WELCOME BACK TO A BRAND NEW CHAPTER OF SUPER DAD, SEE YOU GUYS AT THE END! 🩷✨🍭
• July 2024 •
The Evans have a peaceful, special and happy summer Sunday. It's hot out and that only means one thing: grab the sunscreen and kick up the grill!
that face though 🤭
~Y/n ~
"CANNON BAAAAAALLL!"
CJ hops off the diving board and literally flips in a circle, landing into the pool with a loud splash.
Goggles on her eyes, she pinches her nose as she floats upwards, Gracie claps her big sister on. Her biggest cheerleader.
I rub sunscreen on my hands and then apply it to Gracie's back and shoulders. Can't have my babies getting sun burnt.
As a pnp, it's my duty to advise parents about taking care of their children's skin especially in the sun. Unlike other parents, I reapply sunscreen on them every three to four hours depending on how long we're out here in the yard.
The girls despise it, especially CJ, who is a wild child.
They apparently say that Chris would spray them with a spray sunscreen, briefly and that would be the only time they would get it.
The thing with the spray is the wind takes the majority of the protection and the breeze moves the direction of the sunscreen off the skin.
"CJ, sweetheart, please be careful!" I'm a nervous wreck, I don't want my girls to get hurt.
Climbing out of the pool soaking wet, CJ rushes to do it again, for the 5th time now. Like Chris says she's an adrenaline junkie.
Rory looks over to me, and sees the worry on my face.
Gracie jumps up on her toes wearing her floaties and her own goggles she's too excited for me to finish putting sunblock on her so she can just jump in the pool.
Knocking her sunglasses down the bridge of her nose she sighs, "Christina Jane, cool it."
"Fine!" CJ answers Rory, it must be an older sister thing. And well since there were times Rory was there when I wasn't of course these girls do anything their big sister says.
"CANNON BALL!"
All of our heads turn to see Chris and Allie shouting and running as fast as they could on the wet patio cement. "Oh my gosh," I cover my eyes as the two hold hands and jump together.
""UGH, stop!" Rory shrieks when water droplets hit her very much dry body. She loves to lay in the sun and tan. I did bug her about wearing very strong sunscreen if she was going to lay directly in the lion's mouth.
I'm a doctor, I don't really like the sun. It's damaging but it also gives you the Vitamin D you need—it's complicated.
Today we were having a relaxing, fun, and family day.
Chris takes the majority of the summer off to be with the girls since they too are off from school.
Although there's been a few quick trips he's been on since June. But no more than a weekend.
This fall—oh my girls are growing up too fast I choke up when I even think about what grade they're going to be in.
And it hits even harder to know that I've been their official adoptive mother since May. Life can't get any better than this, oh wait, I take that back.
It will be complete when I have one of Chris's babies, just one. I really really want one.
We haven't told the girls yet but we've been trying, I got off my birth control so now it's just a waiting game.
Rory will be off to college in the fall, Allie will be starting middle school, which I am mentally preparing myself for because middle school was the worst time of my life.
Others have had good experiences and I'm trying to channel that energy towards her.
Rory kind of scared her when the other day during dinner, Allie wondered what middle school was like, and Rory just kinda mentioned it was like when you're at the bottom of the food chain.
In which I cheered Allie up and told her about all the new friends she was going to meet, teachers and experiences she'll take with her for the rest of her life.
We'll just have to see what happens, for my daughter's sake, I wish nothing but the best for her but if there is a problem I'll be damned if I don't personally take matters into my own hands.
No one messes with my babies.
CJ will be starting 2nd grade and my sweet, sweet Gracie will be starting Kindergarten.
I don't know what I'm going to do on my days off, in this big house alone while Chris is working, all the girls will be in school.
But for now I'm going to enjoy the summer and the month or so that is left of it. Chris bought fresh burgers from the meat market just a few blocks down the road.
He was so excited he got to take out his motorcycle for a spin after cleaning it all afternoon yesterday. Surprisingly he took CJ with him.
