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see, autumn was never really good with kids. he liked to have one of his own but he isn’t really sure if he would like being handled under the pressure.
but now getting with his recent boyfriend, malachi, he needs to with that. malachi has a four year old daughter and she’s everything to malachi. he loves her till he dies.
autumn loves the fact he’s a very active parent and not a deadbeat. after hearing what happened to the girl he was dating and the aftermath of losing everything—he feels for him. he understands the point ground he goes through everyday to try get back in the dating life.
malachi appreciated autumn through the hard times as he needed help and someone to speak to. someone new who was open-minded. also someone who didn’t mind he was father doing his own shit.
autumn chewed on the bowl of cereal as he checked the time when malachi supposed to be here for some one on one time. he highly doubt that they would get that since he hasn’t had nobody to watch his daughter. either way, he didn’t mind.
autumn just see malachi doing his parenting role.
“where is he…” he said after a couples seconds before the door ringed.
“oh, coming!” autumn sat the bowl in the sink as he started walking around the counter to the door.
he unlocked the door with the bottom and top lock beforing opening to see Essence smiling.
“autumn!” she exclaimed before hugging on his leg.
autumn felt awkward but okay as he saw malachi come in the picture waving.
“she wanted to see you.” he chuckled lightly.
“well hey kiddo…” autumn bend down to her level before giving her a little hug.
“wana play barbies again?!?!” she asked before he softly nodding yes.
“of course, anything with you is fun.” he patted her head so he doesn’t mess up
her hairstyles.
“you did her hair yourself?” he spinned the girl around.
“yeah…does it look okay??”
“you did a great job.” he complimented, smiling up at malachi.
“thanks.” he sighed happily, closing the door after gett the bags in.
malachi sat the noodles lightly in the pot with the water, quietly making food for the two. he looked over his shoulder to see autumn smiling when essence put him in a dress that autumn brought to play in.
“you’re a princes just like me!” she clapped her hands together.
“y-yeah.” he fluttered when he saw malachi look at him, smirking.
“come sit!” she yanked him down when so—making a huge thump. he hissed at sensation, rubbing his bottom.
“essence you can’t be rough, i bruise easily.” he told her.
“oh i sorry,” essence said, “kiss boo-boo?”
autumn taught her some things—especially care for someone if they are hurt.
“yeah we kiss the hurt away,” she pecked his hand and then rubbed it.
“aw you’re so nice.”
he picked up the Barbie dolls and started to play with her.
it was only after a while she wanted to do something to his hair, smiling as she put his dreads in all different directions.
“you tired?” autumn sat her on the floor, leaning the on the door near the kitchen.
“yah…” she huffed, messing with the ruffles of her tutu, “are you gonna replace my mom?”
autumn heart dropped as he yanked his head, “no…why you think that?”
“because you’re so close to my daddy…and you come around a lot.” she played with her fingers.
“oh no baby, that’s not what you think it is…” autumn sat in front of her, “see, me and daddy is dating.”
“what is dating?” she questioned, tilting her head.
autumn giggled at her innocence, “when somebody has another partner.”
“like daddy has you?”
“yes,” he smiled, “and when kids are around, people have to accept them as their own. but i will never replace your mother. we want you to know how your mother was.”
“and we want you to know we will treat you the same like your mother did too,” malachi voice came in the picture, slowly taking off the apron.
“so y’all love me?”
autumn shaked his head yes.
“yes baby we do.” malachi said, picking her up, “now let’s put some food your stomach. how that’s sound?”
“foooooodd!” she clapped her hands together.
malachi slid his new white beater on as he saw autumn flirtatious eyes stare at his movements.
“so you don’t have a problem of essence coming like today.”
“no! trust me it’s no problem. you just doing your role to put her in a safe place.” he nods.
“i thought you didn’t like kids.” malachi smirked.
“i was just awkward around them, still am but i know how to work with them…from you of course.”
malachi hopped in the bed sighing, staring at the ceiling before moving his eyes to autumn with his head in the palm of his hand.
“i’m blessed to be with you…thank you.” malachi said, kissing his other hand.
malachi blushed, hugging the man before pushing his head in the crook of his neck.
they had a moment of silence before they heard a knock on the door.
“autumn…” essence knocked on the door again.
“i got it…” he sat up before unlocking the door, see her holding her blanket.
“i can’t sleep, i wanna sleep with you.”
“okay hun, you can sleep with us.” autumn lifted her up on the bed, turning cartoons on from her.
it made malachi smile, blessed having someone who likes kids and didn’t care to bring them around.