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Jack picked an amazing restaurant for their first anniversary. Even though they were simply dating, he felt it was necessary to celebrate an entire year with the person who made him feel so…at peace. He felt this kind of connection with his late wife, and he thought he would never find it again after she died.
She would always have a place in his heart, and Dennis had another; they would never compete, or replace each other-Jack had enough love for her memory as well as his future with Dennis. Dennis accepted her as a part of Jack as if she were still alive. Jack didn’t know that Dennis would even pray to her and promise to love Jack as much as she did.
The man in question, his sweetheart, his darling dear, was on the phone near the edge of the dining area so as to not disturb the others eating. He would occasionally look towards Jack and give a quick smile and wave. Dennis had a fond and almost sad look on his face as he spoke, which told Jack he was one the phone with his daughter; she must be giving Trinity a hard time about going to bed-or maybe Trinity was giving Dennis a hard time about actually enforcing the bed time.
He knew what he was signing up for when he asked Dennis out a year ago; they had drinks at a bar, talked for hours, and even kissed a bit. Jack asked to take Dennis out again and the younger man told him about his daughter, how he wasn’t interested in having flings but he wouldn’t continue seeing someone who couldn’t accept that he was a single parent.
Jack told Dennis he wanted all of him, which included his daughter. And he meant it. Dennis was it for him. And if his daughter was anything like him, Jack had no chance against her either. He knew her name was Maisie Lynn and she was 6 years old. He knew she loved the color green and that her favorite food was her daddy’s tater tot casserole. He also knew that her other father was none other than Michael Robinavitch-his best friend of thirty years.
He hadn’t known that Robby was even going out with Dennis, much less that they had a kid together. He only found out until after he’d dropped off Dennis after a date one night and turned around to meet Robby’s fist. The three of them had quite the conversation after Dennis opened the door again and found the two men scuffling on his porch; he scolded both of them but still tended to Jack’s face, touching him gently. Dennis simply tossed a bag of frozen peas at Robby for his hand, shooting him an annoyed glare.
Safe to say, Jack and Robby weren’t the best of friends after that. At least, not for a few weeks before Dana threatened to quit because their petty bullshit wasn’t helping her ongoing crisis with the current state of the nursing system. They quickly made up, but Robby’s face still soured when Jack would mention anything about Dennis.
Jack’s thoughts quickly cleared as Dennis sat back down.
“Whew, sorry, Maisie would absolutely not go to sleep until I sang her a quick lullaby.” Dennis laughed, a bit breathless.
“No worries, I’d be stubborn if it meant I could hear your voice too.” Jack says with a lopsided grin, the one he makes when he knows he’s being a corny sonuvabitch.
“Sap.” Dennis scoffs, but his blush shows his delight at the compliment.
Jack reaches his hand out for Dennis and the younger man slips his into the waiting palm. Jack’s fingers caress Dennis’ knuckles as they browse the menu, deciding on a few things to try and to share. After they order, they talk about new things about their respective shifts, which patients they enjoyed and which ones made them want to quit on the spot. They continue talking and laughing after their food arrives. It’s all so easy and perfect.
Which is why Jack is a bit confused when Dennis suddenly looks so nervous that he looks like he’s going to throw up and cry at the same time.
“Jack,” Dennis starts, “I’ve been thinking. And, this has actually been on my mind almost every single day, but I’m scared of how you’ll react.”
Oh God, Jack thinks, don’t do this to me sweetheart. Don’t push me away.
“I’m so scared that you’ll leave once our relationship starts to feel more real.” Dennis continues, voice a bit shaky. “It’s easy to get lost in this little fantasy that I’m someone else. Someone who isn’t a single parent. Someone who doesn’t have a mountain of student loans, and an even bigger mountain of trauma and anxiety. I’m actually concerned you haven’t turned tail and run from me yet.”
Dennis laughs at his own joke through his tears that have now fallen.
“But I really like you Jack, and I want you in my life. I want…I want you in our life.” Dennis breathed.
Jack blinked at Dennis. He stared for what felt like hours until he practically jumped at Dennis, crushing him in a hug. He pulled back, searching Dennis’ eyes for any hint of false hope.
“You mean, you want me in Maisie’s life too?” Jack whispered.
Dennis nodded. “I spoke with her about it. Oh Jack, she’s so smart. She was already smart 2 years ago when I explained why Robby and I weren’t in the same house anymore. She was already smart when I mentioned that I was seeing another man who is not her father. I trust when she said she would want to meet you.”
Jack is crying now too. Because he felt right then and there that his heart made another spot for Maisie. It was a spot that would never change or go away. It was hers for good.
~
They plan for Jack to meet Maisie 3 months later.
“Are you sure Robby’s okay with this?” Jack asks-again-over the phone.
“Yes,” Dennis giggles, some shuffling going on his end, “we spoke about it before I asked you. He wasn’t exactly happy, but he trusts you. He’ll always trust you. Honestly, I think if it had been anyone else but you, he’d have told me hell to the no.”
“Daddy!” A small, offended voice says in the background.
“Sorry, sorry.” Dennis laughs.
Jack chuckles as well. He slipped on his boots that he wore on his days off, checking the one that would go on his prosthetic since the prosthetists somehow made it half a size bigger than his flesh foot.
Dennis suggested they go to Maisie’s favorite park for their first meeting. It was neutral, open, and had plenty of opportunities for conversation. They agreed on no PDA for now, even hand holding. They were just dipping their toes in the water first.
When Jack pulled into the parking lot next to Dennis’ sedan, he already saw him and what had to be Maisie on the playground, chasing each other around the jungle gym. The little girl had honey blonde curls just like her daddy.
