Page 85 of Daddy, Take Me Away
“Thank you both. We’re all very grateful for you three and your willingness to be open with us.”
Maddox and Travis both shrugged sheepishly. They were great with the Little one, but not so great at accepting our gratitude.
“I changed her before they fell asleep so she should already be good for the drive up. How long will it take you to get there?” Tyler asked. He already knew how long it would take us to get there, he had a full schedule in his email. I knew he was just asking due to nerves.
“Where are y’all going anyway?” Maddox added. “I know the big plan, but didn’t pay attention to the little details.”
“Helen, Georgia. It will take us about four hours to drive to,” I reminded him, chuckling. Maddox was really scatterbrained.
“I googled some images. It looks pretty cute,” Tyler said, probably happy to change the subject.
“Yeah, they’ve turned it into a really charming Bavarian village. It looks like a Russian fairytale from what I’ve seen online.”
“I hope you two enjoy it. You both deserve a break.” Tyler took a sip from his bottle of beer.
“Yes, don’t answer your phone for anyone!” Maddox warned.
Tyler threw a beer cap at him. “He’s still a doctor. He has a responsibility to his patients, even on vacation.”
Nodding, I agreed. It was never certain there wouldn’t be an emergency, but I would always be there for my patients if there was. Tinsley understood that so well; Maddox, not so much.
After I finished my beer and a glass of water, I scooped my Little one off the couch. She stirred in my arms, and I swayed her back and forth. Once she’d settled, I carried her to the car and buckled her in.
Tyler handed me her diaper bag. “Have fun, call me when you get there, okay?”
Hugging him, I took the bag and walked around to the driver's side. “You’re gonna be okay?” I asked after a second. I got worried about him when he was alone.
“Yeah, I have plans to go to the Braves game with Onyx and Emily. I also have some other buddies I can check in with. I’m good,” he assured me.
“I’ll answer if you call,” I promised.
He nodded. “I swear I’ll call if I need you.”
I got in the car, waved once more, and backed out of the driveway. My excitement over the trip grew with each passing mile. I couldn’t wait to create sweet memories with my baby.
An hour and a half into the trip, Tinsley started to stir. I rubbed her leg softly.
“Dada?”
“Hi, baby, did you have a good nap?”
“Good nap,” she answered with a stretch. After she was a bit more awake, she looked out the window. Her face was drawn tight in concentration.
“Not home,” she finally said, turning to look at me in suspicion.
“No, we’re not on the way home.” I chuckled at her reaction.
“Where?”
“Well, where was Daddy going to take you for a getaway last time?”
She processed my words for a second before she lit up. “Helen?”
“Yes, ma’am! A whole week of fun.”
“A week!” She squealed.
“A week!”
