Wow. I forgot how quickly I always update this. And I'm really glad people were happy about this updating again. It's nice to know people still want this even though it's been awhile. :D

Chapter Nine

Logan frowned as Mattie took a seat at the hair salon. "Do you have to get rid of his hair?" he asked Kendall.

Kendall laughed. "It'll grow back."

"But his curly hair is so cute."

"Logan. His hair's a pain in the ass to brush now. It needs to be cut."

Logan folded his hands together. "But she's chopping off so much."

Logan saw Kendall roll his eyes. "He'll have his little semi-fro again by winter."

Logan sighed. "OK. So his mom had hair like that?"

"Yeah. Sarah hated her hair."

"It works for Mattie though," Logan said. "Dude. He's gonna be a real lady killer when he's older."

Kendall smiled. "He already is. Every woman who meets him loves him to death. Except some of my ex-girlfriends."

"Well, they're soulless bitches."

Kendall laughed. "You're something else, Logan." He paused. "Um. My mom invited you over for Sunday dinner tomorrow."

Logan looked at him, worried. Things really hadn't gone well the last time they tried dinner. Mrs. Knight clearly disapproved of Logan. "You think it's even a good idea?"

"Well, Mom said she's gonna try to tolerate you. I gotta get her used to you. That is... if you even wanna stick around."

Logan grabbed Kendall's hand. "Of course I wanna stick around. I mean, I'm here with you for your kid's haircut. Does that sound like someone who wants to leave?"

"I guess not," Kendall admitted, and gave Logan a kiss. "You're awesome."

Logan smiled. "I know."

"Finally!" Mattie cried happily as he hopped out of the chair with his now short hair. He went up to Kendall and Logan. "All done."

Kendall stood. "I'll go pay Nancy."

Mattie sat next to Logan. "Does it look cool?"

Logan ran a hand through the short brown locks. "Super cool." Logan was rewarded with a bright smile. "So, you wanna go see Uncle James at his work before we get lunch?"

Mattie giggled. "That sounds fun."

Kendall walked back over to them. "Mattie, since you didn't fuss while you were getting your hair cut, we can go to Build-a-Bear after lunch."

"Yes!" Mattie jumped into Kendall's arms. "I love you, Daddy!"

Kendall laughed. "Yeah, yeah. Love you too."

They all got into the car and made their way to the mall. Kendall said to Logan, "I'm sorry some of our dates aren't always fun."

"What? I always have fun on our dates," Logan told him. And it was true. A date with Kendall was never boring. It didn't matter if Mattie was there or not. Mattie always added a bit of entertainment—the kid was funny. But it was also nice when it was just him and Kendall. They got to learn more about each other, and could speak freely. They didn't always have to be PG when they were alone.

"You have fun even when we do boring stuff like this?" Kendall asked.

Logan looked at him. "I always have fun when I'm with you. I like spending time with you. Mattie too."

Logan saw Kendall smile. "I love that you include Mattie. Though... it doesn't suck dating a guy and his kid?"

"Kendall, you know I don't mind it."

"But it must be frustrating."

"It's not. Look. I get it. You're a dad. You can't just ditch your kid for me. I'd never expect you to do that. The fact that you spend so much time with him and are so loving says a lot about your character. It shows you're a great person who doesn't skip out on his responsibilities. And you're probably looking for a solid, long-term relationship, right?"

"Yes..."

"Well, I am too. I don't wanna mess around anymore. I want something serious and real. Something that will last. I have the feeling that I'll get that with you. Am I right?"

Kendall pulled into a parking spot at the mall. "You are right." He shut off the car. "It's just... I'm afraid one day you'll wake up and feel like I'm not worth it."

"That'll never happen." Logan moved forward and placed a kiss on Kendall's lips.

"Ew," Mattie said, sounding annoyed. "Do you guys always have to do that?"

Kendall and Logan laughed.

"One day, you'll wanna kiss someone," Logan told him.

"I don't wanna kiss a boy."

Logan chuckled. "Then you'll kiss a girl."

