It had been three months since Daniel and Johnny had adopted Sam and Robby, and Daniel couldn't remember a time when he’d felt more fulfilled. Their home, once quiet and orderly, was now bustling with the vibrant energy of their new family. 

Every corner of the house seemed to echo with laughter, playful banter, and the occasional sibling squabble. It was a far cry from the calm that used to characterise their days, but Daniel wouldn’t trade it for anything. The chaos was comforting, a sign that their family was growing closer, bonding more deeply with each passing day.

They had quickly fallen into a rhythm, one that included regular outings to the beach where Sam would eagerly splash in the waves, her infectious laughter filling the air, and Robby would bury himself in the sand, pretending he was annoyed but secretly enjoying himself.

Fairs had become a favourite pastime, with Sam always racing ahead to the rides, her little hand gripping Johnny’s as she dragged him along, and Robby reluctantly trailing behind, until he saw the cotton candy stands. These moments, filled with joy and togetherness, were exactly what Daniel had hoped for when they decided to adopt.

Elora, their caseworker, upheld her promise by visiting each month to monitor how the kids were adapting. Though she maintained a professional attitude, the warmth in her eyes revealed the genuine care she felt for Sam and Robby.

Every time she left, Sam would pout, declaring that Elora was ruining their fun, and Daniel and Johnny couldn’t help but laugh at her spirited protests. They knew it was Sam’s way of expressing that she was happy—truly happy—and that she felt safe and loved in their home.

Sam was a ray of sunshine, her cheerfulness lighting up even the gloomiest mornings. Each day began with her soft, sleepy voice calling out as they gently roused her from bed. She would rub her eyes, her small fists pressing against her cheeks, and then, without hesitation, she’d spring to her feet with a wide smile, as if the world had given her a brand-new day to conquer. She greeted them with the sweetest hugs, her tiny arms wrapping around Johnny’s neck as he picked her up, and it melted Daniel’s heart every single time. There were moments when he’d have to blink back tears, overwhelmed by how much love he felt for this little girl who had so effortlessly become a part of their lives.

Johnny, always the devoted father, would gently set Sam into her booster seat, fastening her with the effortless skill of someone who had done it countless times before. He would then sit beside her, making sure she was settled before she eagerly dug into her breakfast, her small hands holding the fork with determination as she enjoyed the meal they had prepared for her.

Robby, however, was a different story. Daniel had noticed early on that Robby was still carrying the weight of his past, his grumpiness served as a shield, a way to keep others at a distance and avoid the pain of being hurt once more from what he didn't know. But there were cracks in that armour, moments when he would let his guard down and reveal the vulnerable boy who was slowly learning to trust them. 

Daniel’s heart ached for him, knowing that Robby’s behaviour stemmed from feeling like he didn’t belong, even though they did everything they could to assure him otherwise. They were determined to show him that he was a part of this family, that he belonged with them, and that they weren’t going anywhere.

It wasn’t long before Robby slumped downstairs, his hair tousled from sleep, and his eyes half-closed as he rubbed them, still not fully awake. He yawned, a long, exaggerated sound that made Daniel smile as he washed the last of the breakfast dishes.

“Good morning,” Daniel greeted warmly, glancing over his shoulder at Robby.

“Morning,” Robby mumbled in return, his voice thick with sleep.

“How’d you sleep?” Daniel asked, drying his hands and turning to face Robby.

“Fine,” Robby replied with a shrug, his usual morning grumpiness on full display.

“Great, because we’re going out today,” Johnny chimed in, his voice full of excitement as he stood up from his seat and made his way over to Daniel. He leaned in and placed a playful kiss on Daniel’s shoulder, making an exaggerated smooching sound that was impossible to ignore.

“Please stop, I just woke up,” Robby groaned, covering his eyes with his hands as if to block out the sight.

“Johnny, get off,” Daniel said, though his tone was more amused than stern as he gently pushed Johnny away.

“You didn’t have a problem with it last night,” Johnny teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Oh my God, please shut the fuck up,” Robby whined, his voice muffled by his hands.

“Robby, language!” Daniel scolded, though there was no real heat in his voice.

“Yeah, yeah, sorry, Dad,” Robby muttered, and just like that, any annoyance Daniel might have felt disappeared. The simple word “Dad” filled him with a warmth that spread through his chest, making him feel lighter than air. He knew Johnny felt the same way whenever the kids called him “Pops” or “Papa.” It was a reminder that they were doing something right, that their children trusted them enough to use those names.

