andrxsmarty

[andrxsmarty]

"¿Cuál era tu sueño hijo?" He asked as he looked at his son with curious eyes anxiously awaiting his story. He loved that little boy more than life. He raised an eyebrow at his wife assuming that his son had dreamed about an older brother.

He shook his head as he shot his wife a look. He let out a soft sigh and got down on to his son's level. "Because you see that guy over there that looks like a younger papi, or an older you? That's your big brother, Rogelio. Mami and papi had him when we were younger and gave him to a nice family to raise. But he came and found us because he wanted to get to know us. But not only did he get us, but he got a bunch of siblings too. What do you think about this?"

❛❛Well, not sure but let's see. Gael? Ven aqui papa.❜❜ she instructed ro to sit at the table and wait. Gael ran in and watched both with suspicious eyes. ❛❛Cuentale a papi del sueño que tuvieste.❜❜

Gael nodded and began to tell Andy about the dream of being a younger brother and how he didn't hate it. He wasn't sure if he loved it but still it wasn't a horrible dream. Diana gave Andy a semi eyebrow raise and smiled. The question of why had Diana and Andy share a look.

❛❛How would you like it if you weren't the first born boy?❜❜ gael pondered it and sat on the floor. Looking up he shrugged and looked at Andy. ❛❛Why?❜❜

[andrxsmarty]

"I didn't forget about our son. I just forgot how emotional he gets with things like this. Like we really have to make sure that our son won't get in too sad. We don't want him to feel like we love him less or anything like that." The last thing he wanted was for Gael to get in his feels. "Okay, so how do we break the news to him? And make it seem like a positive thing."

Ro shook his head, "No, she doesn't have any Barbies yet, just a couple baby dolls." He smiled at the little girl and reached out and squeezed her shoulder. Man, he had always wanted a little sister and now that he has a couple he didn't know what to do. He wanted to just wrap her in a hug and then throw her on his shoulders and take her for ice cream.

"Gael first. I can't believe you forgot about our second born." She teased but didn't mean harm. "He needs to see Ro isn't a threat. As silly as that sounds but he won't like it if he's cornered or feels like we're pushing Ro on him." Having an ultra sensitive son in the family came with its ups and downs.

Gilly looked at Ro like she was trying to figure him out. "Can't play with barbies yet. Does she have any?" A curious mind needed to inquire. "Thank you! They say I roll my r's like her so I think that's cool." Diana smiled and waved him off. "It's all good. Don't worry how you come across."

[andrxsmarty]

He couldn't help letting out a chuckle at his little sister. That was still a wild thing to think about. "She can't play with Barbies yet. She's still a little young for them. But she does like baby dolls. And you talk like your mama." He shook his head and cleared his throat. "I want you to know I didn't come here wanting help. I really only wanted to meet you and Andy." He didn't want anyone to think he only sought them out because he needed help. He could handle his daughter on his own.

Andy hadn't even thought about Gael's reaction and for that he felt bad. "Oh yeah, we'll need to introduce him to Gael first. Let him answer all the little guy's questions. We don't want him to feel ambushed."

Galasia looked at him wide-eyed. "She can? That's cool. She's not useless. That changes everything." She was excited now to play with baby girl. "So nothing small in her mouth. Does she like barbies? You talk like my papi. Have a soft tone like him. That's crazy. Peek a boo. Got it!" That interaction made her laugh. Brother and sister sharing more than a few words had di chuckling. "You got that from me. The mind not shutting off. Sorry. But, hey, you'll never have to do it alone again. You'll have us." A promise she knew she had to talk to her husband but right now she'd feel confident they'd both feel.

"Yeah, I know. My favorite part is having miniature versions of you walking around. Okay, I like that. They need to hear him out and get their questions out. I can see Gael feeling a little weird. Maybe the talk with him and ro first?"

