THE HONOURABLE MAN

Episode 49

The day is still young when they leave the fun zoo and buckle up their seatbelts in the car. Sam feels like he will die of impatience he cannot get to the Marine World fast enough. Bryce takes his sweet time entering the location address into the car's navigation system.

"Dad....why is Sam crying?" Bryan interprets Sam's displeased grimace as crying.

Kiana and Bryce immediately turn their heads to the back seat and fixate on Sam. "Don't listen to him....I'm not crying," he wrinkles his face.

"Then why does he think you are?" Kiana asks.

"He saw me frowning a little," he answers.

"And what reason do you have to frown at poor Bryan?" He questions with a worried look.

Sam quivers before sighing wearily, "I wasn't frowning at Bryan," he doesn't give a detailed response.

Kiana and Bryce share a surprised glance, "Well then who were you frowning at?" Bryce questions wondering who might have unknowingly offended Sam.

"Uncle Bryce is taking too long, if Aunt Kiana was behind the wheel I bet we would be at the Marine World by now," he gripes causing them to burst into laughter.

Bryce is relieved to learn that Sam hasn't been offended in anyway its just impatience getting the best of him. To not delay him any longer he presses his foot against the gas pedal and a short trip later he takes a minute searching for a vacant parking spot.

As soon as he pulls over, Sam bursts out of the car and excitedly rushes forward to the colorful Marine World billboard. "Will you please be kind enough to snap a picture of me next to this board?" He utters to Bryce as he draws closer to him.

"Sure," he fumbles for his phone and clicks on the capture button a multiple times.

"I think that's enough...save your poses for better views," he chortles.

After Kiana catches up with them, she purchases the entry tickets by the gate which include a free Marine World cap and water bottle.

"Awesome!!" Sam squeals with excitement as he is handed his cap and water bottle.

His eyes brighten and crinkle with animation as he peers at the transparent glass that clearly displays the beautiful blue waters and a number of sharks swimming about.

"Those look like deadly sharp teeth," Bryce comments.

"I can't believe this...I finally get to see a shark live and not on TV. My friends are going to be so jealous when I tell them about this thrilling experience," he beams.

"It's not just sharks that you will get to see Sam," she smiles as she informs him.

"Oh yeah...what else is there?" His eyes pop out as he fails to suppress his enthusiasm.

"There are dolphins and you are allowed to swim with them if you like," she announces.

"What! You are messing with me," he chuckles with disbelief.

"She is dead serious," Bryce informs.

Sam frantically leaps up and down in a triumphant manner.

Bryan doesn't seem excited about seeing the sharks or dolphins. His mother knows just the thing that will get him excited. She takes him to the pool side decorated with beautiful and colorful slides. His eyes alight and his face brightens up at the sight of the pool.

There are three different sizes of pools, one for toddlers which is filled with water that is a bit warm, then there is a pool for teenagers and one for grown ups.

"Mommy....can I go swimming?" He eagerly nudges her.

"Of course but first we have to buy you a swim trunk since we didn't bring one with us," she states and strides away to join the queue for swim wear.

After a few minutes she returns and takes Bryan to the changing room and neatly packs away his clothes whilst he slips into the swim trunk decorated with printed palm trees.

Bryan excitedly runs to the slide and screams with joy as he reaches the end of it and gets tossed inside the water. His parents watch with warm hearts as he starts playing in the pool with other kids of his age.

Sam and Bryce prepare for a swim with the cute harmless dolphins, Kiana remains behind to guide Bryan whilst baby Kiandra peacefully naps in her stroller amidst all the noise from the bustling activities.

Bryce is thrilled to be sharing the experience with Sam, he is glad he did not have to wait for Bryan to grow up to be able to share some awesome father and son fun moments. Being there with Sam as his foster son gives him so much joy that he cannot describe. He will always think of Sam as his son and he thanks the heavens for bringing him back into his life just when he had accepted never seeing him again.

"There truly is a God in Heaven," he silently whispers to himself as he grabs Sam's hand before they dive into the water on the count of three.

Kiana is downhearted by the fact that she gets to be left behind when it comes to some activities since she has Kiandra to watch over. She can't deny the fact that it would had been more fun if she could share some of the experiences together with her husband.

She smirks as she comforts herself by considering that Kiandra will eventually grow up and be able to join them in having fun. "We will just have to wait for next time for us to have some girl fun. Right now it seems like its fun for the boys only," she whispers softly while gently rocking the baby's stroller.

After playing for a long time Bryan has had enough of the pool to last him the entire year, he runs to his mother's side panting heavily.

"Are you having fun my little prince?" She flashes him a wide smile.

"Yes...but now I'm tired, can you dry me up please mommy?" He politely requests.

His mother wraps a towel around him and wipes him dry thereafter he follows her back to the changing room.

She takes petroleum jelly from Kiandra's bag and rubs it on him.

