truth's out

  “I think it is always easy to be away from work when one has something to keep their mind off work or keep them busy. I bet after a few days, i will want to go to work”

“Very true.  I’m sure you’re right about that.  Is there a reason you decided to take some time off though, James?”

Abel felt a swell of pride as he watched his daughter. It was clearly evident that she was equally a mixture of both him and Savannah – or she was curious enough that fear hadn’t entered into her mind yet. Lillian had easily noticed the stroller in front of the woman as Abel and her talked. And of course with such a curious mind set, she walked up to it. “Lillian, you have to ask.” Abel quickly latched his arm back around the girl. “Sorry about that.” He apologized before standing up, keeping Lillian close to him just in case she tried to wiggle free. 

Once the little girl came towards the stroller, Whitney laughed and shrugged.  “Oh it’s alright.  Do you want to see?” she asked the little girl before moving the stroller closer so she could peer inside at her sleeping newborn.  “Her name is Julia,” Whitney told the duo.  

  “Luckily and hopefully my unfinished project will keep me busy. How are you dealing being away from work, i know it must be hard”

“It’s actually easier than I thought it would be,” Whitney told him.  “Having Julia keeps me so busy I’ve kinda forgotten about work.  Though I am starting to have the itch where I want to get back in a courtroom.”

“I know right” he smiled, “I am using this time off to work on some other projects that i am behind on. Really don’t like it when i am not busy”

“Then you should find a way to keep yourself busy.”

Sofia silently listened to Whitney as she took a drink of her wine. “Doesn’t Brandi help? Or Jenna?” Though she knew that both had busy lives that didn’t mean they couldn’t help out. “Well since I’m back, just shoot me text and I’ll come over.”

“Oh yeah, Brandi helps.  Jenna does too but there are just some things that the Mom needs to do, you know?”  She shrugged then and took a sip of her water.  “I’ll definitely take you up on that, Sofia.”

Abel easily looked over to the woman once she started talking, a hand wrapped around his daughter on more of a protective instinct. But the lady seemed nice and had a daughter of her own, a newborn he knew by just looking at the tiny thing. He could remember those days as if they were just yesterday and he thanked God that it was over. Lillian looked up at the woman, the bread in her hand a far off thought. “Yes! It’s fun!” She replied before throwing the mushed up piece into the water. “We might as well try to do something fun outside before it gets too cold.” Abel added in. 

Whitney smiled brightly at the girl when she answered her.  “It looks like a lot of fun,” she agreed before her attention focused on the girl’s father.  “That’s a really good point.  You have to make the most of the good weather while it lasts.  I know I’m definitely trying to.”

“I really should make time to bake and relax” he smiled, “right now am trying to keep busy since i have three weeks off. How have you been doing?”

“Three weeks off?  I think I’d go insane,” she laughed.  Granted, she was in the middle of maternity leave, but Julia kept her plenty busy.

“Thanks” he smiled, “I had some free time which never happens and i was bored so decided to make some cupcakes. I don’t remember the last time that i baked anything. I hope it is good”

“Well baking is really relaxing so you should make some time for it,” she said as she took one of the cupcakes.

Abel didn’t get to spend much time with his daughter recently, but since him and Savannah were finally talking he did get to spend this weekend with the girl. It was Sunday when he decided to take her to the park, both matching in sweatshirts. “You wanna feed the ducks?” He asked, her hand in his as they walked to the little pond with some extra pieces of bread in his pocket. So here they were sitting on the edge, throwing pieces into the water watching the ducks eat it up. 

Whitney had needed some fresh air.  She was going absolutely stir crazy but there were things she cold do about it.  So, Whitney put Julia in the stroller and went for a walk in the park. When she saw the girl and her father with the ducks, Whitney smiled.  “Do you like feeding the ducks?” she asked the girl as she pushed the stroller back and forth slowly to lull her month old daughter to sleep.

  “Fine, you can have a cupcake” he said, originally James had no intention of sharing but it was not fair since he had two. 

“Thank you,” she chuckled.  “They look absolutely amazing.”

Sofia smile got wide when she heard that there was wine. “Remind me to thank Brandi,” Her voice still soft as she spoke, not wanting to wake up Julia. Taking the glass from Whitney, the dark haired brunette said a quick thank you before asking, “How have you been? It seems like it’s been forever.”

“Honestly, I’ve been absolutely exhausted,” Whitney admitted before she took a sip from her water glass.  “I really only get sleep in forty five minute intervals.  Julia needs to be fed ever few hours then she has to get back to sleep.  By the time she is I’m almost out of sleeping time.”

