Title: Date Night vs Family Nights
Summary: RH verse. Their friends are all meddlers and even Henry joins in.
Note: Back to NY for a bit of a break from the prompts, one from BossLady "they have probably never had a normal first date experience. I could imagine them never going on dates the first couple of months because they want to spend time together with Henry as a family or with their friends or are working. Once their friends or Henry realize this, they probably trick them into going on their first date. Just because Graham and Emma don't seem like the type of people to plan date nights." and one from skagengiirl "Henry tells Graham that he wants him to adopt him."

"Are you used to being back at work yet?"

Graham gave Simmons a knowing look before answering Andie's question. "Same old, same old."

"Please. I know you are back at it. I was asking wifey," she said with a snort.

The title made something pleasant buzz through him and he leaned down to press a soft kiss to Emma's lips. She smirked into it, then leaned forward. She shrugged, munching around one of the crackers from the appetizer plate before settling back against his chest. "I mean, it's work. Easy pickup yesterday, and a couple successful loan repayments. I haven't had any hard calls in the past week."

Andie lazed into Simmons' side, holding her glass by the stem. "Good to ease back into it, Missus Married. Junior doing okay?"

He could practically feel her roll her eyes. "'Junior' is barely making himself known."

His arm twisted around Emma, palm pressing against her abdomen. Her pants were a little tight at her waist, but there wasn't enough of a swell there yet for their friends to see.

Ritu poured another glass and gestured. "Morning sickness hit yet?"

"Not really. A couple times I've thought I was going to, but it kind of wears off. Calm before the storm, I guess." She glanced up at him, and he met her gaze softly, brushing a hand down her side. He was not anxious to see her feeling the discomforts of pregnancy, as she was well aware.

"You know how well Emma'll handle that," Andie teased.

She grimaced. "I just don't like being sick. Who does?"

Andie hummed an agreement. "Besides, we know Daddy Humbert will be over-anxious and flustered the whole time."

"Hey!" he exclaimed. Emma looked up at him pointedly. He sighed. "Well, I don't like seeing her sick."

"Oh!" Gia spoke up, swinging her glass around in an arc. "I know! Before you get there, let us take Henry over for a bit. You'll need a good date night in before you get to that stage."

Emma entwined their hands, clicking her ring against his. "We just had our honeymoon," she reminded.

"Yeah, with kid attached," Sam pipped in from beside Ritu.

Graham frowned at the slightly judgmental inference. "We're starting a family. We wanted him with us, since we're getting settled."

"Which isn't a honeymoon, in the most traditional sense," Andie pointed out. She held out a hand to stop any protests from him or Emma. "Now, I get it. You did this the quick way, and Henry's getting used to all the new."

"And I wanted my son with me," Emma said stubbornly.

"Oh, darling, we're not trying to pass judgment," Gia said. "But you two will need a night alone. Once the 'fun' part of pregnancy hits, it will be nice to have a reminder of just how you got yourself there. Besides, when's the last time you went on a date?"

Graham gestured to the full living room. Sam and Ritu and Gia were on one end of the couch, Andie and Leo taking over the chair. Food and drinks littered the coffee table, games tucked right under for later. "Doesn't this count?"

Andie pointed at him. "A couples date is not a date, Mister Married, and you should know better. Besides, the kids are in the bedroom. You need something just you two."

"Emma, Graham," Ritu said, cocking her head to the side. "Wait … what was your first date?"

Emma huffed. "You've even seen us! We go to the bar all the time."

"Oh, sweetie," Gia said. "As lovely as Andie is, we all know that bar is just on this end of divey. It is not exactly 'date night' appropriate."

Simmons snorted into his beer. "It's completely divey."

"Divey but clean! And I take no offense to that," Andie said with a grin.

Emma groaned and threw her head back against Graham's chest with a soft thud. "Why is this so important?"

"It's not! I just want to know," Andie replied with a grin.

Emma looked up at him in question, and he could only offer a small shrug. "Movies?"

