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After Antonio and Jay left, dessert was a much quieter affair. Charlie was snoozing on Steve’s chest after he shuffled over earlier while rubbing his eyes sleepily. Steve chuckled as he reached down and easily picked Charlie up. In seconds, the toddler was out as he held onto Steve’s shirt tightly.
The other kids got Evan to play video games with them in the living room. Gracie was smiling bigger than she’s had the whole trip thus far. Her and Eva’s giggles flowed into the dining room from where they were more focused on Eva’s phone than the gaming.
The other adults began cleaning up the tables and sorting food to take home. Evan was used to cooking for a lot more people who also were hungry firefighters. Which was why there was more than enough food remaining. Since most of them had flights home the next day, they figured it best to split the food amongst the six who lived in Chicago.
Will was sneaking more servings for him and Connor whenever he could, having one of the more time consuming schedules compared to the others.
Danny rolled his eyes when he realized, but was easily convinced to help by Will’s smile begging puppy dog eyes.
“So, you’re the one who taught Jay that look?”
“No idea what you’re talking about,” replied Will innocently.
“Right,” agreed Danny. “I’m sure.”
Connor who was walking by snorted. “Will is a menace. Don’t let him guilt trip you.”
“Rude! I’m getting us extra food, but with such blatant lies, nevermind.” Sticking his tongue out, Will shoved his boyfriend away.
“Suck that tongue in Will, or I’ll give it something better to do,” replied Connor, not even turning around.
“Connor!” sputtered Will, blushin and avoiding eye contact with Danny.
Danny laughed, sealing the last container. “Please, that’s the least embarrassing thing we’ve heard this whole trip.”
That had the trauma fellow turn around, interested in conversation. “There’s a story here and I have nothing but free time.
“Take it out of the kitchen,” complained Matt, grabbing the last of the dishes from them. “Trying to finish up here.”
The three chuckled and left the kitchen to Matt. He only had to put the last deep dish into the dishwasher before he could start it.
He didn’t hear or notice when Steve entered the kitchen. He had pressed for the machine to start and was turning around when he noticed the other man.
“Shit!” yelped Matt, flinching at the sudden appearance.
“Ah, sorry,” apologized Steve sheepishly.
Matt rolled his eyes. “Still in spy mode, I see.”
“Look, Matt. I’m sor-
“No,” interrupted Matt, shaking his head. “I know we all joke around about being a collective martial unit when you guys fuck up, and you seriously fucked up Steve, but you don’t owe me an apology.”
“Then why are-
“Why am I pissed off?”
“Are you going to interrupt me every time?”
“No. Of course not. Because that would be a really petty thing to do, wouldn’t it?”
Steve looked at Matt, trying to understand the game the blonde was playing at.
“Yeah, I gues-
“Lucky you, I am petty.” Matt grinned, almost viciously. “Personally, I think Danny let you off way too easily. But again, that is your relationship. I am pissed off because you’re letting your mom play you like an idiot.”
Steve froze, brow furrowing as he frowned. “She’s not playing m-
“Steve,” Matt cut in. “I know you’ve heard that you’re not the only one with a shit mother. And I know you’re not an idiot, usually .” Gesturing in the general direction of the other’s, Matt continued. “Evan’s mom was neglectful. And mine? She killed my dad. No, don’t say anything. Look, I wasn’t too much older than you were when your mom thought she knew best.” Matt steam rolled over Steve when he tried to react to the big Casey Secret. There wasn’t anything more to say about his mother.
She was abused. His mother was a victim who couldn’t take it at some point.
Then bang.
Since he was a teen, his mother has been in prison for murdering her husband.
End of the story.
“My mom was abused by my dad for years. I honestly can’t remember a time in my life that my jackass of a father didn’t hit her. Sometimes, he turned on me. It got worse for us when I got older,” Matt admitted, wrapping his arms around himself in a hug. “And one day, she couldn’t take it anymore. I don’t agree with what she did, but I understand why . Which is why some days, I still feel like I owe her. But Steve?”
Steve looked up, a bit surprised to meet compassionate blue eyes. “Yeah?”
“We don’t owe our parents shit. It’s not our fault our parents did or said or believe what they do. It’s not my fault my dad hit us. But it’s also not my fault that she killed him. Just as much it’s not your fault Doris decided her CIA crap is more important than being your mom. You don’t owe her anything for her decision. Do you get that, Steve?”
“I’m starting to,” admitted Steve, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.
“That’s great!”
Steve and Matt jumped at the sudden new voice. They turned to find Evan in the kitchen doorway, smiling wide. Behind him were Kelly, Eddie, and Danny giving their own supportive grins.
“How long have you guys been standing there?” asked Matt, narrowing his eyes.
Kelly shrugged, coming forward to put an arm around Matt’s shoulders and kissing his temple. “You okay, babe?”
“I’m fine.”
Kelly hummed, but tucked the smaller blonde into his arms with little fuss. Turning to the others, he nodded back to the living room. “Let’s put on a movie for the rest of the night?”
While the remaining eight of them, really nine since Charlie was out like a light on Will’s chest, got comfortable to start the movie for the night, Diego and Eva shyly came to stand before Eddie and Evan.
“Tio Eddie? Tio Evan” asked Eva hesitantly, looking between the two firefighters. Even though they were only speaking to the two adults, all of the adults looked over.
“What’s up Eva?” asked Evan, patting the spot beside him for her to sit at. Eddie did the same for Diego, but between him and Evan. Both of them took their offered seats with grateful smiles. But quickly, Diego looked nervous again. “Diego?”
