Chapter Text
You're nervous today.
Your daughter has a school program and your ex, her biological dad, is supposed to come and see her as he “promised”. Those promises never meant anything but he still makes them anyways.
The only thing keeping you sane is knowing your boyfriend Jack would love to be here.
You guys have been dating for almost two years now and he has been the man you and your daughter both needed.
——
When you first met him you were afraid he wouldn’t want someone with a three year old kid. You ended up talking about your daughter on the first date so that if he wasn’t interested, things wouldn’t have to drag out.
Surprisingly, Jack was more than accepting that you were a single mom with a young child. He seemed genuinely interested and asked questions and never made you feel small for any of it.
After about the fourth date you felt secure in yours and Jack's growing relationship and you asked if he’d like to meet your daughter or “bug” as you often called her since she loved all things butterflies or lady bugs.
He was elated that you trusted him with this part of your life and told you to meet him at the kids museum.
Bug was quiet at first but as soon as Jack started asking questions about the animals there (which he already knew) she immediately jumped in and started talking with him.
Since then they have been inseparable. She always asks to call him when he’s free, draws him pictures and entertains him with dance shows she decides to do on the spot. He adored her and that was everything to you.
Then after a year Jack asked you both to move in with him into his house. Bug was more than excited and if your daughter was happy then you were more than happy.
That was six months ago and things had been smooth sailing since.
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You shake your head at the memories.
Jack had been amazing to you and bug and made you both feel like the most loved girls in the world.
Along with your ex potentially showing up, another stressor was Bug had been a bit down because Jack had been busy this week and couldn’t promise to be at her play.
You obviously understood, he was a trauma doctor and hospitals were always busy. You also appreciated that he didn’t make promises to her and get her hopes up.
Your daughter on the other hand had no firm grasp on the reality of his job. She only knew that Jack was a ‘superhero’ who ‘healed the world’ as she would tell anyone who asked her.
——
You’re currently seated in the fourth row, the show starting in ten minutes.
Your phone buzzes and you flip it over to look.
‘𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘶𝘱. 𝘊𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦. 𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 3 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴.’
You let out a frustrated sigh. Bug may not be too upset about him not being there but you were more upset that he flaked again with an empty promise to your daughter.
Soon the lights turn off and you watch the stage light up. Your daughter does an amazing job with her lines, only missing a few words.
When the program ends, a teacher guides her closer to where you are and then she runs the short distance to you.
“Mama! Mama! Did you see me?”
A smile grows on your face as you lift her in your arms and hug her tight.
“Yes baby, you did amazing! I saw every second of it. I’m so proud of you bug!”
She goes into a fit of giggles as you pepper her face in kisses.
Suddenly she stops giggling but smiles.
“He’s here! He’s here!”
She points to somewhere behind you and wiggles to be put down. You let her go and you turn as she bolts behind you to a figure coming down the aisle.
Jack.
He’s still in his scrubs and is holding a small bouquet of flowers.
Your heart warms and the smile on your face beams as you watch your daughter run up to him.
He laughs as he picks her up and walks towards you.
“Hey sweetheart” he greets and gives you a brief kiss.
“Hey J. Why didn’t you text me you were here?”
He holds bug on his hip.
“ I didn’t know if I’d make it on time. I went as fast as I could, I don’t even think I looked at my phone.”
Your heart melts at the thought of him not wanting to miss the program.
Bug has her head leaned against Jack’s.
“I told you he’s here mama!”
You lift your hand against your head and pretend to look around.
“Who’s here bug? I don’t see anyone” you say with a slight smile as you ‘look around’.
she gently pats Jack’s chest a few times.
“He’s right here mama! Dad’s right here!”
You quickly turn to the pair with wide eyes. Jack stands there frozen, looking at your daughter and then to you.
She had never called Jack dad before in any form. You would absolutely consider him that for her but never made her feel she had to call him anything other than Jack if she wanted.
Jack’s heart races at the title.
He loved your daughter as if she was his from the start.
Bug looks at you and then at Jack.
“Is it, is it okay to call you that?”
He smiles as he lets out a breath.
“Yeah bug, of course. You can call me anything you want. Whatever’s okay with you babygirl.”
She snuggles into him, laying her head against his shoulder and puts a small hand against his face.
“I like dad best since you’re my dad.”
You're trying to hide your tears.
A few tears fall down his face as he looks at your daughter.
“Okay sweet girl, dad it is” he kisses her on the forehead.
“What's wrong daddy?” she touches one of the tears that falls.
“Nothing babygirl. Daddy’s just really happy. I'm also sooo proud of you, you did great up there today!”
You watch as they both become engrossed in a conversation of how she did her dance without messing up.
He looks over at you briefly as your daughter still talks.
He smiles gently, eyes wet from the tears and mouths
‘I love you’
He hugs your daughter tight to his chest as he answers something she asked.
You can't help but stare at the two most important people in your life.
It's everything you didn't think you'd get to have.
You're glad Jack’s here.
You’re glad her dad is here.