Disclaimer: I don't own the MBS

Sorry for the late update, life has been pretty hectic lately. I'll try to get the next one out quicker. But anyway it's good to know that some people are at least following this story, thanks for that!

Reply to: indecisivelife (just in case they didn't see it in the reviews)

No way, don't think I don't want to finish this story. Honestly, I probably just needed the reminder to get me focused again. lol Anyway, thanks again. And as for how many chapters... Not really sure just yet, but I'd guess around 10 to 15. Thanks!

Chapter 3 (Reynie's POV)

I loved sunny days. At least now I did. I didn't always enjoy them because mostly no one could feel bad about sitting inside and reading if it were rainy. I didn't really want to feel like I was missing out on something I should have been doing if the weather was sunny. The children at my orphanage were just the opposite, they seemed to hate the rain. But what I hated was the sound of a sunny day passing me by. I guess back then I used to feel like most of my days were passing me by. But when I compared myself to all the other children playing outside on nice days I couldn't help but feel that way.

But now I loved sunny days…

"Hey Reynie!"

I admit I jumped a little at the sudden sound of her voice, but looking up I smiled gently. Kate was hanging upside down from a low branch of the tree we had been picnicking under. She grinned back at me. "A little jumpy huh? Or were you spacing out again like usual?"

I frowned suddenly as I nodded. "Yes, sorry about that."

Kate just laughed as she lowered herself down from the limb and onto her hands, before flipping back onto her feet. "No need to look so serious Reynie, I was only kidding around with you." She said as she plopped down next to me and elbowed my side. Then grinning down at Amy, who was sitting in my lap, she offered her index finger for her to hold onto. Amy reached to wrap her small hand around Kate's finger before giving into a laugh that mirrored her mother's cheer.

"Ah see that Reynie," Kate said looking back up at me. "I think she agrees with me." Then focusing on Amy again she smiled. "You're on my side right kiddo?" Amy laughed again as if to confirm that she was.

Which just made Kate beam wider. "Well good, because it'll take the both of us to get daddy to lighten up."

I just smiled a little bashfully. How did Kate know me so well? It was almost like she could instantly tell anytime my mind started to drift to the past. Drift back to the painfully spots that really didn't matter anymore. I knew she was right, I knew this was all that mattered now.

Hugging Amy a little tighter I smiled softly down at her. "Well, I'm pleased you're concerned about me." With one hand still coiled around Kate's finger, and the other partly inside her mouth, she stared up at me. She had my hair, which was mostly the color of the browned leaves left over just as winter began. But her eyes were as bright and blue as the sky on those days I used to dread. They were unquestionably Kate's eyes. And looking into them filled me with the same awe. The same wonder that they were really looking back at me.

Leaning down I kissed Amy's forehead lightly which caused her to break into more fits of laughter. Then focusing on something beyond me, she kept staring up into the tree above us. Looking up I saw a squirrel staring back at the three of us. Then as if forgetting we were there, it began devouring a tiny acorn it held firmly within its grasp. Looking back down I noticed Amy's eyes grow wider as she stared in amazement. Kate looked up at the squirrel and then back down at Amy with a laugh.

"They're sure cute, but take it from me Aims, catching those critters is near impossible!"

I looked over at Kate a little amused. "You tried to catch a squirrel?" I wasn't sure why I was surprised, but I couldn't hold back the grin regardless.

She frowned playfully before shrugging her shoulders. "What can I say Reynie, they were after my apples." Then jerking a thumb above us she nodded. "It's a little-known fact that those fuzzy beasts don't just eat nuts."

"How did it go?" I asked; the smile still on my face.

Kate rubbed her chin as she seemed to be recalling the tale. "Well let's just say he wanted apple pie a little more than I did. So in the end, I decided to just call it a truce and let him have his 'spoils of war.' But," she emphasized. "It wasn't like I couldn't have taken him and won, but when his whole mob of friends got involved well…"

I chuckled a little as I smiled over at Kate. "Naturally."

She frowned playfully again before elbowing me harder. "Well aren't we smug Reynie Muldoon!"

I laughed again as I imagined how the scene must have gone. Looking over at her I felt my grin grow wider. "I think I know what I want to get you for our anniversary now."

"Oh really?" Kate asked raising an eyebrow. "Well, as long as it isn't covered in fur and has a taste for apples I'll like it I guess."

Then she gave me a stern look that tried to convey just how unacceptable it would be to have a squirrel in the house. But that just made me laugh harder as the perfect gift took shape in my mind. I thought I knew just what it should be…

Reaching to pick up Amy from my lap and sit her on her own, Kate winked down at our daughter. "We have something in mind for daddy too, don't we Aims?" Amy smiled before returning to sucking on her fingers.

"And it's gonna be a doozy I can tell you that." Then looking up at me she narrowed her eyes. "But it's a secret, so don't even try to weasel it out of us Reynie."

I nodded with as much playfully sincerity as I could manage. "Of course."

She nodded back. "Good. I-" But before Kate could finish Amy made an excited, though incomprehensible, sound as she pointed up at the tree again.

"Well look at that…" Kate said with a low whistle as we both looked up to noticed the smaller squirrel sitting close by the first. "It looks like the babies are starting to leave the nest." And she was right because within the next few moments another baby squirrel appeared from a higher branch. Tilting my head farther back I could make out what appeared to be the nest on a top limb.

"Sure sign of spring huh Reynie?" Kate said with a smiling glance over at me.

I nodded. "Yes…" It was spring… From the sweet scents lingering in the air to the new buds and blossoms appearing everywhere. Everything was new again, as if for the first time. Slowly I looked over at Amy as I studied her small face. It was almost hard to imagine that one day she'd be taking her first steps into the world too. Into the world without Kate and I beside her. I couldn't help the pang that rippled out inside my chest just at the thought. I was glad that was still so far away… But mostly I felt more determined than ever shield her from all the things my own childhood had been filled with.

I never wanted her to feel lonely, or isolated or different. But even so… Even so I knew I couldn't protect her from everything that could ever hurt her. In spite of the fact that I wanted to do that more than anything else… But I thought that maybe the greatest love a parent could show wasn't simply in being able to shield, but in being able to support… In being there beside her through the good and the bad.

Scooting a little closer beside then I reached to wrap an arm around Kate's shoulders as I looked back at Amy. Maybe all those thoughts were showing on my face because Kate looked over at me just then. It was a softer look, a look I'd seen before, but would never forget. Then with so much hope and certainly lingering in her voice she spoke.

"It'll be alright Reynie, that's a promise…"

I just looked at her wordlessly for a moment or two before I nodded slowly with a smile. Because I knew it would be… It was a promise. A promise made by someone greater than either of us so… So I decided to trust in just that.

Whatever came, we would be alright…

"Now," Kate said as she reached into a half-filled bag of popcorn left over from lunch. "I'll do my part to honor the truce." Tossing a few handfuls of popcorn we watched and waited until the baby squirrels hesitantly crept down the tree and decided to trust us enough to eat from a distance.

It was an average day in Stonetown park, but I still knew I'd never forget that afternoon. Or any of the ones to come.

Because after all…

I loved sunny days.

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