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.
