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Ellie and Rhett have been “dating” for a few months now. Jack thought that just by repeatedly spending time with someone you liked and by being asked out you were dating, but he has learned that is not the case anymore. There is like a talking stage, and then a dating stage. Don’t even get him started on the apps. Ellie says she is talking to Rhett, he hasn’t officially asked her to be his girlfriend yet. Jack is just glad he is happily married because he doesn’t think he could handle dating in this day and age. She seems really happy which makes Robby and Jack happy. Jack is still very suspicious of the kid, but Robby can usually talk him down. Ellie and Rhett wanted their parents to meet before things like going to homecoming and spending longer amounts of time together came up. Ellie is still only strictly allowed to see Rhett for a couple hours, and they need to have the door open to whatever room they are in while in the Abbot-Robinavitch house. Not that they have spent anytime there. It would seem that Ellie is keeping Rhett from coming over to the house. The rules have started to drive Ellie crazy, but Jack is firm on the open-door policy, especially since he hasn’t met the boy yet and more so because Ellie has not come to either himself or Robby to discuss forms of birth control. Jack is 100% not ready for Ellie to tell him he’s going to be grandpa, so open door it is. Jack and Robby haven’t met Rhett yet, and the same goes for Rhett’s parents and Ellie. The two teens felt it would be best to all have dinner out together and get all the awkward intros out of the way at once
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It’s a Friday night and Robby and Jack are getting ready to head to dinner to meet Rhett’s parents.
“What if they are assholes? Or what if Rhett is an asshole? I can’t promise I won’t lose my temper and hit someone if they say something out of line.”
“Jack, honey. Take a breath. We haven’t even met them yet. Who knows they could be the nicest people in the world with an amazing son.”
“Yeah, okay. I’ll believe it when I see it. Also, since when were you the positive one, I’m used to being the one who is telling you to not think worst case scenario first”
Robby walks over to Jack placing one hand on his shoulder “Babe, I’m pretty sure we have established I am the fun parent when it comes to Ellie dating.”
“Not true”
“Ohh it 100% is. Now can you please help me decide which polo to wear.” Robby says holding up both a dark blue one and a forest green one.
“Mhmmm definitely the green one, it brings out your eyes” Jack responds slowly looking Robby over head to toe and he slips the shirt over his head.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what” Jack says smirking and slowly lean forward to kiss along Robby’s jaw
“Don’t start something you can’t finish”
“Ohh, I intend to finish”
“Mmmmm”
Jack’s actions are interrupt with a yell from Ellie “DAD. ABBA. WE HAVE TO GO.”
Jack pulls away from Robby, “I swear. We need to send these kids away for a night, so we can finally have some alone time.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. I thought I would let you know, that you look really hot in that shirt” Jack is just wearing a tight fitting brown button up
“I always look hot. Robbyyyyy, do we really have to go?”
“Yes, Jack. We are doing this for our daughter”
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK* “Stop being weird and gross you two and let’s go” Ellie yells through the door
They exit their room and meet Ellie at the bottom of the stairs.
“Hold your horses child, we are coming” Jack says
Ellie just rolls her eyes
“Alright Beau, you are in charge of watching the twins, order a pizza, do whatever you want, but Emery and Scottie need to be in bed by 10” Robby says turning to their oldest.
“You got it! You can trust me!”
“Mmmmm, I’m sure we can. Watching the twins does not mean going to your room, putting your headset on and playing video games with your friends, blocking out the world” Jack says skeptically
“Dad, I know. I promise I will watch them. I’ll even send updates” Beau says as he pulls his two younger siblings into his sides
“Alright, well we better get going. Come give your dad and I hugs” Robby says to his kids, causing Emery and Scottie to run forward and give both of them a hug
Beau just waves
“BYE”
“SEE YOU”
“GOOD NIGHT”
Jack and Robby leave the house and head to the car
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The car ride is only 10 minutes. The two families are meeting at an Italian restaurant, Ellie picked it, knowing Jack enjoys the food there. She really wants him to like Rhett and she is hoping that the way to go is through his stomach.
“Hey El. Is that a new dress?” Robby asks looking back at his daughter through the rear view mirror.
“Yeah”
“It’s nice” Jack adds
“Thanks, I used the Princess Polly gift card from Aunt Dana, to buy it”
“You’ll have to send her a picture. I bet she would love to see it”
“Already did, abba. She told me, I look super cute and that the boy won’t be able to keep his hands off of me” She says with a giggle, knowing that Jack is not going to like that
“Robby, I swear, I’m going to kill her when I get to shift tomorrow night. Why is she encouraging our daughter to do this?” Jack says briefly looking away from the road and at Robby
“I’m sure she was kidding” Robby says as he puts his hand on Jack’s thigh trying to calm him down.
