Redhawk Caldera All black everything.

Thinking he had said the magic words, the way Towhee segued to talk of his family and the coast made him mentally slam on the breaks. Not that he didn't want to see them, mind you — showing off the little bundles he had made was on the top of his list of things to do someday — but it wasn't something he had considered until Towhee brought it up. The kids were still so young and the coast was so far. Maybe that was just an excuse though; hadn't Reyes just said he'd do whatever she wanted?

Yeah, they're up there somewhere. A family trip sounded like a lot, thought Reyes. Would they need an escort to try and even the adults versus newborn numbers? Should he go ahead first to make sure they were going in the right direction, or that they were welcome? How young was too young for a multiple-day trip like that? Reyes had gone quiet with all of his thoughts.

The rain continued to pitter-patter around them. While he considered different things in his silence, Reyes failed to notice the soft sounds. It was only a minute or two before he turned to look at Towhee - and make sure she could read him - when he said, What if I did a quick trip there and back, to check in, first? I haven't seen my family in. . . a while, and showing up on their doorstep with their grandkids might be overwhelming. The last thing he wanted was either of his mothers having a heart attack because of it.