A request. :)
"You don't have to be nervous. They're gonna love you. Especially the girls. Promise."
"It's not that I'm nervous, per say. It's just that this is our first big holiday thing together with your family and I want to make a good impression."
He pats her knee, keeping his eyes on the road. "You already have. My parents both love you and Jason and Kylie already know everything about you."
"Oh, yeah," she has to laugh, "why's that? You talk about me all the time?"
She's being mean, just to see him blush because it's honestly so sweet and he does it every single time she teases in that way.
But he owns it, the fingers on her knee creeping slightly higher. "Think about you all the time, too, so..."
Now, she's feeling her face get hot. "Shut up."
"Not my fault you don't wanna hear the truth," he grins. "Anyway, I don't think your nerves even compare to me meeting your parents for the first time. Your dad looked at me like he was interviewing me for a line up or something."
"He did not!"
"Look, your dad's not a big guy and I'm not exactly small and he had me shaking. Dead serious."
She swats at him. "You're ridiculous."
"Hey, no assaulting the driver. Nah, I really like both of them. Your dad's great. Your mom reminds me of mine."
Taylor smiles. "That's what I thought, too. Probably why I love her so much."
The holidays were usually a whirlwind and this year was no different. Having the time off was great, but between balancing career related ventures, trying to see friends and family, and Travis's schedule, attempting to plan out who they would visit, when, was akin to spinning around with her eyes closed.
It had been her birthday just the day before and he'd flown out to New York to celebrate with her before they'd jumped in the car with Trav driving to spend the day with Jason's family before he went back. He would host Christmas at his new home since he had a game during the day, which included her parents flying in to join them for the holidays and game, which she was really excited about, being the first time they'd get to see him play in person.
She would stay with him until after the New Year and the thought of that much Travis time, even though some of it accounted for practices, leaves her giddy.
"You wanna know who's nervous...my brother," Travis comments, pulling onto the turnpike. "Not because of you, Tay, he's talked to you, he knows you're awesome. I think it's the idea, like of not wanting to do anything to offend you, just because he realizes how much you mean to me."
"That's actually very sweet."
"Very unlike Jase, too. You've seen how much he likes to gives me a hard time. Man, I wished the timing with Thanksgiving had worked out." He shakes his head.
"Me too."
They fall quiet for a minute. She knows this is something both of them are accustomed to in their respective careers...the traveling and the reality of missing out sometimes. Disappointing, but they're also skilled at making things happen. It's a true partnership and the fact is never lost upon her.
"I'm so happy we can do this, though. Celebrate Christmas now with everyone. There's literally nothing better than two Christmas's."
Travis takes her hand. "Absolutely."
She glances in the back of the SUV. "I hope the girls like the gifts. I mean, you obviously know them better than I do, so I let you take the lead."
"I'm sure they'll love everything. Remember how Ellie wore the glasses you sent them 24/7 for a week? Even to bed. Honestly, Kylie told me they're just really excited to have you there. Wy wants to meet, "Uncle Travy's friend," according to her," he grins, a faint red blush coming over his face.