“You could find silver just fine, but they wouldn’t get book version Dorthy here, would they? I had that problem once, and I’m not crafty. If I did that, I’d still be finding red glitter all over my house.” Which would make her like her mother, and her over abundance of Christmas tree tinsel. Six months later they’d still be finding strands of it. “I know it can be pretty terrifying, but all new moms deserve a break once in a while.” Then she started laughing so hard, that she had to set her glass on a nearby table. “Dorthy Gale as a mom. Hmm… It was the Scarecrow, wasn’t it? You did say you’d miss him most of all.” 

“Probably not.  I figured the film version was definitely the best way to go,” she chuckled.  “I have no doubt I’ll be finding glitter all over for the next year but it could definitely be a lot worse.”  However, her thoughts drifted to Julia then and couldn’t help but wonder how her daughter was handling being with the sitter.  “Oh of course.  The brainless one seems absolutely fitting for my beloved ex.”

For some reason, Teagan was playing wallflower, and she never did that. She was always a social person, but she supposed there was a first time for everything. She took a couple of steps back as the inconsiderate waiter passed, quickly avoiding that collision with Whitney, making a face at him, and smiling at her. “Well, they’ll just let anyone carry a tray these days, won’t they?” She laughed. “No apology needed, and thank you, I wanted something different. You look amazing! And I totally want those ruby slippers, I don’t even care how trivial that sounds.” Teagan smiled, taking a sip from her wine glass. “So, how many times have you called the sitter?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow, and trying to make Whitney laugh.

A smile formed on Whitney’s face and she smoothed a hand over her skirt.  “I actually had to glitter them myself because I couldn’t find the shoes I needed,” she commented with a laugh.  “Oh god tonight’s the first night I called one.  It feels so weird being away from her.  I keep expecting her to start crying.”

Sofia’s eyes went wide for a split second; she had forgotten that Julia was sleeping. “Sorry,” she whispered with an apologizing smile. Water will be fine, but if you have wine…“ Her voice trailing off as she said wine. Not only was Sofia a tad frustrated with the mayor and her parents for dragging her into this mess – the new scandal within Nashville, but the former D.C. resident just wanted to spend time with her friends without work, but no.

“I do have wine,” Whitney chuckled as she moved through the kitchen getting herself a glass of water before pouring Sofia a glass of wine.  “Just because I’m still not drinking doesn’t mean Brandi hasn’t kept the place stocked.”  She handed the glass over to Sofia then sat down beside her.

As Teagan strolled through the winery, she was thinking a number of things: She shouldn’t have worn heels to yet another party. She should’ve brought a sweater. She was glad that she knew almost everyone here. She wondered if Beau would come out of hiding for this…he was always up for some devilish fun, and if they decided to blow this too, maybe she could abscond with a good bottle of wine. Where was Jakob? It wasn’t like they planned for this, so maybe he wasn’t aware? Or if he was, was he just not up for a big Nashville party?

Her eyes scanned the room, taking a glass of red wine from a tray as a server walked by. She may as well get comfortable if she was going to be here for a while.

Brandi’s insistence that they go to the party was the only reason Whitney was there.  She didn’t want to leave her daughter with a sitter, but unfortunately that was exactly what happened.  Not even a month old and already being babysat.  Brandi had wandered off shortly after they arrived and Whitney sighed as she moved around the room.  Stepping back out of the way of a passing waiter, she nearly bumped into Teagan.  “Oh, sorry.  Nice costume.”

“Hey…“ Sofia started to say as she half turned in the chair, trying to face the kitchen. “ – Wanna grab me on too?” It wasn’t that she was lazy, no not at all. Sofia was just in the middle of working on something for the Mayor; a favorite for her parents since they was friends with him.

Whitney lifted her finger to her lips when Sofia spoke.  “Sure, but shh I just got Julia to sleep.  The last thing I want right now is a screaming baby and I’m sure you don’t want it either.  I was just getting water though.  Did you want something else?”

“Just call me tomorrow afternoon if ya want me to bring ya anything specific, I don’t mind stoppin’ by casa de Richardson.” The smile was still there, and she’d probably still have it when she got home and went to sleep, maybe even in her sleep. She was an aunt, dang it, and if that wasn’t reason for smiling like a fool, nothing was. As Jenna started to leave, she stopped at the doorway, and turned for a second. “Don’t forget to nab the card from her hospital bassinet.” It was something she wished she were able to get her hands on eleven years ago, but wasn’t. Now she knew the value of something so simple. “Bye.” She waved with a wink, and was out the door.