"That was here," Emma reminded.

He thoughtfully looked away, fingertips making absent patterns on her skin. He supposed that they hadn't had anything that their friends would consider a "real" date. "I don't know. We always go where we're comfortable, and that's here, or the station, or the bar."

Andie tossed a throw pillow at them and he caught it easily in one hand. She trilled out a blast of Vietnamese. "You two, I swear. The station does not have romantic date appeal."

Emma snuggled into him. "It's not like I feel like we've been missing out. We get our alone time." She raised an eyebrow and pressed her hand over his where it lingered on her stomach. "Obviously."

"Even that was on a business trip," Andie grumbled.

"You told them that?" Graham asked, surprise and amusement coloring his voice.

"Well …," Emma replied simply, and looked over their friends. She shook her head. "It's them. You really think I could have kept it secret?"

"Point made," he said. He raised his eyes to the woman opposite them. "I guess I should be more surprised that Andie didn't try to dig it out of me."

"Oh, just you wait, Humbert," Simmons said with a chuckle. "Take the fact that she hasn't asked yet as a warning sign."

He shrugged in concession. He was prepared for Andie trying to weasel out details in that way she did. It would be easier to remain tight-lipped since he wasn't drinking anymore, though. He didn't have any illusions that she would let him off easy, but he could at least keep some things private.

Gia sat up, clicking through her phone purposefully. After a minute, she made a noise of delight. "I can get you reservations at no less than eight different high-end spots as soon as tomorrow. Make your choice. I'm sure Georg won't mind if we let the boys have a sleepover."

"I really don't think the lack of 'high end' was our deterrent," Graham said dryly.

Ritu pushed Sam back and leaned over to look at Gia's phone. "You know she's good about finding the classy places that somehow still suit your taste," she reminded. "They all have some outdoor element to them. And since you two are prone to late Fall outdoor excursions …."

Graham groaned. "We will never live that down, will we?"

"Your kid was made in the middle of a forest, Graham. It'll follow you around forever," Sam replied.

Emma looked up at him sheepishly. "Sorry?"

"Your idea, your fault," he teased good-naturedly.

"So, what type of food are you craving?" Gia asked.

"Emma craves all food," Graham replied, then inclined his head to press a kiss to the crown of her head.

Emma could only nod, shifting against him with a sigh.

"Oh, dancing, they should go dancing after!" Ritu exclaimed.

"Nah, they need somewhere that's quiet," Simmons argued.

"Like a museum with lots of dark corners," Andie offered.

Emma looked up at Graham in amusement. "Well, it looks like we won't have to plan."

He kept his eyes on hers and flicked quickly from the group to her in silent question. She bit down on her lip, chewing thoughtfully for a moment before she gave a small smile and nodded. Knowing she wanted this made it easier to agree to it all. "Saves time," he murmured back, watching the others pose suggestions back and forth. There would be no protesting it, he knew. Once Gia got an idea in her head, it was happening. The fact that the others were on her side just made it all the more inevitable.

He didn't mind as long as Emma was okay with it. Even if it sounded a bit ridiculous, it was just another excuse to be with her. There were far worse things.

He heard a shuffling behind them and glanced back, finding Henry. He was staring at the group curiously. "Hey, kid, need something?"

Henry met his eye, but he seemed distracted by the other adults arguing over locations. Finally, he nodded. "Yeah, the guys want to know how long before the pizza gets here."

Emma glanced at the clock on the wall. "About another fifteen. Can you hold out that long?"

Henry nodded. "Yeah, and I got the plates and stuff ready."

"Good," she said with a nod.

Graham reached out with one hand and tugged on his sleeve. "It looks like you might be headed for an actual sleepover with Damon and Matt tomorrow night. That okay?"

He nodded. "Haven't been over in a while."

"Okay, so I think we got it," Gia declared. "Dinner, then an exhibit at the west end of the park, then off to the latin bar on 78th."

"Latin bar?" Emma questioned, flitting a hand over her stomach.