"I think I'm all set Mommy," Gracie looks at her arms and legs. All with a white cast from the mineral sunblock I put on her.
"Okay sweetie," I nod, letting her go she dashes to the end of the pool where Chris was floating above the pool water.
God does he make swimming trunks look good. "Daddy!" Gracie captures his attention, she waddles all the way up until the edge and hops into the water.
Using her legs to push her upwards.
Rory squeezes her tanning bottle onto her palms to put more on her body, it was a very hot day.
A perfect July day, for quality family time.
~ Chris ~
"Hi my sweetheart," Gracie swims the best she can over to me, it wasn't until she was three that she truly learned how to float and use her arms and legs to swim.
She's still a little hesitant in the water and refuses to go in without her floaters because one time CJ almost drowned.
And well how can I explain to Gracie that her sister is a feral child who decided to put rocks in her shoes and jump in the pool?
I giggle as all her hair falls down her face covering her vision. Pushing back her wet strands, I carry her in my arms, walking around in the pool.
On this perfect summer day.
Seriously it couldn't be anymore perfect, it was hot. Not a cloud in the sky and the UV index was at a record ten. Which is why my oldest was currently tanning on one of the pool chairs.
No matter how many times Y/n has told her to take a break and get in the shade for a little bit.
I'm on top of the moon today, I got my girls with me. All of them, we're going to cook some burgers on the grill in a little bit.
And tonight I'm surprising the girls with a projector, including Y/n who has no idea of my extravagant purchase.
I'm used to Jade not caring at all about the money I spent, now I have Y/n always making sure I'm getting my money's worth while still saving it.
In a world where I had to choose between Jade and Y/n, I'd choose her every single time.
I'd choose her to be the biological mother of my girls, and my partner for life.
But things didn't turn out that way, and that's okay. Because you know what? After all the hell I was put through, the manipulation, the abuse, the harassment and probably the cheating...
I still ended up with a gorgeous woman who loves me for me, Y/n will always be the best decision I've ever made. Right below the decision of adopting Allie 12 years ago.
Nothing like a good summer Sunday.
Spinning around in the water with Gracie, my soon to be Kindergartener, I feel a harsh stream of water hit my back.
Allie was swimming around the pool with Dodger, that boy loves the water. The culprit of the water stream was guess who?
CJ wildly shoots water out of a water gun that my brother bought for the girls about two summers ago. I watch as my third child aims towards her older sister.
Rory was in a good mood today frankly, she's been under the weather recently after breaking up with Rafe. They were fighting a few months back and last week she finally cut ties with him.
Thank you Jesus!
That boy was always in my house uninvited.
Y/n says she feels the breakup is temporary, and god I hope for Rory's sake and my sake that it's not.
"Ah, ah, ah," I grab the gun out of her slippery grip before Rory explodes into a little red ball of fury. She's nice and calm, relaxing in the sun, I won't let CJ antagonize her.
"Daaad," she growls at me. Scrunching up that little face, and thinking she was scaring me.
"Daaaad," I mock her. I know that she hates whenever I do that, but I'm her dad what else am I for other than annoying my kids.
I take the gun and shoot water at her with it, immediately making her laugh again. Walking away from her, she swims towards me of course trying to get her favorite water toy back.
Y/n comes around the pool. Wearing that cutesy floppy hat, and those big sunglasses. Don't get me started on how I feel whenever she's in a bathing suit.
For the girl's sanity I remain cool and collected but deep down I can't concentrate on anything but her boobs underneath that flimsy bathing suit top.
"Mommy, watch this." CJ forgets all about me, putting her goggles back on.
Rising to her feet at the very bottom stair on the staircase, she jumps into the water and moves her legs as if she were a mermaid.
A few seconds or so later, she emerges from the water. Taking a big breath of air, "did you see it? Did you? Did you watch?"
Profound chuckles come from my fiancée, as Y/n nods, "that was amazing, Chrissy girl!"
"I'm going to do it again!" CJ goes under water, Gracie wants to watch CJ do whatever "cool" thing and swims over to her and I swim closer to the most beautiful girl in the world.
