"Aw, come on. I thought I was going to beat you. Redo?"
Maybe I should give them a moment together alone, since she's been so quiet. I head back to the bench and sit down with his parents. They are both on their phones, not paying any attention, which scares me because what if we weren't good people.
"He seems like a wonderful kid. You guys are doing a great job with him," I say.
"It's the sixty-thousand dollars a year private school. Does wonders with kids and their grades," Mitchell replies, not even bothering to look up.
So instead, I focus my attention on them, running around the playground, chasing each other, and laughing. It's a sentiment to what life could be like if we didn't give him up all those years ago, and how our daily lives would be.
Things aren't as they should be, but at least we have him in our lives now.
I get up and leave them to their own devices and join Jake and Hazel back on the playground. We run around, chase each other for a while, having a good time, until the Kaser's approach us and let us know it's time to get Jake home.
"Am I going to see you again?" he asks.
I look over at his parents. "Yes."
Of course, I don't want to say it's up to your parents, because that seems like I'm putting the pressure on them, and don't want them to get upset.
Jake wraps his arms around my torso, and then Hazel's, and his parents shuffle him off as he waves to us.
"I wish we had more time," I say. "It'll be easier for you. Living close."
We leave the park and go back to the house to hope they continue to let us see him.
"I know we leave for Texas soon, and my brothers deserve to know. They might be pissed at you for a while, in all honesty. Just want to forewarn you."
Things are going to be rough once I tell them, but I won't let them talk ill of Hazel for her decision.
We make our way upstairs to repack our bags, and head to the airport to catch our flight back to Dallas. There are so many things I need to get straightened out to be the best dad for him I can be. I need to focus on those things first.
***
Once back in Texas, the first stop is to Damon's house because he is having a dinner to thank Liam for watching Emily while they were gone on their honeymoon. The whole plane ride I mulled over exactly what to say when I tell them, and it doesn't matter how. Either way, they are going to be upset with me. As we get closer, the nervousness sets in, and Hazel takes my hand.
"Listen, who cares what they think. All that matters is that Jake is in our lives now. Remember that."
I park in the driveway, and knock on the red door.
"What are you doing here? Thought you wouldn't be back until tomorrow?" Damon asks.
"Nope, just got in. Heard you are making dinner. Care to have two more?"
He smiles, and opens the door wide for us to go inside. My brother loves cooking for people so it's unlike him to say no.
As we make it to the kitchen, Liam and Harper are drinking a beer, while Tessa is preparing our meal.
"So, I have something to tell you and would rather do it now," I say, grabbing Hazel's hand. "I have a eight year old son named Jake."
Damon and Liam glance at each other, and then back at me.
"What do you mean? How is that possible?" Damon asks.
"Hazel found out she was pregnant right after Graduation and we gave it up for adoption. However, we reached out to the parents and they let us meet him today."
Liam slams his beer down and gets up from the barstool. "You've kept this a secret all these years? How could you?"
I become defensive. "We did what was best for Jake at the time. Instead of being pissed, why don't you ask about him?"