I take a step back and examine my work. On my nightstand sits a photo of my dad, a small candle, and some flowers. It's not much but his grave is all the way back in Colorado. Leaving him was probably the worst thing about moving here.

I sit down on the bed as I hear Charlie come in. It's not the anniversary of his death or his birthday, it's Father's day. It's a nice idea, but a lot of us don't have fathers to pay respects to.

"Ethan, what's up?" Charlie asks. "You're usually in my room with Momo."

I simply point to my little shrine, a somber mood settling over me. "I wanted to do something for him today."

Charlie sits by me and grabs my hand. "You look a lot like him." He moves his fingers through his hair. "I know he'd be proud of you."

I smile and cuddle up to my boyfriend. "Yeah, I think he would. He only ever wanted us to be happy."

"Then I'll make it my duty to make sure that you're living life the way your father intended, all in and completely unapologetic."

I chuckle. "Thanks, cupcake. You're already doing a wonderful job." I lift our joined hands and kiss his.

Giggling, he kisses the side of my mouth. "I love you, Superstar."

"I love you too, baby." I kiss him properly and rest my body against his. "Will you guys be doing anything for Jay?"

"Xander and I wanted to do something, but I can stay here for you instead."

I shake my head. "Nah, I want you to do it. I can help."

Charlie lights up. "Really?"

I nod. "Yep."

He bounces. "I'm going to cook his favorite food and bake desserts. I got him a gift, but I'm scared it's not good enough."

"I'm sure he'll love whatever you get him."

"Yeah, I sure hope so." He leans against me. "We've been through a lot this year, so I want to make everything extra special for him."

"I'll help however I can." I promise him. "Even if you want me to jump out of a cake in my lingerie."

"Can you do that for our anniversary? Because that sounds amazing."

"Fuck yeah." I smirk.

Charlie grins and kisses me. "Do you need to borrow any of my clothes?"

"Do you want me to? You can dress me up again if you want." I wiggle my shoulders. "I need to look good for your family."

"I'm thinking button down shirt and nice jeans," Charlie says.

"Boring." I tease him but rifle through my closet for them anyway. I find a black button up in there and my jeans are on the floor as usual since I wear them pretty much everyday.

Charlie helps me button up my shirt, taking longer than necessary.

I smirk at him and squeeze his ass on the way out.

"So thirsty." He smirks back and shakes it before entering his room to get dressed.

"More like hungry." I eye it longingly, wishing I could bury my face in it.

He puts on a purple button up and dark gray jeans before chuckling. "For me or for my cooking?"

"Mhm, hot. You look so good in purple." I pull him close and rock with him. "And both, always both."

"You also look good in purple." He winks and lets me control our movements for a while.

I blush and let him go after a bit. "We cooking here or at their house?"

"Here. I can sometimes make a mess when I make cannelloni."

I nod. "Okay, babe."

"Maybe by the end of tonight you'll have two ways of having a little Italian in you." He wiggles his eyebrows and puts water on the stove to boil.

"Mm, you're in such a toppy mood lately, it's sexy." I kiss him and hop on the bar.

"Well, it is father's day and we know that I'd be the daddy."

I scoff, blushing. "No."

"Oh, then please tell me why it'd be you." He pulls out some italian sausage and a skillet, looking for homemade sauce ingredients.

"I'm clearly the daddy. So many girls have deemed me a daddy. I'm hot, I'm tall, i drive a motorcycle, and I'm a bad boy. I send people to their knees." I smirk.

"Well, you're with a man now, so you're going to have to get used to the fact that you're only an inch taller than me and I've had you on your knees plenty of times."

I hop down and wrap my arms around Charlie's middle. "I love your height and I love getting on my knees for you. You're my everything."

He kisses me and then leans in. "You may be the bad boy, but I'm the one who controls you, Superstar."

Blushing more, I just cuddle him, unable to dispute. "Your logic is flawless."

He ruffles my hair. "Could've been a lawyer."

