For the Love of a Child

Tad Martin reached above the refrigerator, grabbing a box of Frosted Flakes and bringing it over to the breakfast table. He poured a little bit into a bowl and sprinkled it with milk. He looked at the bowl for a moment before walking back over to the refrigerator and pulling out a handful of M&M's, popping a few in his mouth.

Tad sat down at the table as Dixie entered the kitchen with Junior. "Good morning," Dixie said, giving him a kiss. "Mmm. Tell me you didn't get into the candy again."

"Of course not," Tad smiled. "I'm naturally this sweet."

"OK, so that's not a complete lie." Dixie walked over to the cupboard to get a couple more bowls as Tad sprinkled the remaining M&M's on his cereal. He took a bite as Dixie turned around.

"That's disgusting." she said.

"What?" Tad said as Junior sat beside him. "It's good. Right, buddy?" Tad scooted the bowl over a bit.

"Tad, don't give that to him!" Dixie said pushing the bowl away.

"Why not, Dix?" Tad asked. "It's the breakfast of champions."

"Frosted Flakes and M&M's." she said, "He'll be on a sugar rush all day." Dixie looked down at Junior, who was reaching for the bowl.

"Don't eat that, sunshine." she said. "See what you did?" she asked Tad.

"Me?" Tad laughed. "Junior's just got good taste. Don't you, sport?"

"Please don't get him caught up on your crazy breakfast kicks," Dixie said. "He's only five years old, Tad."

"The age where your taste buds are at their peak," Tad said.

"Ah... he's a growing boy."

"And I want him growing up. Not out... like some people I know."

"Oww," Tad said. "Ouch. I think that was a shot. I happen to be in perfect shape."

"And what shape would that be, Tad?" Dixie laughed. "Round?"

"Hardy har har, Dix." Tad said.

Dixie smiled, walking around him and taking a seat on his knee. She rested her hand on his chest, gazing into his eyes. "Aww," she said.

"I happen to love that little pooch of yours."

"Oh, you do, huh?"

"How couldn't I? I love everything about you." She kissed him gently. "So... why don't you finish up your M&M Frosted Flakes so we can get the show on the road?"

"So I get to eat, but your poor son has to go without?"

"He likes those Pop Tart things. Right, Junior?" The little boy nodded. "At least it's healthier than what you want to give him."

"Alright, alright. I get it." Tad said, taking another bite of his cereal. "You should try this."

"That's quite alright." Dixie shook her head. "Why don't you run and get your hat, sweetie?" Junior jumped up from his seat and ran to the bedroom.

Tad put one of his arms around Dixie's waist, lifting up the spoon to her lips. "Open up, Dix." Tad laughed. Dixie pursed her lips tightly. "Come on. You know you want to try it." Dixie shook her head with a giggle. "Come on." Dixie laughed, grinning as Tad put the spoon down. She turned her head, gazing at him, a smile still on her face as she brought her hand up through Tad's hair and resting it on the back of his neck. She tilted her head in, kissing him gingerly. He smiled against her lips, cupping her cheeks in his hands, deepening the kiss slightly.

"Mommy?" Dixie quickly pulled away from Tad, turning towards her son. "This one?" He showed her a blue baseball cap.

"Yeah," Dixie said, clearing her throat. She stood. "Let's... get your Pop Tart and get going to the park." She looked at Tad. "Could you go..."

"Start the car, of course." Tad said, standing and grabbing the keys. Dixie handed Junior a Pop Tart, which he began taking nibbles of as they followed Tad to the car.

The ride to the park didn't take very long. Tad parked the car and helped Dixie get Junior out. The child was off in a flash.

"Wait for us, Junior!" Dixie said as the little boy walked a few feet in front of them. He slowed down, extending his hand up, not to Dixie, but to Tad, who took it willingly. They entered the park and Tad and Dixie set up a blanket on the grass as Junior ran off to play with the other children, well in viewing distance.

Dixie sprawled out on the blanket, putting on her sunglasses, her head resting in Tad's lap. "It's so beautiful today," she said as Tad ran his fingers through her hair. She turned her head to the side, glancing over at Junior, who was playing on the swings.

"Mmhm," Tad said, "You just have a way of picking the perfect days to go park hopping."

"It's a girl thing." she smiled, looking back up at him.

"Is that right?" he laughed. "So if I were to pick a day, what?"

"It would have probably rained." Dixie smiled, sticking her tongue out at him. "Your weather sense is just like your breakfast sense."

"Oh, here we go with the cereal thing again." he said. "Look, let's just forget about those sugar coated flakes and focus on something a little more important."

"And what's that?" she smiled.

Tad bent down and kissed her. Dixie threw her hand back, behind Tad's neck and continued the kiss. She smiled as he slowly pulled away.

"OK," she said. "That was more important." Dixie turned her head towards the swings. "Where's Junior?" she asked. Tad looked over and didn't see him. Dixie shot up. "Where's Junior?" she asked Tad.

Tad and Dixie stood, walking over to the swings. "Junior!" Tad called. Dixie was frantic, checking every piece of playground equipment. "Junior!"

"Oh, my God!" Dixie said. "Junior! Junior where are you?"

Tad walked over to Dixie, trying to calm her. "Maybe he just wandered off."

Dixie shook her head. "No," she said. "Junior!" She continued to look around, returning to the swings. "Tad," she said, bending down and picking up a tiny blue baseball cap. "Oh my God, Tad." Tad approached her. "His hat. He was wearing this... he was... Junior!" she called again. "Oh, my God, he's gone. Tad we've got to do something! Find him!" Dixie clutched his shirt. "Find him!" She collapsed in his arms. "Find him, Tad! Junior!"