Y/n sits on the ledge of the pool, only wetting her feet. Swirling her foot around in the crystal clear chlorine, "you don't have to lie to her you know?"
"Chris," she tilts her head and gives me that disapproval gaze, splashing some water onto me. Threatening to pull her in by tugging on her foot a little bit she tries to push me away, "stop, you better not even think about it, babe."
"What?" I say innocently.
"I'm acclimatizing!"
She desperately cries, already knowing I've made my mind up. Pulling her in, she shrieks, "CHRISSSS NOOO!"
Y/n shivers in my arms, she's very cold blooded which is ironic because she's the sweetest and warmest thing on earth. The warm mother my girls needed.
In the winter my poor girl suffers since she's so sensitive to the cold. Wrapping her arms around me she squeezes me right, "Chris," she cries again.
I giggle and kiss all over her face. The best I could by ducking my head underneath her floppy hat. "Chris," I mock her voice.
~ Y/n ~
My body gets used to the cool water, since my skin has been absorbing the hot sun it actually feels refreshing.
"So..." Chris is looking at me like I don't know something. That little boy smile spreads across his face.
"So..." I echo. Snickering, wondering what my man can possibly have up his sleeve now.
"I have a surprise for tonight."
He kisses my ear lobe, rubbing his nose against the back of it which he knows drives me crazy and gives me the tingles.
Whispering the big news, I bubble with excitement, "oooh, ice cream for dessert?" I squeal. Holding onto him tighter.
"Mmm," my gorgeous man hums, "not quite. Guess again."
Making my best thinking face I try to come up with what Chris could possibly have planned for tonight. It has to be for me and the girls.
"Hm, ice cream and brownies?"
So I've been craving sweets recently, anything sweet I can get my hands on. Gracie and I shared some chocolate chip muffins those that come in the white and red package.
In the pantry, hiding from the other girls.
It was a sweet, silly moment and I'll cherish it forever.
Chris shakes his head, kissing my lips, more of a smooch than a kiss, "are you on your sweet tooth kick again? It's not food related, baby. Guess one more time."
Taking a deep breath I try to push any foods out of my head and think of logical surprises Chris is capable of doing.
After a few minutes of thinking, and Chris bringing me around the pool like my own personal float.
"You bought fireworks for the girls?"
"Eeerrrrr," Chris makes a fake buzzer noise and threatens to drop me in the water, and we were way out in the deep side. At least for me since Chris is 6'0.
"Christopher." I speak hushedly, immediately wrapping my arms and legs around him in a tight lock.
"Thanks for playing," he lifts my chin and kisses me softly, "guess you'll be finding out with the girls later."
"A BOOYYY!" CJ points at the strange male in the yard. Immediately grabbing her gun she shoots water at this young man standing by the gate with a dog.
Rory knocks her sunglasses down, to eye this young boy from a distance, "Tucker?"
"TAKE THAT STRANGER!"
CJ, unhinged, gets out of the water and goes absolutely ham on this boy who Rory seems to know, Chris and I watch it all happen from inside the pool.
"CJ, cut it out!" My husband yells at our third child. And yes, it feels amazing to say that because these girls were truly, legally, mine.
Rory stomps her way over, crossing her arms as she approaches her friend. Who, by the look on her face, she wasn't expecting.
CJ knows not to piss Rory off and doesn't get a drop of water on her, CJ rests the water gun on her shoulder as if she were some kind of sniper and even closes her left eye.
"CJ, it's me, Tuck! You said we were friends." Tucker cries, blocking the shoots from CJ's water gun.
Flipping Tucker off with her middle finger, Chris and I don't see it happen. We're still trying to wrap everything around our heads.
"I don't trust ANYONE..." CJ shouts, "...with the name Tucker."
"Dude." Tucker faces Rory, still in her sassy stance with her arms crossed, "your sister is batshit crazy."
Now my husband hears that, "I'm sorry?" Chris of course is very protective of the girls.
