Chapter Text
“Jesse? Is your dad single?” Amélie leaned close to her friend as she watched his dad cook, humming a soft tune.
Jesse blinked and looked at her. “What the fuck Ami? You're way too young to be thinking about my dad like that.” The teen was frowning at her with a withering glare.
Amélie just rolled her eyes. “Shut up. I was thinking...your dad is attractive and single and my dad is attractive and single…” She let the rest fall into place without words.
The half latino glanced at his father then back to his best friend. “Our dads together? I mean your dad is super awesome…” Jesse seemed to debate her words. Everytime he went over to Amélie’s place her dad always taught him Spanish. It was great considering he never got the chance to learn it from his mother.
“Come on Jesse! Think about it! I mean the downside would be being related to you but hey, I can deal.” Amélie grinned and nudged his side.
A withering look was given to her before he glanced back to his dad.
“Jesse, could you go grab Hana? Supper will be ready in a few.” The man half turned to his son with a bright smile. His hair was blond but obviously graying and the scars on his face did little to diminish his perky attitude. “Want some soda Amélie?”
Jesse stood as his friend answered with an unusually chipper ‘Yes, Mr. Morrison.’, as he went to grab his little sister. The teen paused in the hallway to look at the pictures on the wall of his family.
There was a group photo of his dad holding little Hana, his other arm wrapped around Jesse and Jesse's hand on his other sister's head, Fareeha. He smiled softly and walked to Hana’s room. “It's supper time Bun.”
The little Korean girl looked up to her brother and smiled. “Jess!” She dropped her little gaming system and hugged his legs. “Is Ami here?” She bounced happily and tugged her brother's shirt to be picked up.
Jesse laughed and lifted her up. “You're getting big little Bunny, soon I won't be able to carry ya. And yes Ami is here.” He listened to her jabber on about random things from her games and class.
Once back to the kitchen, he set her in her spot and sat down just as his father put the food down. “Alright! Eat up!” The man grinned, blue eyes twinkling happily.
Amélie smiled slyly, ready to pry information out of the host. “So Mr. Morrison, where's Fareeha? I haven't seen her these last few weeks.”
“Oh! She's with her mother. Ana decided a little visit to Egypt would be good for her. I also think they're stopping in Germany to see Ana’s boyfriend. She'll be back in a few days.” He smiled, oblivious to the teen's information gleaning.
“Oh? You and Ana aren't going to get back together?” She already knew the answer but he didn't know that.
Jack snorted. “Ana and I were never together. We were two best friends that happened to have a kid together. Fareeha knows we love her and that's all that matters.”
“So are you seeing any lucky ladies then?”
Another good natured laugh. “No, no. Haven't dated a woman since before my last service before adopting my little Hana.” The little girl smiled widely and continued eating happily.
“Any men then?” Amélie grinned as she spotted that laid back composure shatter.
“W-well, uh...no.” The father was flushed at every available piece of skin showing. “None that I've been able- er I mean...no one has caught my attention.”
Jesse glared at his best friend and she winked back at him. She was such an asshole. “Is there dessert dad?”
Jack broke out of his embarrassment to nod. “Yes! Made some peach cobbler! Always was a better baker than cook.” He laughed and stood.
Amélie leaned over to Jesse. “Okay. I have a plan.”
“Why do I feel like I'm going to hate this?”
…
Jesse was holding his little sister's hand in the store walking next to their father. He kept glancing around as though looking for someone.
“You alright Jesse?” Jack looked over his eldest and raised a brow.
The teen grinned. “Fine dad. Just thinking about getting some ingredients for tortillas.”
The father hummed. “Go run and get what you need. Bring your sister, and keep an eye on her.”
He was so fucked. “Yes sir.” He picked up Hana and ran off. “I'm going to get in so much trouble, just say you ran off okay sis?”
Hana looked up at her brother in confusion but was suddenly set down and quietly told to stay. The girl frowned as her brother walked away.
“Hey, where did you come from? Where are your parents?” Hana looked up to a tall dark man and whimpered. He looked scary and mean. “Hey, shhh.” The man started speaking in a language she wasn't familiar with but it was soothing.
“I want my daddy.” She sniffled as he picked her up.
“We'll find him, alright. What's he look like?” He smiled and the girl felt a little better. “My little girl got lost in the store once too. She had climbed to the top of a display though, so you are much better behaved.” He had a deep resounding laugh and the girl giggled.
“Hana?! Hana?!” Jack rounded the corner and spotted his daughter and nearly sagged in relief, running over and snatching her out of the man’s arms. “Are you okay, bunny?”
“Daddy!” She smiled and started babbling in Korean as she gestured towards the nice man.
Jack finally seemed to realize that his daughter had been picked up by this man. His face immediately flushed.
The man was his height maybe taller and dark skin. His facial hair was trimmed neatly and scars on his face drew the eye. “S-sorry if she caused you any trouble.”
The man laughed. “It's no problem at all. My girl was much much worse.”
Jack thought he was going to die from embarrassment. He was so attractive when he laughed.
“Mr. Morrison! Wow, didn't expect to run into you here.” Amélie walked up next to the man and smiled sweetly. “This is my dad, Gabriel Reyes. Dad, this is Jack Morrison, Jesse's dad.”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow at his daughter but looked back to Jack. “Jesse's dad huh? He's a great kid.” Speak of the devil, Jesse ran over with the cart of groceries his father had left in the dust.
“Dad, jeez you could- Oh! Hey Mr. Reyes…” The teen grinned and glanced at his father who was flushed red in the face.
Gabriel was looking between his daughter and Jesse with narrowed eyes for a few moments before his gaze returned to Jack cooing at his daughter in Korean. “So Jesse, are you still practicing your Spanish?”
Jack perked up and glanced at his son. “Are you taking Spanish, Jesse?”
“No, actually Mr. Reyes has been teaching me whenever I'm over at their place…” Jesse flushed darkly. “I guess I just forgot to mention it.”
Gabe laughed and patted Jesse's head. “He's a good kid. Father must have raised him right.” A sly wink was directed at Jack who was now even more flustered.
“Th-thank you. We s-should be finishing up. It was nice meeting you Gabriel.” Jack seemed to be holding his young daughter like a shield that would block the embarrassment.
“Call me Gabe, Jack. It was good to meet you, hopefully we'll see each again considering how close our kids are.” The darker man smirked and Jack's heart skipped a beat.
“I'd like that. Goodbye!” He rushed away, Jesse pushing the cart behind him. The teen pulled out his phone and text his friend. ’That seemed to go well.’
…
Gabriel turned to his daughter and examined her closely. “What are you doing.”
Amélie feigned offense. “Papa! What could you mean? I am doing nothing, I just returned from the restroom!”
He pointed at her but his eyes were not angry but fond. “You're trying to set me up with Jesse's dad.”
The teen pouted. “What would make you say that?”
“Because in twelve years of dating you have approved of no one I have dated. Which is a blessing in a way, but you go out of your way to introduce him?” Gabriel raised a brow as she continued her clueless expression. “Don't think that just because he's attractive that we'll get along. Now go grab some ice cream.”
He patted her head and she grinned, running off to the dairy section. She grabbed her phone and responded. ’My dad is onto us, but I think he'll break.’
Amélie knew her father would like Jesse's. If having one parent and being an only child for twelve years taught her anything, it was how to read her father like a book.