“Here’s your breakfast,” Johnny said, setting a plate of waffles and a cup of tea in front of Robby.

“Thanks, Pops,” Robby said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“No problem, Rob. Just make sure when you’re done, you help Sam brush her teeth,” Johnny replied, ruffling Robby’s hair affectionately.

Robby nodded and began eating, the room settling into a comfortable quiet. The only sounds were the clink of cutlery on plates and the faint noise of Clifford The Big Red Dog playing on the TV in the background. It was a peaceful moment, one that Daniel cherished deeply, knowing that these were the kinds of mornings that made all the challenges of parenthood worth it.

Robby finished eating a few minutes later, pushing his plate aside with a satisfied sigh, and exchanged a glance with Sam. The two of them shared a quick, mischievous smile before they got up from the table and headed upstairs together, their footsteps echoing lightly on the stairs.

Johnny lingered behind, turning to Daniel with a soft smile. He leaned in to give Daniel a quick peck on the lips before he, too, made his way upstairs. Daniel knew he was probably going to give Sam a bath and take a shower himself, a comforting routine that had become a cherished part of their mornings.

As Johnny disappeared from view, Daniel found himself smiling, a warm feeling of contentment washing over him. This was home. It wasn’t just the place, but the people—their shared routines, small moments of affection, and the unspoken understanding that had grown between them over the months.

**

It was early afternoon when Daniel, Johnny, and the kids finally made it to Golf n’ Stuff. This place held a special place in their hearts, a nostalgic spot where they often returned to relive the memory of their first ever “date.” That night hadn’t gone exactly as planned, but looking back, he and Johnny laugh about it and cherish the fun they had.

As they entered, Sam's eyes lit up, and before anyone could suggest otherwise, she tugged eagerly on Daniel’s hand, practically dragging him toward the arcade. Their first stop, as always, was the bustling game area filled with flashing lights and the sounds of digital excitement. Robby and Johnny immediately gravitated toward the basketball arcade games, their competitive spirits flaring up as they lined up their shots, while Daniel and Sam settled in front of a PAC-MAN machine.

Sam's frustration mounted as she lost for the fourth time, a slight frown appearing on her face. “Ugh,” she grunted, “Me don't like this game.”

Daniel chuckled softly, correcting her in that patient, fatherly way. “It's ‘I,’ Sam. ‘I don't like this game.’” He gently guided her aside. “Let Dada give it a try.”

Sam nodded, her little feet shuffling over to make space for him. Daniel couldn’t remember the last time he’d played PAC-MAN, but he gave it a shot anyway. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t much better at it than his daughter, but that didn’t matter. His clumsy attempts quickly turned Sam’s frown into giggles, and soon, she was laughing uncontrollably.

Daniel sighed with a smile. “As long as you're happy,” he murmured, ruffling her hair.

“Can we go golfing now?” Sam asked, her attention already shifting to the next adventure.

Daniel nodded, hoisting her up into his arms. “Yeah, let’s wait for your Papa and brother first,” he replied, carrying her over to where Johnny and Robby were still locked in their heated basketball competition. Both of them were drenched in sweat, their faces set in determined expressions.

“Who's winning?” Daniel asked as he approached, bouncing Sam lightly in his arms.

“Rob, but I still have some balls left. I'll be able to catch up,” Johnny said with a playful grin, nudging Robby in a good-natured challenge.

“As if,” Robby shot back, his competitive streak shining through.

A few minutes later, the timer beeped, signaling the end of the game. As expected, Robby came out on top. Daniel and Sam were quick to give him high fives, congratulating him on his victory, while Johnny feigned disappointment, though a small pout had indeed formed on his lips.

“Let’s go golfing!” Sam exclaimed, wriggling out of Daniel’s arms and grabbing Robby’s hand. Together, the two kids dashed off toward the miniature golf course, their excitement was evident.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Johnny leaned in closer to Daniel and whispered, “I let him win.”

Daniel rolled his eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah, yeah, sure you did.”

**

Golfing went smoothly, with lots of laughter and playful competition, though Daniel couldn’t help but notice Johnny subtly showing their kids a few tricks that bordered on cheating. Daniel shook his head in disbelief, thinking to himself, ‘Jesus Christ, what a role model he is.’ But he couldn’t deny the joy on their kids' faces as they played, so he let it slide with a smirk.

