Page 129 of The Fake Out Flex

"No one does." He unbuckles his seat belt. "Come on. Let's go meet them."

We get out and walk over to the playground. It's spring, but there's still a distinct crisp chill in the air. I forget it's always a few degrees cooler up here.

The second Oakey spots Fraser, he practically leaps off the swing and races over. Fraser crouches down as Oakey crashes into him, wrapping his arms around his nephew. "How are you doing, buddy?"

"I'm good. Wanna push me?"

Fraser gets up, grinning. "In a minute. There's someone I'd like you to meet. This is Evie."

Oakey waves at me with a smile. "Hi. Do you wanna push me?"

"Maybe after I give her a big hug," Dawn interjects, joining us.

We hug, and it's one of those long, warm hugs that you could just melt into and stay in forever. Despite not being as close as I wish we could have been, I've always had a soft spot for her. I never understood what she was going through, but I felt this weird sort of connection to her anyway. Maybe because she reminds me so much of Fraser. Personality-wise, the two of them are practically identical.

"Oh, my gosh, Evie. You look wonderful."

"So do you. Your hair!"

"I know, right? Back to my natural color. Well, natural-adjacent."

I laugh.

"Can someone push me?" Oakey taps his uncle on the leg. "Pleeease?"

"All right. Let's do it, little man."

"Yayyy."

We walk over to the swing set, Oakey running out ahead of us. Fraser makes sure he's secured in the seat before giving him a measured swing. "We have a lot to catch you up on, Evie," he says as Dawn and I stand beside him.

"Before we get into it," Dawn says, grabbing my arm. "I just want to thank you so much for your segment last week. I was in tears watching it."

"So was I," Fraser mutters. "But probably for different reasons."

"Thanks, Dawn."

"It's so good seeing positive, aspirational representation."

She only stops talking because Oakey lets out an excited, "Wheeee!"

"Having a child with additional needs is tough. So much of the focus is on doctor's appointments and tests and worrying about them and how they're developing. I needed to see people like Gemma and the others living quality lives. I needed to be reminded that Oakey can have that kind of life, too."

"Of course he can," Fraser says with a definitive nod. "And he will. He's a Rademacher."

"Technically, he's a Graham," Dawn corrects.

"You're married?" I squeal excitedly.

"I am. Very happily." She lifts her hand, smiling proudly as she shows me her sparkling diamond.

"That's amazing. Congratulations. Okay. You guys need to start catching me up. I feel like I'm years behind."

"Go ahead, big brother." Dawn takes over swing duty.

Fraser rubs his temple. "I don't even know where to begin."

"How about one hot spring night seven years ago?"

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