Eliot rolls his eyes, ignoring Austen as he stuffs scrambled eggs into his mouth with his fingers.
“We only bring good well-behaved children camping with us, so unless you want us to drop you at Nanny and Grandad’s, I suggest you pick up your fork and do what your dad says,” I tell him. We made a rule before the kids came into our lives that we would always be on the same page in front of them, and we never disagree when they are in earshot either.
Eliot picks up his fork without further protest, like I knew he would. Eliot loves the outdoors, which isn’t much of a surprise as we’ve been taking him hiking since he was a toddler.
“Everyone, eat,” Austen says, taking a seat beside Lia. “And then we’ll be on our way.”
* * *
“They are both asleep,” I say, stepping outside the RV later that night, carrying a couple of blankets. It can get a little chilly at this altitude at this time of night.
“I’m not surprised. We wore them out today.”
I chuckle as I toss a blanket at my husband and drop into the portable lounge chair beside him. “That we did.” I drape the blanket over my legs as Austen hands me a cold beer from the ice chest.
“I’m glad we came up here today,” he says, as I rest my head on his shoulder. “Being at one with nature always puts problems into perspective.”
“We’re in an RV. I’d hardly call it being one with nature,” I tease. “But I know what you mean.” We found a spot to camp that is completely isolated, and it has stunning views. The only sounds are the clicking noises of cicadas and crickets and the soft rustling of leaves from the surrounding trees.
Raising my head, I take Austen’s hand in my free one as I lift my beer to my lips. It’s only then his words properly register. “What problems?”
Austen squeezes my hand as he turns to face me. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Me too.”
“You go first.”
“I want to put my career on ice for a while.” I just put it out there because there is no easing into it. The shock on Austen’s face isn’t a surprise. I haven’t given him any indication I’m unhappy because I didn’t want to seem ungrateful. He was devastated when injury meant he had to quit the Patriots two years ago. It seems thoughtless to be purposely putting my dream on hold when his was forcibly taken from him.
“Is it the traveling?”
I nod. “Mostly, but I could keep doingThe Queer Kitchen Revolution. That isn’t as taxing, and at least I can do it from home, but it’s more than that.” I set my beer down on the rugged ground beside my chair. “I want to spend time with the kids without the pressures of work, and I want us to try for another baby. I’d like to have a bio kid of my own. Not that it really matters, because I love Eliot and Lia equally, but I love seeing parts of you in our daughter, and I want that for you.”
“I want that too,” he readily admits, “but I can’t reconcile that need with the restlessness I’ve been feeling.”
My eyes probe his. “What don’t I know?”
“I didn’t want to say anything when you were already so stressed, but I need to go back to work. I love the kids, and I love that I get to spend so much time with them, but—”
“You need more,” I finish for him.
“It’s selfish, I know.”
“Babe, no.” I clasp his face in my hands. “It is not selfish to want something else in your life. This isn’t a surprise, and I have suspected as much. I was waiting for you to broach this subject. You have worked hard your entire life, and I know you want to be more involved in Tenley Ink. You need to chase your passion, and I would never stop you from pursuing it.” My hands lower to his lap.
“Are you saying what you’re saying because of this? The last thing I want is you giving up your career for mine. We have other options. We can hire a nanny.”
“Nope.” I shake my head. “I know we could, but I want to be with them. I’m saying this because of where my head is at. Plus, I’m not giving up my career. I’m just taking some time off. We are fortunate we can do this. When I feel like returning to work, we can look into a part-time nanny, or maybe I won’t ever feel like going back.” I shrug. “I don’t know, but I didn’t set up my own business to be stressed and so freaking lonely without my family. That’s not living to me.”
Austen smiles wide as he presses his brow to mine. “We are always so much in tandem with one another.” He eases back so he can look me in the eye. “I was feeling so selfish and guilty, thinking how we’d have to hire a nanny, but this is perfect.”
“It is.” I kiss his lips softly. “You go do your thing, and let me be the house husband. Nothing would make me happier.”
An amorous grin crosses his delectable mouth as he leans in, pressing his warm lips to my ear. “I think my dick in your ass might be the cherry on top.”
“Is that a promise?” I say, my tone lowering a level as blood rushes south.
“Damn straight.” He stands, tugging me up with him, and our arms wrap around one another. “Think you can be quiet?”