After finishing up on the course, they headed over to the infamous photo booth, a tradition they never skipped. Squeezing into the small space was a challenge, with lots of shifting and giggling as they tried to fit. Finally, they managed to arrange themselves: Sam perched comfortably on Johnny’s lap, while Robby nestled snugly between Johnny and Daniel.

In the first photo, they all flashed bright smiles at the camera. Robby’s missing front tooth, which had fallen out a few weeks ago, was on full display, giving his grin an extra bit of character. For the second shot, Robby and Sam raised their hands in peace signs, while Johnny, ever the prankster, lifted his fingers behind Robby’s head to give him bunny ears, making Daniel laugh just as the camera clicked.

The third picture was a bit more playful—Daniel and Johnny stuck out their tongues, with Johnny flashing the rock-and-roll hand sign. Sam joined in with jazz hands, while Robby, ever the secret rebel, discreetly flipped his middle finger, grinning to himself as he did. It was the kind of mischievous act that made the photo uniquely theirs.

The final shot captured a sweet moment—Sam and Robby were front and center, with Johnny and Daniel leaning in from either side to plant kisses on their kids’ cheeks. Robby’s face turned a bright shade of red, clearly embarrassed, while Sam couldn’t stop giggling, her joy shone brightly in her sparkling eyes.

As they stepped out of the booth, Daniel held up the strip of photos, examining each one with a fond smile. “Who’s taking this bunch?” he asked, holding the pictures out for the kids to see.

“Me, it’s my turn,” Robby declared, reaching out and quickly snatching the photos from Daniel’s hand. A moment later, he realized his mistake and looked up apologetically. “Sorry, Dad, I didn’t mean to be so rough.”

Daniel just smiled, shaking his head. “It’s okay, buddy,” he said, ruffling Robby’s hair affectionately. “Now, how about we head to the diner?”

With the pictures safely tucked away, they all hopped back into the car, the energy from their fun-filled day still buzzing between them as they made their way to the diner.

**

They arrived at the diner a few moments later, the warm glow of the neon sign outside contrasting with the cosy, retro interior. The hostess led them to a booth near the back, where Daniel and Johnny slid into one banquette, settling in comfortably side by side, while Sam and Robby scrambled into the seats opposite them, jostling each other playfully before finally settling down.

The waiter appeared at their table almost immediately, a friendly smile on his face. “Hi! What would you guys like?” he asked, pulling out a small notepad.

Sam eagerly leaned forward, pointing at the menu with her small finger. “I want this,” she declared, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the chips and chicken nuggets.

Daniel nodded, glancing over the menu one last time before speaking. “We’ll have the chips and chicken nuggets, and the...” He scanned the menu briefly, weighing his options before deciding. “Ham sandwich.”

“I’ll have the beef tacos,” Johnny chimed in, handing his menu back to the waiter.

“And I’ll have the beef tacos too,” Robby added enthusiastically, clearly following Johnny’s lead.

“Coming right up,” the waiter said, scribbling down their orders before disappearing into the kitchen.

As soon as the waiter was out of earshot, Johnny turned to Daniel with a raised eyebrow. “A ham sandwich, really?” he asked, his tone laced with playful disbelief.

“Yeah, what about it?” Daniel replied, looking slightly defensive.

“That’s all you’re going to eat?” Johnny asked, his eyes narrowing slightly in mock concern.

Daniel shrugged nonchalantly. “I’ll just eat some of your tacos if I’m still hungry,” he said casually, as if it were the most obvious solution in the world.

Johnny’s playful skepticism deepened. “No, you’re not,” he said, crossing his arms defiantly.

“Yes, I am,” Daniel shot back, his tone matching Johnny’s.

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am.”

Across the table, Robby rolled his eyes, leaning back in his seat with an exasperated sigh. “Oh my god, I thought we were the children in this family,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head at the childish banter.

“Robby…” Daniel said, turning to his son with a stern look.

Robby quickly caught himself and nodded. “Yeah, sorry—language,” he corrected, offering a quick, apologetic glance.

Johnny chuckled, ruffling Robby’s hair from across the table. “It’s fine. You know how your Dad is,” he said with a grin, his tone light and teasing.

Daniel’s eyes narrowed as he turned back to Johnny. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he snapped, though the edge in his voice was softened by the smile tugging at his lips.

“I mean, you’re a bit strict when it comes to cursing, but you curse all the time,” Johnny teased, his smirk widening.