Johnny’s POV

“Could we get this for Aunt Ali?” Samantha asked, her eyes wide with excitement as she held up a colourful Rapunzel doll. The doll’s long blonde hair shimmered under the bright supermarket lights, and Sam’s face lit up in anticipation. She was practically bouncing on her toes as she waited for her parents' response.

The four of them were at their local supermarket, wandering the aisles in search of the perfect birthday gift for Aunt Ali. Her birthday was on Sunday, and the pressure of finding something special was starting to mount. They had already browsed through various aisles filled with chocolates, flowers, and books, but nothing had quite felt right—until now, at least according to Sam.

Daniel glanced over at his daughter, raising an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want to get that for Ali or for yourself?” he teased, knowing Sam had a tendency to pick gifts she secretly wanted for herself.

Samantha grinned mischievously, crossing her arms over her chest and giving a dramatic little shrug. “Well, maybe I want it too,” she admitted, not bothering to hide her own desire for the doll.

Johnny, standing beside Daniel, laughed softly. He gave Sam a playful eye roll before shaking his head. “Sure, Princess, you can have it,” he said, his voice full of affection.

Sam let out a delighted squeal, snatching the doll from the shelf as though it might disappear if she didn’t grab it fast enough. Hugging it tightly to her chest, she twirled in a small circle, her excitement contagious.

Daniel nudged Johnny in the shoulder, leaning in closer so the kids wouldn’t overhear. “Y'know, you can say no to them once in a while,” he whispered, half-joking but also knowing Johnny’s soft spot for their kids all too well.

“Yeah, I know,” Johnny whispered back with a grin. “It’s just... I can’t say no when Sam gives me those adorable puppy eyes.”

Daniel chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s not that hard, trust me.”

Meanwhile, Robby and Sam had already bolted down the next aisle, their laughter echoing through the store. They ran hand in hand, dodging displays and weaving between other shoppers, fully absorbed in their little world.

They screeched to a stop at the candy aisle, their eyes lighting up at the sight of rows and rows of sugary treats. Robby glanced over his shoulder at his parents, a mischievous smirk creeping onto his face. Turning back to the shelves, he grabbed a packet of Twizzlers and held it up.

“Dad, could I have these Twizzlers?” Robby asked, trying his best to sound innocent as if this were the most reasonable request in the world.

Daniel let out an exasperated sigh, placing his hands on his hips. “Didn’t we just buy you some a couple of days ago?”

“I promise I won’t ask for anything else,” Robby said, his voice taking on a pleading tone as he gave Daniel his best ‘puppy dog’ look.

Johnny, already watching the exchange unfold, glanced knowingly at Daniel, who was clearly about to give in. With a slight smirk, Johnny shook his head. “Okay, fine, but nothing else,” Daniel conceded. “We actually have to get something for your aunt, remember?”

Robby’s face lit up as if he had just won the lottery. Without wasting a second, he threw not one but three packets of Twizzlers into the shopping cart. “Thanks!” he chirped, flashing his dad a triumphant grin.

Daniel shot Johnny a look, his expression a mix of exasperation and amusement. “Shut up,” he muttered under his breath, turning on his heel and walking ahead.

Johnny chuckled softly, easily catching up to Daniel in a few quick strides. “We have to stop bringing the kids shopping with us,” Johnny remarked, sliding his arm around Daniel’s waist as they walked side by side.

Daniel sighed, though there was a smile playing on his lips as he leaned into Johnny’s touch. “Honestly, we’re going to be broke at this rate,” he said, shaking his head but clearly enjoying the chaos his kids brought into their lives.

**

It was a bright, crisp Sunday morning—the day of Ali's birthday. After what felt like endless browsing and second-guessing, Johnny and Daniel had finally managed to find a gift that suited Ali perfectly. The delicate silver bracelet, engraved with her initials and a small charm shaped like a sunflower, seemed just right for her. It had taken a lot of effort—several trips to different stores and a few heated debates about what Ali would like—but it was worth it. The gift now sat wrapped neatly in a lavender box with a gold ribbon, waiting to be delivered.

That morning, Johnny and Daniel started the day early, knowing they had a lot to do before heading to Ali’s birthday party. The first task was waking up their kids. Sam and Robby were notorious for being heavy sleepers, and Johnny had to gently nudge Sam awake while Daniel tried to get Robby to stir. After some soft cajoling and playful tickling, both kids were finally out of bed, rubbing their eyes and stretching.

Once they were up, Johnny and Daniel got them bathed and dressed. Sam emerged from the bathroom in her favorite white t-shirt, layered with a lilac coat that had soft, pastel buttons. She twirled in front of the mirror, admiring how her matching light purple skirt swirled around her knees. A pink headband held back her curls, and she grinned up at Johnny, who was standing nearby, his heart melting at how cute she looked.

Robby was no less adorable, wearing a neat white shirt tucked into beige trousers. His hair, which usually stuck out in every direction in the morning, had been carefully combed by Daniel. Johnny couldn’t help but think how grown-up he looked, even if Robby’s mismatched socks peeked out beneath his trousers.

