A/N: This story is set some time before 6x18.

Daddy

Stan was just saving a report on his laptop when Charlie came running into the room with a happy smile on his face. Stan stood up and reached to pick the boy up and hold him high in the air. "Hello Buddy! What are you up to?" He said as he lowered him to rest against his chest.

Charlie squealed and giggled at the move, reaching up to hold onto his Dada's shoulder. "Daddy called to say goodnight, and now I came to say goodnight to you, Dada!" He said with a smile.

Stan's face fell, and he couldn't stop a shocked "what?" to escape his lips.

At Stan's reaction, Charlie grew upset. "I'm sorry Dada… I won't call him Daddy again, I know you're my daddy." He said in a tremulous voice.

Stan shook himself and squeezed his little boy closer. "Hey, you have nothing to apologize about, ok? It's ok if you want to call him Daddy sometimes, I don't mind…" He said, trying to muster up a smile.

Charlie looked him in the eye for a minute. "Really? Even if you're my daddy too?"

Stan nodded, lifting a hand to gently pinch Charlie's nose. "Really, son. It's OK"

Charlie leaned his head on Stan's shoulder to give him a warm hug. "I love you, Dada!"

Stan rubbed his boy's back, relishing the moment. "I love you too, buddy. To the moon and back".

It was supposed to be just a regular day with the kids. Danny stopped by Rachel's to pick them up and waited outside, not wanting to make things more uncomfortable than they already were.

Grace came out first, carrying her backpack. She approached her father with a pleased smile, giving him a warm hug. "Hey Danno!" She said with a happy smile.

"Hey sweetheart. How are you? Do you have everything you need for the weekend?" He asked her with a kind smile.

Grace nodded, moving to open the trunk of the car and put her things there.

Just then Rachel came out of the house with Charlie holding her hand. At the sight of Danny, the little boy let go of Rachel's hand and launched himself towards Danny. "Daddy!" He squealed in joy before launching himself in Danny's direction.

Danny crouched to catch his little boy, swallowing a couple of times before he could speak. "Heeeey Charlie! I missed you so much!" He said, leaning to kiss the little boy over the head.

He lifted his eyes to Rachel, not knowing what reaction to expect from her, but she wasn't looking at them, she was looking at Grace.

Danny turned to look at his daughter and was surprised to see the heartbroken look on Grace's face. Before he could move, she had moved to open the passenger door, lifting the seat to sit at the back, next to Charlie's seat. "Can we go already?" She asked in annoyance.

Danny picked Charlie up and secured him on his seat and they were ready to go.

The drive back to the house was awkward to say the least. Grace was looking out of the window the entire time, while Charlie kept asking her if she was ok. At least Grace wasn't biting the little boy's head off, but the tension in the car was palpable and Danny didn't know what to do about it.

When they reached the house, Danny moved to lift his seat so Grace could get out more easily. His face fell when he saw his little girl wiping away a tear. "Monkey…" He said, reaching out to provide some comfort.

Grace glared at him, slapping the hand away. "I'm not a monkey!" She said in a voice full of tears as she jumped out of the car and stormed into the house.

Danny watched his little girl walk away from him and marveled at how one little word brought so much joy and heartache at the same time.

The End

A/N: I feel a little bad about this one, but I don't see any scenario where the transition from Danno to Daddy was an easy one for either Stan or Grace, so this came up.

I'd love to hear what you think!