"You can do virgin drinks, but there's a good dance floor there. No real first date means we are cramming all first date experiences into one," Andie said with a cheshire smile.

"The exhibit even has a little film!" Ritu exclaimed. "Dinner, museum, movies, dancing all in one!"

"Kinda overdoing it, isn't it?" Graham asked, slightly bewildered at the rapid planning.

Emma's eyebrow rose and she nodded her agreement. "Please remember that pregnant equals exhausted most of the time," she reminded.

A frown tugged on his face, and he worriedly pulled her closer. She hadn't shown signs of fatigue yet tonight, but she was right: a jam-packed late evening planned to the inch would not be in her best interest. It was the one side effect she had definitely experienced, and thus it would be the date neither of them would have picked.

"If you don't get to them all, you don't get to them all. At least get to some," Gia insisted.

He glanced back to catch Henry's confused expression and gave a smile with a roll of his eyes at their antics. He gestured to Henry's room. "Go ask your friends what they want to drink. I'll get it ready."

He started to nod, but then stopped. "You guys never went on a first date?"

Emma huffed. "See? Confuse my kid, why don't you. This is why I don't have you guys over more often." She turned in Graham's arms to look at her son. "Of course we've gone on a first date. And second. And third, and so on. They just weren't up to Gia Standards."

Graham chuckled in agreement. "She doesn't think our video game nights count."

Henry frowned. "They don't. I'm there."

"See? He's on our side!" Andie exclaimed.

Graham shook his head. "Sometimes date nights are family nights, too," he protested.

"You guys should do Gia's suggestion," Henry insisted.

Emma sighed. "I guess we're out-numbered."

He brought her wrist to his lips and then curled his thumb under the shoelace. "I don't think we ever stood a chance."

It was later, once the door shut behind the last two to leave, when the house was finally quieting down, that Henry padded back into the kitchen.

"Hey, kid. Still not tired?" Emma asked around a yawn.

"Kinda," he said, and sat on one of the bar stools. "But not ready to sleep."

Her eyelids drooped slightly, trying to balance her chin on her hand. "Lucky."

"I'll get him there, but you've got to get some sleep if we're going to do half of the things the group's making us do tomorrow." Graham pushed her in the direction of the bedroom. She made a small sound of protest before sleepily stumbling into it.

After, he directed his focus to the kid. "Need some water before bed?" he asked.

Henry shrugged. "Sure."

He pulled down two glasses and rummaged through the freezer to pull out the thin mints in the back. He pushed them to Henry along with a full glass. "Are Matt and Damon excited about the sleepover?"

Henry nodded. "Yeah, everyone's coming. I think Gia's getting the theater room set up for us."

Graham shook his head with a grin. Gia and Georg's place was huge, with plenty of extra rooms for hobbies and entertainment. It was one of the reasons theirs was often the home of choice for the boys' sleepovers. "Friends in high places," he commented.

Henry cocked his head to the side, smiling. "It's kinda fun to have the opposite, y'know? Last life, I lived in a big mansion and had no friends. Now, I have a lot of friends and just enough space for myself."

Talk of past lives usually put him on edge, and Graham swallowed as he pieced through the comparison. "Are you worried about when the baby comes, that you won't have your space?"

Henry shook his head quickly. "No, I don't mean like that. I mean, it was so big last time that it felt … I don't know, empty. When the baby comes, it'll be crowded at first, but we always make things work. I'm excited for my sibling, honest." He grinned, eyes sparkling in proof.

Graham wet his lips nervously and nodded. "Okay. As long as you're being honest."

"I swear. Thanks for making sure, though," he replied.

Graham leaned over and ruffled his hair playfully. "Always, kid."

Henry scrapped his chair forward, his expression unclear. Finally, he played with the opening on the box, shying away from his eyes. "You do always do that. You always care."

Graham sat down opposite his stool. "Of course."

Henry glanced up at him shyly. "Even before."

He smiled and opened the packaging for him. "Even before," he agreed.