"Definitely, you'd be terrifying in court. Mm, that'd be fun to roleplay. I bet your parents roleplay that."

"Oh my gooooosh, stop drooling over my parents."

"But they made such hot babies!" I whine.

"You drool over my whole family. You're sluttier than Ry." Charlie laughs and starts on the sauce.

I gasp. "Ry is not slutty at all!"

"Just for Xander."

"Now that's control." I roll my eyes.

"Oh, whatever. I made you realize you were gay."

"You and that beautiful ass of yours." I hum happily. "Thank god I get to love you."

"Can you keep an eye on the tomatoes to make sure they don't burn while cooking down?"

"Sure, but I have no idea how to tell if it's burning." I fix my eyes on the sauce.

"The smell and color. Stir the mixture occasionally." Charlie starts mixing seasonings into a bowl while humming.

I stir. "Be a good sauce for Ethan."

Charlie giggles. "So cute."

I keep watch diligently while Charlie cooks, the sounds soothing.

The smells coming from everything Charlie does causes my stomach to churn in anticipation while he works on the sauce and filling for the tubes simultaneously, asking me to drain the noodles.

It's peaceful being domestic with him and I find that I quite enjoy it. I do as he asks while snacking on some crackers. Not enough to spoil the meal but enough to hold me over.

"Bad boy," Charlie chuckles and moves to start on what I believe to be the dessert, pulling out all the weird ingredients I was questioning all week.

"What's the dessert gonna be, cupcake?" I ask.

"Homemade gelato."

"Sick, I've never had that." I watch him work, interested. "Is Xander doing any work for this or being a lazy-ass like usual?"

"He's cleaning the house and decorating. Xan also has the gifts wrapped for Dad."

I smirk. "I'd pay to see him clean your gigantic house in a maid costume."

Charlie massages his temples. "He's probably been cleaning all day."

"That's sweet. I'll tell Ryder to give him extra ass tonight." I snicker. "He's a good son."

"Yeah. Xander's a good bean." Charlie shows me to the sink and has us wash our hands again before showing me how to stuff the tubelike noodles with filling and put sauce on top so he can make the gelato while I do this.

"Feels like I'm stuffing a turkey's ass." I chuckle, having fun with it.

"Eew." Charlie laughs, working his magic.

I take a second to put on some music before continuing, a shuffled mix of both our tastes playing throughout the apartment. Once I finish the noodles I present them to Charlie for approval.

"Mm, what a good cowboy." He kisses me and puts them in the oven.

Glowing, I hop back on the counter. "Yee-fuckin'-haw, daddio."

Charlie chuckles and puts the mixture away to freeze before coming over to me and standing between my legs before leaning into me from his place.

I pull him in and wrap my limbs around him. "You're an amazing son too."

"Thank you. It means a lot." He whispers.

"This is gonna make him really happy, I know it is. He's so proud of you and everything you're accomplishing, just like I am." I kiss his head.

Charlie blushes and buries his face in my chest. Quietly, I start to sing the song that's on to him while petting him. "I'm so glad this is our life."

"Me too." He pulls me closer. "I'm so glad you're in my life."

"There's no one else I'd rather grow old with."

"Aww, Ethaaaaaaaaaan."

I smile. "Charlieeeeeeeeeeeeeee."

He looks up at me with big hazel eyes and grins. "You're so cheesy."

"You love it, dork. I can't help that I'm a hopeless romantic. Well, not hopeless anymore." I boop his nose.

"Nope, not anymore. Now you have such a catch. Your fiancé is pretty great."

"Yeah, he sure is." I agree.

"Wanna cuddle on the couch until it's time to get the food and go?" He whispers.

"Sounds good to me."

♥︎ • ♦︎ • ♣︎ • ♠︎

Arriving at Charlie's childhood home, I actually feel nervous. I want to ask James a very important question today.

"I'm so glad you're here with us," Charlie kisses me before I open the door to the house.

"Great, you're here on time. Ma and Dad get off work in ten minutes, so we gotta go fast." Xander starts taking the dishes and taking them to the kitchen.

