Parents Night Out

Audio by Paper2Audio

Parents Night Out

The morning after Abbott's aquarium field trip, Janine woke up to the sound of somebody whispering directly outside the bedroom door. She opened one eye and immediately recognized the voice. “Mommy?” E.J whispered. Janine smiled despite herself and pulled the blanket higher. “I'm awake, baby.” The door cracked open and E.J peeked inside. “Are you really?” “Unfortunately.” Gregory, still half-asleep beside her, chuckled. E.J pushed the door open. “Can I come in?” “Come here.” He climbed onto the bed, wedging himself between his parents like he'd been invited.

Gregory opened his eyes and looked at his son. “Morning.” “Morning, Daddy.” “You tired?” E.J nodded seriously. “The aquarium made me tired.” Janine raised an eyebrow. “You were running around for six hours.” “Exactly.” Gregory laughed and pulled him closer. “That's exhausting.” From the baby monitor came a soft little sound, and Janine immediately lifted her head. “She's awake.” Gregory sighed dramatically. “And there goes our peaceful morning.” Janine was already getting out of bed. “Don't say it like that.” “I love your mother,” Gregory told E.J as he followed them toward the nursery, “but your sister has impeccable timing.” Baby Eliza was awake in her crib, blinking up at them with sleepy eyes. The second Janine leaned over, Eliza's face brightened. “Hi, baby girl,” Janine whispered, scooping her up. Eliza immediately tucked herself against her mother's shoulder. “Somebody missed Mommy.” Gregory stood beside them, smiling. “Somebody always misses Mommy.” “As she should.” E.J appeared beside Gregory. “Can I hold her?” Janine carefully passed Eliza over, and E.J's entire expression changed as soon as his little sister settled into his arms. “Hi, Eliza.” She stared at him. “She remembers me.” Gregory nodded. “Pretty sure she does.” “Because I'm her favorite.” “Don't let your mother hear you say that.” “I heard him,” Janine called from the changing table. E.J grinned. “Sorry.” The morning moved slowly after that, filled with breakfast, cartoons, Eliza's bottle, and E.J recounting approximately every single detail of the aquarium trip as though his parents hadn't been there themselves.

But sometime around lunch, Barbara called. Janine answered on speaker. “Hi, Mom.” “How are my babies?” Barbara asked. “Which ones?” Janine laughed. “All of them.” “They're good.” Gregory leaned closer. “Why do I feel like there's a catch?” “There isn't a catch.” Barbara paused. “Gerald and I were talking.” “Uh-huh.” “And we think you and Gregory need a night off.” Janine blinked. Gregory looked over at her. “A night off?” “Yes. E.J can stay here tonight, and we'll keep Eliza, too.” Janine's eyes widened. “Both of them?” “Both.” “Are you sure?” “Janine.” Barbara's voice took on that familiar motherly tone. “I raised you. I can handle two children.” Gregory laughed. “She's got you there.” “I know,” Janine said. “I'm just making sure.” “Good. Now tell me yes before I change my mind.” Janine looked at Gregory. He gave her a small nod. “Okay,” she said. “Yes.” “Wonderful. Bring them over this afternoon.” E.J, who had apparently been listening from the hallway, appeared immediately. “I'm sleeping at Nana's?!” Barbara laughed through the phone. “You heard that, huh?” “Yes!” “Then start packing.” E.J disappeared again. Janine looked at Gregory. “That was fast.” “He's been waiting his whole life.” By three-thirty, the Eddie house looked like they were preparing for a weeklong vacation.

E.J had his overnight bag. Eliza had a diaper bag. Janine had packed another bag just in case, and Gregory had quietly removed half of it while she wasn't looking. “Gregory.” “She doesn't need four blankets.” “What if she gets cold?” “Barbara has blankets.” “What if—” “Janine.” He stepped closer, gently taking the bag from her hands. “They're going to be okay.” She looked at him for a second before nodding. “I know.” “You trust your mom.” “Of course.” “You trust Gerald.” “Yes.” “Then tonight, we get to just be Janine and Gregory for a little while.” Her expression softened. “I like the sound of that.” E.J came running down the stairs. “I'm ready!” Gregory looked at the clock. “You have been ready for forty-five minutes.” “I know.” “Why?” “Because I'm excited.” Janine laughed and grabbed her keys. “Okay, let's go.” The drive to Barbara and Gerald's was easy.

E.J talked the entire way, telling them what he wanted to do when he got there and asking approximately seventeen times whether Nana would let him stay up late. “We'll see,” Janine said each time. “That's Nana's decision.” When they pulled into the driveway, Barbara was already waiting at the door. E.J jumped out of the car and ran toward her. “Nana!” “There's my boy!” Barbara hugged him tightly before taking his overnight bag. Gerald came outside next, smiling. “What's up, E.J?” “We're having a sleepover.” “We are?” Gerald asked dramatically. “I didn't know.” E.J laughed. “You have to sleep here too.” “Well, I guess I better get my pajamas.” Inside, Barbara took Eliza from Janine and immediately settled the baby against her chest. “Hello, sweetheart.” Eliza made a tiny noise and grabbed at Barbara's sweater. “Oh, look at that.” Barbara smiled. “She's getting big.” Janine watched them for a moment, her expression softening.

