Page 36

I'm meeting Brandt's family today. His brother, at least. My tummy feels a little nervous, but Brandt has promised me that Philip is a lot like him and laid back.

His wife, Deana, and their daughter will be joining as well.

We're meeting up at a park and doing a picnic style lunch.

I made a snack box for us to take with fresh fruits and some crackers.

"They're going to love you, Ty. I know it.

" Brandt puts a hand on my knee and squeezes.

We're sitting in the parking lot of the park.

I can see families milling around, kids running from slides to tunnels to swings.

I'm a bit jealous that I can't play. We played for so long last night, though.

I can be big for this. "Come on, baby. I think I see them sitting at the table already. "

The parking lot is up on a slight hill from the park, with a small path that leads to the shelter.

There are several wooden tables, all filled by different families.

The park itself is split into two; one smaller, simpler side for younger kids, and the other much taller with big slides and a rock wall.

"I wish I could play," I mumble just loud enough for Brandt to hear. "It looks like so much fun."

Brandt takes my hand and squeezes. I know that's his silent way of agreeing with me. "You can play on the swings," he suggests. "I know Vivian loves to swing."

My response is cut short by a man calling Brandt's name. I can see the resemblance, but Brandt has darker hair and is a couple inches shorter. Brandt hugs the guy, then the woman next to him, before turning to face me. "Philip, Deana, this is my boyfriend, Tyler."

"It's nice to meet you," Deana says. She holds out her hand and I shake it. I do the same with Philip.

"It's nice to meet both of you as well." I wipe my hand on my pants, knowing that they feel clammy already. I'm just nervous.

"And where is my favorite niece?" Brandt asks. He sets the container of fruit and crackers on the table with the rest of our things. "I haven't seen her in far too long."

"She's over there, crawling in and out of the tunnel. Over and over." Deana points to a curly haired little girl. She is wearing a brightly colored dress with a pair of tennis shoes. She's adorable.

"Oh, she's getting so big." Brandt says. He takes my hand and starts pulling me toward the playground. "Vivian!"

The girl spins around at the sound of her name. Her eyes go wide and she smiles before running full force toward Brandt. "Uncle B! You're here!"

She doesn't slow down the closer she gets and collides with Brandt's legs, wrapping her arms around his thighs. She's maybe four-years-old. When she pulls back, her eyes dart between the two of us. Brandt squats down to her level and turns his face up to me. I follow his motion.

"Viv, this is Uncle B's boyfriend. His name is Tyler."

She's shy, clearly. I hold out my hand and wait for her to take it. She looks from me to Brandt for permission. He nods and then she takes my hand and gives it one shake. "It's nice to meet you," I say in a soft voice. "I like your shoes."

"Thank you." She turns back to her uncle. "Are you here to play with me?"

"I am, but I think we might eat some lunch first. Want to come help me make some sandwiches? Tyler also brought you some watermelon."

Her eyes light up at the mention of watermelon. A swell of happiness surges through me at her excitement. She runs ahead of us back to the table. Philip and Deana have set everything out for sandwiches, chips, and the food we brought. A good picnic spread.

We sit down on opposite sides of the table.

Brandt sits next to me and Vivian on his other side.

Her parents sit together across from us.

I'm on the edge, so Brandt makes my sandwich for me.

Neither of the other adults bat an eye at the gesture.

Brandt and Vivian do most of the talking, but Philip and Deana ask a few questions about how we met and what I do.

As the minutes pass, my nerves lessen. Philip shares stories about Brandt growing up.

They bicker back and forth, with Vivian commenting here and there with random stories.

I make sure to drink water between bites of my food.

The weather is still quite warm, easily in the high eighties, so I know I need to keep hydrated and sit in the shade frequently.

I do not want a repeat of Daddy making me sit out.

"Uncle B, can you play with me?" Vivian asks once the food is gone.

"Of course I can, Viv. Do you mind if Tyler plays with us, too? He's excellent at playing pretend. He loves playing rescue games."

"Yes! I be the princess!" We all laugh at the speed she scrambles off the bench seat and starts for the playground. She calls behind her for us to hurry up.

"Just go, we'll clean up." Deana waves us off. "You're doing us a favor by keeping her occupied."

"Tyler, bring your water with you." Brandt snatches his up as well and we start following Vivian right back to the tunnel.