[andrxsmarty]

"She can play more than you realize." Ro told the little girl with a smile. "She does like to put things in her mouth so we have to keep an eye on her to keep her from swallowing something small. She usually laughs at peek-a-boo." He chuckled and nodded at his mom's question. "Yes, I have food. I just forgot to mention it in the list. My brain is constantly going and I'm always afraid I'm going to forget something. Being a single parent with a baby and a job and school is hard." He was sure the question was in their minds so he figured he'd just volunteer the information.

Andy nodded his head. "I think we need to tell them. My genes are too strong. They always have been." He chuckled and shook his head playfully. "But I think we should have all the kids sit down and do a family meeting and introduce their big brother. I'm sure there will be questions. But we'll just have to answer truthfully." He let out a sigh. "And with him moving in it will be hard to avoid the questions."

Galasia frowned and sighed. Exactly as Di would. "Fine then. Skirt my questions. But I'll figure it out." A task got her smiking and excitedly clapped. "I can do that! I'll tell them now. Is she gonna finish sleeping first?" She nodded as her mama said yes. "Okay! But I dont know how much she'll play. She's too tiny."

"Food? I hope food is on the list." Diana laughed. "If not I can get some. Okay, come on. Get your apron on. Youre on the clock. Andale."

Diana nodded but sighed. "Okay and yeah you're right. I just need to stop beating myself up over it. We also have to talk about gilly and her perceptive mind. Do we tell them?"

[andrxsmarty]

Ro looked from his little sister to his dad. He didn't want to be the one to say it if his parents weren't ready for the young ones to know. Andy interrupted his daughter. "Okay Nancy Drew, calm down with the questions." Just then he had an idea. "Hey, can you do me a huge favor today? There's going to be an extra little one in the play room. Will you help make sure she's okay and that your siblings share toys with her?"

Ro shook his head. "I didn't bring much for her. Just her car seat and her stroller. And some diapers of course." He also had food, but forgot that in the list. It was hard being a single dad but he was doing his best. Ro nodded his head at what Di was saying. "You got it. I'll try not to make too much noise then. Hopefully she doesn't keep the whole house up."

Andy wrapped his arms around his wife. "I know it's hard to reconcile, and we can't get those years back. But we can't keep living in the what ifs. He's here now with a beautiful baby. All we can do is live in the moment."

"Why not?" She asked with a tilt of her head. Diana looked at her husband and smirked. Inquisitive and a good question. "Are you sure it's not yours? Looks like you. Actually," she looked at the other guy and narrowed her eyes. "You look like my dad. Are you family? A brother, cousins? Maybe not cousin since none of the tias has kids."

Di cuddled the baby and hummed. "Is it really magic?" Maybe andy was right. The smile was small but full of pride. This was so cute and so small. She missed their kids when they were this small. "Do you have a tiny bassinet? If not, we have one here. Can put her to sleep there while you work?"

She laughed and shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I have a thing about cleanliness so most of the cleaning I do. I have a specific way to do it. Just worry about taking care of yourself so you can take care of her."

"Sure, but still. We could not have listened to them. Instead, we did and look at what happened. I know, I know. It is just hard to reconcile what we should have done and what we did."

[andrxsmarty]

Andy couldn't help the laugh that escaped him when he heard his daughter call for his wife to keep the baby. "Gilly, we can't just keep someone else's baby. But the baby will be around okay?" He still wasn't sure how to tell the babies that they had a new brother but this time it wasn't a baby but a full grown man. Or well almost. Turning back to Ro. "I think your baby girl is a big hit. Thanks for trusting us enough to bring her by." Seeing his wife come out with the sleeping baby in her arms he smiled. "She's always worked magic."

Ro nodded his head. "If you're sure I won't be too much of a hassle, I would love to move in. It'll definitely be better than paying rent. And I can help do things around the house. I won't just sit there doing nothing. I promise."

Andy shook his head. "You'll be fine. But we'll appreciate the help." Andy cleared his throat. "Di, we would've kept him if life didn't get in the way. Or well, less life and more the adults in our lives. Now we just have to do what we can for him."

