Dream Daddy: Life With Craig

Family Morning Jog

Once we were all done with breakfast, we all go get changed and get ready for our daily family jog. I throw on a red shirt with some black shorts while Craig has on his usual blue shirt and his gray sweatpants. He also has River strapped to his chest, as per usual. 

We head back down to living room and wait for the twins. Shortly, they come down. Briar dressed in a pink shirt with white leggings while Hazel sports a purple shirt and black leggings with white polka dots on them.

"Are we all ready to go?" Craig asks, making sure River is strapped in tightly.

"Yeah I think so. You got the water bottles right dad?" Briar asks, looking at me.

I nod and hold up a small bag that contains four fully filled water bottles. Craig leans over and gives me a kiss.

"I've made an excellent runner out of you these last 4 months huh?" he says.

I kiss him back and smile.

"Yeah you really have. I never used to run or even jog this often. You've really changed me for the better. Thank you for that." I reply. 

Craig gives me a warm smile then claps his hands.

"Okay! Let's go!" he says.

We all walk outside to the sidewalk. Briar and Hazel get in front of me and Craig as they always do. Craig gives the signal and we all begin to jog.

About ten minutes into the jog we stop because we see Brian, another dad that lives near by outside with his dog Maxwell. The girls immediately go pet and play with him while me and Craig talk with Brian.

"Out on your morning jog again?" Brian asks.

"Yup. We do it every morning after breakfast." Craig responds back.

"You even got Derek to jog. Great job by the way Derek, you're looking amazing." Brian remarks.

I smile.

"Thanks."  

After another ten minutes, we say bye to Brian and resume our jog. Within fifteen we reach the park only to find yet another dad we know, Joseph there with this twins and oldest son. He spots us and comes over, leaving his kids to play. 

"Hey guys!" he says.

I take out the water bottles and pass them out then give a small wave. Craig cracks his bottle open and takes a sip before speaking. The girls wave, take a few sips of water then run off to play.

"Morning Joseph." Craig replies. 

"Good morning." I say. 

"Lovely morning for a jog, isn't it?" Joseph says, looking up at the clear blue sky,

Me and Craig both nod and look at each other. Joseph was one of those guys who are kind of annoying to be around, but we tolerate him. And not to mention his kids are so anti-social. Briar and Hazel have tried countless times to get them to play, but they won't. 

I look over to see Hazel hanging upside down on the monkey bars.

"Hazel please be careful, we don't need another trip to the Emergency Room again this week with you!" I yell out.

Hazel gives me an upside down thumbs up and carefully gets down with a smile. I smile back and turn my attention back to Craig and Joseph, who are talking about boats for some reason. 

"You'll have to come out on my boat sometime, I'm sure the twins would love it." Joseph says, looking between me and Craig.

"I don't know dude, Briar is easily motion sick, not just sea sick. She one time threw up cause I was spinning her in a circle when she was little." Craig responds.

"Oh, what a shame. Well what about you two? And baby River?" Joseph asks.

Craig and I exchange looks. We really don't wanna spend more time with Joseph if we don't have too. We stand in silence.

"We'll have to think about it." I say, breaking the awkward silence. 

"Alright, well I better get the kids home and get ready for Church." Joseph says, fixing his shirt.

We nod and say our good byes. We sit down on a bench and watch the girls play. After about an hour, we head back home.