Popping back up, he looks at me with another smile—Was that funny, Dad? Should I do it again?
I laugh at him and he goes back to his head-shaking, nosedive routine, repeating it three more times while I softly laugh. Hilarious.
Man, Cyrus is gonna flip when he sees his little nephew.
The kid has grown so much since we were home last, and his personality is coming through more and more. When Tucker was first born, my younger brother bawled like a baby. He couldn’t get enough of the little dude, and I know the second we arrive back in Texas, he’s going to be transfixed by his nephew.
Texas.
We really need to get back there.
Dani and I had only really been planning up to this weekend, but we should probably start thinking over the next few months now.
As we buckle Tucker into his special baby seat belt, I mention it to Dani. “After this weekend, we should probably head to Colorado Springs. Check in with your parents, then do the rounds. I’ll have to go see my family soon.”
“Yeah, definitely.” Dani nods, soothing Tucker as he starts to fuss at the restraint around his waist. “It’s all right, baby. Just chill for takeoff, okay?”
“We could map out a road trip.”
“I’d like to get to New York too. Tobin and Jed are dying to see us. They won’t forgive me if I get to everyone but them.”
“We can do New York.” I nod. “Although I don’t want to be sleeping on that shitty pullout couch of theirs. That thing is a backbreaker.”
Dani snorts and laughs. “I know. I’ll have to see if Jed can put us up in his uncle’s new hotel.”
I shake my head. “Man, that guy’s doing good, right? From a fancy-ass bar to a freaking hotel.”
“I’m so happy for him. He’s killing it.”
“And Tobin’s in heaven because he got to be a part of the design team for the rooms.”
Dani grins at me. “He really is in his element. I can’t believe he didn’t study interior design at school.”
“It’s funny how that can happen. You spend four, sometimes more, years getting a degree, and then life takes you in another direction and you don’t end up using it.”
“The main thing is that he’s happy, and thanks to that hotel gig, he’s now picking up jobs all over the place.”
I take Tucker’s hand, letting him wrap his little digits around my finger and trying to distract him as the flight attendant runs through the safety briefing. I’ve seen these things so many times now, I know it by heart.
The second they’re done and start walking down the aisle for the final pre-takeoff checks, Dani turns to me and asks, “So… are you serious about wanting to stay stateside for a while? Really settle down?”
I glance at my woman, surprised she’s bringing it up. I wasn’t sure how keen she was, and now she’s opening the perfect door for me to ask my big question.
“Well… yeah.” I nod. “How do you feel about it?”
She sighs, resting her head back and staring at the seat in front of her. “I’ve been mulling it over ever since you mentioned it, and… I think you’re right. I think Tucker needs some stability and routine. And if we have any more kids, it’ll be nice for them to not be carted around the world constantly. But…” She holds up her finger. “I still want a decent trip every year.”
“Definitely,” I agree. “I want our kids to grow up seeing the world. We’ll just have to live on a dime and save our pennies each year so we can make it happen.”
She nods, her lips twitching with a smile before it drops into a worried frown. “But where are we gonna live? Do we go for Dallas to be near your family or Colorado Springs to be near mine? Or do we base ourselves in New York… or go for somewhere closer to Satch and Wily or Sienna and Zander or?—”
I rest my hand over hers. “As long as I’m near you, I don’t care where we live.” I finish with a grin and a wink.
Her laughter is sweet. “You better be near me, boy. I will hunt you down.”
I laugh, resting my head back while the plane finishes its initial ascent and starts to level out. Tucker’s now sucking on my fingertip, happily distracted, and I turn in my seat as best I can.
It’s awkward and cramped and probably the least romantic moment to do this. But it’s also Valentine’s Day and… shit, I have to ask.
