Papa nodded, one of his giant hands joining Dad's on the table, their fingers interlacing to make a pile of our palms in the center of the table. Their gentle touch spoke volumes, conveying the unspoken promises of protection that transcended any words we could possibly say.

"Let's start with an extra thirty minutes," Papa finally piped up in compromise, and excitement lanced through me at his willingness to find middle ground. "Assuming all goes well, we can revisit the idea of extending it further, alright?"

"Yes," I exclaimed enthusiastically, practically vibrating in my seat at the notion of having even more precious time to devote to my beloved garden. "Thank you, Papa!"

Papa only chuckled, warm and resonant, filling the air around us as he brought both Dad and I's hands to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the backs of both of them. His lips left a lingering warmth. "You deserve it, pumpkin. Your passion for gardening is beautiful to witness, and both your Dad and I are so proud of everything you have accomplished." He finished. 

Dad nodded in agreement, resting his temple on his husband's broad shoulder as he gazed at me with a bittersweet smile full of nostalgia and awe, as if witnessing the passage of time in a single second and marveling at the young man I'd become before his very eyes.

It was moments like these, when the weight of their love bore down on me, that I couldn't help but swell with a mutual level of adoration for my parents. Over the years, they had masterfully woven their tapestry of life, creating a family where affection flowed freely and bonds grew stronger with each passing day.

There was no other word to describe it other than beautiful.

"Thanks Dad, Papa," I smiled into my teacup, trying to hide my blush behind the tendrils of my red hair that ran down the sides of my face, having escaped from the sloppy bun I'd assembled at the top of my head earlier that day. "I really appreciate you guys saying that."

"Of course, my love." Dad buzzed, his freckled cheeks turning into little circles as his smile widened even further. It seemed almost impossible for his grin to contain itself within the boundaries of his face. "So now that we've handled that, tell me. Any new troublemakers itching for my lessons in knuckle etiquette?"

Dad's threat was playful, but I knew all too well that it carried with it a dangerous warning. With the combination of my scars and the curves that had emerged from the adorable pudginess of my youth, I attracted both admirers and bullies in equal measure. And as soon as they appeared, Dad had proven time and time again that he wasn't afraid to confront anyone who crossed the line, whether they were relentless bullies or persistent wolves who failed to take a hint. 

Dad's protective motherly nature was both a source of comfort and occasional embarrassment, but deep down, I knew his actions always came from a desire to make me as safe and comfortable as I possibly could be.

"No need for threats, Dad." I teased, giggling to myself at the memory of all of the creative ways he'd found to terrorize people into submission whenever I mentioned them giving me a hard time. "Everyone has been surprisingly well-behaved lately, actually."

Dad pouted dramatically, feigning frustration. "Aww, damn. And here I was looking forward to a good, old-fashioned limb-removal session. But if you insist..." He trailed off, adding in a wink at the end for good measure.

"Sorry to disappoint." I joked as we all chuckled, shaking my head with amusement. But as the laughter subsided, a soft, introspective silence settled itself over the table. 

I paused, letting a brief moment of silence hang in the air as I gathered my thoughts. The topic I was about to attempt to broach was delicate, and I'd waited several months to bring it up. However, with unwavering trust in my parents' wisdom, I knew they were the perfect confidants for this particular concern. So, taking a deep breath, I reminded myself that their love and support would guide me through any uncertainty as I prepared to open the door to a whole new realm of conversation.

"But... I have been wondering just a little bit lately..." I began tentatively, gaze fixed on the swirling patterns in my teacup as embarrassment threatened to swallow me whole. "About... well... finding my fated mate someday." The words rushed out of me, almost tumbling over each other, and my face instantly betrayed me as it flared with a bright, crimson blush.

Ah, the glorious perks of being a fiery-headed ginger – emotions painted across my face like a neon sign at a carnival, a giant mood ring for the world to gawk at.

Summoning the courage, I dared to lift my gaze and meet their reactions. Papa somehow maintained his composed expression, while Dad's look was one of complete and utter surprise, his eyebrows shooting up in astonishment. As the silence lingered, it was my Dad who broke the stillness first, his voice a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

"Finding your fated mate, Ecko, is a true blessing." He said, voice gentle and resolute. "It doesn't always happen the way we might expect, but when you least anticipate it, love will always have a way of finding you." He reassured, and my Papa was quick to chime in, supporting his sentiment.

"Your Dad is right," he agreed, voice tinged with reminiscence. "When your Dad and I first crossed paths..." he trailed off, turning to gaze at Dad with a look so full of adoration that I was nearly shaken by the intensity of it. "It was unexpected. Chaotic, even. And yet, it turned out to be the greatest blessing of our lives." He paused, "Well, aside from the blessing of having you and your siblings, of course."

