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Jack and Robby have been Dennis' caregivers for a few months now, having taken him in after learning of his designation and finding out he didn't have a consistent caregiver.
They were taking things at his pace, never pushing for anything in particular when he regressed. They bought him toys and let him reach for them on his own. They loved cuddles when he was small, never turning him down when he sought them out, but always letting him do the seeking. And they hadn't pushed for titles. As caregivers they obviously loved the idea of Dennis have a word for them other than their names, but this was all still fairly new and Dennis was still finding his bearings with them. So they didn't push, they could stay Jack and Robby (occasionally Jackie and 'Obby if Dennis was very small) until or unless Dennis was ready for more.
--
It first happened on a quiet afternoon on a weekend off. Jack had gone to the grocery store while Robby stayed home with a regressed Dennis.
Robby was reading on the couch while Dennis played on his play mat in the center of the living room, wooden blocks and toy farm animals strewn all around him, his favorite puppy stuffie perched in his lap.
Robby felt something tugging at his pant leg. Placing his book to the side and sliding his glasses off he looked down to find Dennis at his feet. His hands were outstretched now that he'd gotten Robby's attention.
"You want up, Denny?" Robby chuckled, already reaching down to hoist Dennis onto his lap.
Dennis giggled happily now that he was in Robby's lap, snuggling into the older man's chest, his puppy dog plushie clutched to his own chest.
"Robby?" Dennis asked quietly after a few minutes of cuddling.
"Yeah, baby?"
"Where Daddy?"
Robby's eyebrows shot up, had Dennis really called Jack "Daddy"?
"Do you mean Jack, Denny?" Robby asked.
"Mhm, Daddy," Dennis said, like it was obvious.
Oh Robby couldn't wait to tell Jack, he was going to be thrilled. "Daddy's at the store right now. He'll be back soon, I think he's even getting some lunch for us," Robby explained with a smile.
Dennis hummed happily before settling back against Robby's chest, closing his eyes. Robby took a photo of the two of them, Jack would want to see this.
Michael: The baby has a surprise for you when you get home
Michael: [image attached]
--
"Mikey? Can you help me unload?" Jack called from the garage door.
"Yep! One sec," Robby yelled back. "Hey, Denny, I need to get up," Robby said, gently shaking Dennis' shoulder.
Dennis blinked awake with a confused hum.
"Daddy's home," Robby smiled, "I need to go help him bring the food in."
"Daddy?" Dennis' eyes lit up, jumping out of Robby's lap and heading straight for the garage.
Jack was grabbing bags out of the trunk when he saw the door into the house swing open, "Hey Den-"
"Daddy!"
Jack dropped the bags in his hands instantly, just as Dennis nearly tackled him with a hug, "Oof- Hey, Denny, I'm happy to see you too," he said, still trying to process what Dennis had just called him.
"Daddy home, lunch time?" Dennis asked, face happily smushed against Jack's chest.
Robby walked up to them, a smile on his face, "Enjoying your surprise, sweetheart?"
"I- I love it," Jack managed.
"Sap, knew you'd cry," Robby teased. "Den, think you can wait for us inside, Daddy needs help bringing food in."
"Then lunch?" Dennis questioned as he unlatched from Jack's body.
"Yeah, bubba, then lunch," Robby assured.
--
Jack and Robby were lounging on the couch, having just put Dennis down for a nap, when Jack decided to broach the elephant in the room.
"Did he call you anything?" Jack asked carefully, unsure how Robby felt about Jack having received a title from Dennis.
"Hmm?" Robby looked up from his book, setting it aside.
"Y'know, he's calling me Daddy now. Did he call you anything?"
"Not yet," Robby said, tone unreadable.
Jack's eyebrows furrowed.
"I'm not butt hurt, Jack," Robby said with a soft laugh. "We're going at his pace, I never expected it to happen at the same time," he said with a shrug. "I think Daddy suits you, for the record."
"Does it now?" Jack said, amused smirk on his face.
"Yeah, it was really cute, the first time I mean. He just crawled up in my lap and asked for Daddy, I couldn't wait for you to hear it too," Robby had that fond look in his eyes.
"We got lucky with him, huh?" Jack said, tears definitely not pricking at his eyes.
"Yeah, we did," Robby agreed, resting his head on Jack's shoulder.
--
It was a few weeks later now, Jack playing with Dennis after he and Robby had come home from shift. They'd given Dennis a bath already, he'd dropped quickly after shift, and now Robby was taking his own shower.
"Daddy? Get books?" Dennis asked.
"You want a story?" Jack inquired, already reaching for his crutches to take them to the office where they kept all the books.
Dennis trailed behind him, holding his puppy plushies under one arm, "Want books with Abba, after shower."
Jack faltered in his steps, Dennis had chosen a word for Robby, and it was Abba. Robby had told Jack years ago it was secretly what he always wanted Littles to call him, but he never wanted to force something like that. And Dennis just..... knew.
"Daddy?" Dennis said when Jack stopped in front of him in the hall.
"Yeah, yeah, baby let's go get some books for Abba to read you," Jack said, trying to keep his voice calm. God Robby would be elated.
Robby walked out into the living room, freshly showered and dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt he almost certainly stole from Jack. "Jack? Den? Where are you?"
"In the office, be out in a sec!" he heard Jack yell from down the hall.
Robby settled on the couch to wait for them and was soon greeted by Dennis and the armful of picture books he was carrying.
"Abba! Book time!" Dennis said cheerfully, dumping the books on the couch beside Robby and climbing into his lap.
Robby's head shot up to look at Jack, eyes beginning to water, searching for he wasn't sure what on Jack's face. Jack only smiled at him, nodding encouragingly.
"Abba? Books?" Dennis said, reaching a hand up to Robby's face.
Robby caught the hand by the wrist and kissed it gently, "Yeah, Denny, Abba can read," he smiled down at the boy. "Which one first?"
Dennis reached for the pile and pulled out Guess How Much I Love You, "This!"
"I think that's perfect," Robby beamed.
"Daddy too!" Dennis exclaimed.
"C'mon Jack, join us," he gestured to the space next to him not occupied by books.
"Well if Abba says so," he winked.
God they'd really gotten lucky hadn't they.