Glenn

Daryl's daughter hates me. Okay, hate is a strong word but she's not a fan. I suppose I should have expected it since she's had her father to herself all her life but people always seem to like me and I thought she would, too.

A month after we started seeing each other Daryl told Taffy about me and we met the next weekend. She's a cute girl, tall for her age, with caramel-colored hair and a few freckles. Her mom is also tall, probably 5'9", with fudge-colored hair. Why am I thinking of candy when I see their hair? Shelby isn't the typical Southern belle with long hair and elaborate makeup. Her hair is bobbed above her shoulders and she's pretty enough not to need much makeup. Taffy's hair is also short, kind of a tom-boy crop but it suits her. Tyler looks like he alternates between sweet and naughty which sounds about right for five years old. His hair is darker than Taffy's and lighter than Shelby's. Let's call it cocoa-colored.

It seemed like good timing for introductions because we saw each other twice and then had a break for Thanksgiving which I didn't spend in Georgia. I flew to Michigan and told my family about Daryl, complete with pictures on my phone. I knew they wouldn't care that he wasn't Korean but I had no idea they'd be so excited about me dating a redneck. They've visited a few times since I've been in Georgia but not recently so they all came for Christmas to meet Daryl and hear his drawl. They were disappointed that he doesn't really talk Southern unless he's drunk or with Merle.

Daryl thought all Asians were inscrutable Orientals and that I was the chatty exception. He was a little overwhelmed to learn that my whole family is the same. They're exuberant and they love me and they arrived ready to love Daryl as well. We thought it was too soon for our families to meet so celebrations were separate and I met Daryl's parents after the New Year. They're nice people but even after eight years they're still adjusting to a gay son. I think they were glad Daryl never brought anyone home before and now that he has they've got more adjusting to do.

Despite tension with Taffy, I love spending every other weekend with Daryl. Not just for sex although that seems to be getting better and better. I didn't realize how much I missed horses and riding. Daryl stays over with me a couple of nights each week which helps me get through the week because it's now official: I hate administrative work. Three months of the office environment was enough to know I wouldn't be able to settle down to it. I already told Dale and Andrea I'll be leaving the DEA after I testify. They took it well; they suspected I wouldn't be happy out of the field. I have no idea what I'll do after that but at least I've got Daryl. And a place to live. Maybe. Daryl wants me to move in with him but I think we should wait awhile. Daryl told Taffy he was going to ask me soon so she could get used to the idea.

Daryl

Taffy is being a little shit about Glenn but not in a way that she can be disciplined for or even talked to. It's not that they don't get along exactly because Taf is polite but she's quiet and serious and barely smiles when Glenn is around. She's not being a brat. She's got this sad little girl act going on.

You and Shelby and Merle talk about it and agree you have to give it some time. What else can you do? Tell her to like Glenn? Ask her to be happy that he's with her dad? You'd be idiots and she knows it. Merle put it this way:

"Every generation wants their kids to be better than them. Well, congratulations, Daryl. Your daughter is smarter than you."

Glenn

I decide to be honest with Taffy. It isn't hard to get her alone for a few minutes but of course I can't do anything if she just gets up and leaves.

"Taffy, I don't think you like me as much as I like you but that's okay. We both love your dad so we've got that in common. The thing is, your dad and I want to live together. I know he mentioned it to you. I just wanted you to know I wouldn't be around all the time when you're with him. Father-daughter time is important. But I would be with him the rest of the time. When you're not here."

Taffy had started out looking at me then dropped her eyes as I talked. Now her eyes meet mine again. I said something that caught her interest.

"Your dad's by himself a lot. When you're with your mom and Tyler and Merle, he goes to bed alone in an empty house."

I made Daryl sound like a shut-in with no job or friends.

"I could keep him company while he waits for you to visit."

Taffy looks like she might cry at the thought of her poor lonely pop. I'm going to hell for manipulating a little girl's emotions. But she also looks thoughtful. I remember that age when you realize you're not the center of the universe. That other people matter and you can't always have your own way.

"So I wondered if you'd think about if it might be a good idea."

"Did Daddy ask you to talk to me?"

