Page 21 of His Challenge

A sharp squeal has both of us sitting up in our lounge chairs. Mel has her head tossed back, laughing as she picks up her wailing son whose blond hair is now wet from the waves.

Mel and Gabe got married almost a year and a half after we did and quickly got pregnant with Elijah. I’ve never seen my best friend happier.

“Hey, babe?” Kate adjusts our son on her hip as her feet sink in the sand with each step toward us. She’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen, and I admire the sway of her hips, her skin glowing tan from her time in the sun. “Your son has a dirty diaper.”

“On it.” I take Jude from her arms and kiss his chubby cheek before reaching for the diaper bag.

When he was first born, Kate and I made a deal that I would change the majority of his diapers. She decided to stop working to stay at home with him, the least I could do was change a damn diaper or two so she wouldn’t have to.

By the time he has on a new diaper, his cousins are all gathered in a small playpen area we set up. Sophia, with the same dark curls as her dad, walks around sharing all the toys with her younger cousins.

Kate sits in my lap, leaning back against me, my arms wrapped around her waist. Nothing could be better than this moment right here. I’ve got my wife in my arms, my son playing with his cousins, and I’m surrounded by family.

I’m one lucky man.