“Never grow up?” Her nose wrinkles. “Like Peter Pan?”
She doesn't like that idea.
But, of course, her favorite movies don't involve flying boys and pirates. She is more into talking animals at this point.
“I know this is sad,” Diana says. “But it's a good thing. Our kids are becoming independent.”
“I know, I know,” I agree.
Diana smiles, then stands on her tiptoes to press a kiss to my lips. Before she can retreat, I hold her there, cupping her cheeks with my palms. Needing those extra seconds of comfort from my wife.
“I love you,” I whisper.
And I always will.
CHAPTER SIX
DECEMBER 21
KENNEDY LINCOLN (NÉE CALDWELL)
The scent of lavender floats in the air, a marked contrast from the cinnamon that has been surrounding me from the moment Wyatt and I arrived in Austria. Wandering through the hotel suite, I find my husband in the bathroom kneeling beside the bathtub.
“What are you doing?” I ask, although it's obvious with the water filling the white porcelain.
“Drawing you a bath. You pushed too hard today.”
I roll my eyes at his soft reprimand, though secretly I’m pleased he cares so much.
And he's not wrong.
We spent the day walking around Vienna, exploring the holiday market and a few touristy attractions. I've never had so many steps accounted for on my tracker than this trip, and today has been the highest yet.
Something my back and feet definitely don't appreciate.
“We took breaks,” I argue.
“Not enough of them,” Wyatt counters with a dark brow raised.
I sigh. “Not enough of them.”
With my spina bifida and scoliosis, chronic back pain is a way of life, but I could have done better at preventing more pain than usual by pacing myself today.
Though it's hard because I want to get in as much as I can before Wyatt and I head back to Suitor’s Crossing for Christmas.
“If we don't get to everything this round, we can come back with Tristan in tow.”
“Are you secretly a mind reader?” I tease. “I was just thinking about not wanting to miss anything on this trip.”
“No mindreading. I just knowyou.” He dries off his hands after testing the heat of the water and stands. “Everything is ready for you now.”
“Will you be joining me?” I ask as I slip out of my clothes. Wool socks. Fleece-lined leggings.Cozy warmthis the theme of my wardrobe for this trip.
“If you'll have me.” He grins and reaches for the buttons on his shirt as I nod. Wyatt steps into the tub first, then carefully guides me down so my back rests against his chest.
After a few minutes of quiet and letting the heat of the water soak in, I let out a heavy breath. “I miss Tristan.”
Our three-year-old son is enjoying an extended play date with his cousin Rachel, and while I appreciate a romantic couples-only getaway, this is the longest I've been away from him since he was born.
