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“My loves, I’m home!” Nick shouted as he entered the house, shrugging off his coat and toeing off his shoes. He could hear the different pitter patters running to greet him. “Hi Daddy!” his little girl Lily screamed before he even saw her. As soon as he got rid of his coat and shoes he saw Lily carrying a squirming Daisy, their not so puppy anymore golden retriever, with her. He chuckled at how the 5 year old was trying her best to keep Daisy in her arms even though the dog clearly wanted to be put down so she could run around and wag her tail, happy that Nick was home. As all this was going on his husband was leaning on the wall along the hallway smiling at the chaotic picture in front of him. Charlie started toward Nick to give him a welcome home kiss while Lily was still struggling with the dog.
“Hi”, Charlie breathily said as he linked his arms around his husband's neck.
“Hi, I love you” said Nick as he looked up at his smiling husband immediately giving him his lips for a kiss. “I love you too,” Charlie whispered as he caressed his cheek.
“You smell nice,” he said in a flirty tone, “Did you two bake something or did you intentionally buy a candle that smells like blueberry cheesecake?”
The younger chuckled remembering the chaos that ensued in the kitchen, “We did actually bake for you sweetheart.” He looked down at Lily and gave her a smile and said, “Sweetie, why don’t we show daddy the cheesecake we baked” this made Lily perk up and launch herself to her dad asking for upsies. She launched into a full account of what she and Charlie did from the ingredients they bought at the grocery store, to her sneaking a lolly in the basket, to Charlie struggling to get Daisy in the car, to everything she saw outside the window as they were driving home, to starting the baking process and having so much fun. Nick tried so hard to catch up to everything his little girl was telling him, smiling so hard at how happy she was.
This made him reminisce about how wary and scared she was the first few months when they first brought her home after the adoption process was final. Him and Charlie were both so stressed at how they want everything to be perfect that they forgot how much a child would just open up when she saw them not so stressed and just being themselves. It took a few mishaps but all in all it was so amazing to finally be a family.
When they got to the kitchen Nick wasn’t even surprised at how messy everything was, he was the clean baker in the family after all.
“Is there even a blueberry cheesecake under all this mess, love” he teasingly said as he wrapped his hand around Charlie's waist while still holding their daughter. The younger slapped his arm lightly, offended.
“Are you insinuating we’re messy?” Nick looked around as if to say ‘Uhm what do you think?’ He looked at his daughter launching a tickle attack saying “Lily, did you mess the kitchen up, bug? Did you launch the blueberries with your spoon again? You little blueberry monster.” chuckling at his daughter squirming in his arms trying to bat his hands as they were tickling her belly.
“Okay you two, we better take a taste of the cheesecake before Daisy does,” Charlie said, chuckling under his breath as he remembered all the times Daisy stole food on the table that was waiting to cool. He took Lily’s other hand as Nick was already holding the left one. As they were about to sit, Lily was already there poking the cheesecake with her tiny fingers, “Dad, what’s a picnic?” she asked Charlie, her face showed nothing but curiosity.
“Well, honey, it’s where people, sometimes families or sometimes couples or just friends gather under a tree or just somewhere with a wide span of grass and there’s a breeze wafting and they put down a blanket under them as they sit and eat lots of yummy food, talk about life, and just enjoy the nature.” Charlie described as he pictured his own family going on a picnic.
“Oh.” was all she said as she looked down at her lap.
“Why, sweetheart? Why do you look a bit sad about a picnic?” Nick interjected and looked worriedly at his husband.
“There’s this boy in my class who always picks on me when i line up my colours on my desk, he said only mommies and daddies that love their children go there and he said since i don’t have a mommy and that you don’t love me since you adopted me, that’s why i can’t go to a picnic like his family does.” her voice was now wavering and she was fiddling with the ends of her jumper, the cheesecake forgotten. Nick and Charlie looked at each other already planning how to talk to the principal about this with just them looking at each other.
“Oh sweetie, you know how much we love you right? It doesn’t matter where you came from, we will love you because of it and we’ll love you no matter what you want to do in the future, if you want to find your mama and papa or not.” Charlie was already feeling like tearing up, knowing how much he’ll do and sacrifice for this child who chose them to take care of her and love her.
“Dad’s right, and it doesn’t matter if it’s two daddy’s or two mommy’s or whoever it is, as long as you feel safe and you feel loved, that’s family, my love.” Nick spread out his arms, silently asking if Lily wanted the comfort of his hug. Lily gingerly climbed down the chair and lifted her arms so Nick could put her on his lap and soothe her. Lily melted in his arms, hiding her sad face in his chest. She lifted an arm and reached for Charlie’s hand, feeling safe in both their comforting touch which she usually doesn’t like the feeling of.