He takes a deep breath before stepping out of his truck. As he approaches the two, he takes off his sunglasses and smiles at Dennis, who waves and smiles back. Maisie stops running when her dad does and turns to see who he’s waving at. She looks at him, puzzled, but then goes to Dennis and tugs on his sleeve. He bends down and she whispers in his ear. Dennis nods at whatever she says and whispers back.
The two hold hands and walk towards Jack, meeting him in the middle.
“Bug, this is the man I was telling you about. He’s daddy’s boyfriend.” Dennis says, crouching down. Jack does the same, offering a smile.
“Hi. My name’s Jack. What’s yours?” The older man says, voice gentle in a way that could settle anyone.
“…aisie.” The little girl mumbles before shoving her face into Dennis’ chest.
“It’s okay, bug.” Dennis whispers, stroking her back. “Remember we use our strong voices?”
Maisie nods and faces Jack head on.
“My name is Maisie Lynn Whitaker and I’m 6!” She ends up yelling at Jack, holding up six fingers to his face.
Jack nods and smiles, not laughing even if her sudden confidence was adorably hilarious.
“Nice to meet you, Maisie Lynn. Do you mind if I join you and your daddy today?” Jack asks.
“Hmm. Only if you play Bug Expert with me.” Maisie says, leaving no room for argument. The ultimate ultimatum.
“I’d love to play, but you’ll have to explain the game to me. Sounds like you’re the best bug expert for the job.” Jack chuckles.
Maisie squeals and immediately goes on her long winded explanation of the rules of Bug Expert. Essentially, Jack found, Bug Expert is where Maisie will find bugs in the park and tell you all the facts about each one and then you clap and praise her vast knowledge. No, you can’t chime in with your own thoughts; Jack learned that when he gave a fun fact about beetles and Maisie shushed him and said he’s ‘playing wrong.’ Honestly, Jack was having a blast playing Bug Expert.
“Yknow,” Jack whispers to Dennis as Maisie is looking under rocks for more bugs, “I don’t even have to pretend I’m impressed, she really does know a lot. She’s teaching me more about these things than my teachers ever did.”
“It’s great isn’t it?” Dennis chuckles softly. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it because there’s only so many times I can hear about what smells certain insects give off.”
Dennis shudders.
Jack lets out a genuine laugh that startles Maisie but she starts shrieking with laughter too. She’s convinced he’s having so much fun and she loves it. She stops and pats her stomach.
“Daddy,” Maisie says, “I’m hungry.”
She goes to Dennis’ tote bag and tries to dig for any snacks.
“Oh, I didn’t pack any snacks today sweetie.” Dennis says. “I thought we could get something to eat at the cafe. Remember it’s right there? Where we get the cinnamon rolls.”
“Okay!” Maisie says, clapping and letting out quite an adorable, sinister laugh at the mention of cinnamon rolls.
They have Maisie wash her hands at a washing station and then go across the street. Maisie grabs both Dennis and Jack’s hands so they can swing her down the sidewalk. Once in the cafe, Maisie immediately runs to the display case of pastries pointing at every one she wants.
“Remember, savory food first and then a sweet.” Dennis says.
Maisie nods. “Grilled cheese!” She squeals.
After their food is rung up (Jack paid before Dennis could catch him) Dennis has to take a call.
“I’ll be one second, promise.” He says, obviously nervous and apologetic about putting responsibility on Jack already.
Jack doesn’t mind at all, asking Maisie to pick a spot for them. Once they sit, Maisie stares at Jack. He lets her try to solve her mental puzzle without interrupting her. Her concentrated stare finally breaks as she grabs his arm that’s resting on the table and lays her head on it. Jack freezes, looking to Dennis for help, but he’s still on the phone facing away from them.
He doesn’t move, panicking that he’s messed this whole process up; he’s sure Dennis had a plan, one that had at least 10 more steps before introducing hugs from Jack to Maisie. He doesn’t shake her off for fear of hurting her feelings, but he also doesn’t reciprocate due to his own boundaries.
Maisie finally lets up and smiles at Jack.
“Daddy used to be really sad.” Maisie simply says.
Jack looks at her with concern.
“He used to cry a lot because aba would yell at him.” She continues. “But don’t tell anyone, I think daddy wants to keep it a secret. I know because he hides under the blanket. I do that when I eat sweets.”
Maisie gasps.
“You better not tell daddy.” She warns. “Or I won’t be your bestest friend.”
Jack laughs at that, his eyes still a bit sad. He knows how Robby treated Dennis. He’d give anything to have prevented that-he’d give even more to have prevented Maisie from seeing it affect Dennis.
“I won’t tell him, but you should probably let him know yourself.” Jack suggests. “I think your daddy would be happy that you’re being honest.”
Maisie giggles, excited that she’d be doing a good thing by being truthful.
“Daddy’s already happy.” She says, like Jack is being silly. “Because of you!”
Jack takes a deep breath.
“Oh, why do you say that, Maisie?” Jack asks.
“He said so to tita Trini!” Maisie exclaims. “I didn’t know what a Jack was, but it’s you!”
Jack looks at Dennis right at that moment, who is already coming up to the table with their tray of food.
“Well,” Dennis chuckles, “that’s one way for you two to break the ice.”
Maisie lets Dennis place her grilled cheese in front of her before she puts her hands together and squeezes her eyes shut.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Dennis whispers to Jack.
Jack shakes his head, bowing his head as well.
“Thank you Jesus for this food, thank you for daddy, thank you for aba, thank you for tita Trini, thank you for meemaw and pa, and…” Maisie peeks one eye open and looks. “…and thank you for Jack. Amen!”
Maisie immediately begins eating.
Dennis and Jack share a look over Maisie, and Jack places a hand over Dennis’.
Yeah. Those spots in his heart are theirs. They always will be.