Work Text:
It was the ‘tink’ against the wood that caused Cordell Walker to look up, the sound finally tearing his focus away from the case file he brought home.
A silver tower sat near the corner of the case folder, the pointy tip glinting even in the dim light of the ranch house’s dining room. Cordell straightens up in his seat as the confusion sets in. His eyeline lifts until he sees both Stella and August standing tall before him.
His kids were looking at him expectantly. Their eyes wide and mouths turned up into small nervous smiles. Cordell looks between the small tower and his children, a few seconds of silence filling the room as he waits for someone to speak. He decides to speak first once it was clear that his kids were waiting on him.
Cordell motions to the miniature statue on the table. “What’s this?”
“That,” August points out helpfully. “Is the Eiffel tower.”
A smile tugs at Cordell’s lips when it was obvious that August wasn’t going to say anything else.
“Yes,” Cordell laughs. “I can see that . Is there a reason why you placed the Eiffel tower in front of me?”
Cordell catches the glance his children share before they both take seats at the table he’s working on.
“So, we’ve been thinking.” Stella starts, moving the miniature tower from the corner to the center of the table.
“Uh oh, that’s new.” Cordell quickly responded. He couldn’t help himself, the dad joke spilling out of him before he even noticed. He smiled as his kids just sighed in response, knowing his job was done. Stella continued as if she wasn’t interrupted.
“So, we’ve been thinking,” She repeats. “With Mawline and Gramps deciding to take their Italian honeymoon this summer, maybe we can have our own European adventure when they come back.”
Cordell blinks. He didn’t know what he expected the kids would say when they sat down but he didn’t expect this. A trip? A trip the kids suggested? A trip without Emily? The father of two looks at Stella first then at August before he jerks his chin in the direction of his son.
“Are you on board with this?” Cordell asks, aware of how Stella was taking the lead.
The teenage boy to his left nodded almost instantly, his long hair flopping into his eyes.
“It was his idea.” Stella adds with a hint of pride in her voice.
Cordell can feel the enthusiastic energy coming off his children in waves and he has to admit that it was contagious.
“After everything that happened this year,” August starts, taking the mini tower into his hands as he explains himself. “I figured we can do something big that is just the three of us. Something outside of Texas for a while.” August shrugs as he trails off.
“It’s a nice idea.” Cordell tells them, proud that his kids were taking initiative to plan something as grand as a trip to France. “I just don’t know if-”
“We looked into everything.” August perks up in his seat, interrupting his father. “The plane tickets are dirt cheap on this website I heard about on tiktok.”
Cordell opens his mouth to question that statement even further but Stella swoops in with a “I checked it out. It’s legit.”
Cordell closes his mouth at that. It was nice to see his kids working so nicely together even if it’s to try to convince him to go on vacation. Cordell sits back against his seat to let his children finish their pitch.
“We also found some deals on hotels near Paris that don’t look horrible.” Stella offers.
“And I saved up a little from working at The Side Step.” August says. “So I can help pay my own way.”
“We can even get some tours bundled in with the hotel packages if we need them. It’ll be right when Auggie’s summer vacation starts and I’m sure Uncle Larry can approve a week off at the station for you.” Stella lays out, her words coming out a bit rushed due to her obvious excitement.
Cordell is impressed. Admittedly, a family trip was not on the Ranger’s mind. He was still trying to process his own kidnapping by Grey Flag that happened over five months ago. He hasn’t really caught his breath, throwing himself into his work and worrying over how his own family was dealing with the traumatic event. Maybe a trip out of Austin was something he needed; something the kids needed. A chance to refresh, destress, and time to just be a family.
Cordell looks down at his open case file. Work can go without him for a week or two. Running his hand through his brown hair, Cordell closes the file in front of him and he picks up the tiny Eiffel Tower. He turns it around in his hand, inspecting it as he finalizes his decision.
“So Dad,” August breaks the silence. “What do you think?”
The kids are looking at Cordell with hope behind their eyes and that’s when Cordell knew he didn’t stand a chance. He places the tower in the middle of the table, settling back into seat again before he speaks.
“I have to figure out the dates,” Cordell finally says. “But I think the Walkers are going to Paris.”
A smile blooms across his face as Stella and August burst into cheers. The kids jump up from their seats, rushing around the table to hug their father. A chorus of muffled “Thanks Dad.” reach his ears and Cordell takes a second to enjoy them.
Cordell wraps his arms around his kids, pulling them in tight. “No,” He murmurs into the tops of their heads. “Thank you for thinking about this.”
“Oh! I have no idea what to take.” August says once he pulls away from the hug.
“You?” Stella questions as she stands up straight. “I have to make sure my suitcase can even fit all the outfits I have in my head.”
“We haven’t even ironed out the trip details yet.” Cordell chuckles, amused at his children’s eagerness.
“Still though,” August shrugs. “I feel like we need this after everything. The Walkers need a win, y’know.”
Cordell’s heart breaks just a little at that but he nods in agreement nonetheless. “Yes, we do.”