call away. You can call her over here."

Hazel shook her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It's not the same, Michele. You're their father. They need you here."

"They'll be fine. You'll be fine. I have complete faith in you," he said, his thumb stroking her knuckles.

"But what if George has a meltdown? What if Nathan won't stop crying? What if…" Hazel asked, her voice small. 

"What if you handle it exactly like you've been handling it every day since they were born? You're their mother, Hazel. You've got this and I'll be back before you know it," Michele interrupted, his voice patient.

Hazel's resistance crumbled, her shoulders sagging. "I hate this. I hate that you have to leave," she whispered. 

"I hate it too. But this is part of the job. But I promise you, I'm going to make it up to you," he admitted, his voice rough with emotion. 

George, oblivious to the tension, tugged at his father's sleeve. "Daddy go bye-bye?"

Michele's heart clenched. He scooped George onto his lap, his arms wrapping around the boy. "Daddy has to go away for a little while, little warrior. But I'll come back and I'll bring you a present."

George's eyes lit up. "Present? What present?"

"That's a surprise. But I promise, it'll be the best present ever," Michele said, his lips curving into a smile. 

The days leading up to Michele's departure were filled with a bittersweet urgency.

"I'll miss you," Hazel whispered on the last night, her head resting on his chest.

"I'll miss you too, baby. But I'll be home before you know it and when I'm back, I'm going to make love to you until you forget your own name," he replied, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her skin. 

Hazel laughed, the sound bright despite the ache in her heart. "Is that a promise?"

"It's a guarantee," he murmured, his lips brushing her forehead.

The morning of his departure was a whirlwind of emotions.

George clung to Michele's leg, his small face crumpled with tears. "Daddy no go! Daddy stay!"

Michele knelt down, his hands cupping George's face. "I have to go, little warrior. But I'll be back soon and you have to be brave for Mommy. Can you do that?"

George's tears continued to fall, but he nodded, his small voice barely a whisper. "George brave. George protect Mommy."

"That's my boy," Michele said, his voice thick with emotion. He pressed a kiss to George's forehead, then rose to embrace Hazel.

"Call me every night," she whispered against his chest.

"Every single night," he promised. "And if anything happens…"

"Call Maya. I know. I've got this, Michele. I promise," she finished, her lips curving into a watery smile. 

His lips found hers in a kiss that was tender and fierce. "I love you, baby.”

"I love you too. Come back to me soon," she replied. 

He walked out the door, his suitcase in hand and Hazel watched him go. George pressed his face against the glass, his small hand waving frantically.

"Bye, Daddy! Come back soon!" George called, his voice high and earnest.

Hazel's eyes filled with tears, but she forced herself to smile. She wrapped her arms around George, pulling him close.

"Don't worry, baby. Daddy's going to come back and until then, it's just you, me and Natan. We're going to have so much fun," she whispered. 

George looked up at her, his eyes still wet but his face brightening. He sounded excited. "Fun? George like fun."

"I know you do. Now, what do you say we bake some cookies?" Hazel said, her smile genuine.

George's face lit up like the sun. "Cookies! George help! George help!"

And as they walked to the kitchen together, Hazel felt the first flutter of hope. She could do this. She was a mother, a wife and she was stronger than she'd ever given herself credit for. The week ahead would be challenging. But it would also be beautiful. Because her family was worth every chaotic, exhausting, wonderful moment.