My eyes never leave the two people who own my heart. As if they can feel my eyes on them, they both look up at me. A smile takes over my face. I’m excited for today. Neither of them know it yet, but I have a surprise up my sleeve.
“Hey, sunshine, what’s that look for?” Fox asks while placing a squirming Raven on the ground. She has an independent streak a mile wide, so I was shocked she allowed Fox to carry her as much as she did.
“Yeah, Mommy. Why?” Raven parrots.
“How would you guys like to go get ice cream and maybe hit up the park?” The park is something we do at least weekly. The ice cream part, not so much. Fox must know I have something up my sleeve when he quirks an eyebrow.
“Yes!” Raven shouts. Her little arms are above her head while she does this silly dance.
“Use the outdoor shower to rinse the sand off. I just cleaned the floors,” I tell her. There’s no use in her grabbing a shower when she’s just going to get ice cream and dirt all over her.
“But a bath, please?” she asks.
“You heard your momma, rug rat. Rinse off. You can take a bath when we come back,” Fox interjects, knowing full well if he doesn’t step in, Raven will try to barter with me for the next ten minutes. I’ll end up defeated, and she’ll end up with tears in her eyes.
“Okay, if I must,” she sasses, but heads to the outside shower that Chance and Fox hooked up when we replaced our deck years ago. It’s even enclosed from the view of others and has a small hot water heater. There was no way I wanted cold water if any of us actually took a shower out here, which does happen from time to time when a certain someone is down for the night.
“What are you up to, sunshine?” Fox asks.
“Oh, nothing, but I do think I might have to go to Nashville, and I don’t want you guys staying back this time.” I give him a small hint of what I’m after.
“What do you mean? Last time you went out there, it was just for the day.”
“It seems a certain song I wrote is up for a nomination, and they asked me to be there. I want you and Raven there with me. I know it’s a lot to ask, especially with her age and how she can barely sit still.” I’m twirling a lock of my hair around my finger in nervousness.
“Sunshine, wherever you go, we go. Of course, we’ll be there. Might need to see about bringing a sitter with us, just in case,” Fox offers.
“God, I love you, and us, and well, you get the point.” I jump out of my seat, leaping into his arms. Fox is kneeling down in front of me, so I basically tackle him onto his ass.
“Love you too, Mel.”
“Hey, I want in!” Raven leaves the outdoor shower, soaking wet, clearly not rinsing off, but it looks like she’s getting what she wants after all.
“Come on in, rug rat.” Fox brings her into our hug, soaking the both of us as well.
“Ice cream?” she questions.
“Of course, baby girl,” I reply, kissing her forehead and looking at the two of them. I’ve never been happier. And I know this is only just the beginning.