“Speaking of which kiddo, do we need to revisit the protection and birth control talk?” Robby says to Ellie. He can feel Jack tense up
“ABBA, can we not talk about this right now. Can we talk about this at home?”
“Sure”
“Oh thank god” Jack whispers, he was not emotionally prepared for that yet.
The three sit in a comfortable silence for the rest of the car ride, with music quietly playing in the background
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Jack parks the car, and the three head into the restaurant. Ellie spots Rhett and his parents at a table. They let the hostess know they are meeting them and head over to where they are sitting. Rhett stands to give Ellie a quick hug, choosing not to kiss her in front of her dads. Jack makes a mental note, appreciating the boy having some respect.
Jack, Robby, and Ellie take a seat across from Rhett and his parents. Ellie is in the middle of them.
“Hi. I’m Shawn and this is my wife Elaine.” Rhett’s dad says introducing himself and his wife.
“Hi. I’m Michael and this is my husband Jack” Robby offers back. He notices a slight tension in Elaine’s shoulder, but brushes it off.
“So, you must be Rhett” Jack says turning to the boy
“Uhmmm yes sir. Or Dr. Abbot sir” Rhett says sticking his hand out to shake Jack’s hand
“Rhett it’s nice to meet you. You can just call us Michael and Jack, no need for you to call us doctor” Robby says, sensing the boy’s nerve
“Okay, sounds good”
“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Butler. I’m Ellizabeth, but you can call me Ellie”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Ellie” Shawn says and Elaine just nods
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They order drinks and their food. Jack gets chicken parmesan with a glass of red wine. Robby orders the chicken pesto pasta and a glass of white wine. Ellie gets her usual shrimp scampi. The conversations continue, definitely a little awkward and forced. Robby can sense that the vibes are off a little, but he can’t figure out why. They learn that Rhett wants to become an aerospace engineer in the future. He has an older sister, Chloe, who is 2 years older than Beau and is studying to be a doctor.
“Hey Robby, Beau just texted. The twins are good, they have eaten dinner, showered, and are getting ready for bed. I’m sorry, Elaine you were telling us about your work as a lawyer.” Jack says
“Uhmmm Robby? I thought you said your name is Michael?” Elaine says with a questioning look
“Ooh yeah. It’s a nickname. My last name is Robinavitch, but that’s a mouthful so I go by Dr. Robby at work”
“So, your last name is not also Abbot”
“No, that’s Jack’s and the kids’ last name. I’m officially a Robinavitch, but an honorary Abbot through marriage”
“Mhmm” Elaine says in response, Robby wants to push, but he is cut off by Shawn
“Robinavitch, is that German?”
“Uhmmm, no it’s Russian. My family is of Russian Jewish descent” Suddenly, Robby feels like he is being interrogated
Before the conversation can continue, their waiter comes back with their food and everyone gets to eating.
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“So, Rhett, do you play any sports?” Jack asks trying to lighten the mood.
“Yeah, I play lacrosse. I’m a midfielder”
“Oh that’s cool. Hopefully we can come watch a game or two. I meant to mention it earlier, but if your daughter ever wants to shadow in the emergency room, I would be more than willing to have you. I’m the chief so I it won’t be a problem” Robby says
“That is very generous of you, I will let her know” Shawn says
The talking dies down again, until Elaine suddenly bursts out “You know what, I can’t do this. Please excuse me.” She says starting to push back from the table to stand
“Is the eggplant lasagna not good?” Jack asks
“What no, it’s delicious. I meant I can’t do this” Elaine says gesturing towards Robby, Jack, and Ellie.
“I don’t understand” Jack says
“Elaine honey, please” Shawn says attempting to calm the women down.
“No, Shawn, I have sat here quiet long enough. You two are living in sin” Elaine says sitting back down
“Excuse me” Jack says
“Two men being married goes against the Bible and nature. Rhett did not tell us Ellie has “two dads” before we came here or I would not have agreed to this dinner. I am ashamed that you are lying by omission Rhett Matthew” She says with slight disgust
“Mom, please stop”
“No, Rhett, I will not stop. Their immoral ways are already rubbing off on you, just from being around their daughter. I can only imagine what will happen when you step foot inside their house.”
“That is extremely rude of you” Jack says
“Well I am sorry, but I will not let evil into my children’s’ lives. What does your God and the Torah say about homosexuality?” She throws back at Robby who is too stunned to speak
“Please don’t attack my dad and abba.” Ellie says quietly looking as if she is about to start crying. Jack starts to rub her back trying to hopefully comfort her.
“Ohh sweetie, I feel bad for you. You have no mother to teach you right from wrong.”
