When the Past Becomes the Future

Park Benches and Fire Trucks

Brian stood outside the entrance to the playground. He took the redeye flight home late last night to make sure he was home for the afternoon. After two shows last night he was pretty tired but Jules had texted him and said they were going to be playing at the park before lunch and he could join if he was around.

He paced back and forth waiting for them. The park wasn't far from him house so he decided to skip the car and walk over. Jimmy had called him earlier and was harping on the fact that Brian hadn't told his parents about their mysterious grandson. Brian assured his brother that he would be telling them soon but he just wanted to figure out a plan before dropping a huge bomb on them. In frustration Jimmy ended the call because even though it was a sucky situation for Brian, it effected the rest of the family as well.

After waiting for several minutes, Brian finally saw figures walking towards him that resembled Juliette and Levi. A bit of relief came over Brian when it seemed like they were alone. He wasn't in the mood to play nice with Juliette's boyfriend. Even though Brian kept telling himself the guy wasn't a threat and hadn't done anything wrong, he didn't care for David at all.

As they got closer walking up the gravel path, Levi let go of his mother's hand and ran off towards Brian. "Hi Brian!" He shouted.

"Sup Bud?!" Brian greeted with a huge smile on his face. When Levi's little legs finally reached Brian, the man put his hand out for a casual high five. Levi jumped to slap his hand as he giggled. "Mommy said you would be here!"

"Here I am!" Brian smiled.

"Woah cool park!" Levi said looking past Brian at the play structure behind them.

"Go play baby." Juliette told her son as she caught up to him and his father. She didn't have to tell him twice because Levi was quickly taking off for the slides. Juliette took a deep breath in and looked up to Brian, "Thanks for coming. He was really excited when I told him."

"Of course. Sorry I was out of town the last couple days or I would have saw him sooner." He responded as he led them over to a bench close by so they could keep an eye on their son. Brian smiled as he watched Levi find a friend and run around with the other little boy. He could hear him talking, "Ok let's be dragons!" Levi said to the kid. "High up on this rock looking down on town!"

Brian couldn't help but laugh as he watch Levi play, "He sure has a big imagination." He said to Juliette.

"Oh my God, you have no idea!" She said joining in on the laughter. Their son was so full of life and was constantly pretending to be all these different characters. They were silent for a moment, the tension was starting to feel awkward, the lost years starting to be remembered and putting a black cloud over the mood. "So..." Juliette started, "TV huh?"

"Yeah..." Brian answered letting out a sigh, "Kinda just fell into it. Definitely wasn't part of any plan I had."

"Well you're definitely good at it." She complimented.

"Really not that hard, just acting like a jackass on television, anyone can do it." Brian responded.

"Don't sell yourself short, it's a really good show." Juliette insisted.

"Does they mean you've watched it?" He asked raising his eyebrow and glancing at her from the corner of his eye with a smirk on his face.

"I may or may not watch it every week." She smiled back. Brian knew he shouldn't have done it but his naturally flirty instincts towards her so many years ago kicked in and he winked at her as he bit down on the corner of his lip.

Juliette's entire body went hot when she saw the look that this man used to give her so many years ago. She knew it was wrong but her mind suddenly flashed back thinking of all the times she got that look from him and how it used to cause her to pounce on him no matter where they were.