"Sorry," Tucker laughs nervously, holding onto his dog's leash, "Mr.Evans...ehh, didn't see you there. I-I'm um, here for, uh, Rory. Rory, yeah."
Handing Rory a letter, Chris nor I hear the rest of the conversation as Tucker slips out of our yard, CJ chases him all the way out and threatens to get him with her water gun.
I'm starting to think she loves to antagonize people. Just for the thrill of it.
Chris and I both watch as Rory rips up the letter into tiny pieces over the fire pit which wasn't turned on. It automatically kicks to life when the sun goes down so when it does...it'll be bye bye whatever the letter said.
It's too late to go back now.
Then we calmly keep our boundary as Rory goes back to her pool chair and continues to tan as if nothing happened.
"I'm scared," Chris whispers to me. Of course just joking. He would never be scared of his own daughter.
Rory was going through something and the best way to move out of her funk was just pushing forward.
I've been there a few times myself, assholes who didn't deserve my time or love. Assholes I'll trade in for Chris any damn day.
"Us too." we hear two voices say, turning around to look at Allie and CJ huddling around Gracie who still had her floaties on.
All trembling and searching for safety behind Chris and I.
~ Chris ~
Y/n brushes through Gracie's wet hair as she sobs in one of the patio dining table chairs. She's refusing to eat a burger.
Only because she saw that CJ's had pickles on it. And Gracie is turning out to be a very picky eater.
Y/n brushed through Allie's, CJ's and now Gracie's hair after the girls got out of the pool—Rory is a teen now she won't let anyone near her hair.
I try to be patient with Gracie, I know it's not her fault she's picky.
And as her father I need to eliminate that anxiety and stress that comes with food so she can have a healthy diet in her life moving forward.
Y/n says it's her young age of being aware and understanding of her senses.
Like scent and sight, and let's just say pickles aren't the prettiest things.
But boy are they fucking delicious.
"Daddy is going to give you a little bite to try, is that okay?" Y/n attempts to soothe our youngest, she's a mess, sobbing Gracie stands up.
Her hair all brushed out, she clings onto Y/n for support, "Noooo! Please!" She begs, as if I were feeding her worms or something.
"You like cucumbers, Gracie, these are just like cucumbers, they're actually siblings." Allie chimes in, my sweet girl trying to help us out.
I track all the burgers I smashed and prepped. The girls snackin' on fresh watermelon. Cooking for the girls is something I love. And I actually have picked up cooking as a hobby.
Just how Y/n is always on Pinterest looking through outfits, house decor and DIYs. I'm right next to her, looking through recipes on the same app.
It's addicting, next thing we know it's been 50 minutes. Of is sitting in silence just pinning stuff.
"Mmmm, pickles!" CJ swiped a pickle from the bowl I had freshly cut them onto and decided to go poke at sweet Gracie.
"Ooohhh I'm a scarryyy pickleeee!"
CJ raises her arm to get Gracie to see what she had in her hands. Gracie immediately twists her head on Y/n's chest away from her bigger sister.
"Nooooo!" Gracie shouts at the top of her lungs. Clinging to Y/n for dear life.
"Christina Jane."
Is all I have to say, to get CJ to stop. She still snickers though and pops the slice of pickle into her mouth.
"Let's go for a little walk, sweetie," from the corner of my eye I see Y/n lay Gracie's brush down onto the table and walk away carrying our youngest baby in her arms.
Wandering back to me, CJ eyes my every move like a hawk.
"What is...that?"
She starts with the questions.
Allie completes a Sudoku puzzle and Rory is texting away on her phone as they wait for the burgers to be ready.
"Those are burger buns." I respond, patiently. My palm reaches up to cradle the back of CJ's head.
Mindful of her sticky and quick fingers to make sure they don't make any contact with the grill.
"And what is that?"
"The burgers."
"Hm." She hums as if I wasn't telling her the truth.
As if she were doubtful of me.
"And that?"
"American cheese to go with our burgers."
CJ remains silent, her eyes bouncing around the grill and the bowls of ingredients scattered around the empty support trays next to the grill.
