Chapter Text
After packing a picnic basket that would probably be able to feed at least ten people, got Emmi’s scooter in the car after getting her ready, Ashton was able to admit that there was no more prolonging this meeting, and it was time for them to meet Luke at the park for the afternoon.
The sunshine was getting warmer with each passing day, finally coming to the time where Ashton and Emmi could spend most of their days outside in the sunshine, Emmi content with being outside for as long as she possibly could.
“Ember Marie, look at me please.” Looking in the rearview mirror on the way to the park Ashton glanced back to see Emmi looking towards the front, her doll clutched in her hand protectively.
“You need to be on your best behavior while we’re there today. No acting up, no talking back, do you understand me?” Waiting to continue Ashton noticed that Emmi had nodded, indicating that she was listening.
Pulling into the parking lot at the park Ashton got out of his own side before walking around to where Ember had been sitting, opening the door to find her standing in front of him, having unbuckled herself without any help.
“Ember, I want you to tell me exactly how you feel today. If you don’t like Luke, or if you’re upset by any of this you can tell me, okay? I won’t be upset if you don’t like him.”
“I know, Daddy.” Emmi rolled her eyes, Ashton gently holding her hips, forcing her to stay still to look at him.
“Ember, I’m being serious. You will not upset me with anything you say today. Okay?”
“Okay, Daddy.” Emmi spoke, pressing her tiny hands against Ashton’s cheeks, leaning in to press a kiss against his lips.
If this was an indication on how the afternoon was going to go, Ashton had every reason to be optimistic.
—
Luke texted Ashton that he was on his way towards the park just as Ashton had finished setting their little picnic up, trying to keep Ember near their spot so she could meet Luke and eat before she went off to play with all of her friends.
“Hey.” Luke smiled after he spotted Ashton sat on the blanket, Ashton standing up, pulling him in for a hug, managing to sneak a quick kiss when Emmi wasn’t looking, instead her eyes trained on the playground in the short distance.
“Ember, come here sweetheart.” This was the moment that Ashton had been waiting for. He was nervous, excited, and every emotion in between. Ember obediently made her way to where her father was standing, letting him pick her up, settling herself against his hip.
“Ember, this is Daddy’s friend Luke. Luke, this is Ember. Can you say hello?”
“Hi, Luke! I ‘member you from the store!” Emmi giggled, her tiny fingers covering her mouth, Luke smiling back at her.
“I remember you, too! Are you having a nice day at the park?”
“We just got here, but Daddy says after lunch I can play!” Wiggling excitedly against her father Ashton could do what he only knew was right and set her down, letting her run back to where the picnic basket was.
“So far, so good. Just relax, babe.” Luke smiled, Ashton taking a deep breath as he leaned into the taller boy, the tension slowly leaving his body.
—
The lunch passed without incident, Emmi spending most of the time talking about her friends, what she liked to do, and how much she loved her dad, something that Ashton blushed at the longer that she went on.
Finishing up their sandwiches and Emmi finishing the bag of grapes Ashton had packed for her she looked towards her father expectantly, a smile plastered on her face, her bright green eyes wide with excitement.
“Can I go play now?”
“Go. Be careful, love bug.” Ashton called after her, watching her long legs carry her towards the playground, already setting off to find kids that would let her play.
“She is the cutest child I have ever met.” Luke’s voice brought Ashton back to the blanket and their conversation, his head turning to look back towards the younger boy, a smile appearing on his face.
“Do you go around and meet loads of kids?”
“Shut up, you know what I mean.” A playful shove against Ashton’s shoulder had him laughing again, Luke praying that he wasn’t as red as he felt.
“I know. Well, thanks mate. Means a lot, you know? And she seems to love you. Or at least be able to tolerate you.”
“Shut up.” Luke whined, now having it be Ashton’s turn to laugh, leaning his head against Luke’s shoulder, making sure to watch Emmi to make sure that she was okay.
“I was so nervous about this, you know? Like, I was terrified that she wasn’t going to like you, or you wouldn’t like her or something. But I’m just happy that this is working and she likes you so far, and hopefully things will be okay.”
“Ash, you need to stop worrying. I knew I was going to like her because she’s yours, you know? And I’m glad she seems to like me so far, and I promise the more we get to know each other the better it will get.”
“Thank you,” Ashton whispered, looking up towards Luke, the sincerity in his eyes, “I can’t tell you the amount of guys that I’ve been interested in dating that just run when they find out I have a daughter.”
“I always thought I wasn’t going to be someone who got married, mostly because if you want me you need to also be okay with Emmi being a huge part of this. No one ever seemed to want both parts. I had kind of given up, and then I met you.” Ashton explained, Luke opting to stay quiet, wanting to give Ashton a chance to spill his thoughts.
“You were so open to it all when I had finally told you, and I realized that maybe this could work. I don’t know how I’m going to adjust to all of this, and I’ll probably be annoying, but you being so open about this and being so gracious with Emmi means more than you’ll realize.” Ashton whispered.
Luke pressed a kiss to the top of Ashton’s head while pulling him closer, and somehow that felt like more than enough.