(MORGAN)

I look around and realize I've been coming here for almost ten years. There are times when it absolutely amazes me how fast time goes by. But its also amazing how much has changed since the first time I came here to Candace's place with Chris.

Back then I was nervous and naive and not sure what I was getting myself into. The idea of spending some time with his ex love and the mother of his son seemed pretty foreign. Now it would seem weird if Candace wasn't part of our life.

We might not be related by blood but I feel as though she's my sister. And hey, two of our kids are related, that counts for something right?

Tristan is across from me on a lawn chair, bouncing his baby sister on his knee and looking quite content to have her there. We've spent most of the afternoon hanging around the pool; this big blended family is enjoying the warm temperatures and the bright sunshine together.

We've watched Tristan and Chris race across the pool, I think we were all surprised when Chris graciously accepted defeat. Then again I think he was proud of his son and his abilities.
I've been itching to get in there myself and race Chris as is our tradition. But I wouldn't want the man to get a complex when he suffers two defeats in a row. So instead I've stayed close to this lounger, enjoying the warm weather and keeping an eye on Connor and Lily.

I expected Brandy to be here, eager to spend some time with Chris and with the other kids, but she's been at a friend's house the whole weekend. I know Chris is pretty disappointed but as Candace pointed out, the girl is close to being a teenager. "That means they are never around," she exclaimed with a pointed look in Tristan's direction.

He simply threw up his hands and said, "What can I do? School takes up a lot of my time."

"School and friends and all the extracurricular activities," Steve teased."Yeah, those too." That got everyone laughing. Tristan is nothing if not easy-going; that's definitely not a trait he inherited from Chris.

"You gots a girlfriend?" Connor asks him with a giggle.

"Yep. I do." Tristan says seriously, all joking gone from his voice.

"You play kissy face wif her? Like Mommy and Chris do?" Connor continues his line of questioning.

"Connor, I don't think Tristan wants to answer all your questions," I urge. "Why don't you go play with your sister." Lily is serenely floating in the pool on an air mattress, looking an awful lot like a little princess out there.

"Nah, that be boring," Connor insists and sidles even closer to Tristan. "You and your girlfriend gonna get married and have babies?"

Now Chris has had enough and he gets up off his own chair, striding over to swoop Connor up in his arms. "I see someone who needs a good dunk in the pool."

Connor lets out a squeal but he's grinning from ear to ear as Chris heads straight for the edge of the pool. I have to confess I'm more than a little distracted at the sight of my husband strolling around in swimsuit, but I'd guess Tristan probably looks pretty relieved he doesn't have to answer.

I could glance over at him and confirm my suspicios but then I'd have to take my eyes off the tanned, toned body of my husband and I really don't want to do that right now. I'm rather enjoying watching his muscles flex as he lowers Connor ever closer to the water.

Funny thing is Connor doesn't even seem the least bit anxious. He's just hanging there, grinning like a fiend as Chris keeps lowering him closer and closer to the surface.Then suddenly Chris is pulling him back up in to his arms and he runs straight off the edge of the pool, hollering "Cannonball" as he leaps with Connor into the water. There's a mighty splash as they both hit, and Lily's air mattress is bobbing around like a mini Titanic.

She's glaring away as Chris and Connor's heads pop back up again."Boys!" is all she says but that’s enough to make the rest of us laugh uncontrollably.

Boys indeed. What would we do without ‘em?

*****