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Category: Erotica/Gay Fiction
Description: While making a gift Charlotte asks her Daddy why he and Papa aren't married, leading Landon with the help of his daughters to make Father's Day one that they and Devin will never forget. Landon and Devin have been together since Landon a children's writer read to Devin's second grade class. Now eight years later they have two beautiful daughters, Charlotte and Gracie. While making a gift for Devin for Father's Day, a happily ever after story of her Daddy and Papa, Charlotte asks Landon why her parents aren't married leading Landon and the girls to put together a special proposal in Devin's classroom on Father's Day.
eBook Publisher: MLR Press, LLC/MLR Press, LLC,
eBookwise Release Date: July 2012

3 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [42 KB]
Words: 7699
Reading time: 21-30 min.

Landon joined his six-year-old, Charlotte, at the dining room table. She was doing schoolwork, since her track didn't have a break until mid-July. Her head was bent over her work, her legs kicking under the table. Gracie, who was one and a half, toddled behind him, sippie cup in hand.

"What are you working on, Char?" He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and set her apple slices and juice box beside her.

"Thank you, Daddy." Charlotte beamed at him and snatched an apple slice. "It's a surprise. Ms. Asher has us making special things for Father's Day. I've got you and Papa, so I'm super busy!"

He laughed as he pulled out the chair next to her, then picked up Gracie when she held her arms up. He adored how mature Charlotte could be at times, all the while still being sweet and innocent. "Can I see what you're doing for Papa?"

She held out her pinky. "No telling."

He hooked her pinky with his as he bounced a giggling Gracie on his knee. "I promise."

Picking up a "write your own story" book, Charlotte showed it to him. She pointed to the first page where she had carefully written "Once upon a time" and had drawn a picture of what had to be him and Devin. He had jet black hair, brown eyes, glasses, and was an inch taller than his brown-haired, green-eyed partner.

"See, I'm gonna tell the story of our family," she said in excitement. "Here're you and Papa when you first met in the classroom."

"I think this is a wonderful idea." He smiled at her as he recalled the day he had met Devin. He was a writer of children's stories and that day he'd been reading one of his books to different classes at the school. The purpose was to encourage the children to read and write. One of the second grade classes had been Devin's. Not only had it been an inspiring day seeing the kids enjoy his story, but it had become the perfect one when he had struck up a conversation with Devin afterward that led to Landon asking him out. The first date started a whirlwind romance where he had fallen hard and fast. Luckily, so had Devin and they had been in love and happy together ever since.

"I'm going to draw me and Gracie too," Charlotte continued, pulling him from his thoughts. "For later on, when you and Papa started our family. But Daddy, can I ask you somethin'?"

"You can ask me anything, honey." He reached over and tucked her long brown hair that had fallen in front of her face back behind her ear.

"You and Papa love each other and we're a family," Charlotte said and he nodded. "So how come you aren't married?"

Now he wished Devin were home. Landon was no good at explaining things like this. "Well, because we couldn't get married."

"Why?"

He knew that wouldn't satisfy Charlotte for long -- she was like Devin with her curiosity and need to learn everything. "There are some people who have trouble accepting that two daddies or two mommies can love each other and be a family."

A frown crossed Charlotte's face. "That's silly. You and Papa love each other. You give kisses and hug lots and you make Papa smile even when he has a bad day."

"I know, honey, and I do love Papa and you and Gracie more than anything in this world," he said, hugging Gracie to him as she snuggled against his chest.

Charlotte's lip wobbled. "You can't get married though? Daddy what about the happy endings? You have to get married like Prince Eric did to Ariel and Aladdin to Princess Jasmine!"

"Aw, c'mere." He held out his hand and Charlotte climbed into his lap, sitting on his opposite leg beside Gracie. "First, we have our happy ending -- we have you two girls and each other, that's all we need. But you know things changed a short while ago, so Papa and I can get married if we want to."

Bouncing in his lap, Charlotte gave him a pleading look. "Oh, please ask Papa! That'd be so awesome. I could be a princess in the wedding and Gracie too, and Papa would be happy and you too, and can we do it, pleeease?"

Laughing, he wrapped his arm around her. He could never say no to her and now that he was thinking about it, she was right. He and Devin had been overjoyed when the law had passed allowing them the same rights as everyone else just a month back. If he proposed on Father's Day it would give them plenty of time to plan things before their eight year anniversary in August. He loved the thought of making things official. He and Devin had made their own promises in private and committed years ago to spending their lives together, but it would be nice to tell everyone that they were husbands and celebrate their love.

"Yes," he agreed, his smile widening. He snapped his fingers. "I've got the perfect idea, honey. How about you write about me asking in your story? Then when you read it, I'll propose to Papa."

Squealing loudly, Charlotte hugged him then Gracie, who tossed her cup aside and began clapping her hands as she shared her sister's excitement. "Yay! Gracie, Papa and Daddy are gonna get married!"

"Dada, Papa!" Gracie babbled.

Buster, their cocker spaniel, sat up and rushed out from under the table, whimpering in excitement as he went to the front door and sat, tail wagging wildly. That only meant one thing -- Devin was home from his staff meeting. Charlotte jumped off his lap and he set Gracie down.

"Remember now, baby, it's our secret."

Miming zipping her lips, Charlotte ran to the door with Gracie on her heels as the front door opened. Laughing, he got up and watched them welcome Devin home from work. Devin was dressed in a forest green sweater vest that accented his olive complexion and black slacks, his usual wear for teaching. His hair had that messy, yet styled look that always made Landon want to run his fingers through it. Devin was shorter than him by a few inches, but still tall and had a swimmer's body while Landon was more lanky and somewhat of a klutz.

Devin knelt, rubbing Buster's head before hugging Charlotte and scooping up Gracie as she nearly stumbled to get around Buster to him. Charlotte took after Devin in both looks and personality; she was graceful, smart, and a little bookworm. Gracie was the spitting image of Landon when he was a baby, with her curly black hair, big brown eyes, and a smile that could get her anything. She also had his easygoing manner and happy-go-lucky attitude.

"A little help?" Devin pleaded. His hands were full as Buster tried to nudge him for more attention and jumped up.

"Buster, down." Landon snapped his fingers and though Buster gave him the sad eyes he sat, tail still wagging.

Hugging both girls, Devin smiled. "You two look excited. What did I miss?"

With a grin Charlotte said, "It's a secret surprise for you, Papa." She kissed his cheek then skipped off to the dining room. "I've got homework!"

Holding out his hand, Landon pulled Devin to his feet and kissed him softly. "Welcome home, babe."

"Thanks." Devin gave him a smile that he knew was just for him. "So, do you know what she's excited about?"

"I had to pinky swear to not tell you." He winked at Devin. "You're gonna love it though. It's for Father's Day."

"Ah, well I suppose I can wait a few days." Devin kissed Gracie's temple as she laid her head on his shoulder. "It must be good, judging by that smile on your face."

Landon took Devin's messenger bag from his shoulder and set it aside on the sideboard. He cupped Devin's face, thinking about how much he loved him. He couldn't wait until Friday to propose, but he wanted to make it perfect. Devin had given him a wonderful life and deserved to be swept off his feet. He didn't romance him as often as he should, but he never let a day go by where he didn't tell Devin that he loved him. "I may have a surprise of my own, thanks to our brilliant daughter."

"Now I'm really curious." Devin tickled Gracie and she giggled. "Too bad you can't tell me, Gracie."

Laughing, Landon took Devin's hand. "C'mon, I'll distract you with my new recipe for dinner."

"Oh good, I'm starved."