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2

"Daddy, when are we going to the beach!?" My four year old son Justin asks.

"Soon. We need to eat breakfast first. Go find your brother and tell him it's time to eat, please." I say sending him off to find my youngest son Austin.

Just when I go to set up breakfast for the boys, someone knocks at my door catching me off guard.

Justin and Austin come running back downstairs and head straight for the table to their plates of pancakes and eggs.

I open the door to see Mitch standing before me.

"Hey...Long time no see, stranger." Mitch says with a small smile.

I quickly take him in for a hug.

"I've missed you so much, Mitchie." I whisper in his ear.

"You're gonna make me cry! Then I'll have to dab my wetties!" 

We both start laughing and I invite him in to meet the boys.

Mitch looked shocked to see two smaller versions of me sitting at my dining room table eating and playing with legos.

He stares at them speechless for a few seconds, then looks back to me for answers.

"Are those..."

"Yup. Those are my boys Justin and Austin."

"Where is your-"

"Ran off right after Austin was born. Didn't want to be a parent I guess."

Then both boys turn around and wave at Mitch and I.

Mitch waves back and walks over to them.

"Wow...They have your blonde hair and blue eyes...It's like looking at two mini you's!" Mitch says.

"Who is he, Daddy?" Justin asks.

"This is your Uncle Mitchie. He came by for a surprise visit." I explain.

Justin nods and begins to eat his food again.

Austin gives Mitch a small smile and turns back around quietly.

"Austin is the quiet one. Never really says more than two words." I say.

We walk over to the counter in the kitchen for coffee and to catch up since we haven't seen each other in about ten years.

"What's up? Why the surprise visit?" I ask.

Mitch then pulls out a letter from his jacket and hands it to me to read.

I quickly scan through it and look back up at Mitch.

"I was going to go, but only if you come with me." He says.

"Mitch, I don't know...This is today and I don't know if I can have someone watch the boys on such short notice."

Mitch goes silent for a moment before looking back up at me.

"My boyfriend Beau can watch them! The kids would love him and he'll even take them wherever their little hearts desire." Mitch says.

I look over at the boys playing at the table and then back at Mitch, who has a hopeful look on his face that I'll say yes to his plan.

"Boys, Uncle Mitchie and I have to go somewhere today. Would you like Uncle Mitchie's friend to take you to the beach instead?" I ask.

They both cheer yes and it brings a large smile to Mitch's face.

"Great! I'll get their beach stuff packed and meet you guys at the car!" Mitch says standing up.

I nod and tell him which room is the boys room and get Justin and Austin cleaned up for the day.

As I clear off the table from the boys breakfast, all I could think about is why Esther wants to see us all these years later.

Something has to be going on.

Something with Kirstie.