“Um, so…we don’t really know how to say this, it’s kinda weird, but…um…”
“Take your time,” said Eddie evenly, but he looked around the room to see if anyone else had any idea what was going on. The other adults looked just as lost as he felt. But Chris was smiling. Which could mean one of two things. Either something funny was about to happen. Or…something wholesome.
With Chris, it was the same tell for either situation.
“We love Jay,” declared Eva. “He’s been so good for Dad, you know?”
Evan nodded, but kept a politely confused face on.
“But, we want to call him something different,” continued Diego, cheeks flushed as he played with his own fingers. “Like how Chris calls you ‘dad’, Tio Eddie. And you ‘papa’, Tio Evan.”
“Oh!” Evan smiled, pulling both kids into a side hug. “Jay would love that!”
“But ‘Papa’ doesn’t suit Jay. And Dad is already ‘Dad’. So, how did you guys decide on your names for Chris?” asked Eva.
Eddie and Evan looked at each other before turning their look on Chris, who was grinning back at them.
“One day, Chris just called me ‘papa’,” explained Evan, winking at his son. “And it just stuck.”
“Why don’t you call him ‘Step-Jay’?” offered Gracie. She was curled between her parents, leaning against Steve. “I have a Step-Stan’.”
“But you also have a Papa SEAL,” replied Diego, gesturing at Steve.
“How about,” said Will, voice soft not to disturb Charlie. “You call him ‘Da’?”
----
“Morning Diego, Eva,” greeted Jay, plating their breakfast and putting it on the counter before the two of them. It’s been about a week since Thanksgiving and Jay felt recharged since having their friends visit. They seriously needed to get together more.
Diego hummed in greeting, looking for the orange juice. Eva grinned, reaching for her fork. Pushing the juice closer to his step-son’s sleepy hands, Jay asked, “Are you two ready for school?”
“You have no idea.” Eva jumped down and showed off her outfit. “Cute, right?”
Jay eyed the outfit critically. One, of course, to make sure it was appropriate for a young lady as his step-daughter. He knew exactly what went through the minds of teenage boys. Also to make sure Antonio won’t have a meltdown later when he registers what she’s wearing. Hopeless man that his husband can be. Two, to give Eva an honest opinion.
“Wait, is that my shirt?” he asked her, noticing the black shirt he’d been looking for earlier.
“It was the only thing that went with these pants,” she shrugged, giving a little twirl.
“Right,” he laughed. “Hurry up and finish your breakfast. Diego, buddy…and he’s asleep.”
Eva laughed. She reached over and jostled Diego a little bit to wake him up again. “Bro, eat and wake up already.”
“But ‘m aw’ke,” he mumbled. Nonetheless, he grabbed his fork and started eating his eggs. “T’ste goo’, Da.”
Figuring Diego was still out of it, he fondly ruffled Diego’s hair. “Finish your food. I’ll go check on your dad.”
He ignored their whispering, looking for Antonio. Jay knew that the older detective didn’t go back to sleep, since he left him in the bathroom shaving when he went downstairs to get breakfast ready.
“Mo ghrá?”
“In here- hey, what’s this I hear you’ve decided on an LA trip?”
Rolling his eyes, Jay gave his husband an exasperated look. “It’s the least we can do, Tonio.”
“But…LA?”
“What’s wrong with LA?”
Antonio shrugged, sending a text before putting his phone away. “Nothing, but…kinda pricey, isn’t it?”
“Like Hawaii wasn’t?” Jay asked, walking over. One of Antonio’s hands came around Jay’s waist and pulled him closer. “So, I’ll ask again. What’s wrong with LA?”
“Think Laura will let the kids come with us?”
“She better,” grumbled Jay. He said nothing else when he felt Antonio smile against his neck. “Are you done up here? We gotta drop the kids off and get to the precinct.”
Humming, Antonio didn’t release Jay immediately. “I still don’t think I thanked you for getting her to agree to Thanksgiving?”
“We’re going to be late!!”
Jay laughed when Antonio sighed and dropped his head against Jay’s collarbone. “Let’s get going, husband.”
In quick order, the four of them were in Jay’s truck and at the school in record time. Antonio turned around as they came to the drop-off point. Thankfully, Diego was finally awake as he and Eva grabbed their bags.
“ I know you both are good kids, but behave. Okay? ” He told them in Spanish.
“Sì,” they chorused.
“But if some kid tries to hurt you, hurt them harder,” said Jay with a wink in the rearview mirror. Antonio rolled his eyes as Diego grinned and Eva laughed. “Alright, we’re here kiddos. Have a good day!”
Diego threw his door open, shouting, “Bye Dad! Bye Da!” before he disappeared.
Jay froze, staring after the young boy in shock. He felt soft lips on his cheek from Eva leaning forward and kissing his cheek, he snapped out of it until he heard her say the same thing as her brother before getting out of the car.
The door slammed shut as she met up with her friends and then she was gone, too.
“Did…did they just- ?”
Antonio chuckled, nodding. “They sure did.”
The grin that split Jay’s lips didn’t leave him for the rest of the day. Even when Ruzek made a comment about it looking a little creepy when Jay tackled a gangbanger with ease.
It didn’t matter what anyone said. His step-chil- no. His kids just called him ‘Da’ and he was on top of the fucking moon!
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Brats United
Scary Brat:
You will not believe what happened today!