Mattie giggled. "Maybe."

They all got out of the car—Professor Bear too—and headed into the mall. They went straight for Hollister, planning on bugging James before they went to get lunch. They walked into the store, and luckily, James was up front.

"Uncle James!" Mattie yelled happily and ran toward him while holding Professor Bear.

James smiled and picked him up. "Hey, Little Dude." Logan liked that James had warmed up to Mattie. "You lost some hair."

"I got it cut today. And for being good, Daddy's gonna take me to Build-a-Bear."

"Awesome," James said. "You gonna pick out a really cool outfit for Professor Bear?"

"Duh."

"He is the best dressed bear in the whole world," Kendall said. "Um. Your boss is giving us the stink eye. We should probably go."

James sighed and put Mattie down. "Logan always gets me in trouble when he visits me here."

Logan laughed. James was right. "I'll see you at home."

They left Hollister and went to the pizza place at in the mall. Logan sat in the booth across from Kendall and Mattie, with Professor Bear next to him. They ordered a pepperoni pizza, and Mattie discussed what outfit he would get his bear.

Once in Build-a-Bear, Mattie ran off with Professor Bear to find an outfit.

Kendall sighed. "Soon, I'm gonna have to take him back to school shopping."

"What does that involve?" Logan asked.

"Well, the teacher will send out a list of school supplies. Some things for the classroom, some for just the kid. Every kid will have to bring in tissues, antibacterial wipes, paper towels, glue, crayons and markers, scissors, pencils, looseleaf paper, notebooks. Fuck. I have to get him a pencil case. A new backpack too. Then he needs to get some new clothes, maybe some shoes. And he's gonna have homework this year, which I'll need to help him with. Though Carlos can too..."

"Damn. That's a lot."

"I know. We'll just go to Target at some point. Shit. He needs to go to the doctor before the school year starts. Ugh. I'll have all this paper work to fill out. Hey. Is it OK if I make you an emergency contact?"

Logan smiled. He felt kind of honored that Kendall wanted that. "Sure."

"And, um, I was wondering... Maybe sometimes you could pick him up from school? If you're not busy."

Logan took Kendall's hand. "I'll do that. Most of my classes are in the afternoon or morning. I'll usually be done before he is."

"Great. That way my mom doesn't have to leave the daycare to go get him. I can't afford the after school program. And Katie has a bunch of extracurriculars so she won't be able to pick him up. Oh. But what about you and work?"

Logan shrugged. "I work around my school schedule. I work more on weekends."

"OK. Your parents help you out when you can't make rent and stuff, don't they?"

"Yeah..." Logan felt a little guilty. He had it so much easier than Kendall. Kendall had to worry about a kid and paying for everything he needed. Logan could turn to his parents no problem. Kendall had to do it all on his own.

"My mom helps me out sometimes," Kendall said. "But I feel bad asking her. She still has to take care of Katie. And then there's Katie's college fund."

Logan nodded. "Yeah. I get that. Do you have a college fund for Mattie?"

"Yeah. I put money in there when I can. And any money he gets from relatives for birthdays or holidays goes there. Hopefully, he doesn't knock up a girl."

"Are you gonna give him a sex talk and all that one day?"

"Hell yeah," Kendall said. "I'm gonna tell him to be extra careful. And that he should wait until he's older. A lot older than I was. I just hopes he actually listens to me."

Logan gave Kendall's hand a squeeze. "He's a smart kid. He'll listen."

"I was smart."

"But did anyone warn you about what teen pregnancy is actually like?"

"Not really, no."

"Well, Mattie has someone to warn him about it. So he'll know to be really careful. You know, my parents always stressed protection. I'm pretty sure they knew I was gay before I did."

Kendall laughed. "Good thing your parents are cool with it."

"Well. They are now. I don't think they knew how to react to it at first. But since they love me and all that, they accept it."

"I wish my mom was like that. She always told me not to judge people, but she's judging you. It's so unfair."

"People aren't perfect. Even parents."

