"You know, if we could get these 'kids' to sit down for a few minutes, I think they'd be ready for a nap." Chance says. "They've been running and playing for hours. Surely, they're getting tired."

"Well, I don't know about them but I could really eat something. My bowl of cereal is gone." Tim says with a smile.

"What did you bring you to eat?" Chance asks.

"Uh, a bag of seedless grapes and a bottle of water." Tim says quietly and hangs his head so he would not have to see the look that he would get from Chance.

"Sweetheart...." Chance says before Tim cuts him off.

"Hey, guys? Y'all ready to eat?!" Tim calls out to the kids.

"Yeah, I hungwy." Adam says as he runs toward them.

"Me too." Emily answers.

"Ti, mmm hun." Patches nods.

"What do you say about stopping for a bite to eat and rest a bit?" Tim asks as they make their way over to the blanket.

"Thounds good." Adam nods as he sits down on the blanket. "Ith path my naptime." (sounds. It's past)

"Mine too." Emily nods.

"Ti, mmm na." Patches says as he curls up on the blanket. (nap)

"Don't you want to eat first?" Chance asks the man-child.

"Hun." Patches quickly sits up and nods. (hungry)

"I thought so." Tim chuckles as he begins handing out the sandwiches they had made.

The kids grab the sandwiches and their juice boxes and begin to eat like they haven't eaten in days.

Tim gets his bag of grapes and gives Chance a 'Don't say a word' look. Chance sighs and shakes his head. He had forgotten how stubborn Tim could be.

Tim smiles as he watches the kids eat. They could barely hold their eyes open as they tried to chew their food. He takes out his phone and begins filming the exhausted trio.

"I'm done." Emily yawns as she hands Chance her have eaten sandwich.

"Are you sure?" He asks.

"Yeah." She answers as she lays down on the blanket.

Adam hands him his sandwich wrapper and empty juice box before laying down.

"Two down, one to go." Tim says softly as he turns his camera in Patches's direction. He chuckles at the 'Wild Man' holding the sandwich a few inches from his mouth that was open and ready for a bite. But his eyes were closed. "And... he's down for the count."

Chance takes the sandwich from Patches's hands and gently lays him down.

Tim turns the camera toward himself. "As you can see, they are all in one piece. No cuts, scrapes or bruises. They've played on the beach all morning. They've eaten and now it's naptime then they'll be ready to go again. But on the other hand, Chance and I are dead on our feet. (he laughs) But we're having a great time and we hope that you are too. Enjoy yourself and don't worry about your kids."

Tim ends the video then sends it to Kirstie. He had a few texts on his phone from her asking how things were going.

"How are you holding up?" Chance asks as he relaxes back in a beach chair.

"I'm alright." Tim answers but Chance knew better. He could see the discomfort on Tim's face.

"You're hurting aren't you." Chance states.

Tim pops a grape into his mouth before giving Chance a fake smile.

"Baby, don't over-do it, alright? We can always find something to do in the house so you can relax a bit." Chance says as he takes his lover by the hand.

"Let's just see what the kids want to do after their nap." Tim says as he gently squeezes the bearded man's hand.

Chance reaches into his pocket as he feels his phone vibrate from a text message.

"It's a text from mom. She's planning a family cookout and she wants me to come and she said for me to bring you and Adam." Chance smiles as he reads the text.

"Me? But your mom hates me." Tim replies.

"No, she doesn't." Chance chuckles.

"Uh, yeah, she does." Tim says. 

"Tim, she was angry with you but she never hated you. And that was years ago." Chance says. "Believe it or not, she was very excited when I told her that we were working on a relationship."

"Are you sure this is not a plan to get me over there to poison me for what I did?" Tim asks with raised brows.

"I'm positive. She loves you, Tim, and she loves Adam. She was just heartbroken because she really wanted......" Chance hangs his head. "Us to get married."

"See? All the more reason for her to hate me." Tim replies as he pops another grape into his mouth.

"I would love to see my family but I'm not going without you and Adam. I'll just text her back and tell her I'm not able to come." Chance sighs as he pulls up the recent text.

"Wait." Tim sighs as he reaches over and lays his hand on Chance's hand. Chance really knew how to make him feel guilty about things. Was this his plan? Well, it worked. "I'll make a deal with you."

"Okay?" Chance answers as he tries to suppress his smile. It worked again.

"Adam and I will go with you to your mom's but I really would like to take Patch and Kirstie back to Texas because Jenika and I really f*cked up their honeymoon while we were there. I want you there with me." Tim says. "I want to show them a good time and I want my mom to know that I'm really okay and that you're the reason."

"Deal." Chance smiles as he shakes his lover's hand. "But you do know that we'll run up on Jenika while we're there, right?"

"Probably." Tim nods. "I need you with me to give me strength not to knock the hell out of the b*tch."

"Deal." Chance chuckles as he leans over and kisses Tim softly.

Tim's phone signals a text message. It was from Kirstie.
(Text) AWWWWWW!! Bless their hearts. So glad they're having a great time with their Uncles. Me? I'm having a BLAST!! Btw, the girl here at the salon saw your video. She wants your number. LOL!!!!!

Tim chuckles as he texts her back.
(Text) Glad we could help. Tell that poor girl that I said, "Sorry, but I'm taken."  ;)

Tim smiles as he lays his phone aside.

"Who was that?" Chance asks.

"Kirstie. She loved the video I sent her and she's having a blast." Tim answers with a smile.

~~

Another thirty minutes pass before the kids start to stir.

"Chance? Will you pay a video game wid me?" Adam asks as he sits up.

"Sure, Buddy. Are you done with the beach?" Chance asks as he brushes back a strand of Adam's hair.

"Yeah, fo wight now." Adam nods.

"I want to go color." Emily says.

"Mmm cul." Patches nods in agreement. (color)

"Uncle Tim, will you color with us?" Emily asks with pleading eyes.

"PEEEZZZZ!" Patches shouts.

"Do you realize how long it's been since I've colored?" Tim asks with a chuckle.

"That's okay. I'll help you stay inside the lines." Emily smiles as she takes her uncle's hand as they head back inside.

********

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