"Mommy...why are you rubbing oil on me for the second time today?" He blankly stares at her.

"You went for a swim and all that oil has washed away so I have to reapply it to make sure your skin doesn't dry up," she explains even though she figures he may not understand a thing.

***

Hours of fun drift by very quickly, as the sun begins to set they decide they have had enough adventure for the day but it will be continued tomorrow.

Back at the house they inform the kids to refresh and prepare to go out for dinner. "No cooking?" Her husband lifts his eyebrows and curls his lips.

"Not for as long as we are here, that's the whole point of being on vacation," a glimmer of relief shows in her eyes.

"Okay then I'm sure I can try not to yearn for your wonderful cooking for the next two days," he gives her a praising smile.

"I'm truly flattered that you enjoy my cooking that much," she grins.

On their way back home from Marine World they stop by the shops to grab instant food for baby Kiandra.

She takes out the Apricot puree from the grocery bag and starts feeding her and Kiandra coos happily clearly enjoying the yummy taste of apricots.

"Kiandra is such an angel, she hardly gives me a hard time when we are out and about," she comments

"I know what you are talking about, Bryan was a very fussy baby and so was Sam," he states.

"So I guess it has to do with the gender huh," she chuckles and her husband giggles softly without a word in response.

It takes the entire family over an hour to be ready to head out.

Sam impresses them with his formal attire, he looks stunning in his baby blue formal shirt which he paired with grey chinos. His blond hair has been neatly side swept and his blue shirt makes his gray eyes appear a little bluish.

"Wow Sam...I'm amazed you packed well, I wasn't expecting you to have formal wear in your bag," Kiana gives him an impressed gaze.

"I wish I could take the credit but Uncle Bryce advised me to pack a few formal attires. It seems like he knew we would be heading out for dinner," he discloses.

Kiana shifts her eyes from Sam to her husband, "You know me too well," she bats her eyelashes at him.

Little Bryan is dressed in the cutest smart casual, he has on a white shirt with a bowtie paired with a navy blue jean with cross belts and blue sneakers.

The man of the house is also stunning in his charcoal suit that compliments his wife's charcoal embellished off the shoulder lace mermaid dress.

Baby Kiandra is also looking exquisite in a navy blue princess bow ruffle dress that matches her brother's attire.

They check in at the Buon Appetito known to be the best Italian restaurant in the city. The moment they stride in they are captivated by its exceptional atmosphere and the ambiance of it's dining room.

It's a beautiful, twinkly space, with vintage glass panes, reclaimed wood and blackened steel, reminiscent of French industrial design.

A handsome and well dressed waiter attends to them shortly to take their orders. Kiana is impressed by how friendly, helpful and professional he is.

In less than fifteen minutes their order is served and they stare down at their food with wide grins. It not only smells great but it looks appetizing.

Kiana ordered pici with umbrian sausage and porcini mushrooms for Bryan and Sam ordered risotto and shrimp caprese. She and Bryce ordered stuffed shells with beef and cheese and some wine.

After a few spoonful's everyone states how satisfied and happy they are with the food. Bryce can't thank his wife enough for the vacation that has already proven to be the best he has ever had. He finds himself having a new appreciation for his family and it feels like the love and family bond is being greatly strengthened.

Even though the trip to Bahida has made it impossible for Sam to visit his mother sooner as he had wished to, he is elated to have been given a chance to go on adventures with his new family. He is having the time of his life and having so much fun he never dreamed possible.

"Mommy can I order some dessert pleaseeeeee," Bryan casts her a pleading gaze. "I would love some dessert too," Sam smiles timidly.

"We are ordering dessert for everyone," Bryce announces causing chuffed smiles to appear across the boys faces.

They order classic Italian bakes and puddings, including creamy tiramisu, panna cotta and orange polenta cake.

"I wish we could eat out every night," Sam says as he licks his lips.

"Home cooked meals are the healthiest and eating out every night would be very costly if you have a budget to follow," Kiana answers.

"I know...I know and I guess if we were to eat out every night then it would no longer excite us during special occasions."

"Exactly," Bryce agrees as he dabs his mouth with a napkin.

They drive back to the holiday house and after changing into their casual comfortable clothes they sit down for a family movie.

Bryan doses off at the beginning of the movie followed by Sam. They carry them to their rooms and tuck them in bed.

"It's been a very active day for them... they must be exhausted," Kiana utters to her husband when they meet by the hallway.

"It's been a tiring day for all of us," he yawns sleepily.

"Not you too," she pouts.

"I know you want to finish the movie but I really want to sleep now," he pouts at her.

"Why am I the only one who is not dog tired from today's activities?" She arches her brows.

"That's because you skipped a lot of activities while baby sitting Kiandra," he answers.

"Right... now everyone is tired and no one wants to watch the movie with me. It sucks to be me," she twists her lips as she reluctantly follows her husband to bed.