"No, this is just us. But it's not a secret. You should talk to your dad about it. And me if you want to."

"Okay."

Her head is down again. I hope I haven't lost her. I hope Daryl doesn't think I interfered in their relationship and overstepped my bounds.

I told Daryl later and he was fine with it. He said I'll probably have to do parent stuff sometimes when I'm living here. I like that he said 'when' not 'if.' Except … oh, shit. I can't be a parent, can I? With Taffy's mom and dad and Merle so close I hadn't really thought about it but it's inevitable that if I'm around all the time situations may arise where I'll need to be a responsible adult in charge of children. Maybe Taffy will say she just doesn't like the idea of me moving in. Ever.

The following Sunday Merle and Shelby go to a Little League outing with Tyler. Taffy loves Ty but will not be seen at such an event with her brother and his friends so she stays home with her dad and me. And then Daryl gets called for an emergency and suddenly I'm babysitting.

Taffy seems a little nervous. It's been a week since our chat. I had no idea how long she would think about it but she brings it up an hour after Daryl leaves.

"Maybe you could try it, you know, living with Daddy."

"That's a good idea, Taffy. We could see if it works."

"When would you move in?"

"We'll ask your dad. Maybe next month."

"Will you be like a step-dad?"

I have no idea if she wants me to say 'Yes' or 'No'. "You can think of me as a step-dad or whatever you want." That seems safe enough and makes it her choice.

"So I could ask you stuff if Mama and Daddy aren't around."

Uh-oh. "Sure."

"I forgot to tell Mama I need a dozen cupcakes for school tomorrow."

I stare at her. "It's five o'clock Sunday. Lucky you remembered now instead of later." There may have been a sarcastic tone to my voice.

"I'll help," Taffy says hopefully.

"You certainly will." I stop to think. "I've never seen a cupcake pan in your dad's kitchen."

Taffy smiles. "Mama has some. And cake mixes. We should make them over there."

We leave a note for Daryl and cross the orchard discussing the merits of chocolate cake with white frosting or yellow cake with chocolate frosting. But the decision is easy because there's a red velvet mix and cream cheese frosting.

Daryl arrives as we're frosting two dozen cupcakes. Always make extra, Taffy's mom told her. Daryl catches my eye as Taffy explains. He knows something has changed for the better between us and he looks really happy.

"Try one, Daddy, and tell us if they're good."

Daryl peels the paper off and devours it in two bites, chewing thoughtfully. Taffy looks anxious.

"It might be the best cupcake ever but it's hard to say. It was gone so quick I barely tasted it. Maybe if I have two or three more." He grins and Taffy giggles. "I better kiss the cook." Daryl smooths her hair back and kisses her forehead.

"It was mostly Glenn," Taffy tells him. "You should kiss him, too."

"Sounds fair," Daryl agrees.

As much as I'd like Daryl's mouth on mine, this isn't the time. Daryl seems to know it. He kisses my forehead just as he did with Taffy.

"Glenn's going to come and live with you," Taffy announces.

"That'd be nice. When?"

"Next month."

"Guess I better empty a drawer for him. And a closet."

Just like that, it's settled.

Daryl

Before Glenn moves in you talk to Merle about an idea you had.

"I wanted to ask you something. I haven't talked to Glenn yet so you can veto it with no hard feelings. We got that barn with room for 16 horses and only three stalls in use. Maybe we could board horses and hire Glenn to feed and exercise them."

"Huh." Merle considers it for a minute. "Why didn't you think of it before?"

"Didn't have a boyfriend who needs a new job."

"You think Glenn will be interested?"

"He might. He likes horses. I think he wants to do something completely different from the DEA."

"Well, that's a good enough idea that we should get somebody else if Glenn doesn't want it. Make some extra money, pay off the land contract sooner."

Glenn

It's all working out. Taffy and I are getting along, I moved in with Daryl, and I've got a new job.

To celebrate, Daryl asks if I want to go hunting with him. I have visions of doing it at dawn in a duck blind or a deer stand so of course I agree. But it turns out that Daryl takes hunting very seriously and we spend the day tracking and killing turkeys instead. With a bow and arrow. No sex until we get home. But it was worth the wait.