Charlie looked at Nick, feeling all the love he had for his family, he wanted to see their smiles again immediately. He suddenly had a spark of an idea. Drawing circles on his daughter’s hand he said, “Hey sweetie, I have an idea.” He smiled, now looking at his daughter’s chocolate brown eyes that remind him of Nick, as she turned her head toward him.
“Why don’t we have a picnic right now at the park and let’s bring our homemade cheesecake and I’ll even let you hold Daisy’s lead, how about that, huh?” Charlie could feel Nick looking at him, he looked up and he saw the awe in his husband’s face, Nick always wears his heart in his eyes and this was one of those moments Charlie felt so loved by him. Nick was caressing his daughter’s hair, gauging how she’s feeling right now, trying to tell her silently how her big feelings right now are valid. He felt her breathing slow down and she began to relax more in his arms.
“Can we bring lots of crisps that we bought from the grocery?” she asked with her tiny voice, looking at Charlie with those big puppy eyes that he’s sure she got from her daddy.
“You sneaky little girl,” he chuckled, booping her nose in the process. “Did your daddy put you up with this because you know how much he likes those unhealthy crisps.” He was already narrowing his eyes at Nick, and his husband had the audacity to look so innocent he couldn't help but laugh at both of them. “Okay fine, we can bring lots of crisps as long as you eat your veggies for dinner okay?”
Lily sighed so loud both Nick and Charlie couldn’t help burst out laughing. Already feeling so much better, Lily rolled her eyes playfully and said, “Okay dad, I promise I’ll eat my veggies tonight as long as you and daddy don’t do kissies too much when we’re eating, it’s yucky.” she said scrunching up her nose and putting her tongue out in mock disgust. Both Nick and Charlie blushed at that, thinking she didn’t see them kiss at random moments because they always made sure she wasn’t looking but alas she did see and so they promised Lily they wouldn’t kiss too much at the table from now on when they were all eating together.
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Nick put Lily down and asked her if she wanted to help her dads pack for their impromptu picnic or play with her Spider-man action figures, which she thought about for a few seconds pursing her lips adorably and decided she wanted to play with Spider-man while watching the show ‘Bluey’. She jumped on her trampoline placed beside the couch for a few times before snatching her Spider-man action figure from the red pile bin and settled a few feet away from the television where Nick already set up the show on Disney+. He kissed her on the forehead as he passed her on his way to the kitchen where Charlie was already packing other snacks they might like and putting it in the picnic basket.
Nick hugged his husband from behind tightly showering his neck with little kisses. “Have I said how much I love you today?” Charlie chuckled, leaning back into Nick’s chest and patting his strong rugby arms lovingly. “You definitely did as soon as we woke up, and then again when we dropped off Lily at school, and then again when you dropped me off in the office, and then again when you—”
“Okay okay!” Nick laughed in his neck. “I feel like I still don’t say it enough. I wanted to thank you, I know we’re still fairly new at this whole parenting thing but when I see you both together it’s like you were made for loving and caring for other people and you don’t even ask for anything in return.” Nick continued, “She’s going to be such an amazing person when she grows up,” He turned Charlie around so he could face him while he uttered, “You give us both so much love, Charlie. I hope you know that, I’ll keep reminding you how amazing you are and how much I look up to you with this challenging but fun bit we have going on in our life. I know I suck at times but I just want you to know how much I appreciate you, love. You hold this family together like glue.”
“I fucking hate you” Charlie chuckled while also trying to wipe his tears that doesn’t seem to end. “You’re making me cry while I’m packing your goddamn unhealthy crisps!” he was full on sobbing now hoping Lily was still distracted not wanting her to think this was a bad type of cry because it’s not, it’s the best type of cry where his husband just pours his heart out and makes Charlie believe like he’s this amazing superhero in Nick’s eyes, which Nick will probably agree with if you ask him.
“You know I couldn’t have done this without you,” just as Nick was about to protest, he said, “I know what you’re gonna say, yes I did all the work by going to therapy, I know that love, but I can’t ignore how much you’ve made my life happier than ever. When we struggle, we do it together and I thank you for that, I will always be thankful for that.” he smiled tearily at his husband who is now crying as well, “But still fuck you for making me cry.” He kissed his freckles one by one, “I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.”
Also laughing now with a few tears still lingering Nick said, “ That’s payback for saying my crisps are unhealthy.” Charlie looked at him like he’s an idiot, “Because it is you goof!” They were trying not to be too loud but Daisy was already barking at them, joining their laughter. “Okay, let’s continue packing before Lily gets too antsy.” Both of them wiping their tears as they go in different directions, Charlie heading to the pantry to see if he missed anything and Nick grabbing Lily’s bag that contains her headphones, some sensory toys, and the mat she most feels comfortable sitting on, and heading to the car to drop it off inside.
