“Dad, it’s literally seconds from when you hit the button. You can’t be that bored,” Elle adds.
“Hi, Dad,” Peyton says. Noah is waving in the background but disappears from the frame.
“Peyton, you are officially my favorite,” I tell the group. Quinn and Elle roll their eyes. “Okay, your mom says you’re all flying to Vermont tomorrow, right?”
The collective sound of three yesses is music to my ears.
“Perfect. Here is what I want to do. I’d like for Peyton and Noah to fly down here tonight and rent a room at the Hilton by the airport. I’ll organize the jet if need be. The rest of you, I want you to meet your mom and me at the hotel in the morning. We’ll fly as a family to Vermont.”
“It’ll just be me,” Elle says. “Ben is going to his mom’s for Christmas.”
“Bummer,” Quinn says. “Nola isn’t thrilled with the idea of snow and has vowed to stay in the lodge drinking wine.”
I laugh because I’m sure she’s not the only one. “Your mom will happily sit with her by the fire. Did you look at the pictures of the house we’re staying in?”
“Noah isn’t skiing either,” Peyton adds.
“Is that your rule or a team rule?” Quinn asks.
“Team rule,” Peyton says, laughing. “If he breaks his leg or arm, he’s screwed, and his contract is coming up for renewal.”
Elle chimes in with, “Maybe you guys can finally move to California for good.”
“His contract is up, not mine,” Peyton laughs and reminds her sister.
“Ugh,” Elle groans and rolls her eyes.
“Anyway,” I interrupt the kids. “Back to the plan. Are we good with it?”
“Yes, but Noah can’t leave tomorrow because they have to practice all week, which is stupid but needed. But I’ll be there in the morning.”
“Not that I’m complaining, but why are we all traveling together now?” Quinn asks.
I sigh and form what I want to say in my head. “Your mom and I have a surprise for you, and we want to give it to you all at the same time.”
“Well, I’ll be there,” Elle says. “Maybe I’ll just drive to the house tonight.”
“No!” I blanch, much to Elle’s surprise. “It’s just, you know . . .” I let my sentence trail off and watch the faces of my children morph into disgust. I can’t help but laugh.
“Dad, that is so gross. I don’t want to hear about you and Mom.” Quinn shudders.
“Yeah, yeah. You’re all adults. Get over it.” We finalize the details for the morning and hang up. My next call is to Liam, who graciously picks up on the second ring.
“What’s up?” he says.
“I thought I’d check and see what time you have the plane booked for?”
“We’re not using it. Figured we’d leave it to for you and JD.”
“Awesome, perfect. Katelyn and I have a surprise for you guys tomorrow.”
Liam laughs. “Oh man, I don’t even want to guess. Do you need me to pick you up at the airport?”
“Nah, I’ll rent something when I hang up with you.”
“Sounds good. I’m bringing my guitar. We can jam. There’s a bunch of pubs in the area. I figure we can do a gig or two.”
“I’m game. Okay, I gotta call JD and see what his plan is.”