The next weekend Sam brought the boys over to Jack. It was a sunny day, perfect for their project. As soon as Sam's car stopped the boys got out and pounded on Jack's door. They were in his arms long before Sam caught up with them.
When he saw her he just had to whistle through his teeth.
"Hey!" She greeted him, blushing a little, and he immediately took the overnight bags of the boys from her.
"Hey, you're looking really nice today."
She wore a light blue summer dress adorned with a delicate white floral pattern, which beautifully accentuated her curves shaped by pregnancy. The soft fabric draped elegantly around her figure. Each movement she made caused the gentle flowers to come to life, embodying a sense of warmth and joy that matched the season perfectly.
"Thank you, I'm going to meet Cassie at the mall today, doing some girl stuff, you know."
"That's great, do you want a drink before you leave? I could make us some tea."
"If you don't mind."
"Why would I? Come on in."
He let her step in and closed the door behind her. The boys had already gone outside to look at the material of which they would build the sandbox.
"They counted the days, you know. They could hardly wait for their stay at uncle Jack's. Seriously, I've heard nothing but this in the last week until I too was looking forward to it so they would stop asking if it's time to go." She told him and he handed her the cup.
"I was looking forward to it too. It's been too long since they have been here for a sleepover. I'm curious how this whole sandbox thing will turn out, but I promise you'll get them back with all ten fingers still attached to their hands."
She giggled, picturing him teaching the boys to use the tools. This they wouldn't have learned from Pete, no, in their marriage she was the one doing all the repair that needed to be done and she was glad that with Jack they have someone male to teach them this kind of stuff.
"Of that I have no doubt."
They took a seat outside when Alex approached them.
"Mum, why are you still here?"
"You haven't said goodbye to me so far, have you? And Jack offered me something to drink, but don't worry, I won't stay. I'm meeting Cassie in half an hour, so I won't be here long and you'll have Jack all on your own."
"Sorry mum, I didn't mean it to sound like that. I was just surprised."
"Uncle Jack!!" Ben shouted from the far end of the yard. "When can we start?"
Jack smiled at those two eager little boys.
"When you have come to say goodbye to your mum. Let her finish her tea and then you can kiss her goodbye, alright?"
"Oookay!"
Alex joined Ben again to play while the adults finished their drink.
"You can come over tomorrow and have lunch with us. I thought about pasta bolognese." He offered.
"I'd love that, thank you."
Not long and Sam was gone, only the boys were left and ready to work.
"Okay, first of all we need work gloves, to make sure we don't catch a splinter."
He handed them the little gloves he got for them. They proudly put them on.
The two listened intently as Jack explained how they would construct the sandbox, detailing the materials needed and what they could do to lend a hand.
Ben was assigned the task of gathering the screws, while Alex was eager to operate the drill with Jack's help. Together, they carefully positioned one wooden board after another, watching in anticipation as the sandbox slowly took shape before their eyes.
Each step of the process filled them with excitement and purpose, as they transformed a tangible structure, ready to become a centerpiece for countless hours of play.
"Wow guys, that's going faster than I thought. With a bit of luck we can fill it with the sand before the sun is down. Why don't we take a break, huh? Are you hungry yet?"
"Can we have some lemon juice?"
"Of course you can, Ben. You're in for some hot dogs, too?"
The little boy nodded and Alex's stomach began to rumble.
"Yes, I think I'm hungry." Alex giggled.
The boys made themselves comfortable in Jack's hammock until the food was ready. Behind the grill Jack observed them closely and thought back to when Charlie was this little. He still missed his boy and appreciated having Ben and Alex around even more though.
Setting the hot dogs onto the table he called for them and when they were arguing who was going to sit next to Jack, he made sure they all fit next to each other on the bench.
Alex to his left and Ben to his right side, so he was able to help both of them prepare their hot dog.
When they were finished Jack only had to refill Ben's cup twice, because the boy would eat and talk with his hands waving all around, knocking the cup over and Alex's face looked like he had bathed in ketchup and honestly Jack loved it.
"Let's get you cleaned up and you can help me fill in the sand."
"Yeah!!!!!" Loud cheering filled his backyard and he joined the laughter.
They needed a little wheelbarrow to bring the sand from where Jack kept it to the box. Alex was the first one to shovel the sand in it and Ben brought it over where they dumped it both in together. After a few repeats they switched places and Alex got to roll the wheelbarrow. When he sensed that they were getting tired Jack took over and they had built and set up the sandbox in just one day.
"Do we still get to sleep here, uncle Jack?" Alex asked.
"Of course you do, why should you?"
"You said that we might need two days to build it so we should stay, but we've got it done today."
"Oh Alex, you don't need a reason to sleep here other than to want to sleep here. I won't let you go home now, I have way too much fun to end this now." He smiled as he sat next to Alex on the edge of the sandbox. "Besides we had no time to play, we just did the work today. We need to build a sandcastle and other stuff, you know, test it out."
Ben, who sat in the middle of the sand, looked up, one little shovel in his hand and a mold in the other. Jack couldn't hide a smirk.
"Alright buddy, I'll get some water, the sand will stick together better when it's a little wet."
"I'll go and get it."
Alex jumped up and grabbed a bucket to carry the water over. It took them over an hour, but they built a big castle together that was surrounded by a moat that they actually filled with water. Jack had to take a photo to show it to Sam as they weren't sure it would last till the next day.
"Should I set up the fireplace to roast the twisted bread?" Jack asked as it began to dawn.
"It's warm outside at night, right Jack?" Alex asked him.
"Yes it is, Alex. That's why we can sit by the fire and eat outside."