Diana played with Magnolia and gave her a soothing ice pack, the kind she'd give their own kids and sat down on the floor. Their other kids came and sat with them wondering where the new baby came from. Diana laughed and shook her head. "No this one isn't your papa's. Looks like him huh?" Galasia nodded and poked the baby's nose, making her nose scrunch up as she laughed. "Keep her!"

She hugged the baby and smiled as she saw her kids being so welcoming. "Might not be so hard actually." How to tell their dozen they had a brother so this baby was technically their aunt. "Tell papa!" Galasia ran out to find andy and new tall guy. "You look like my papi. Anyway, papi! Mami! Is keeping the new baby."

"Okay, that's not what I said, per se." Di came out with an asleep maggie in arms and shook her head at Andy. "Not what I said. But, are you staying with us, Ro?" Either way she wasnt going to give this baby back. "Im not disappointed, maybe a little. Cause i didnt know about this cutie. But, you are better than I am. You kept her."

[andrxsmarty]

Ro nodded in response to his mother's question. "Yes," he glanced over at his dad, "I'm sorry about that." Andy shrugged and shook his head, "No worries. I completely get it. We have been there. Sometimes with two or three teething at the same time."

Andy couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him when his wife grabbed the baby. He knew his wife loved babies. Ro barely got to nod before Di had taken the baby. "She's a daddy's girl." He warned knowing she didn't like just anyone but it seemed he was concerned for no reason. Maggie was instantly comfortable in her grandma's arms.

Andy smiled as his wife said they'd be staying with them. He looked at his son. "She's serious. And we have a nice big guest suite so there will be space for you and Magnolia without you being in the way or anything. You'll still have your space. If that's what you want." He didn't want to make his son feel like he had to hide away.

"Thanks, dad." Ro said with a soft smile. "Okay, so you're not disappointed? Or upset?"

Andy shook his head. "Not at all, I'm impressed at you staying with your kid. At your age that takes a lot of courage. I'm proud of you, son."

Diana gave him a kiss and a pat to his back and winked. "Very good morning to you!" The kids shuffled in and said their hellos and gave him kisses. "What's the day looking like?"

The door jingling made her turn, and her eyes went wide. "No, way," she smiled at her husband in that told you so look. "Magnolia. Very pretty. This is the reason you didn't answer his texts?" The way she saw her little blue eyes, entranced di.

Her face showed how unsurprised she was, but also, Andy knew that look. She was going straight for the baby. Di had missed having a newborn, and with Andy's new rule, she felt it even more. "She's teething?" She pouted and looked at the baby, her granddaughter, which blew her god damn mind. Hands reaching out for her, she asked, "May I?"

Not waiting for an answer, she got Maggie out of her father's arms and cooed at her. "Hi, princesa. Gummy monster is making it impossible. Come, I've got just the thing." With that she left to the back. "Oh," she turned around, directing it to andy. "They're staying at our house."

[andrxsmarty]

Andy was opening the restaurant and couldn't help but smile when he heard the laughter of his kids as they stormed in the door. That was a noise he'd always adore. That was why he designed the restaurant the way he did. He wanted the kids to enjoy being there.

He greeted his wife with a kiss. "Good morning, beautiful." Just then he heard a baby noise and he furrowed his brow as he looked over at his wife with a knowing glance.

Before they could even react their oldest son walked through the door of the kitchen holding a small child. "Good morning. Umm this is the reason I had to leave yesterday. This is m-my daughter M-magnolia." He was nervous. "She's six m-months and I think she's teething. She hasn't been sleeping well and she was inconsolable with the babysitter." Magnolia was a beautiful dark haired baby with big, blue eyes. "I h-hope you don't mind me bringing her with me today. I kinda need the job."

Andy let out a soft chuckle. "We're not terribly surprised. We could tell there was something else. Something you weren't telling us. We're here to help, however we can. Where are you staying?"

"I rented an air BNB."

Before Andy could say anything he could tell his wife wanted to.

Diana hated when her back acted up because that almost always resulted in andy closing up shop and going home. This was no different, the way she couldn't look at him in the eyes was reason enough for him to call it.