All kinds of toppings were already on the table, I'm just waiting on the burgers to be a little more on the well done side.
"What's this?"
CJ dips her finger into the smash burger sauce that I homemade and licks her finger clean. "Sauce."
"Why?"
"Why?" I repeat her second question. Confused.
"Why is it sauce? Who madeee it sauce?"
"Here have another pickle," I offer her another small slice of pickle to just get her to do something else and focus her mind on one thing.
ADHD isn't something I will master, nor will I master raising a child with ADHD but I can sure try.
"Daddy. We have another angel here who wants a pickle."
My beautiful, gorgeous, amazing wife comes around. Still holding Gracie as she quieted her cries.
"Gracie girl, is that true?" I'm delighted to hear this, Y/n and I are a team when it comes to these girls.
It's no longer me on my own. I have someone who loves and cares about my girls just as much as I do and way more than their real mother would.
My youngest nods her head up and down, I'm not sure how she did it but it seems Y/n has convinced Gracie to try.
Gracie watches me reach for a pickle slice, and she puts her palm up, "a little piece, please!"
I can sense the fear in her voice but she's pushing through. She's being brave, tearing off a little piece for her. I feed it into her mouth, slipping it past her lips gently.
Chewing it, Gracie hums in delight, "I like it." She gives an honest review. Y/n and I cheer for her and kiss her everywhere.
Gracie decides to sit on my lap to eat her burger with pickles, CJ, Allie and Y/n are all enjoying their burgers.
Nothing but delightful hums, and "mmm yummy!" Is all I can hear. And it makes my heart happy. All that time I spent preparing was worth it.
Rory took a tiny little bite of her burger and seemed to be just zoned out. That little prick Rafe has to do something with this.
"I'm going to my room to shower." Pushing her chair back, my daughter walks across the patio and into the house without another word.
And just as I got up to follow her, Y/n's hand was enclosing over mine.
Shaking her head briefly she blesses me with a soft, encouraging smile.
And I know her so well, I know what she means without even uttering a word.
~ Y/n ~
The girls and I anxiously await after Chris forbid us to move from the foyer. Gracie sits on my lap as we sit on the second to last step.
And CJ and Allie show us a dance they just made up a few minutes ago.
Rory stands a few feet away from us on FaceTime with her friend.
"Maybeeee he's going to introduce us to a girlfriend!" CJ blurts out, popping and locking her dance moves to try and keep up with Allie.
Allie giggles and rushes over to me, to pick up my left hand. My ring sparkles even in the foyer light.
"Oooh that's right!" CJ laughs at herself, "whoopsie."
"Ugh." Rory comes and sits down beside me and Gracie girl, I don't pry at all into what's going on.
Because I know what's happening.
Rafe is trying his best to win Rory's heart back.
She's doing her best to not let him.
"I'm going to tell Rafe if he ever comes back that you were smooooching with Tucker."
CJ threatens her older sister with absolutely no fear in her eyes, she even makes sure to include a smooching sound effect.
"How about you just ZIP IT?!"
Rory is on her last straws of patience, I can just see it. She probably thinks this is the end of the world, but in 10 years she probably won't really remember this.
Why?
Because if my mother's instincts are right...she ends up with Rafe.
"How about we all go around and say which vegetable is our favorite?"
Of course I diffuse the escalating situation with the mention of veggies something my girls despise. But as a medical professional I won't ever try to get them to like things that are nutritious and good for them.
"I'll go first," they are all quiet which is good, whenever they fight I have a hard time deciding who I should stand in between.
"Broccoli because it pairs well with pasta, or with potatoes. And with the right seasonings it's so good!" Cheeefully I smile and they watch me like I have six heads.
Hey at least no one is fighting anymore are they?
"Gracie wanna go next?" I kiss the sweet girl on her head, listening to what she has to say.
CJ is pretending to fall asleep and Rory is still irritated but they're quiet which is all that matters.
"Um....pineapple!"
"Oh girlssss..." Chris's singsong voice floats into our silent house. We all stare at each other in giddy before rushing out to meet him at the back door.