"I think I wanna sign the papers."

He froze. "Wha-What?" Graham stuttered, eyes widening as he took in the information.

Henry tossed one shoulder up, rolling a cookie between his fingers. "I mean, if you still want to."

Graham let out a low breath. "Henry … of course I still want to. I told you that it's something important to me, and that hasn't changed. I would … I would be honored, kid. Are you … are you sure? No one's forcing you to make the decision this soon."

"I know," he said, his eyes bright. "You told me to take my time. And I have, really. You married mom, and you still make sure I'm included with everything. We all fit. I want to have it legal, too."

Graham felt his eyes sting, and he reached over to give his shoulder a squeeze. He held himself together, trying to be cautious even as he wanted to scoop him close. "So, you want to do this? You're not feeling pressured?"

Henry's eyebrows knotted. "Pressured? No. You and mom have told me it's my choice about a million times. I know we're a family either way. You and mom haven't even gone on a real first date because you want us to all be together all the time."

Graham felt part of his soul lighten in cautious optimism, even as he laughed hard. He was glad that his and Emma's reassurances had stuck. "Hey, you still get your sleepover nights. But that's right, we all fit together. And we don't have to have the piece of paper to make it real, not if it makes you uncomfortable in any way."

Henry nodded. "You've always cared about me, even in the first life. You and mom are gonna have the baby and … and I want you to adopt me."

A strange mix of anticipation and relief washed over him as the words rushed out. He felt a tear roll down his face even as he beamed at Henry. "The baby … he or she will just add to the family. You will always be our first kid, Henry, for Emma and for me. Thank you for agreeing to this."

Henry shook his head at the gratitude. "Graham … I want you to be my dad. You basically already are. Thanks for wanting me back."

He tugged him into a tight hug, pulling him close in to his chest. "I love you. Always."

Henry was holding him just as tight, yet somehow felt relaxed. After a beat, he pulled back, eyes dancing. "Let's wait to tell mom after your date."

Graham's eyebrows shot up. "You think I can hold out that long?"

Henry grinned. "You should go on a first date before having two kids, don't you think?"

Graham shook his head, chuckling. "I don't think it matters too much; we already have them," he replied, resting his hand on the kid's head in gentle acknowledgment.

Henry took a deep breath, looking at him closely with a small smile. "Yeah, I guess you do."

Graham couldn't help grinning back, staring over at the boy in awe. Henry wanted him to be his dad. He wanted him. "After the date," he promised. A small price to pay for the gift he was receiving.

Henry shrugged. "It's okay if you cave," he swore. "I know you don't like to keep secrets from mom, and that's okay."

"It wouldn't be a secret, more of a surprise," he replied. "But I think she'll know something's up as soon as she sees me."

"You're excited," he stated, though it was said more in wonder.

Graham nodded, leaning forward to press a kiss to his forehead. Formality shouldn't matter much, but something about having it in paper and law made it concrete. Seeing the ring and the certificate with Emma proved that, even if what they felt meant so much more.

Henry smiled widely. "I love you, too, Graham. And I'm excited, too. It's my choice."

Graham pressed his lips together, letting the words wash over him. "Always, Henry." He didn't understand why the words meant so much in this life when they hadn't in the first. But something about them added structure to what he already knew from interaction. Maybe he was just insecure and needed the reassurance, he didn't know.

All he knew was that it was strange to feel how his heart thrashed to make room for all the emotions that came from them.

"I think we can make room for another family night on Sunday, don't you?"

Henry rolled his eyes. "You act like that would be something new." He sighed in mock distress, while his face showed plain delight. "But sure. Family nights are good, too."

Graham nodded eagerly. He wasn't sure if he was looking forward to a night alone with Emma or a night with just their little family all together more. Both were important to him, though perhaps one thing was missing. "Next week, just you and me. We'll do something to celebrate."

Henry looked startled, then it tempered into awe. "Yeah. Yeah, that sounds good. Just us two."