"What can I do?" I ask, following.

"Are you clumsy?" Xander asks.

"No."

"Then you can set the table with me and then place the dishes after Charlie plates them."

"Sure thing." I pinch his cheek as I walk by and start grabbing cups.

Xander grabs the table cloth, runner, placemats, and wine glasses.

We head to the table and I help him set everything up, following his lead. I've never, like, properly set a table before and this one's so big. Luckily, I don't knock anything on the floor.

"Should I have invited Ryder?" Xander asks quietly.

I purse my lips. "I don't know. He'll probably spend the day with Mom and Kaz. I've no idea whether this would've helped him or made it worse."

"Yeah, I thought you all were doing a family thing." He bites his lip and adjusts all of the wine glasses and dishes so they are absolutely perfect.

"Ry was always more of a momma's boy anyhow." I shrug and ruffle Xanders hair.

He exhales. "And you're a Charlie's boy."

"I'll always be my dad's boy. Charlie is a wonderful bonus."

"That's nice."

"Are you feelin' down, Xan?" I ask, looking him over.

"Just contemplating things." He makes sure sure everything is also mirrored. "I don't want to be a bad boyfriend."

"You're not, why would you think that?" I ask. "Ry adores you. He's the happiest he's ever been."

Xander runs his fingers through his hair. "Charlie invited you and so it just has me thinking."

"It's okay that you didn't invite him. Charlie invited me to your family thing because we're planning to get married and I'll be a part of your family soon. You and Ry aren't there yet, so it's okay if you don't invite him to family stuff. I was also being a sad sack and you know how Charlie is, he won't let you be sad for long."

"That is true." Xander chuckles.

"Exactly." I poke his chest. "So quit overthinking. You're a great boyfriend."

"Thanks."

"Food is plated!" Charlie calls.

"Nice." I smile and head over, my stomach grumbling. "Baby, lemme have a taste."

"Nooooo," he laughs and kisses me. "You need to eat with us."

I pout. "Do you want me to bust a nut at the dinner table?"

"Eeeew, why would you do that?" Xander makes a face.

I look off dreamily. "His cooking just does things to me."

"He can't control himself." Charlie giggles.

"Not when you're around." I smirk and hug him. "And even better I know I get the meal twice. Once when I eat it, then later when I eat you out." I snicker, eyeing Xander.

"Grosssssssss."

I kiss my Charlie's neck and chuckle.

Charlie blushes and kisses me back.

I release him and take plates to the table, the brothers following me, and soon everything is ready.

The door opens and Charlie gets excited, running over to greet his parents like a puppy. I follow him at a more normal pace and hang back so they can all greet properly.

"Hi, Charlie." Ava hugs him and Xander grins. "I'm glad you're here."

Jay is the next one Charlie tackles and he chuckles, keeping them both grounded.

"Happy Father's Day, Dad!" Charlie hugs him tightly and whispers what I believe to be his pirate song to him.

I grin and lean against the wall, watching the display.

"Ethan, it's nice to see you," Jay says, taking off his coat for Xander to grab and put up.

I walk over and offer my hand. "It's nice to see you too. And you, Mrs. King."

"Ava is fine." She chuckles and moves some of her hair out of her face.

James shakes my hand and I all of a sudden feel like this was a mistake. His handshake is so... lawyery.

Gulping, I let go and stuff my hands in my pockets, returning to the safety of Xander.

"We all got together to make a dinner and dessert. We should eat it while it's hot or else Ethan'll die."

"Pfft, it'd take more than that to take me down." I smirk powerfully. "I went years without Charlie food."

He smirks. "But now you're addicted."

"I can get my sustenance elsewhere." I wink.

"Oh, I see." James quirks an eyebrow.

Blushing, I go sit down. Stupid Ethan.

I watch Charlie, hoping he'll sit next to me.

He pushes his parents into the table and takes his seat next to me, Xander on my other side. Jay sits across from me and Ava sits across from Charlie.

