My Office: A Lloyd Hansen Story

45.*

"Hey. So Suzanne and Denny are coming over. And we are going on a date." Lloyd said. I was on the floor with Bailee.

"What?"

"Get up. Go get ready."

I sat up with Bailee. He took her, giving me a little smile. He kissed me softly.

"Go. Pack a bag too. And something nice."

"What?"

"Stop saying what."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see. Just go."

I nodded, going upstairs to pack an overnight bag and get ready. Once I was all dressed I went back downstairs. Suzanne and Denny were there.

"Hey." I said. Lloyd came over, giving Bailee over.

I hadn't spent a night away from her. This was old news for him.

"You good?"

"Yeah. Well, you sure you guys are good?" I asked.

"Yeah. You ready to have fun with auntie?" Suzanne asked Bailee.

"Yes! Bye mama!" She said. I gave her a kiss. Lloyd got me out of the house.

"Please tell me where we are going."

"No." Lloyd said as he put my bag in the back. I gave him a look.

"Lloyd.."

"Relax."

"I don't like surprises. I'll go back inside if you don't tell me."

"Get in the damn car and I'll tell you."

I got in, staring at him as he got in the drivers seat. He smiled and started driving.

"I'm taking you out on a date." He said as he got out of the gates and onto the highway.

"All night?"

"Just forget about being a mom for one night."

"I have never been away from her for a night. You have a bunch of times." I said.

He glanced at me. I sat back a bit.

"Well I didn't think about that. I just..we don't go on dates like at all. So I thought maybe.."

"We don't go on dates because you're never home."

"Please don't turn this into a fight."

"You could've just told me."

Lloyd

I watched as Caroline rested back a bit in the car. I didn't know what to say. I had a hotel room booked and a nice dinner planned. I wanted it to be a nice surprise.

"So what you wanna just go home?" I asked.

She stayed quiet.

"Caroline answer me so I can just cancel reservations."

"No I don't wanna go home."

I nodded. She grabbed the blanket from the back, putting it over herself.

"I didn't do it to be a dick." I said.

"I know that."

She sighed. Her body relaxed.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled.

"No I just hate things out of the blue. I'm a planner is all."

"Look. I wanna do this because we are off. I haven't seen you laugh in so long. I wanna go somewhere and have a good time. I wanna be happy in each other's presence."