"Do you think we can sleep outside?"
"You want to sleep in the backyard?"
Jack had done this with Alex before, sleeping in a tent, but not with Ben. And as soon as the younger one heard his brother's request, he was all game.
"Oh please uncle Jack. I've never slept outside!"
He looked up in the sky, it was still light and he knew he could set up a tent with his eyes closed.
"Okay! We can do that, but we need to do this now before it gets dark. Afterwards we light up the fire."
And again excited shouting filled his backyard, to add to that the boys were bouncing around him.
Jack had everything ready and sat up in no time. Now he was helping them not to drop the stick into the fire so that the bread won't get burned. He watched Ben when his eyes dropped close and he had trouble staying awake.
"Why don't you guys go inside and get changed. I'll put out the fire and come to brush your teeth."
When Jack entered his home he heard the boys happily chat with each other preparing their toothbrushes, a towel lying on the floor, water was still running and a bit of the toothpaste was smeared next to the sink. His bathroom was a mess, but it was filled with laughter. He wanted this, every day, so desperately.
When all the teeth were brushed and the dirt of the day was washed away they took their bedding and moved to the tent.
They wanted Jack to lie between them so they each could snuggle up on one side of him. He gladly put his arms around them and directed their heads to lie on his chest.
"That was a fun day, Jack!" Ben yawned.
"It was, thanks for all your help. Without you two it would have taken me days."
Alex giggled, and then he moved up a bit to kiss Jack goodnight. "Thanks Jack, and tomorrow we can show it to mum."
"She will make eyes, you'll see."
So the two fell asleep, snuggled up close to Jack, save in his arms.
Sam on the other hand met with Cassie at the mall. While she had kept most of her maternity clothes after Alex she had not much left after Ben. There wasn't a plan for baby no.3 so she had given away most of her clothes after Ben was born. Now she took the opportunity while with Cassie to shop for new clothes that her belly fits into.
While she tried on several clothes, Cassie kept bringing more for her to try.
"God Sam, were you this huge already with Alex and Ben? I mean, you're what, 20 weeks along?"
"21 weeks now. And no, I wasn't. It was a bit more with Ben, but let me tell you, a third time pregnancy will let you explode even sooner. The stomach muscles have already been stretched, so ist easier to expand." She rolled her eyes to reinforce her displeasure.
"Oh Sam, you're beautiful, don't ever think otherwise." She hugged the woman that was like a mother to her and placed her hand softly on her belly. "I really can't wait to experience this myself. It's so cool to be able to grow a baby."
"Are you trying to tell me something?"
"Oh no, not yet, Sam. However I have met a nice guy, we've been dating for a few weeks now. Well, let's find some beautiful clothes for you and then we can grab a coffee, I'll tell you all about him then."
It took them a while, but Sam found everything she needed. Packed with a lot of bags they made their way to a small café.
"So, spill it, who is he?" Sam was curious by now, unconsciously she continued to stir the coffee cup with the spoon.
"John, he's a doctor at the hospital too. A pediatrician. He's five years older than me and has also not a lot of family left. Only his sister and his dad."
"Five years, huh?"
"That's not much. I mean, I know Pete was around your age, but let's face it. Jack is way older and you don't consider him too old for you, are you?"
When Sam hesitated to answer Cassie realized what she had said.
"Oh god, I'm sorry Sam. I shouldn't have brought this up. Sorry!"
"I was just thinking, didn't mean anything by mentioning the age difference. Don't worry, Cass. I'm fine, it's been a while now. I really loved Pete and I dearly miss him, but you of all people know how I feel about Jack. And no, I don't consider him too old." A slight smile appeared on her face. "Maybe one day there's still a chance for us. If he's willing to go for a single mum with three young kids."
"Sam, of course he will. It's Jack we're talking about. And he'll wait until you're ready." She put her hand on Sam's arm to show her her support.
"Sometimes I just think it's not fair to let him wait. I'm just not ready now. All those mixed up hormones aren't making things easier. Especially not while I'm in the horny stage of pregnancy. God, that's not something I should discuss with you."
Cassandra laughed out loud, she could imagine Sam's misery.
"I'm a grown up, Sam. I like to think we can discuss such topics. And let me tell you, John's definitely not lacking in this department."
Now it was Sam's turn to laugh. "I'm glad for you, Cassie. Don't let Jack hear you talking like that. You're still his little girl. You're careful though, right?"
"Yes, I am. But with him, it feels like coming home. I'm in love, Sam!" Cassie was beaming from ear to ear.
"I can't wait to meet this wonderful man that turned your head."
"You will, I promise."
After that they did some baby shopping, shopping for a girl this time was new and exciting. Cassie went looking for some books and after dinner they separated. Cass went to meet John and Sam had a date with an old movie and her couch.
She nestled comfortable on said couch with a cup of ice cream and enjoyed her evening alone. It was rare that she had the opportunity to be on her own. As much as she loved her boys, from time to time she needed a break. But she couldn't not think of them. Wondering what her boys and Jack were doing. And as she leaned back to relax she felt it for the first time. Her baby girl was moving. It's still too early to feel it from the outside, but inside of her it felt like butterflies fluttering around.
Her hand automatically wandered towards her belly, drawing soft circles over it.
She couldn't wait until the boys would be able to feel their sister move.
She quickly texted Jack to see if everything was alright and smiled when she saw his answer.
We're fine. The boys decided to camp outside. I thought I retired so I didn't need to sleep in a tent outside, how wrong I was :) they're both fast asleep, cuddled up on either side of me. Good night to you, too. Go to bed, Sam!