Now at home she laid on their bed while she played a game on her phone as he got ready. She heard him and his phone and without looking at him she smiled. "Always in Papi mode."

"You're the one who told me he was gonna be okay, baby. Like you said it. When hes ready he will let us know. I dont think he'll flake on us. Hes too much like you. Now, pjs on and come play this game with me."

[andrxsmarty]

After their son left, he looked at his wife. "There is something he's hiding. He'll tell us in his time though. Might even be tomorrow. We just have to wait and see. I'm not thinking it's actually a roommate though."

Hearing his wife say her back was hurting he furrowed his brow. "Are you sure you want to work today? I don't want you to overdo it." He looked at her to make sure that if she said I'm okay that he would be able to catch her in the lie. One thing about them was that they were always able to read the others face.

They made it through service and home for the evening. He texted their son but didn't hear anything back which he was hoping wasn't a bad sign. He was worried but he didn't actually know where he was staying to be able to go check on him. He just had to hope he turned up at the restaurant tomorrow. He let out a loud sigh that he knew his wife heard.

It still hurt that his older sister didn't think they'd make it. The decision to not spend time with her as they had holidays or birthdays was a choice but Diana made it in order to keep the peace. Andy was the beloved boy and she understood why they were so protective of him. It was better for her to be background than to drudge up the past. Andy spoke and that made di smile and move with Gaia in arms to finish up the food. Carmelina made her smile, that was her favorite. Still to this day, she always brought her a gift just because. Hearing the age gaps now from her husband she thought this was going to be their kids when they were older. Diana at least gave him this.

Diana smiled and shook her head. "Its okay. She's in a better place. I cant really tell you what she was like. She was very young. I think andy met her once."

She sighed and heard what her husband said. "Yeah, I dont think you are wrong. He's not a normal seventeen year old. Hear him talk. Talking like you were at sixteen. Ready to tackle the world." How alike were they and it also made her feel odd that andy had such a deep mini me.

"No worries, we open an hour later tomorrow." Di smiled and watched him go. "Let's eat and then we can open up. My back is killing me today."

[andrxsmarty]

Andy had been letting his wife take the lead but talking of his sisters he decided to pipe in. "My oldest sister, Isabel, didn't think we would last. I think being that she was 20 at the time she'd seen a lot more than we had. Or so she thought. So she's 4 years older. Then there's my twin Elena. She was born 5 minutes before me so she always tried to be bossy but we were best friends. I think she was more afraid that with a baby I'd lose interest in her. Eva was next, she was 3 years younger. Then my parents got a surprise in their youngest 13 years after me, Carmelina. She thinks your mother is her sister." He let out a soft laugh. "Your mother has always been my love, from the first time I saw her. I honestly can't and don't want to imagine my life without her."

Hearing that twins ran in the family, Ro was grateful that he only had one. He couldn't imagine having twins to take care of by himself. "I'll look forward to meeting my aunts. I'm sorry, mom, that your sister isn't around any longer."

Andy let out a sigh. "Why call him if the mother is involved? Also, look at his demeanor, he doesn't act like just a normal 17 year old boy that made a mistake. He acts like a 25 year old at least. Worrying about working and having a home, that's not normal for a 17 year old trying to provide for his family. But I do hope I'm wrong."

Ro let out a soft chuckle. "I do trust you." He was about to speak more but he received a text. He looked down and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I'll be here first thing tomorrow." With my kid in tow.

"Uh lets see, aunts you've got five this is counting your dad. Twins run in his family and from me, you had just one. She's no longer around. It goes twin sisters then a younger one and a baby. The baby is my favorite one. Andy is sandwiched between. The biggest naysayer was the older one. She didnt believe we'd last. Which fair but that left a sour taste in my mouth." Safe to say she'd didn't take to her anymore. "We have our good and bad days." She looked at him. "But the love is there. End of the day he is my best friend and I know I'm his."