She takes the lead on what we're playing.

She reminds me of Aussie when we play together, delegating the roles of who will play what.

It isn't in a controlling way, just a natural leader spirit.

Brandt ends up being the bad guy and I have to save the princess.

Which involves keeping a close eye because Vivian loves to launch herself off of surfaces and into your arms. We run away from Brandt over and over, going around the playground, even hiding behind a tree.

At some point, another little boy joins in on our game and Vivian takes his hand to run while Brandt and I chase them as the bad guys.

It's all fun and before I know it, an hour has passed.

We take a break to sit in the shade to cool down.

Deana produces ice cold water from a cooler and I down several gulps in seconds.

"Slow down," Brandt whispers behind me. We're straddling the bench seat and he's sitting closely behind me. His hands rest on my waist and his lips press against the back of my neck. I'm sure I'm sweaty, but I melt against him.

"Ew, Uncle B! You kissed Tyler." Vivian says it way too loud and I see other adults turn toward us.

Brandt's body leaves mine, but I turn in time to see him grab Vivian and tickle her. "I'm allowed to kiss Tyler. He's my boyfriend."

"Daddy says I'm not allowed to have a boyfriend until I'm…"

"Four hundred, at least," Philip cuts in. "We can discuss you dating when you turn four hundred and one."

"Wow," Brandt says dramatically. "Are you going to live to be four hundred? That's, like, forever!"

"I'll live forever!" Vivian says excitedly.

"Oh no! We have Vampire Vivian with us!"

I can't help but smile. I watch Brandt interact with Vivian. It's so innocent and playful. He's so good with her. We haven't talked about kids. Granted, we haven't been together for long and I'm only twenty. Does he want kids? I wouldn't mind it, down the line.

I get lost in my own thoughts, daydreaming about what our future is going to look like, that I don't realize Philip and Deana are looking at me until Brandt nudges my arm.

"Sorry, what did I miss?"

"I was just saying that you looked lost in thought. Anything you want to share with the class?" Philip raises his eyebrows and his eyes dart between me and his brother.

"Oh, no. I was just enjoying listening to them." I nod my head toward the two that are currently whispering and giggling about something.

"Uncle B is all about Vivian when they're together. Hope you don't mind sharing him." Deana says it with all the warmth in her voice.

My first reaction is to say no way, he's my Daddy. I hold my tongue though, even if Brandt gives me a look like he knows what I'm thinking about. "I don't mind," I say, looking back at Deana and Philip.

"I'm all yours at home," Brandt adds quietly.

We continue to go back and forth, the four adults taking turns on playing with Vivian in the sun.

She has an unending energy source. At one point, I convince Brandt to push both of us on the swings.

Vivian, I discover, is not scared of heights.

Brandt pushes her to double the height I'm swinging.

She's kicking her legs and laughing the entire time.

Vivian tells me all sorts of half stories of past times hanging out with Brandt.

She's only four so her stories leave out a lot of details, but the intensity she has when talking keeps you paying attention.

By the time all of us are red faced and beyond sweaty in the late summer heat, Philip and Deana call it a day. We all slump down at the picnic table and take the last sips of the waters they brought.

"You'll have to come by the apartment one day," Brandt says as we start packing up. Vivian is munching on the last of the watermelon we brought, but jumps up and down when Brandt mentions coming over.

"Yes, please! I want to go to the pool!"

"It's only open for a couple more weeks, but I'm sure we can find some time for you to come over." Brandt looks over at Philip. "I'm off on Tuesday, if you want to bring her over. She can hang out with me during the day and then we can go to the pool when Tyler gets home from the coffee shop."

"Coffee?" Her eyes go wide and she looks right at me. "I want coffee."

"Absolutely not," Deana says. She scoops Vivian up and tosses her in the air. "You are not allowed to have coffee this young."

"I can bring you some hot chocolate or a smoothie,” I offer.

"Oooh, you love smoothies." Deana turns her head to look at me. "She will go wild for a strawberry smoothie. Also coconut."

"I could do both together?" During the summer months, we have all kinds of flavors. We keep a strawberry mix and mango mix, but the syrups can be added in too.

"Strawberry and coconut?" Vivian looks like her mind is being blown. It's adorable. "Mommy, can I please go to Uncle B's house? Please, please?"