Melissa ran around the lush green grass of the backyard, her arms outstretched to the little blond haired boy giggling as he ran from her. Nick walked out onto the deck, a little girl one year younger than the boy in his arms, her face resting against his shoulder as she sucked her thumb. Little blond ringlets fell onto her face as two piercing green eyes looked out at Melissa and the boy.
"Bastian!!! Come here!!!" Melissa said with a smile as she finally caught up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, picking him up. "Sebastian Oliver Carter!!" she said with a laugh as she lifted him over her head, his peals of laughter filling the yard. Nick walked over with a smile.
"Mackenzie was asking for you sweetie…" he said softly as Melissa put Sebastian back down.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Melissa asked as she took the little girl in her arms.
"My tummy hurts, Mommy…" the little girl said as she buried her face in Melissa's shoulder.
"Ok….we'll go get you some medicine," Melissa said as she pressed a kiss to her daughter's hair. "Nick…watch Bastian…"
"I will, love…" he said as he gently kissed her lips and then ran after the little troublemaker.
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