"Well, thank you. I aim to please." Dixie qupped. "Plus, I like to treat my man. You deserve a little spoiling too." She glanced at her Apple watch. "We've got exactly 2 hours to soak in the quiet." She joked, before the seriousness of matters crept into her mind once again. She found herself looking away, entrentched in her thoughts for a moment. The warmth and touch of Tad's hand gently squeezing her own, brought her back to reality. She sighed deepily. "How do you do that?" She asked. They were in each other's lives for 32 years, and he could read her like a book. "There is something I wanted to talk to you about." Her deep blue eyes looking into his baby blues. She squeezed his hand back. "I wanted to feed you first, but I suppose I should tell you, so we can be here, together." She tried to muster a weak smile for his sake, and scooted closer to him while keeping hold of his hand. "Tad." She started, dreading the words which were about to come out of her mouth. Dixie pondered her next words incredibly carefully. "Honey, I just got a call from Jake, and he informed me that Joe passed in his sleep earlier this morning." She told him, in a soft tone. Although the tears were starting to fall down her face, her attention was solely on Tad.ย
Dixie felt the comforting closeness of Tad's arms around her waist. Her tears had dissipated, but she had hoped that he wouldn't noticed her puffy eyes. "Morning baby." She chirped, turning to face him. "Well, you were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to wake ya." She told him endearingly. "Ah, yes." She gestured to their kitchen table. "All for you, handsome." She said as she guided him to the table. "I figured we could use some time alone before the kids get up." She smiled softly as she sat in her usual seat next to her husband.ย
It was 6 am. Dixie's internal alarm clock went off. Dixie rolled over and watched Tad sleep for a moment. He was resting so peacefully. She gave him a kiss on the cheek before getting out of bed. She got herself ready for the day. As she did her hair, she could hear Tad's cell phone starting to vibrate on the nightstand. The heavy sleeper that he was, she knew he wouldn't rouse. Just as she finished straightening her hair, her own phone vibrated. It was her brother in-law, Jake.ย
"Hello?" She answered.
"Hry, Dix." ย Jake responded; his voice sullen and low.
"Jake, is everything okay?" She asked in a concerned tone.
Jake sighed heavily. "I've got bad news... Dad passed away this morning. I wanted you and Tad to know."
Dixie's stomach immediately dropped. "Oh my god. Jake..." Her eyes started to fill up with tears.ย
She took a second to compose herself. "Okay... Let me tell Tad. I'm here for you and Ruth. Anything you need, just say the word, okay?"ย
"Will do." Her brother in-law replied. "Love you, Dixie. Bye."ย
"I love you too. I'll call you back in a bit." She said before hanging up.
~ ~ ~ย
Dixie tip toed out of the master suite, and went downstairs. There was nothing she could really do or say to soften the blow on this matter. However, if anything, a meal and some time alone might help. They had a few hours of quiet before the girls were to wake up. She prepared a small spread of waffles, bacon and some fruit. She poured orange juice into a pitcher when she heard footsteps ascending. With a deep sigh, she braced herself.ย
