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And Just Like That

Beach House

Steve and DJ were tossing a baseball on the beach while Catherine and Angie played frisbee with Cammie.

"I caught it with one hand!" Angie exclaimed, making her mother grin at her usual enthusiasm. "Did you see, Mommy?"

"I saw, baby girl, good job. Cammie's impressed, too." She nodded to the dog who did a whirl of anticipation, knowing her littlest human would now throw the flying disk for her to catch.

A few yards away, Steve threw the ball, DJ made a perfect catch and pitched it back with great aim. When his father praised, "That was great, buddy!" he beamed, his eyes shining with pride and responded, "Thanks, Dad!" then stopped short, comprehending as the word left his mouth what he'd said. He hadn't planned it, it just… came out, and in the split second afterwards, he realized it felt… kind of natural.

Steve's heart skipped a beat, a lump forming in his throat as he walked closer, ostensibly to grab a water bottle, but slinging his arm over his son's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Hey," he said, masking his emotion with a grin, "that's new."

"Yeah." DJ looked as surprised as Steve felt when he'd said the new moniker. "It just kind of popped out."

Steve said with a soft smile, "Remember when you tried it out a few years ago but said it didn't really come naturally yet? I'm ready for it if you are."

"Yeah, I kept forgetting and going back to Daddy and Mommy that time." The ten year old grinned at the memory. "I guess I must be ready now."

Catherine watched, having frozen with her hand still on the un-tossed frisbee as the scene unfolded. She'd caught the word instantly and shared a look with Steve as her eyes misted with both pride and a tinge of sadness as she thought how her little boy was growing up. "Mommy! It's your turn!" Angie's voice brought her back to the moment and she threw the frisbee even as she held out an arm to her son who was walking over for a hug.

"So…" she said and kissed his head while wrapping him in a hug.

"So… 'Dad' kinda just came out. I think I'm ready."

"Do you remember what I told you when you tried it out that time?" She hugged him again, then pulled back to see his face. "I'm so, so happy to be your mommy and I'll be just as thrilled to be your mom. I love you, sweet boy, and I agree, if it just happened naturally, I think you're ready."

"Ready for what?" Angie asked as she came up to them and Steve bent to kiss her head.

"I said thank you and instead of saying 'Daddy', 'Dad' just kind of came out. I'm almost eleven so I think I'm ready to call Mommy and Daddy Mom and Dad now."

Steve and Catherine shared a look, reading each other's thoughts. Would Angie decide to call them Mom and Dad, too? She adored DJ so much she might want to emulate her big brother.

"Oh." The six year old looked at him with her head tilted in thought. "That's cause you're getting to be a big kid." Turning to her parents, she grinned. "Mommy, Daddy, can we swim now? It's kinda too hot for catch now." She pulled her pink camo tank over her head to expose a red and white polka dot bathing suit.

Lifting her into a hug, Steve laughed and kissed her cheek. "I was just going to suggest we wrap it up and swim. Unless you guys want to surf? The waves look good."

The siblings turned to each other and said, "Surf!" simultaneously.

"Sounds perfect, go grab your boards."

As the kids bolted for the house with Cammie at their heels, Steve wrapped an arm over Catherine's shoulder and kissed her temple. "And just like that."

She beamed even while sniffing lightly. "Just like that."

HQ next morning

Danny had come into the office and found Steve at his desk, staring at the new picture DJ had given him for his birthday. Straightening the handmade frame, he looked up to see his best friend approaching and stood.

What?" Danny asked. He could see his partner's 'something to tell you' expression from across the room.

"DJ called me 'Dad' yesterday," Steve said without preamble.

Danny's brows shot up, a small smile appearing on his lips. "Really? That's … huge. How are you doing with it?"

He ran a hand through his hair, a whirlwind of emotions churning within him. "It's... more than I thought. It just came out. I complimented a catch and he said, 'Thanks, Dad.' just like that. He told us he thinks he's ready for Mom and Dad now. Made us realize he's not so little anymore, you know?"

His partner nodded in understanding, the familiar blue eyes filled with empathy. "I get it. Watching your kids grow up … it's like a fistfull of sand sometimes … you want to keep them little, but you're excited for every stage."

Steve let out a small sigh, his gaze returning to the photo.

Danny placed a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Life has a funny way of speeding up when you least expect it. But you know what? He's turning into an incredible young man right before your eyes."

Steve offered a smile. "Thanks, Danny," he said sincerely. "Not sure what I'd do without you."

"Don't make me misty, here," Danny chuckled. "You'd probably miss out on some excellent wisecracks and life advice."

Just then, Steve's phone rang and he smiled at the caller's image.

"Hey, my three o'clock got canceled, I can wrap at two and do pickup. I think I'll surprise them a little early and go for shave ice."

"Great. I just told Danny. He gets it."

"Of course he does."

He heard the smile in her voice."How about I pick up pizza on my way home?"

"Sounds good. I'm having lunch with Mom and Dad, I'll tell them they don't have to pick the kids up today. Talk to you later, love you."

He grinned again and said, "Love you," before ending the call as Lou Grover popped his head into the office.

"Hey, can we push the joint meeting to tomorrow? I've got two guys out today…" he said, then looked between the partners. "What's up?"

Danny clapped Steve's shoulder. "DJ's calling them Mom and Dad as of yesterday."

"Came at you a little fast, huh? Daddy to Dad hit me between the eyes both times. Now I've got two grown ass adults but they still need their old man." He waved a hand. "They'll always need you, just for different things. Remember that when you want to put them in a time machine."

Steve chuckled. "Thanks, Lou. Thank you both."

At lunchtime, Elizabeth and Joseph took seats across from Catherine in the cafeteria of the governor's office.

"I have to tell you something sweet …" she began, her voice soft, yet happy.

They exchanged a look. "What is it, sweetheart? Something with the kids?" Elizabeth said, a smile on her lips at the mention of her grandchildren.

Catherine nodded. "DJ called Steve 'Dad' yesterday. It was unexpected, even to him, it just kind of happened. It was so sweet and now he's been saying Mom and Dad since then. It's adorable but…" she sighed.

Joseph reached out to squeeze her hand. "But it makes you feel like your little boy is not quite so little anymore? I'm very familiar with the feeling, honey, we both are."

Elizabeth's eyes shimmered and her voice was low. "'Mama' to 'Mommy' to 'Mom' - it's a beautiful journey and every milestone is amazing, but sometimes you just want them to stay little. We absolutely understand, and it's a landmark day, but remember, you have a lot of years before he grows up. Keep right on enjoying every single minute."

Catherine nodded. "I'm so excited to see him change and grow. Angie, too." She smiled softly. "And I also want to freeze time and keep them little, you know?" She chuckled. "Am I being a little overly emotional here?"

Joseph smiled back, his gaze filled with pride. "Not a bit. You and Steve love every minute you spend with the kids, you hold all the memories close and celebrate the milestones, sweetheart. I know you'll be as proud of every single one they reach as your mother and I were of yours."

Just then her phone dinged and she lifted it to see the response to a text she'd sent earlier: Hi, sweetheart, I'm wrapping up early today, so I'll pick you and your sister up at 2:30 and we'll go for some shave ice.

Knowing it was recess and DJ had gotten her message, she smiled at his answer.

That's awesome, Mom! Thanks, I can't wait! XOXO

# End thanks for reading

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