Gregory slipped an arm around her waist. “You okay?” “Yeah.” “You look like you're about to cry.” “I'm not.” “You are.” “Maybe a little.” Barbara looked over. “Janine, go.” “I'm going.” “Have fun.” “We will.” “Don't call every thirty minutes.” Janine opened her mouth. Barbara pointed toward the door. “Go.” Gregory laughed as he gently guided his wife outside. The front door closed behind them.

They stood on the porch for a moment in complete silence. Janine looked at Gregory. Gregory looked at Janine. “So…” she said. “So.” “We don't have kids tonight.” “Technically, we still have kids.” “You know what I mean.” “I do.” She smiled. “What do you want to do?” Gregory slipped his hand into hers. “Nothing.” Janine laughed. “Nothing?” “Nothing.” “That's your big plan?” “Yep.” “Gregory Eddie, we have a whole evening without children and your plan is nothing?” He smiled. “I want to take my wife somewhere nice, eat food we don't have to cut into tiny pieces, and enjoy the fact that nobody is going to interrupt us.” Janine's smile grew. “Okay.” “Okay?” “Okay.” They walked toward the car hand in hand, both of them smiling. Neither knew exactly where the evening would take them.

For once, that was the best part. Gregory opens the car door for his wife and walks around to the driver side to get in and Janine is leaning over to open his door for him. “Janine you really don't have to keep doing that” “and I've been doing it for years now and won't stop” she says causing both of them to laugh. As they drive around downtown Philly, Gregory see the restaurant Osteria, an Italian restaurant that's popularly known for their cocktails and cute patio sitting Melissa recommended it to them as a date idea. It's been a place Janine has been wanting to go to since Eliza had been born, but they never found the time between having Eliza with her only being 4 months old and a very hyper and inquisitive Ej. He pulls up to the restaurant and Janine's face lights up “Gregory… I've been wanting to try this place out since Mel suggested it” she says with a very appreciative tone. “I know, so that's why we're here.

Let's go in a find our seats?” “Wait you made a reservation?” “Well.. yes about a week ago” Gregory says with a smile on his face. “Wait so Barb calling was planned?” “Also yes. I know you've been feeling a little overwhelmed trying to get into a good routine with Eliza and I know you needed a break so I called Barb to take them for the night.” She pauses and looks up at him and places a gentle kiss on his lips with awe in her eyes. “Thank you babe” she says with tears forming in her eyes. Even with them being married six years in and two kids, he still is very thoughtful and loving. They get seated and are met with a bottle of Cantina Castiadas “Praidis Vermentino Di Sardegna on ice with wine glasses to match. “The only thing that sounds appealing to me is the Agnolotti and barely that” Gregory says, causing Janine to chuckle “you were better off just ordering their Margherita pizza” “honestly, that's not the worst option” they share a laugh and go into a comfortable silence “I really do appreciate you Gregory, you've been so patient with me as I try to get into a good routine with the kids.

I know you're gonna say I don't have to say anything but I want to tell you how appreciative I am” “yea, as your husband I would hope you'd expect nothing less! I appreciate you for just existing alone and being a wonderful wife and mother to our kids” he says placing his hand on her thigh planting a gentle kiss on her lips and another on the forehead. “hey now, don't start anything you can't finish” she says causing Gregory to chuckle. As their food comes out, they share laughs and story's in between bites and sips. They get the bill Gregory pays and they head back to their car. “I have one more surprise” “um if it's dessert I will be ecstatic” stopped in her tracks she sees him pull up to the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, the number one rated hotel in Philadelphia. “No you didn't” “yes I did” “no you didn't” she says as tears fill her eyes.

Gregory leans over to kiss her and ushers her out of the car. “Well wait what about our clothes I don't have my pumps for breastfeeding I kinda need to since I've been drinking and-” “Janine, I packed everything you need for tonight just relax” her face relaxes standing on her toes to place a kiss on his cheek. “I really do love you” “I love you too.” He grabs his and her bags as he walks his way to the elevator all while still making sure he's holding Janine's hand. The little intimate moment that makes Janine very appreciative. They go to the top floor to the presidential suite and he opens the door and lets Janine go in first and to her surprise there were flowers and her favorite snacks on the counter. “Gregory you really didn't have to do this” she says tearing up again. For some reason tipsy Janine on wine was more on the emotional side than Long Island ice tea Janine was. As they got settled in, showered and changed into pajamas with Janine wearing a silk tank and shorts set and Gregory having on sweats and a shirt they continue their night routine. As soon as Janine sits down on the couch after setting up her pumps to pump and dump, her phone rings. “It's a FaceTime call from Barb, E.J must be calling to say goodnight” Janine says loud enough so Gregory could hear her from the bathroom. “Mommy” “hi baby” “what are you doing” “nothing, me and your dad are just getting ready for bed… like you I hope” she says as she smiles “oh yes, that is the plan.” Barb says entering the camera with Eliza snuggled up on her chest. “Nana let me have two bowls of ice cream” “two?” Gregory says now entering the camera as well sitting next to Janine. A family affair before bed one could say. “Yes, and I got to watch spider man” E.J says now running away from the phone to go get a pretzel off of the counter, following with a cartwheel. “That's cool buddy.” Gregory says now staring at Barb and a sleeping Eliza. “I guess he's still running off that sugar rush” Barb chuckles as she sits down in front of the camera smiling and admiring her daughter, admire her babies. “Is Eliza doing okay?” Janine asked as her eyes begin watering again at the thought of her kids not being with her right at this very moment. “Yes dear, everything went perfect today.

