4th January, 2024 - Sydney, Australia

Jason

"Okay Kieran, remember the plan?" I asked, my nephew, setting his gun up. "Yep!" He said holding his gun up. "Okay, stick with the plan." I told him. He rolled his eyes. "Yeeeeess, Uncle Jase, now let's go play!" He cheered, running out from our hiding place, completely forgetting about the plan. I chuckled, as he squealed signalling he already got hit and giggles following after.

I walked around the area of the backyard, keeping my eye out for the opposing team. Which really was just brother Alex and my son Jake. All of a sudden I heard a scream and cry. Quickly recognising the scream I dropped my gun and ran to sound of the crying. I spotted Jake by the one of the deck chairs near the pool crying into his hands.

"Jake!" I screamed, running over to him but before I past halfway of the pool, I was attacked with water and was pushed into the pool. Holding my breath quickly before I went underwater. Quickly surfacing the water, I saw three figures above me, laughing.

"Omg! That was so funny." Alex laughed clutching his stomach. "Yeah, daddy we got you!" Jake said smiling. "Yeah!" Kieran giggled. I pouted. "Hey! No fair!" I said, making my way to the side. I hugged all three of their legs and pulled them into the pool, making a loud splash.

"Hey!" They all said, coming back up from the water. "That's what you get." I said, sticking my tongue out. I splashed the water in their faces and soon it started in a water fight in the pool. We were all laughing and smiling. Jake was on my shoulders and Kieran was on Alex's

"Okay boys, lunch is ready!" A voice called. We looked at the backdoor to see it was Alex's wife, Kate. She was smiling with a hand supporting her pregnant stomach.

"Mumma!" Kieran yelled, with the help of Alex he was able to get out of the pool. He ran up to Kate, letting her wrap the towel around his body. "Daddy! C'mon I'm hungry!" Moving eagerly on my shoulders, motioning me to get out of the pool already.

"Here Bub, don't want you to get sick and mess the floor don't we." I said, drying his body. "I love you daddy!" He said cuddling into my bare chest. I felt him smile against my skin, making my heart melt. "I love you more Jake." I said, kissing his forehead and hugged him close.

"Alright, let's eat guys." Kate said, placing a jug of water on the table next to the jug of Apple Juice. "Thank you." Jake smiled, as I place a slice of homemade pizza on his plate. "Welcome." I said ruffling his hair. As I was about to bit into the slice, the bell rang. "Excuse me." I groaned before getting up and making my way to the door.

I opened to door with a frown as I didn't get to eat yet only to smile brightly at the person behind the door. "Mum!" I said smiling, pulling her into my embrace. "Hello darling." She smiled. "Am I interrupting something?" She said referring to the chattering sound coming from inside the kitchen. " What. No Ma. Never. We're just having lunch. Come in, come in." I said moving to the side to grab her bags.

She smiled and walked in, leaving me to walk behind her. I set her bags at the bottom of the staircase and followed her to the kitchen. "Hello! Hello!" Mum smiled getting everyone's attention after walking into the room.

Kieran and Jake were the first to greet her as they got up from the table and ran to her. "Grandma Milly!" They said while going into their grandmothers embrace. "My grandbabies!" She smiled while hugging them.

"How are you?" She asked both of them. They both told her good while grinning. "That's good!" She said. They nodded and went back to their food. "Katherine! Oh god, you look so beautiful." She gasped. Kate went to get up but mum stopped her. "No, no. I'll come to you dear." She said. She made her way towards the table where Kate sat.

She bent down to hug Kate. "Hey Mama McCann." Kate greeted. "Are these lads treating you good?" Mum asked. "Of course!" Alex interrupted. "As if I'd let her do things she can't do." He added. "Hey mama." He kissed her cheek. "Yeah, of course! All of them have been helping me." Kate laughed. Mum nodded.

"Have a seat." Kate pointed to the seat. "Are you hungry?" She asked. Mum nodded. "Eat, I've made it." Kate smiled looking down at the pizza. Alex grabbed a plate and a glass from the kitchen for her. "Thanks love." Mum nodded at him. He nodded back and sat down and began to eat again.

"Daddy, can we go watch cartoons?" Jake asked from beside me. I looked down and saw him pouted along with Kieran doing the same. I nodded. "Only for 30 minutes, it's not good for your eyes." They groaned but nodded anyway making their way to the upstairs living room.

After finishing our lunch and washing the dishes and cups we went out to the back patio to talk more about how we've been and all. Trust me we had caught up on mostly everything. We've been sitting here for at least 4 hours talking and laughing. The boys were on the playground I had built for them. They were laughing and playing made up games from time to time.

Now I was watching Alex playing with the two boys while Kate stood by them laughing. I couldn't help but feel sad for Jake, he doesn't have two parents with him. I saw him frown abit looking at the three others hug. Before Kate opened her arm for Jake.

"So Jason..." Mum started getting my attention. "No significant other yet?" She asked, making me frown and shake my head. "No Ma. No one can't replace him." I sighed looking at the four now near by the pool.

"Jason, Jake will ask soon. 'Why don't I have a mummy or daddy?' He starting school soon." She said. I breathed. "I know." "Have you talked to him?" She asked. "No, not after the divorce." I said looking down at my lap. Mum scooted over and wrapped her arms around me. I leaned into her sighing. "I miss him ma. I still love him. I miss her. I miss my second baby. My baby girl." I let out a small sob. Mum place her chin on the top of my head. "I know. I know honey." She said rubbing my back.

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1118 words! -not edited-

Chapter 1 guys! Finally started. Sorry for the procrastination.

Jason's life...still misses Justin...

Justin's life next chapter.

💋S.