Chapter 114 114. The Week Without Him

Chapter 114 114. The Week Without Him
The Richardson mansion suddenly felt too big. 

Hazel stood in the center of the kitchen, her fingers wrapped around a cooling mug of coffee, her eyes staring at the empty chair where Michele usually sat. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting golden light across the marble countertops, but the warmth couldn't reach the hollow ache in her chest.

It had been three days since he'd left. Three days of sleepless nights, of crying babies, of navigating the chaos of parenthood without her anchor. Three days of telling herself she could do this, even when every fiber of her being screamed that she needed him.

George's small footsteps pattered across the floor and Hazel looked down to find her son tugging at her dress. His face was crumpled.

"Mommy, George miss Daddy," George whispered, his voice small and broken. 

Hazel's heart shattered. She knelt down, scooping George into her arms, pressing kisses to his dark curls. "I know, baby. I miss him too."

"Why Daddy go away? Daddy no love George?" George asked, his small hand patting her face.

"Daddy loves you more than anything in the world, baby. He had to go away for work, but he's coming back soon."

George's lower lip trembled. "When?”

"Soon, baby. Very soon," Hazel whispered. "And until then, it's just you, me and Natan. We're going to be so brave, aren't we?"

George nodded, his small face serious. 

"That's my good boy. Now, what do you say we call Daddy? I bet he's missing you just as much as you're missing him," Hazel said, pressing a kiss to his forehead. 

George's eyes lit up. "Call Daddy? Now?"

"Right now," Hazel confirmed, reaching for her phone.

The video call connected and Michele's face filled the screen. He was in his hotel room, his hair slightly disheveled, his eyes tired but warm. The moment he saw George, his expression softened.

"Daddy!" George shrieked, his small hands reaching for the phone. "Daddy, George miss you!"

"I miss you too, little warrior. So, so much. Have you been good for Mommy?"

George nodded vigorously.

"That's my boy. I'm so proud of you, George," Michele said, his grin proud. 

"George want Daddy come home. George sad," George said, his voice small. 

Michele's jaw tightened. "I know, buddy. I'm sad too. But I'll be home soon and when I come back, we're going to have so much fun. We'll go to the park, we'll build the biggest tower with your blocks, we'll do whatever you want. Okay?"

George's face brightened. "Park? George like park!"

"I know you do," Michele laughed, the sound warm despite the distance. "Now, be good for Mommy. Listen to everything she says and give Nathan a big kiss for me."

George pressed his lips to the screen, his small face squished against the glass. "Kiss for Daddy!"

Hazel's heart swelled. She took the phone. "I miss you," she whispered.

"I miss you too, sweetheart," Michele replied. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm surviving, but it's hard. George asks for you constantly. Nathan's been fussy" Hazel admitted.

"You're doing an incredible job, Hazel. I'm so proud of you and I'll be home before you know it," Michele said firmly.

Hazel nodded. "I love you."

"I love you too, baby," he replied. 

The days continued, each one blending into the next.

Hazel found herself falling into a rhythm, a chaotic, exhausting, beautiful rhythm. But there were moments when the weight of it all threatened to crush her.

It was late afternoon when George's meltdown came. He'd been playing with his toy cars, his small hands pushing them across the carpet, when suddenly his face crumpled.

"George want Daddy! George want Daddy now!" he wailed, his tears streaming.

Hazel's heart clenched. She crossed to him, gathering him into her arms. "I know, baby. I know you do. I want him too."

George's small body trembled with sobs. "Why Daddy no come home? Why Daddy leave George?"

"Daddy didn't leave you, baby. He had to go away for work, but he's coming back," Hazel whispered.

"But George miss Daddy. George miss Daddy so much," he sobbed, his small fists clutching her top. 

Hazel held him. "I know, baby. I miss him too. But we're going to be brave, remember? We're going to be strong until Daddy comes home."

George sniffled, his eyes red and swollen. "George brave. George strong."

"That's my boy," Hazel said, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Now, how about we build the biggest tower ever? And then we'll call Daddy and show him?"

George's eyes brightened slightly. "Tower? Biggest tower?"

"The biggest," Hazel confirmed.

The video call that night was a lifeline.

Michele's face filled the screen and George's excitement was palpable. "Daddy! Daddy, George build tower! Biggest tower!"

"Show me, little warrior," Michele said, his voice warm with pride.

George scrambled to show the tower, his small hands gesturing wildly. "Look, Daddy! George build!"

"It's incredible, George," Michele said, his eyes soft. "You're such a good builder. When I come home, we'll build one even bigger. Together."

George's face lit up. "Together! George and Daddy build!"

Michele's gaze shifted to Hazel, his eyes filled with love. "How are you, bunny?"

Hazel's voice was thick with emotion. "I'm holding on. But I miss you. So much."

"I miss you too," he murmured, his voice low and rough. 

Nathan stirred in Hazel's arms, his tiny face scrunching. Michele's attention shifted to his younger son. "Is that Nathan? Let me see him."

Hazel angled the phone, showing Nathan's face. The baby's eyes fluttered open and for a moment, it was as if he recognized the voice on the screen.

"Hey, little love," Michele cooed, his voice soft. "I miss you too. Be good for Mommy, okay?"

Nathan cooed, his tiny fist waving. Hazel's heart swelled, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"He knows your voice," she whispered. 

"I miss all of you," Michele replied, his voice rough. 

The nights were the hardest.

Hazel lay in the bed, the sheets cool against her skin, the space beside her achingly empty. She reached out, her fingers tracing the indentation where Michele's body had once been, her heart heavy with longing.

She picked up her phone, her thumb hovering over his contact. It was too late to call. But she needed to hear his voice. The phone rang once, twice and then his voice filled her ear.

"Baby? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I just... I miss you. I can't sleep without you," she whispered, her voice thick with tears.

Michele's voice was soft, soothing. "I miss you too, baby. But I'm coming home soon. Just a few more days."

Hazel nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "I know. I just... I need to hear your voice."

"Then I'll stay on the phone with you all night. Tell me about your day. Tell me everything," he murmured. 

And so she did. She told him about George's meltdown, about Nathan's smile, about the chaos and the exhaustion and the moments of pure, unadulterated joy. He listened, his voice a warm anchor in the darkness.

"I love you," she whispered as sleep began to claim her.

"I love you too, darling," he replied. 

The days passed, each one bringing them closer to his return.

On the last night, she stood at the window, her arms wrapped around herself, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon.

George appeared beside her, his small hand slipping into hers. "Daddy come home tomorrow?"

"Yes, baby. Daddy comes home tomorrow," Hazel said, her voice thick with emotion. 

George's face lit up. 

The mansion was quiet, the children asleep, the world bathed in the soft glow of night and Hazel allowed herself to believe that everything would be okay tomorrow.