Smiling, I take Charlie's hand under the table and lace our fingers together. "Happy Father's Day, Jay. You must've been an amazing father to raise such incredible sons." I kiss Charlie's hand.

"Thank you." He smirks. "Also, this food is amazing, Charlie."

"Thank you." He blushes.

Grining, I wait for the signal to start eating.

Ava starts eating and Jay takes a sip of red wine. I dig in, holding back my moans and try to eat gracefully. "This is great, babe."

"Yay, I'm so glad you all like it." He covers his face.

"You're a really good chef." I kiss his temple and snag a piece off Xander's plate.

"You asshole! My food!"

"Better quicken your reflexes." I smirk, plopping it in my mouth.

Xander throws a napkin at me and moves his food further away.

"Aw, come on." I take a piece from my own and prod his lips with it. "Get the nomies, Xan Xan."

"Eew, stop."

I pout and eat it myself.

Charlie laughs. "Ethan, you're cute."

I offer him a bite.

He takes it and grins. I grin back and finish my meal, leaning back in my chair.

"Your stomach taking up too much space now?" Xander laughs.

"Yeah, baby. I'm gonna be fat and happy now that I'm with a rich man." I pat my stomach and throw an arm around Charlie.

"I hope you have room for dessert." Charlie leans against me and Ava smiles.

"Definitely. I heard it's someone's favorite." I smirk at James.

He thinks. "What is it?"

"I made coffee flavored gelato!" Charlie cheers.

"Really?" He perks up.

"Yeah, Ethan and I will dish everyone up!"

I stand and follow Charlie to the kitchen. "Should I suck you off again?" I joke.

His eyes darken momentarily and he bites his lip before shaking it off. He's so cute and easy to rile up.

I grab dessert bowls and hold them out for him to deposit the gelato onto. "Seems he's really liking it so far."

"I'm glad." Charlie grins happily and uses a spade to dish everyone up. "I hope you like it."

"I will. I like everything you make." I kiss him briefly.

Charlie smiles and takes the bowls to the table. I sit down with mine and take a big first bite, groaning pleasurably as all the tenseness in my body dissipates. "You've got a great fucking taste in desert." I compliment Jay with my mouth still full.

"Thank you." He chuckles.

My boyfriend beams at how we all enjoy the fruits of his labor. Jay and I both have multiple servings of gelato before Charlie and Xander run off to get presents.

"They always get so excited during holidays." Jay laughs.

"It's really endearing." I agree. "I was never a big holiday person. I kinda wish I had been." I look down at my hands. "You know how some kids are."

"Charlie and Xander always just get excited to give presents and celebrate with family," Ava explains. "They'd stay up for any holiday."

I smile. "That's really cute."

"What's really cute?" Charlie asks.

"You." I tell him. "And Xander."

"Why?" He cuddles his present.

"You just are."

"Aww, thanks, babe." Charlie gets excited and hands his dad an envelope while Xander hands him a box.

"Whose should I open first?"

"I mean, I am the youngest."

James laugh. "Okay, okay." He opens the present and his eyes light up. "Wow, Xan, this is great. Thank you."

Ava covers her mouth and places her hand on James's shoulder. "How did you get this?"

"Charlie told me about where to go and I was able to find it."

"It's so cute." Ava grins and shows me a picture of a redhead girl and a man who looks like Charlie, both in suits, but holding up a plaque that says "first place debate."

"Is that you two?" I ask. They were both smoking. "You look just like Charlie."

"Yes, it's us. We were partners on the St. Sinclair University debate team and this was us winning nationals Ava's freshman year." He looks to her lovingly.

"Cute." I smile. I hope when Charlie and I are old like them, we'll still look at each other like that too.

He sets the picture down gently and Ava continues to admire it, her eyes far away.

Carefully, he opens what Charlie gave him and grins, showing off a collage of Jay and Ava progressing as parents from the beginning all the way till recent. "This is adorable Charlie. Oh, and you wrote me a—"

"Read that alone." Charlie blushes. "It's not meant to be shared."