~ Chris ~
Allie, CJ and Gracie go rushing around the newly changed yard.
Fairly lights hung above our heads and the projector I bought was up and ready to click on any movie the girls wanted.
There's bean bags all around the patio floor, smores station ready, fire pit lit up, the perfect ending to another summer day.
I was struggling for a bit and refused to call for any help so I winged past a few building instructions, I'm crossing my fingers it doesn't come crashing down.
"Oh my..." Y/n presses her hands to her chest, seeing everything I spent the last hour doing for her and the girls.
Rory pats my shoulder, and I finally find the rest of the recognition I was looking for.
"Not too bad, Dad. Not too bad..." Rory goes off saying, looking for her beanbag to sit on.
Currently Gracie and CJ were fighting over the stitch theme blanket. But I'm paying more attention to the girl of my dreams, "you like it? We're also going to make s'mores."
"Oh, Chris! This is a summer dream!" She squeaks, grabbing my face she kisses me multiple times. And I'm a happy man.
All I ever want to do is make her smile. Make her happy.
Of course Y/n and I are sharing the large beanbag in the middle, with the girls huddled around us.
"Did I do good?" I whisper over to her as the introduction to Lilo & Stitch plays.
Cradling my face, I won't ever get tired of the way this woman right here makes me feel. I've been abused to the point where I thought I wasn't good enough for anyone.
Thanks to Jade I told myself I would never find true love in this life. Turning my head I kiss her palm, forgetting there's four other little princesses here.
"Dad...Mom." Rory calls for our attention.
Kind of breaking our sweet moment but I'm pleased to see she has her phone out (what else is new) and wants to take a picture of us.
Y/n smiles, and I watch her do so. God she's so fucking beautiful. Millions of feelings roam my body on the daily. I'm just thankful for the stars who blessed me with my drop dead gorgeous doctor girl.
I hear the shuttering of Rory's phone camera and then a few seconds later I turn my head to smile too. Considering the girls were on either side of us, it was the best family movie night ever.
"You guys are such a cute couple I won't ever let anyone tell me otherwise."
Grinning down at the screen, knowing Rory she's typing away some cheesy captions to post on her Instagram story.
Little do I know she went with a simple: my parents ♥️
Halfway into the movie, Y/n sees all the girls are tuned into the large screen and the contents of the movie. Leaning into her delicate voice whispers, "how much was the projector?"
Making a face at her, I felt that question coming. She's always on top of my finances and makes sure I get the best for my dollar. Not like there's little of it, yet she's still very cautious on what we spend.
Except for her, that rule doesn't apply when she goes shopping for the girls. We both get them whatever they want and I just know it's going to bite us back in the ass soon.
"I have a better question than yours," I do my charming smile she just melts for and her playful eyes dance around the pair of mine, "can we makeout?"
"Chris. Really," her fierce wife stare comes out and I will admit, I will be honest here that it does scare me, but we're at the end of this perfect summer day I won't let my fears overcome me. Leaning into her lips, I steal a quick kiss.
She's still glaring at me with a serious expression, I know she knows it was a lot of money. So by not answering her question, I just hope she understands and won't pry the actual price out of me.
"Kiss me."
My weak, husky voice is everything she needs to kiss me back, I'm irresistible like that. Especially since we've been waking up with damp sheets for the past couple days, she's feral for me and I let her do whatever the hell she wants...every night all night.
Brushing her nose against mine, her lips finally latch onto mine, and it's the equivalent of a breath of fresh air.
Her hand on my lap doesn't tighten, she respects that the girls are here but the way she's kissing me is something else. It's teasingful but passionate and sweet.
"Can I be the first to say ew?" CJ makes a face, a disgusted one as she catches us in the act gaining the attention of her sisters.
"Oh my god you guys are embarrassing."
Rory covers her eyes, Gracie snickers behind her hand, her cheeks a pale pink, and Allie beams over us and almost always is the one to take us out of the gutter, "I think it's sweet!"