When he got back inside to get the picnic basket Charlie was already tying Lily’s shoes while she was trying her best to hold on to Daisy’s lead as she was so excited that they were going out. Nick got all of their coats since it was still a bit chilly outside but with a slight sun peeking at them and grazing their presence as they drove to the park, only a few minutes away from their home.
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Charlie already laid out Lily’s mat where she’s sitting and clapping her hands together loving the feeling of the breeze on her skin. Nick can’t help but stop and smile as he sees his family enjoying this impromptu outing his thoughtful husband thought of. He laid out his and Charlie’s blanket next to Lily’s and dropped the picnic basket and let Daisy roam around as Charlie took out the contents of the basket, mostly crisps, but also more healthy stuff that Lily needs. Nick sat down behind Charlie, cuddling him while looking out, content seeing his family happy.
“This is what forever is gonna look like for us huh.” Charlie said, in awe of all the happiness he’s feeling right now.
“Definitely, and when we face some challenges we’ll work hard for our forever to stay as amazing as this.” kissing Charlie on his temple, “Because we’re Nick and Charlie and Lily and Daisy, and there’s our family and friends who’ll always be there to help us when we need them.”
“You say the most amazing and sappy things, and I love you so much for it.”
“Okay, I won't make you cry again. I just realized though, I haven’t even tasted the blueberry cheesecake you and Lily made.” as Charlie was getting it from the basket, Lily stood in front of them wanting to see how his daddy would react. She was jumping up and down, “Faster, dad! Daddy needs to taste the cheesecake now!” giggling out loud. Both Nick and Charlie smiled at her being so giddy.
“The pressure is intense with you father and daughter,” him seeing so many similarities with Lily and Nick’s gestures makes him smile again. It doesn’t matter if Lily didn’t come from them, they’re going to be here for her ‘till their last breath.
“Here, sweetheart, tell us how our hard work tastes.” Charlie brings the fork up with the cake on it to Nick’s mouth, looking forward to his reaction. Nick moaned out his approval, playfully exaggerating so they can both see how much he loved it.
“Oh my god, Gordon Ramsay, who!?” he exclaimed. “This has got to be the greatest blueberry cheesecake in the whole history of amazing blueberry cheesecakes!” he was getting animated with his hand gestures and Charlie was smiling so hard now. This was definitely going up on his list of favourite days filed up in his memory when he needs it for sad days.
Lily was squealing, enjoying her daddy’s reaction. She surprised them both by suddenly launching herself on Charlie’s lap and trying so hard to reach around them both for a hug with her little arms. Her next words would ensue waterworks and Daisy joining their bundle, licking their faces in delight.
“Daddy? Dad? Ethan was wrong,” she whispered.
“Who’s Ethan, sweetie?” Charlie asked.
“The boy at school. He was wrong,” she continued, “You don’t need just mommies and daddies to be happy at a picnic. Daddies who love me, Daisy, blueberry cheesecake, and yummy crisps are enough.”
“That’s right, honey.” Nick didn’t think he would be able to hold his tears much if he added more.
“Thank you for choosing me. I love you both.” she extracted herself from the hug and went back to her mat like she didn’t just drop the best version of a love bomb onto them. Nick tightened his hold on his husband, both needing the extra support.
“Fucking hell.” Charlie whispered, not wanting her to hear him swear, he just couldn’t help himself, he was filled with all kinds of emotions right now and looking over his shoulder at Nick, it looks like he was just as overwhelmed as he was.
“You can say that again,” Nick chuckled. “Sometimes we’re too hard on ourselves with this parenting stuff but I think we’re doing good, love.”
“Yeah, I think we are too,” Charlie gazed at his husband and said, “We have to show her that we’re the ones who are so thankful she chose to love and trust us, okay?” Charlie said fervently, his voice thick with emotion.
“I promise, love. I promise we’ll make her see how lucky and thankful we are to have her.” he told him, “And I’ll also promise to always tell you how lucky I am that we sat next to each other in form, and that you loved me no matter what.”
“I swear to god you really are father and daughter, making me fucking cry while we’re outside enjoying a nice picnic together.” he said jokingly. They both turned to face each other and showed how much they appreciate each other with their kisses.
“Yucky!” Lily exclaimed next to them while trying to throw the ball so Daisy can fetch it and get it back to her. They both laughed at their daughter.
Right then and there they both knew everything was going to be okay as long as they had each other. They’ll protect and love her with all they have, knowing how much trust this child put in them when they adopted her. They both snuggled closer to each other, watching Lily chase Daisy in circles, thanking whoever made it possible for this to be their life and silently thanking each other for not giving up throughout all their struggles. The picnic basket adding to their collection of physical reminders of happy memories that fill up their home with love and joy.
End.