Little Jack reached down and scooped up a handful of gravel from the street. He slowly let the pieces fall through his fingers as he watched them hit the ground. He wiped the dust off of his hands with satisfaction and wrapped his fist around his momma's finger. He stepped once and jumped into a puddle with both feet.
"Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed with a laugh, looking at her muddy skirt. He giggled and jumped again.
"Oh, my goodness! Look at Momma's skirt!"
"I sorry, Momma!"
"It's okay, sweetheart," she laughed, looking down at him. "Oh, look who it is!" she said, as she stroked her little boy's hair. Jack popped his head up to see where Elizabeth was looking. He followed her gaze to see him coming toward them, jacket slung over his shoulder.
"Lucas!" Jack yelled, and he took off running with his mouth in an open grin. His little fists moved back and forth in his own clumsy rhythm. Lucas threw his jacket on the ground in order to free his hands to receive the tackle that was coming straight for him. He squatted down and braced for impact. Jack threw himself into Lucas' wide arms.
"Ohhhh," Lucas grunted dramatically, amusing the toddler. "There's my boy!" He tossed him up and moved him to his hip. He fixed Jack's crooked vest and tipped his hat. "How's my buddy today, hmm?" Jack giggled and grabbed his hat, holding it high in the air. Lucas pretended to reach for it, but tickled his belly instead. Jack pulled his arms down quickly, covering his tummy and laughing, burying his face into Lucas' chest. The closeness reminded Jack just how sleepy he had been, and he turned his face to see his momma with a long blink, keeping one cheek on Lucas' shoulder. Elizabeth was making her way toward them, smiling with a sigh.
"You two!" she said, as she approached her gentlemen with haste, picking up Lucas' jacket. Lucas reached his free arm out to her, and she gladly accepted, fitting her body into the open space he offered her. She wrinkled her nose at Jack, who was eye-level with her in Lucas' arms, and she kissed his tiny fingers. She laid her hand on his soft, blonde locks, and she looked up at Lucas.
"Hi."
"Hello." He kissed her on her forehead as she closed her eyes, engulfed in immense peace and joy.
"Shall we go and make some dinner?" suggested Lucas.
"Yes." responded Elizabeth, with wide eyes and a smile. He slipped his hand down her arm and entangled his fingers with hers. They turned and walked away as the little boy drifted off to sleep in Lucas' safe arms.