Tough as Nails

Chapter 43

                                                                  

                                                                               FIVE YEARS LATER

    "Tucker, I hope your ready.  Kade will be here soon."  I yelled to my four year old son from the kitchen.  He was watching some fishing show in the living room.  

    "I am, mommy.  I'm learning how to catch more fish than Kade this time."  He giggled.  

    "Is Bill Dance teaching you anything you don't know?"  I said  referring to the guy he was watching on the television. 

    "Yeah, I need a spinner bait."  He stared up at me with his fathers brown eyes.  He was the spitting image of  his father.  He was like Gauge in so many ways.  He was the smartest, most caring four year old I had ever met.  

    "Well, I guess we will have to go shopping for spinner bait before you go next time."  I beamed at him.  Earning a smile in return.  

    I went back to cleaning up the kitchen, clearing the breakfast dishes from the table.  I turned on my radio turning it up loud.  I began dancing when I heard Tucker's little footsteps running toward me.  He grabbed my hands as he shook his hips.  I threw my head back in laughter.

    "Good dancing there, Tucker-tott."  Kade said getting our attention.  He was leaning against the kitchen chair.  Tucker ran to him giving him a hug then came back to dance with me some more.

    A slow song came on the radio causing Tucker to stop and stick out his tongue.  He pushed me to Kade.

    "It's a love song, yuck! You dance with mommy while I  get my tuff."  Tucker instructed us.  We just stood there staring at each other.  Tucker put Kade's hands on my hips.  "Like this silly.  Now shake like this."  He said shaking his little hips slow.  Causing us to laugh. " Ahhgg! Show him how, mommy."  Tucker walked off shaking his head.  He turned around to check on us.  "Dance, guys."

    "Okay, Okay!  We're dancing."  I laughed putting my arms around his neck.  "He's kind of bossy."  I joked.  Kade had been staring at me the whole time.  He had a serious look on his face.  "What?" I asked.

    "Your so beautiful."  He said tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Tucker walked back into the room carrying his backpack.  "Tucker, isn't your mommy beautiful?"

    "Duh, she's my mommy."  He giggled.

    "Do you think mommy should come with us today?"

    "Yeah, mommy!  Will you?"  Tucker jumped up and down.

    "Sure, I guess.  Can I have a minute to get dressed?"

    "Yes!"  Tucker squealed hugging Kade.  

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    Tucker was sitting on Kade's lap fishing on the front deck of the boat.  I was laying on the back deck working on my tan reading a book.  Tucker was giggling at something Kade did.  I loved watching them together.  Kade loved Tucker like his own, and Tucker loved him.  

    "Kade?"

    "Yeah, Tucker-tott?"

    "Can you be my dad?"  Tucker asked catching him off guard.  My heart dropped to my stomach.