"When am I not supportive? I understand though and we'd be so proud but hate that he'd be doing it alone. We have the means to help him. But he just needs to come out with it. What gives him away that he may not have a baby mama in the picture?" Di smiled and nodded in a fair manner. "I get it. But still, you need to get to your hobbies without the kids."

"Then that's how it'll be. Don't worry about that. Youre much like your dad in that regard." She smiled. "Ro. We like you. But we'd also like for you to trust us if there's ever a time you need any anything?"

[andrxsmarty]

He raised an eyebrow. "First I find out I have siblings, and now aunts? How many and where do you guys fit in the order?" He was very curious about this long lost family of his. He wanted to get to know every inch of it. He shook his head. "Not sappy at all. Who was the biggest naysayer of the group?" He smiled at them. "You still give off two kids in love vibes, which I think is great considering you've been together so long. I feel like that kind of love is hard to find. Especially as young as you two were."

Andy nodded his head. "I know it's a lot to take in if he has a kid. But we have to just be supportive. It's very possible he's out here alone and doesn't have a girlfriend or baby mama. But how proud of him will be if he's stepped up for his kid? That's huge at that age. I'm not surprised, if your gut instinct is correct, that he jumped at the opportunity to take this job. He probably needs the money and security but is enough like me to not want to ask." He let out a soft chuckle. "I've been getting back to it through Gael, plus we still have a couple more tiny ones that I don't want to miss out on."

Their son took a deep breath. "I'd like to stay, so that I can get to know my family. That is, if you still want me around. If you ever get tired of me and my questions then you just have to say go and I'll be on my way. Though I might not go without a fight." He shook his head. He knew life would be easier if he just came out with it but it was really only day one. It was too soon. "I just don't want to make a bad impression. I want you both to like me."

"Your aunts were a little bit of non believers on us. But we proved them wrong and everyday I am so thankful we did. We did it." She looked over at her husband and smiled at him. "He's my forever as sappy as that sounds. He's my best friend wrapped up into my confidante and lover and partner in crime. Sometimes my filter too, still not great at holding back. So we make do." she couldn't imagine doing this life without him.

diana sighed and shrugged. "I hate when you make sense. I guess but I do wonder if it is really that. He has a kid like holy shit you know? He isn't that much older than we were." a sad smile replaced her curious glance. "And he is out here alone. We don't even know if he does have a girlfriend or baby mama. I know to gain trust we have to give it but I'd like to know." she rolled her eyes. "honey i tell you everyday you need to go back to your hobbies. Gael is eleven. He already knows he has the best dad."

"mhmm," she turned to look at andy. "so helps you with rent that is good. So, you are really planning on staying in Louisiana? For sure?" a hopeful smile took place as she hoped that he would stay. "why do you seem nervous?"

[andrxsmarty]

"I know I've only just met you guys, but I do feel grateful to have this family and so many siblings. I was raised as an only and it got kinda lonely wondering what it would be like to have a brother or sister or both and now I've got a few." He let out a soft chuckle. "I'm also glad that you two are still together too. Beating the odds is something every kid needs to see as a possibility."

Andy shook his head. "I know that. He doesn't know that. I don't think this really has anything to do with that first reaction. I think it has to do with him wanting to prove himself to us for a bit before he throws that curve ball. Think about it, if we had kept him and we had just started a new job we would've been hesitant to have the employer think we were going to be bad employees because we had a kid. I know we are more than just his employers but that's the best way I can think to explain it right now." He shrugged his shoulders. "If we're grandparents, we're gonna be the coolest grandparents ever and we are going to accept our son and his child." He shook his head. "I didn't outgrow soccer, but I did give up some things when we had Gael so that I could be the kind of dad I wanted to be."

He couldn't help but roll his eyes as his wife shrugged and started throwing a million questions at their boy. "Ummm it wasn't an emergency, luckily. Just a small thing. I don't think I need to go home, but we'll see. I don't want to drop the ball but if they text me in the next hour or so I might have to go." He cleared his throat. "We do pay rent together whenever she's able to but sometimes it just falls on me. I had to find somewhere to live because I didn't want to run off and I didn't want to live in a hotel long term."