“Our daughter is perfectly fine, thank you very much! She is smart, talented, and one of the kindest people in the world. I will not tolerate you speaking negatively of her” Robby says
“Whatever, I’m leaving. Shawn you are more than welcome to stay with these sinners if you choose.”
“Wait, before you go, I have one more thing to say” Jack says watching Elaine turn back around
“Do better lady. It’s the 21st century. The goal is to teach our kids to be better and more accepting of others than we were raised to be. I’ve dated both men and women, but I can tell you with complete certainty that my kids are loved and wanted. Michael is the best abba in the world, there is no one else I would rather be doing life with by my side. We make sure that our kids are growing up in a home where they are taught to be themselves, so yeah it might not be the most traditional, but it’s what makes sense for us and that’s all that matters at the end of the day”
Elaine just leaves with a scoff
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“Soooooo…. You mentioned a Beau and twins. Do you have four kids?” Shawn says trying to turn the conversation a different direction.
Jack and Robby have lost their appetite, so their plates of food just sit in front of them untouched
“Uhmmm yeah, we have four. Beau is 17, then Ellie, then Emery and Scottie who are 11” Robby answers
“Wow, your hands must be full with four kids and being doctors”
“You can say that again” Jack says with slight disdain in his voice.
“Whose are they?”
“I’m sorry, what?” Jack says caught a little off guard by the question
“Who’s the real dad?”
Jack’s face looks like he is about to kill the man, so Robby answers. “They’re ours, both of ours”
“Well, yeah you both are raising them, but whose are they really?”
“That’s extremely rude of you to ask. I don’t think you need to concern yourself with whose kids they are biologically. If you saw all of them, it would be pretty fucking obvious.”
Shawn looks back with wide eyes, “I only asked because you mentioned all of the kids share the last name Abbot, so I assumed that they are all Jack’s biologically”
“Well your assumption is rude and disrespectful. Abbot was the easier last name to pronounce and spell and I didn’t want my kids to go through what I did growing up with people struggling to say Robinavitch correctly. You essentially just asked us who masturbated into a cup.”
“Can we please leave?” Ellie says barely audible
“Of course pumpkin.” Jack says starting to stand
Once they are standing, Ellie turns towards Shawn and says “They are both equally my real dad. I am proud and lucky to have these two amazing men as parents. I wouldn’t trade them for the world”
Jack and Ellie start walking to the car as Robby pulls out his wallet to pay for their bill.
“Wait. Dr. Abbot, Dr. Robby, Ellie. I am really sorry about my parents!”
“No worries Rhett, it’s not your fault” Jack says and the three head back to their truck to go home
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“I’m so sorry they said those things to you both! If I had known how ignorant they are, I never would have made you guys have dinner with them” Ellie sobs
“Ellizabeth, it is not your fault that they are uneducated assholes. They are entitled to their opinions and that’s that. Now I am going to get you ice cream and then we are going home”
“Okay” Ellie said quietly
Jack pulled into the Dairy Queen drive-thru and got Ellie her favorite Snickers Blizzard, Robby a hot fudge sundae, and a cone for himself
Once he saw that Ellie had her earbuds in and couldn’t hear them talking he turn his head towards Robby and softly says “Hey. I know we talked about the last name thing before we had Beau, but I should have checked in with you at some point. Are you still okay with the fact that the kids have my last name? If you want, we can add yours in. Hell, I’ll change my last name or we can hyphenate and be the Abbot-Robinavitch Family, if you want. You are just as much there parent as I am. I don’t want you to feel like you are any less of a parent just because they don’t have your name. What an asshole thing to ask, who cares whose sperm they came from?”
Robby caught on that Jack is rambling because he is stressed, so he places his hand on his shoulder to hopefully calm him down “Jack, the kids don’t need my last name for them, you, or me to know that I am their abba. Those are the only people I care about. Everything that those people said was extremely rude. I feel lucky that I get to love all 5 of you. Abbot is one of my favorite words, because it represents my 5 favorite people in this world and the life we are building. I love that you all share a name, I promise.”
“Okay, but promise you will talk to me if your feelings ever change? Should we tell the kids whose they are biologically?”
“I promise to let you know if my feelings ever change. I think we cross that bridge when we get there. If the kids ask, then we can tell them whose their are biologically, but until then we both know and that’s all that matters. Plus any one with eyes, can make a pretty good guess”
Jack nods, waiting a beat before saying “I was right, I called it. They are assholes”
“Shut up, and drive.”
“Just admit I was right”
“Ugh fine, you were right”
“See not that hard babe”
Robby rolls his eyes, “let’s just go home”
“Sounds good babe, Jack says kissing Robby’s hand that is still on his shoulder.