"No shit."

They were silent for a moment, watching Mattie debate over shirts for Professor Bear. Then Logan asked something he'd been wondering, "Where's your dad?"

Kendall sighed. "My parents got divorced after Katie was born. Then he moved out to California. We barely see him. He calls sometimes and we get cards, but that's it. Besides him paying child support. He was always more into himself than his family."

Logan let go of Kendall's hand and put an arm around him. "That sucks. I'm sorry."

"It's cool. We're better off without him."

Mattie came up to them. "I picked out Professor Bear's outfit." He showed them.

"Looks awesome," Logan said.

Kendall paid for the clothes then they went back to the car. Kendall drove Logan to his building and dropped him off.

Kendall grabbed Logan's wrist before he could leave. "So you'll come to dinner with us tomorrow?"

Logan sighed. He had forgotten about that. "Sure. You'll pick me up?"

Kendall smiled. "Yeah. Kiss?"

"Of course." Logan gave him a quick one, loving how Kendall smiled into it. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"I'll text you when I get here."

Logan nodded. "OK. Bye, Mattie."

"Bye, Logan. You comin' to Grandma's tomorrow?"

"I am."

"It's gonna be so much fun with you there."

Logan grinned. "I know." He got out of the car and watched them drive away, immediately missing them.

"You part of their family now?" a voice asked.

Logan jumped and turned. "Jett, you know I hate being snuck up on."

"I can't believe you were staring longingly at their car driving away," Jett said.

Logan rolled his eyes and went inside, knowing Jett followed. "I'm sorry that I really like the guy I'm dating."

"And his kid."

"The kid's part of the deal. He's a really cool kid. Funny and smart."

"You sound like a mom," Jett said.

"So?" They reached their floor and stopped outside their doors. "Look. I really like Kendall. I'm happy with him. As my friend, can't you be glad for me?"

"No!" Jett said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "It's so weird. You're not like this, Logan."

Logan unlocked and opened his door. "I am. I didn't act like it before because I was too distracted by all the sex I was finally getting. But I've always wanted a committed relationship. And a family of my own."

"Would you even like this dude if he didn't have a kid?"

"Yes," Logan said without hesitation. "I really liked him before I knew about Mattie. I'll always really like him. So learn to deal with it." He walked into his apartment and shut the door in Jett's face.

…

"I swear, you've gotten spazzier since meeting Kendall," James said as he watched Logan pace.

"Is spazzier even a word?"

James shrugged. "It is now. You shouldn't be nervous."

"His mom hates me! I think that's reason enough to be nervous."

"Who gives a fuck what she thinks?"

"I do!" Logan cried. "I like her son a lot. What if he decides to dump me because she hates me so much?"

James rolled his eyes. "Kendall pretty much loves you. Mattie thinks you're hot shit. His attractive, but jailbait sister thinks you're cool. Carlos is friends with you. His mom not liking you isn't gonna make him dump you."

"But his mom helped him out so much with Mattie. She's done a lot for Kendall. He'd have to take her opinion to heart."

James sighed. "The way he looks at you, there's no chance he's dumping you. So cool your balls."

Logan stopped pacing. "You are so weird." His phone went off. "Fuck. They're outside. Wish me luck?"

"Yeah, yeah. Good luck. Hey, is his sister seeing anyone?"

Logan paused at the door. "She's off limits, James. Kendall will chop your dick off if you try to get with her." He smiled at James' wide and scared eyes as he left the apartment. He headed outside and got into Kendall's car. "Hi."

Kendall gave him a kiss. "Hey. You worried?"

"A little, yeah."

"But it'll be fun, Logan," Mattie said from the backseat. "Grandma's making fried chicken. No mac 'n' cheese though. That's the only bad part."

Logan laughed. "I'm sure dinner will be fine without mac and cheese." He looked at Kendall. "Maybe next week you two can have dinner with me and my parents."

Kendall smiled. "OK. You like the sound of that, Mattie?"

"Yeah!" Mattie said. "I like Logan's mommy and daddy. And their doggies."