It would never get old the way her kids would call her mom. This one was a little sad though since she didn't get to grow up with him. One last pat to his back and she stepped back. "So did everyone else. We made it against all odds. Got told that Andy would leave me right after because I was damaged goods. I basically said fuck you and stayed with him. I saw him and knew I had found my best friend, one who would be with me through every up and every down. Turns out I was right and we have over twenty years together. Oh yes, all these are your full siblings. You got a big family."

Offended she gasped. 'I wouldn't shun him." Well, okay her first reaction wasn't great but whatever. "It's a kid isn't it. I dont know why I just feel that is right. How would we react if we were grandparents right now? Oh my god." Di had a mini freak out knowing this could be wild but also would be something that could be. "Hot grandpa. Rawr." but andy was right, if it was a kid she wouldn't be one to force it out of him. which now had her thinking. "Bull baby. You didn't outgrow soccer. You really believe that?"

Di bounced Gaia in her arms and hummed. "So, it wasn't? Do you need to go home? Can start work tomorrow if roommate needs you? we are reasonable." she tried to express as maybe that'd get him to open up. "Or if you can stay we can eat?"

She went back to where she had left Andy and with Gaia in arms she started to plate the different plates. "So, you have a roommate? What is that like? Pay rent together?' she knew andy burned eyes at her but she merely shrugged.

[andrxsmarty]

🌺 send this to ten muns you think are wonderful 🌺

Back at you, babes!

[andrxsmarty]

After he pulled away he let out a sigh. It was like the hug was helping put a broken piece of his heart back together. Pieces he didn't know were broken. "Thanks for the hug, mom." It just felt right to call her mom. That's what she was after all.

He let out a soft chuckle. "Clearly. In all the times thinking about my birth parents, I never imagined having so many siblings. And full ones at that. I was told you had me young so I didn't even know that you'd still be together."

Andy watched their son go outside. He looked at his wife and nodded. "I agree with you that something is up. My best guess would be that there's a child. Whether it's his or a sibling we will just have to wait for him to tell us. I don't want him to feel like we're asking to give us a reason to shun him. Things are going so well right now. He'll tell us when he's ready." He shrugged. "As for soccer, sometimes people just outgrow things."

Andy reached out and rubbed his daughter's back. "As soon as I'm done making lunch you can come back to me." He let out a breath as their son walked back in. "Everything okay?" He asked with a furrowed brow.

Their son just nodded his head. "Sorry, that was my roommate. I thought it might be an emergency." He knew he shouldn't lie but he was still a little worried about what their reaction would be.

Di smiled and nodded. "That's what he says but I don't see it. Honestly love that all the kids look like him. All I ever wanted." May sound crazy but that was just how she thought. It was more than a second before she let go. She felt like they needed that hug as a family. Truly just reset. Andy was in her perview and smiled. "Even your hugs."

'Long time ago now. No need to be sorry." She said confidently and already putting that behind her. "I got blessed."

"He's hiding something. I just can feel it." Diana told Andy as she turned and looked out the door where their son was talking on the phone. "You saw his face. You dont have a great poker face and neither does he. What would make you hesitate to tell me the truth? Side girl or a kid?" She couldn't say why or how she knew but there was something bothering her. "That is no side piece. I dont care what people say. Also he doesn't think its worth it to keep playing soccer? What! You only quit because of your injury."

She had a few seconds to get all her thoughts out before Ro came back in. "Five seconds for your thoughts?" Gaia wanted up and frowned when daddy didnt give in. "Ven aqui mi amor. Papi will get you later. After he feeds us." Gaia seemed appeased by it and let herself get scooped up.

[andrxsmarty]

Ro let out a chuckle. "Gaia definitely does look like you." When the little girl, his little sister, ran up and smiled and he looked up at the mom smiling too he nodded. "Oh, she is very much like you. You have the same smiles." He shook his head with a wide smile. He couldn't help but wonder if his own daughter would be that much of a daddy's girl, even if she didn't have to fight for his attention.

