What Happens on the Cruise

46. Guilty Pleasures

As Adam got off the bus he broke into a big smile when he saw who was waiting for him. He took Ericha in his arms and spun her around, provoking a delighted shriek, before setting her back on her feet and kissing her.

She smiled up at him, her arms still around his neck. "Did you miss me?"

"You know it," he answered and kissed her again. "Where's Cerise?"

"Inside with your mom and dad. They're going to keep her overnight tonight so we get some alone time."

He grinned. "And did you bring your favorite little blue pills?"

"I did."

"Good."

"Ericha!" Austin exclaimed. "So good to see you."

She turned and hugged him, and then Tim. "So good you see you guys."

"So where's our little niece?" Tim asked.

"Inside with Adam's parents. Come on. I'm sure you're anxious to meet her."

***

"Here, let me," Adam said, collecting a fussy Cerise from Austin.

Austin watched as the beatboxer held his baby against his chest, making quiet shushing noises, and she immediately quieted. Adam kissed the top of her head then breathed in her scent, closing his eyes.

As Adam walked around the table to get to his seat next to Ericha, Austin turned to Tim. "He's such a good dad. I hate that we're taking him away from her so much."

Tim nodded. "It's why I could never have kids. It's hard enough leaving Satchmo with Emily."

"You don't want kids?" Austin asked.

Tim shook his head. "It's not like I hate kids. I just don't need any of my own."

"Oh. Okay."

"You sound disappointed."

Austin shrugged. "I just kinda like the idea of being a dad some day."

"You've picked the wrong gender of partner for that," Tim pointed out.

"There's always adoption or surrogacy," Austin answered and saw Tim shift uncomfortably, "but we don't need to discuss that right now."

Tim glanced around to see if anyone outside their large group was looking that way, then gave Austin a quick kiss.

"So, Austin and Tim," Geoff called from the next table, "what are some good indoor things a Southern man can do here in Minneapolis for a couple hours and not freeze to death?"

***

"That was fun," Austin said as they left the movie theater.

"So do you think the credits teaser means Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch aren't mutants in the MCU?" Rob's friend Buegs suggested.

"It would be a way to pull in some X-men associated characters," Rob theorized.

"But Age of Ultron is already so packed with characters," Tim said. "Maybe it's for a future movie."

"Are they always like this?" Joe asked.

"Pretty much," Kelsey answered.

"We probably ought to be getting to the venue soon," Layne warned.

***

"So what'd you and Ericha do today?" Tim asked Adam as they were getting their makeup done.

"Just hung out."

"Is that code for a little somethin'-somethin'?" Austin teased.

"No, that would be tonight when Mom and Dad take Cerise."