Scooping Y/n up I situate her over my lap, laying her down and dipping her head even lower to kiss her–kind of bride style like.
Allie and Gracie cheer us on, while CJ grabs her water gun to spray us with.
"CJ NO!"
A/N 🩷:
I love this little summer part☺️🍉 with our fav girl dad. Ahhh, life is so perfect for them!!!! Chris has been through so much with Jade and being a single Dad he deserves these peaceful Sundays😭
Was feeling down but this part certainly cheered me up 🩵
Plenty of more to come for our Super Dad au 🩷✨ thank you guys for always being patient and so supportive!!! ILY ♥️
In this special part 🍉: Rory is 18 years old, Allie is 12 years old, CJ is 8 years old and Gracie is 5 years old
And if you loved this chapter...please read a MINI ADDITIONAL PART below to see who disrupts the Evans' night👀
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Chris wakes up to someone pounding on his door, it's a little after midnight and you were laying on his chest like a sleeping beauty.
He too was sleeping beautifully until he was rudely awakened.
Grumpily, he grabs the baseball bat he keeps underneath his side of the bed and gently takes brief steps to the foyer.
Seeing someone look through the blurred glass of the door Chris doesn't sense fear—at all.
As soon as he sees some flowers through the blurred glass of the front door. He can take one lucky guess as to who's here.
"Why me. Why me." Chris complains, closing his palm over his eyes he much rather be in bed with you right about now sleeping peacefully away.
"Rory!" Rafe whispers yells, "I know you're in there! You forget I know the way to sneak into your room. But...you...you moved the latter anyway, let me in!"
Just as Chris goes to open the door, his wife's voice could be heard–soft and quiet but still evident in the foyer, "please don't make a scene, honey."
Turning around to look at you standing in your robe up on the staircase he takes a deep breath, at least you were here for emotional support.
The door opens and the blood in Rafe's face disappears. His white as a ghost at seeing Mr.Evans on the other side. Maybe he didn't think this through, of course Rory doesn't live by herself, just with her scary dad and like 5 sisters or something.
"You know what time it is, Rafe?" Chris asks, his jaw clenching in anger. It's not pretty when he doesn't sleep well.
Gulping, and flipping his wrist to check the time on his watch it was late...really late.
"I know sir, it's past midnight but–"
"--actually it's time for you to leave, kid. You could've done this prior to fighting with my 8 year old for two hours to get her to bed. I swear if she wakes up, Rafe. It isn't pretty."
Rory's door opens, everyone watches her come out of her room. She must've heard Rafe's loud voice.
"Dad." She inhales, crossing her arms around her chest, "it's okay."
You also give him a nod of approval. Maybe it wasn't the best time of day for them to talk but what else can you do in this situation.
Once your husband makes it up the stairs leaving Rory and Rafe alone downstairs, you take off back into your guys' bedroom. But when you don't feel he was following you stop and of course notice he hadn't moved.
Snooping from around the corner you shake your head, "Chris," whispering you place a palm on his shoulder, he looks so silly holding his baseball bat with a T-shirt he threw on that said "Your Favorite Girl Dad", messy hair and loose shorts.
Before he can argue with you about not moving from this very spot, Rafe was raising his voice, "You want me to say it Rory? I will...I love you. And I won't let something like college get in between us. Did you tear up that letter I sent Tuck with?"
Rory nods, seeing nothing but genuine emotion in Rafe's eyes.
"I knew you would, at least it was just a picture of us." Digging into the pocket of his hoodie he pulls out another white letter, "this is the one I actually want you to read."
Looking down at his palms, Rory with shaky hands takes the letter. She's missed him, so so very much. He's been there for her in her lows, especially with Jade and her Mommy issues, but he's also been there for her high moments.
"And not tear or burn, okay?" Rafe has tears in his eyes as he plucks his forefinger underneath Rory's smooth chin, to get her to look at him.
Rolling his eyes, Chris wants this torture to be over. Whether Rafe is Rory's boyfriend or he's not, but this gray area crap is nonsense!