Andy knew exactly what that hum meant. He knew instantly that she didn't believe their boy had a good life. But Andy had to hope he had. Ro heard what his mother said and nodded his head. He wrapped his arms around and took a deep breath as he felt himself relaxing into her. He had expected the hug to feel forced but it was actually relaxing. He never wanted to let go. "You don't need to apologize or feel bad, mom. I'm okay. Thank you for giving me life. I have wondered what it would've been like to be raised by you, but just hearing that you'd change history if you could means a lot. I appreciate you for doing what you thought was best." He spoke in hushed tones so the little ones wouldn't hear what he was saying.

Ro nodded his head but a proud smile came over his face. "A pediatrician? That's really cool. Working on the littles had to fun but challenging." He thought for a second. "I'm sorry to hear about the miscarriages that couldn't have been easy. Also you're a badass for finishing studying with a baby." He could only imagine how hard that was. He wasn't even sure college was in his future.

He shook his head. "No, I just don't know if it's worth it to keep playing. It takes up a lot of time." Just then his phone rang. "Umm is it okay if I take this?" He didn't wait for an answer before walking out to take the call from the babysitter. He was afraid something was really wrong but he couldn't not answer the call. If they were mad, he'd explain everything.

"Is this because you share the same looks that you think that? I happen to think Andy is hella biased. And now I'm thinking the same with you," she narrowed her eyes at him playfully. She turned to look at who he was pointing at and laughed. "Gaia. That's the only one who came out like my carbon copy. I'll give you that. When she smiles she has my scrunchy eyes. Mama, si?" Gaia ran in and giggled showing off her eyes. "See? She also loves her daddy. Hard core. Look." Diana went to touch Andy's arm and had Gaia run to him and try to push her leg away. "My daddy!"

Di had a pretty good bullshit meter, Andy hardly ever got away with a lie so now seeing Ro do the same thing she gave a quick glance at Andy and hummed. She wasn't gonna ask again for now but that was something. "I'm glad you didnt want for anything. Cmere." She opened her arms up and smiled. "In this house you never have to ask for a hug." Humming to her husband's words had her nod. "Now knowing what we know we would have kept it. We had each other."

"I was a little bit of everything but my speciality was pediatrics. I wanted to help the helpless. After our um miscarriages it became the place I didn't wanna see day in and day out. It was hard to juggle and Andy he tried i love him for it but it was hard. He had to drudge up business when we had gael. Had to have customers who'd vouch for him. I stayed home with him while I studied and honestly the time was just high stress."

"Youre not good enough? What? Babe, you hearing this? Commitments like a wife? Husband?"

[andrxsmarty]

He shook his head. "I can see some of him but I see so much more of you in them honestly." He smiled. "Now they may be daddy's girls in running to him and wanting to snuggle him, but they look more like you. Especially that one?" He pointed at one of them. He still wasn't sure of all of their names yet.

He smiled and nodded his head. He was going to say he was okay even though there was something weighing on him. "Yeah, I'm okay. You don't need to be worried about my childhood. I never wanted for anything." Except some more understanding in the last year but this wasn't the time for this. He stepped closer to his mom. "Can - um - I give you a hug?" Andy heard what they were talking about and decided to pipe in. "I wouldn't have given you up either. But the pressures back then weren't good for bringing a baby home. But hopefully we can try to make up for lost time now."

His eyes got big. "You were a doctor? No way! That's so cool. What was your specialty?" He never imagined that she would have been a doctor. He shrugged. "I can understand that being worth it. It would've been hard to do all that schooling with a toddler and a small child. Did you have, which one, Gael while you were still working?" He knew how hard it was to feel like you were missing something while you had to be at work.

Andy chuckled at Di's joke. He shrugged his shoulders. "I've got other commitments that are in the way. Plus, I don't think I'd get very far. Maybe a scholarship but I'm not good enough to go pro."