Logan smiled. "We'll do that then."

They arrived at Kendall's mom's house. Katie answered the door, and Mattie gave her a hug. She led them to the living room. "Mom is finishing up dinner."

"Smells good," Logan said.

"She makes awesome fried chicken," Kendall told Logan. "You'll love it."

"You look nervous, Logan," Katie observed.

Logan let out a breath. "I am. It's just... your mom doesn't like me much."

Katie rolled her eyes. "Mom's being stupid. I don't get why she's acting like this. But she promised to try and be nice tonight."

"She better," Kendall said as he pulled Mattie into his lap. "We'll leave if she gets nasty."

"You don't have to do that because of me," Logan said. He really hated that he might be causing problems with Kendall and his mom.

Kendall looked at him with a deadly serious face. "Yes, I do."

Logan wanted to say something, but Mrs. Knight walked in. "Dinner's almost ready. You guys can head into the dinning room."

"Do you need any help?" Logan asked as he stood.

"Um. Yes. Katie?"

Katie sighed, rolled her eyes, and followed her mom into the kitchen.

Logan felt a little hand grab his. He looked down at Mattie. "I'll show you the dinning room," Mattie said.

Logan smiled at him. "OK. Lead the way." Logan was aware of Kendall following them as they walked.

"Can I sit next to Logan?" Kendall asked his son when they got there.

Mattie stared at the table as if he were figuring out a puzzle. The table looked like it normally sat four, but and extra chair was added at the end of the table. Mattie pointed to the extra chair. "Grandma can sit there..." He furrowed his brow. "Then you and Logan would be on that side." He pointed again and pouted. "I'd have to sit next to Aunt Katie."

"Do you not like Aunt katie?" Logan asked.

"I do! But..." Mattie frowned. "I wanna sit next to Logan."

Kendall sighed. "Fine. But I'm sitting across from him."

Mattie smiled. "OK."

Kendall looked at Logan and rolled his eyes as they sat. Logan chuckled a little. Then Mrs. Knight and Katie came in. Katie gave everyone a drink. Mrs. Knight set down the fried chicken and some corn.

"Have some corn too, Mattie," Kendall said.

Mattie sighed. "Whatever."

Logan laughed and when the corn got to him, he put some on Mattie's plate.

During the meal, Logan thought it'd be best to not say much. He didn't want to set Mrs. Knight off. So he listened as Kendall and Katie told their mother about work. Mattie told stories about his friends at daycare—especially Emmy. Finally, Katie asked Logan what it was like working at the library. Logan told her, occasionally glancing at Mrs. Knight to make her feel included. It appeared like she ws only pretending to be interested in what he was saying. Mattie jumped in a few times to say how much he liked the library, and Mrs Knight genuinely smiled at that. When Logan asked her what it was like owning a daycare, she actually gave him a real answer. Progress.

When dinner was over, Kendall, Mattie, and Logan decided to leave. Logan got a hug from Katie, and was kind of acknowledged by Mrs. Knight.

"That went better than last time," Kendall said as he drove.

"A lot better," Logan said in agreement.

"I fear she's just amusing me for now, though. I doubt she thinks we're gonna last."

"It's better than nothing. And it could be worse."

Kendall nodded. "Good point."

"Logan," Mattie said. "Can you spend the night?"

Logan turned to face him. "Can't, Big Guy."

Mattie frowned. "Aw."

"Maybe another day."

"OK..."

Kendall pulled up in front of Logan's building. "I'll text you later."

Logan unbuckled his seatbelt. "Can't wait. I'll talk to my parents about having you guys over for dinner."

Kendall smiled and kissed Logan. "OK. Bye."

"See ya. Bye, Mattie."

Mattie waved. "Bye, Logan!"

Logan got out of the car and watched them drive away. He really hoped Kendall's mom would come around. Because Logan wasn't going anywhere, and she needed to accept it.

Sorry that nothing really interesting has been happening in these last few chapters. I'll try to make it better. :/