"You love me?" Rory echoes. She's never felt this way for anyone.
Rafe nods, licking his lips he's speaking from the heart here.
"I do, Aurora. I really do. I can't live without you. And I'll keep on loving you forever, I just know it. Even if it means I have to deal with your little sisters including the little psycho one." They share a laugh and Rafe continues, "or even your scary dad."
Baffled, Chris let's his mouth drop open in shock, turning to you – you have to hide your laugh in your hand. Well, what else is he going to be other than the scary dad, if Chris is always mean mugging Rafe whenever he's here.
"Or your hot stepmom."
"Rafe!" Rory punches Rafe right in his ribcage, but she knows he's only joking. Rafe chuckles in mischief. At least he got to see Ror smile.
But Chris didn't know that. You clutch onto his wrist to prohibit him from walking down the steps and kicking Rafe out, that little comment joke or not, offended him.
Because you were his, only his to call hot.
"She's not my stepmom, she's my mom."
Rory says in confidence, inhaling once more a few moments of silence go by she makes a decision, "I'll read your letter," she nods, "and I'll think about us."
"Okay." The young blonde agrees, "I'm okay with that."
The two young love birds share a happy smile in between one another before Rafe grabs Rory's head to kiss her. The moment is sweet and while you were beaming over the young love, Chris was boiling with anger.
No, fuming was a better word. That's his little girl.
"I'm going to kill him."
Rubbing a palm over his forehead, Chris has had it up to here with Rafe. And if he could he would pick a guy 10x better for Rory–but the heart always wants what it wants.
"Kill who?"
CJ appears, wide awake and adding to the snooping party that included only you and Chris.
Another Mini Part because...I have no self control 😭🩷
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"Remember we spoke about taking deep breaths, Gracie?"
You try your best to comfort a screaming 5 year old. You're not sure pickles ever did to her, but whatever they did it was serious.
All jokes aside, Gracie is becoming more aware of her interests which doesn't pair well with her big emotions especially when she's in a state of anxiety.
You remember as a kid trying foods you thought were just yuck, which actually turned out to be pretty good.
It's all normal and comes with growing up.
"Yes," she says breathless her sobs taken all her energy and oxygen, "I don't want pickles, please." She shakes her head as if you could ever force her to eat something she didn't want to.
Wandering up and down the edge of the pool, Chris remains in the outdoor kitchen with the rest of the girls.
You had to separate CJ and Gracie before CJ did something to really traumatize Grace. Which you know she can do.
Somehow, someway.
Chris knows you can handle this, gosh he's handle so much on his own with these girls. Meeting you was like finding a piece of gold under a bunch of coal.
"Okay. That's fine, sweetie." Using your palm you wipe Gracie's tears away, pinching her cheek as you swiped it away, "no one can force you to do anything you don't want to princess. Remember that."
"Daddy is going to make me eat it."
She starts crying hysterically again, that's partially true. Only because Chris loves pickles and thinks it's some kind of gene that can be passed down to the girls.
"Not if you don't want to, baby, if you want to try a little piece on its own that's fine, or if you want it in your burger to try that's fine too. Pickles have the vitamins to make you grow big and strong."
"Will it make my hair grow like Rapunzel?"
Shrugging you tell her the truth, "maybe not as long as hers."
Nervously looking over to her dad serving her sisters their burgers and yelling at CJ to stop doing something, Gracie's young and bright eyes look back over to me.
"And I don't have to eat it if I don't want to?"
Nodding my head I confirm, "yup, but like my mom always says you don't know if you'll like it if you don't try. If you try and think ewe!" You make a silly face making her laugh.
"Then you don't have to eat it, but if you do and you like it then you have a new favorite food!"
Giving me a kiss on your cheek, you've never felt love like this. Each of these girls showing you they appreciate you in their own ways was just a blessing.
"Okay." Gracie plays with your hair, as you walk back towards Chris.
"I love you sweetheart." Holding her tight and kissing her head, you love this little life of yours.
Gracie smiles, and takes a little breath, "I love you too, Mommy."