Diana hummed and wore a proud smile. "There he was about 17. You can tell by the cheeks. He had his baby face." She grinned at her husband and threw him a wink. She gasped and smiled wide. "You're fitting right in there bucko." She laughed. "But yeah I'm always short when I stand next to the giants. I feel small." Looking at the girls she scrunched her nose up. "You think? I see daddy's girls through and through."

"Hey, no. Im glad you came. I like seeing that you grew up and are okay. You are okay right?" The guilt would always eat at her but if she knew he was okay now she'd feel a tiny bit better. "The toughest. I didnt want to give you up. You have to believe me. If we could have we would have kept you. We wanted you to have the best chance at a good life. Looking back? I wouldn't have. Turns out my dream wasn't worth giving you up." She liked what she did once upon a time but now she couldn't imagine not being a mama.

"Ah because you know I'll bite." She winked and smirked. "Sassy pants. Surprisingly Andy didnt want to do the article. He gets camera shy. No, I was a former doctor. I saved lives or so people said. It was such a big dream. I let it consume me to the point where I lost sight of what was really important. But then I couldn't do it anymore. I retired early. Been a stay at home mom ever since."

Di let out an exaggerated sigh as she rolled her eyes. "Flavorful is your department babe. El sazón." She winked and grinned. "No way? You're just like your dad. He used to play soccer and plays the guitar. Why won't you pursue it?"

[andrxsmarty]

Looking at the photo of Andy young was strange to the younger man. "How old was he there?" He could definitely see the resemblance and understood why they didn't try to fight that he was their son. There was no denying it based on looks alone. "Are you afraid you are going to be the shortest one?" He looked over at his little sisters. "I don't know, I think the girls definitely favor you more."

He shook his head. "No I shouldn't have just shown up out of the clear blue sky like that. You didn't know that I might just show up some day. As far as you knew I would never know who you were." He let out a sigh as his mind wandered briefly. "I don't blame you for putting me up for adoption. I can only imagine how tough of a decision that was." He wasn't ready to tell Andy and Di yet that he had his own baby. While he was young and doing it alone, he couldn't imagine giving up his daughter, even if it would make his life easier.

Andy shook his head and rolled his eyes. "The coffee is almost done brewing. I try not to let you go too long without it." Ro tilted his head. "This place seems amazing and getting a whole spread and cover in that fancy cooking magazine is pretty cool. Where you always a stay at home mom or did you have a career too?" He asked Di wanting to know what her job was. He couldn't imagine her just being a stay at home mom. There had to have been a dream for her outside of being a mama or why did they give him up.

Andy shook his head with a playful smile on his face. "Babe, I will cook them too but first I need them to be flavorful." He let out a sigh. His hobbies had been pushed aside lately but he did have them. "I like to play music, the guitar specifically. I also play soccer. I am decent but I don't know if I can chase that for too much longer."

Di laughed. "I'll have to agree only because dad is as tall as a tree. Seems like everyone gets that among other things." She made the kids run off and turned back to Ro. "You look like the teenage version of your dad. Even down to the curls." She unlocked her phone and scrolled to her high school pictures of Andy. "See?" The picture was of Andy sitting on top of a counter faking being on a call.

"You don't need to thank us. We should be thanking you for giving us a second chance after the way we treated you." Di was ashamed of her reaction. "It's no excuse but we're. I'm better than that."

She smirked and hummed grabbing the ingredients off the counter. "He puts me to work so early in the morning without my coffee can you believe it?" She joked and blew Andy a kiss. "Funny story, he had it all figured out. Down to the minimal thing. Turns out while architecture was a passion it wasn't his great love. That was still work. Chef was what felt like he wasn't at work. I was the stay at home mom. Some projects took him a while to finish and though he tried, there was always a part missing. He tried not to miss anything but things slipped."

"To eat it I hope you mean?" She smiled and rolled the pineapple to her side. "Pass me the knife? I wanna eat them but fine I can marinate." Looking at ro she tilted her head. "Do you have any hobbies?"