“Oh, you did, huh?” Sloan grinned and picked her up with a grunt. “Why doesn’t that surprise me? I’m assuming they snuck money to all of you.”
“Yeah, even Kyla and Dylan, but Archie put that in their piggy banks,” she giggled.
That was cute. Wasn’t the first time either. We’d discovered there was no lower age limit to receiving money and candy from Sloan’s former in-laws as well as Greer’s folks. Even Archie’s parents slipped into the mood of spoiling the kids rotten when they visited.
My mom was a little different. She showed her Nana tendencies around the start of each school year and Christmas. She was…scatterbrained, was a good word. Loved fiercely, wanted to know everything about you, protective of her family, but easily distracted and forgetful. So she made up for forgetting the occasional birthday by spending her Christmas bonus on those she loved. Which now included six kids within a dynamic that still made her quirk an amused, slightly puzzled grin.
I waited while Sloan wished his girl a safe trip and reminded her to text him a million times, and that made her laugh.
“A million is a lot, Daddy!”
“That’s a million each for both of you,” he made sure to point out.
I grinned and shook my head. No words could describe how much I loved him, or how much I loved how he loved his family.
When Emma-Jo was allowed to sneak away and carry her luggage to my car, I finally got my turn, and Sloan was quick to pull me into his arms.
“I know it’s just two days, but I’ll miss you,” he murmured.
“I’ll miss you too.” I stood up on my toes and kissed him. “We’ll get everything in order, though. We’ll handle the grocery shopping and scout the area a bit.”
It’d be nice to have a place all to ourselves. Mom and I usually stayed at bedstemors apartment, but we’d gone the Vrbo route this time and rented a house outside the city. Late August was a good time to visit too, because we’d soak up the last of the summer.
“Try to keep our engagement to yourself till I get there too.” He brushed some hair from my forehead. “I’d like to be there when we tell Ilse.”
She already had her suspicions, but absolutely, I’d keep my mouth shut.
“We’ll tell her together,” I promised. “She’s gonna be so happy.”
My grandmother adored Sloan, which showed mostly because she demanded he stay in touch with her. He had to send an email with a status report on the family at least once a month.
“I’m gonna be so happy when we finally share a name,” he returned with a smile.
I beamed and locked my arms around his neck. “Me too.” Fuck, really me too. I’d been doodling Cruz-Wallace in my iPad like some schoolboy ever since Greer and Archie tied the knot last year.
They went the Finlay way all across the board, including changing Kyla’s last name. Sloan and I wanted to share each other’s.
“Ayyyy, come on, papi!” Emma-Jo put some Latin attitude into that one, and I chuckled.
All right. Time to go. We’d see each other in two days. Two-and-a-half with the time zones changing.
“Rest up, Daddy. You and Archie are traveling with six kids soon,” I said.
He smirked. “You want me to tell Greer that you just counted him as one of the kids so he’ll beat you?”
I smiled goofily. Well, it was funnier that way!
He chuckled and kissed me once more. “Don’t worry, Shep and I are gonna be lazy all day.”
True. Sloan’s former in-laws were stopping by to pick up Jason and Jamie for a day at some sportsing event, and Archie was bringing Kyla and Dylan to the city for a playdate with Tate and Kingsley’s twin girls. I was fairly certain Ivy would join them with their brood too.
“Good. I love you. I’m counting down the hours.”
“Love you too, little one. Be safe. Call me often.” With one last kiss, he sent me on my way with Emma-Jo.
It was going to be a fantastic vacation.
And hey, I was gonna have a blast as soon as we got home too, ’cause we had a wedding to attend at the end of September. Weddings were fun, especially when everyone invited was over eighteen and very kinky!
Emma-Jo and I loaded up the car, got in, fastened our seat belts, picked an awesome playlist, and fist-bumped as we peeled out of the carport and onto the dirt road.
“You ready for the business-class treatment, princess?” I asked.
“Oh my gosh, yes. I want apple juice and gummy bears.”
I smiled so darn hard. Fucking loved traveling with her.
“Girl, who doesn’t?” I replied.