"They're called fucklets." Dad scolded, correcting Papa's choice of words. But, ignoring him and finding myself intrigued by their previous remarks, I leaned forward, curiosity aflame. 

"But... how did you know, Papa? How did you both realize that you'd found your fated mate?

Papa's gaze softened then, his eyes fixated on Dad's smiling face in a way I'd never witnessed before. "It's difficult to put into words, pumpkin. But the very moment that I met your Dad... my entire world changed. The connection was just there, a deep sense of familiarity, an inexplicable oneness. It felt like coming home for the very first time. He helped me... find my smile."

Dad's eyes watered at that, and as he gazed up at Papa, his bright green eyes reflected the decades of love they'd shared and cultivated together. 

"For me, it didn't happen right away. I had... personal hurdles to work through before I could fully accept your Papa into my heart." Dad explained, and my brow furrowed, unable to imagine a world where Papa and Dad weren't joined at the hip. "But over time, being with your Papa completed me in ways that I never even imagined were possible." He finished, the love they shared evident in every glance, touch, and word. It was a love that had weathered storms and stood the test of time. 

The kind of love that I wanted for myself one day.

"You've flourished into such an amazing young man, Ecko. And believe me, if I managed to find someone strong enough to put up with me, you will undoubtedly find your perfect match as well." Dad reassured, a playful glint in his eyes. "But what's most important is that you don't rush the journey. Allow yourself to grow, explore, and discover the extraordinary man that you are first. Love will find you when the universe decides that it's ready to witness the magnificence that is you."

At that, Papa let out a low growl, unable to contain his overprotective Alphan instincts when the topic of his only full-blooded Omega child finding a mate finally took root inside of him. "And if whoever you are mated to does not treat you right, I will personally take care of them." He warned, a mixture of fierce, murderous determination and affection coloring his tone. 

"Papa!" I couldn't help but giggle, the sound bubbling up from deep within me. It was a reflexive response to his fiercely protective nature, but beneath the laughter, I felt a profound sense of security washing over me. At that moment, my Papa's words became a soothing balm to my inner Omega, easing the perpetual worries that lingered within.

Papa's threat brought a mischievous sparkle to Dad's eye as he added, "Well, sweetie, we can't just hand over the prestigious position of being your fated mate to just anyone! That role requires a special blend of wit, strength, and a killer sense of style. I mean come on, we can't have someone with questionable taste fucking up our fabulous family photos!"

I raised a brow through another giggle, "Dad, you literally wear sweatpants ninety percent of the time."

"Okay, and?" He sassily retorted, "Just because I embrace the comfort of loungewear doesn't mean I can't appreciate a fierce fashion statement when I see one. Besides, your Papa still tries to squeeze himself into these sweatpants every single ni–"

"Jaxon." Papa interjected for the second time, the sound laced with a mixture of warning and amusement.

"Boo, you're no fun." He stuck his tongue out at his husband before quickly shifting his tone to one that resonated with warmth as he added, "But seriously, sweetheart, we are here for you. If there's anything we can ever do to brighten your day or talk you through any of your concerns, just give us a shout. We will always, always, have your back."

"Thanks Dad. I really appreciate that." I said with a smile, the warmth of his love enveloping me in a soothing cocoon, soft and cushy like the many cozy blankets that I hoarded in my bed. "I love you both so much."

"We love you too, sweetheart." Dad smiled tenderly, scooting his chair close enough that he could reach up and cup my cheek in a soft palm. "Always and forever."

As we sipped the last remnants of our drinks, Dad and Papa dove into a treasure trove of stories from their wilder and younger days, regaling me with tales that left me laughing until my sides hurt. Dad even recounted the mind-blowing tale of how he discovered he was pregnant with me during their honeymoon, and quite honestly, I couldn't decide whether to be amazed or horrified at the sheer absurdity of it all.

Papa hummed with happiness as they told the story, eyes shimmering with affection, and he wrapped an arm tighter around Dad's waist, pulling him closer. They sat there together throughout the rest of our Daddy Date, bodies and souls perfectly aligned, radiating an unspoken bond. It was a testament to their enduring love, a love that had shaped our family and provided a solid foundation for each of us to flourish.

Our family, with all of its unique quirks and flaws, stood as a testament to the incredible power of love, resilience, and unwavering support. And as I sat there, soaking in their presence, a deep-rooted certainty blossomed within me, bright and beautiful just like the colorful wisteria vines that crawled up the beautiful walls around me.

Because no matter what lay ahead, I knew deep in my heart that they would always be by my side.

Jax and Corey are such good dads 😭 MY BABIES! 

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