I'm hoping your night went well also?” “Oh yea, Gregory took me to the restaurant Mel recommended to us, we had a good time!” “That's good! Well I will let you go I think E.J just woke up pop pop so I have to go deal with that” she says with a smile. “Okay well tell E.J we love him and we'll see him in the morning” Gregory says rubbing Janine's back. They blow a kiss to the screen. “Good night mom love you see you in the morning” Janine says “good night Barb” “love you guys have a good rest of your night”. Barb says hanging up the phone. Janine looks up at Gregory “I miss them” “I know you do we will see them in the morning!” he says placing a kiss on her forehead.

Janine walks to the counter to dump the milk into a bag and save it for Eliza's bath, Gregory turned on some music as Janine finished up, she came back to sit by Gregory sitting in a comfortable silence until their wedding song came on, Lady in My Life by Michael Jackson fills the room. “Come on let's dance” Gregory says standing holding his hand out Janine grabs it with no hesitation. “Well ofc sir” she says with a fancy accent. Putting her hands around his neck while his hands rest comfortably on her waist. They sway back and forth dancing in a dim room with only city lights illuminating the room.

Janine looks into his eyes with full of love only to get the same look in return from her husband, smiling. “What's the smile for?” “It's just been a while since, you know, it's just been us. It feels nice” he says. “I'm happy that I chose you as my husband I couldn't have asked for anyone better” she says pulling his neck down to place a kiss on his lips. What started as a few pecks turned into deepened slow intense kissing. Janine pulls back only for Gregory to pull her back into a few more kisses. “Don't start anything you can't finish” he says. “Who said I couldn't finish?” She says slowly backing away from Gregory keeping her eyes locked on him until he walks faster towards her, making her turn around and run to the bed.

Hopping on the bed she lays on her back, head close to the headboard as Gregory rushed to the bed launching himself at her which caused her to scream laughing. He rests on top of her placing kisses on her giving her the queen treatment his wife deserved. “I love you Janine” He says kissing her neck only causing her to squirm as if they were back to their early stages of dating. One thing they knew how to do, was keep their relationship feeling fresh and six years and two kids later it's like their first time all over again. The rest of the night was a blur as they were drunk in love. The next morning Janine wakes up to an empty side of the bed as she wakes up she smells the aroma of breakfast food filling the air.

Gregory walks in with a tray of food in hand and a glass of orange juice “Good morning my beautiful Wife” “Good morning my handsome Husband” he places a kiss on Janine's forehead and one on her lips as he sets the tray down “I hope this is good enough.“ “it's more than perfect, thank you babe” Janine says as she rubs her hand on his face. As they pull into barbs driveway they see a very energetic E.J jumping up in down in the yard as he helped nana and pop pop with morning gardening and chores outside. As the car parks, Janine gets out only to be met by a running E.J. “Mommy!” He says jumping into her arms “Hi baby, good morning!” “Mommy nana made me pancakes with chocolate chips in them” “oh did she?” Janine says knowing that she will now be dealing with a sugar rush with a twelve o'clock crash nap. “That sounds amazing sweetie” she says chuckling.

Gregory is then met by the same energetic boy “Daddy!” “Hey buddy” “daddy nana made me chocolate chip pancakes” “so I heard” he says with a smile and a look towards nana and pop pop but not shocked at all. E.J always got his way at his grandparents house. They spend some time outside talking, when they are interrupted by a cooing baby from the baby monitor sitting in front of Barb. “Oo looks like someone is up.” “That's my cue ” Janine says happily “I'll be back.” Returning with an inquisitive baby, Eliza is holding her head up looking around at her family look at her “baby sister!” E.J says “we're happy to see you again” he says, staring at a smiling baby “she misses you too buddy” Gregory says smiling at his children admiring them. They sat and talked about what all happened on their kid free night and what all went down at the Howard house. Janine is in need for a nap hence the yawning that had been happening for the past ten minutes.

Well I'm glad you guys had a great time! Don't forget, family dinner at six. Be here, no questions asked.” Gregory chuckles letting them know they won't be missing family dinner! E.J gets buckled into his car seat and Eliza gets strapped in as they head back to the Eddie household. Pulling into the driveway the car parked they look back to see both kids sound asleep.

Janine and Gregory look at each other smiling at each other knowing they've won in life.