Johnny turned his attention to Daniel, who was getting dressed himself. He watched as Daniel slipped on a navy bomber jacket over a simple white t-shirt and pulled on grey trousers. The outfit was casual yet stylish, and Johnny couldn’t take his eyes off him. As Daniel zipped up the jacket, he noticed Johnny staring and raised an eyebrow.

“What?” Daniel asked, feigning ignorance but with a slight smirk.

Without a word, Johnny crossed the room and wrapped his arms around Daniel’s waist, pulling him close. “You just look really sexy is all,” Johnny said, his voice low as he pressed a soft kiss against Daniel’s collarbone, inhaling the familiar scent of his cologne.

Daniel hummed in amusement, “Yeah? Only now?”

Johnny chuckled, his lips brushing against Daniel’s skin as his kisses trailed upward toward Daniel’s neck. “Don’t be silly, sunshine. You always look sexy,” he growled softly in Daniel’s ear, his voice rough with affection.

Daniel shivered slightly at the sensation, his usual composure slipping as he turned around to face Johnny. “Oh really?” he purred, his arms sliding around Johnny’s neck as he pulled him in for a kiss.

The kiss deepened, and Daniel’s hands slid under Johnny’s shirt, fingertips grazing over his warm skin. Johnny responded by cupping Daniel’s chin gently, tilting his head to get a better angle as their lips met again and again, both of them caught up in the moment.

“God, you’re beautiful,” Daniel murmured against Johnny’s lips, his voice filled with sincerity.

Johnny smirked, his eyes half-lidded. “You’re even beautiful-er,” he replied, his tone teasing.

Daniel pulled back, a laugh escaping him as he shook his head. “That doesn’t even make sense.”

Johnny growled playfully, pulling Daniel back into his arms. “Shut the hell up,” he said, kissing him once more, their laughter bubbling between them.

Their moment, however, was abruptly interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Um, are you guys finished? We’re going to be late,” came Robby’s voice from the other side, muffled but unmistakable.

Johnny and Daniel jumped apart, quickly composing themselves. Johnny hurriedly fixed his shirt and smoothed down his hair, calling back, “Yeah, we’ll be out in a minute.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

As the footsteps retreated down the hallway, Johnny could hear the faint sound of snickers from both kids. They were likely heading to the living room, where SpongeBob SquarePants would be playing on TV, a pre-party tradition in their household.

Once they were alone again, Daniel gave Johnny a look of warning, though there was a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Johnny, control yourself. You don’t want the kids walking in on us.”

Johnny grinned, leaning in for a quick, cheeky peck on Daniel’s lips. “It’s fine, sunshine. I’ll be more careful,” he promised before stepping out of the room.

Daniel followed shortly after, and the family gathered around the kitchen table for breakfast. Sam and Robby were already halfway through their cereal, their eyes glued to the TV screen. After a quick meal, the four of them bundled into the car, Ali’s present safely secured in the back seat, resting on the cushion like a prized treasure.

As Johnny started the engine, they pulled out of the driveway, heading toward Ali’s house, the kids chattering excitedly in the back seat about the birthday cake they couldn’t wait to eat and the games they hoped to play. The day was shaping up to be a perfect celebration.

**

They arrived at Ali's house just a couple of minutes later, as she lived only a short walk down the road. After a brief knock on the door, it swung open almost instantly, revealing Ali's boyfriend, Jacob, standing with a wide, welcoming grin.

“Hey guys!” he greeted cheerfully, his eyes sparkling with warmth as he stepped aside to let them in.

“Hi, Jay,” they replied, returning his enthusiasm.

“Ali’s still upstairs getting ready, but everyone else is already here,” Jacob explained, motioning for them to follow him inside. He led them through the hallway and into the living room, his voice carrying the familiar ease of someone comfortable in a home filled with loved ones.

Johnny’s gaze swept across the room, immediately absorbing the festive atmosphere. Bright yellow and orange balloons floated gently from the ceiling, casting a warm glow in the soft lighting. The floor was sprinkled with confetti, which crunched softly beneath their feet, while deep red streamers and decorations hung in elegant swaths from above, transforming the space into a celebration of colors.

The children wasted no time, immediately racing toward their aunts and uncles, who were scattered around the room, waiting to greet them with open arms.

“Aunt Jessi!” Sam shouted gleefully, launching herself into Jessica’s embrace with boundless excitement.

“Hello, my sweet Sam,” Jessica replied, pulling her niece close, her voice thick with affection.

“Aww, Samantha is so precious,” Amanda remarked, her hand gently running through Sam’s soft curls, eliciting a cascade of giggles from the little girl as she squirmed under the gentle touch.

On the other side of the room, Robby had already joined his uncles, who had huddled together in their usual lively conversation, voices rising and falling in friendly banter.

“Look at you, you little squirt!" Dutch exclaimed, his tone filled with exaggerated amazement. “You’ve grown so much since I last saw you.”

Robby rolled his eyes in playful exasperation. “Uncle Dutch, you saw me last week. Remember? We went to the zoo.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jimmy chimed in, waving a dismissive hand as he stepped in beside Dutch. “But you’re still taller than you were before. Just take the compliment, twerp.”

Robby let out a reluctant laugh, his grin widening. “Okay, okay, I guess I am taller.”

Just as the conversation swirled around them, Ali gracefully descended the staircase, catching everyone’s attention. She looked breathtaking in a flowing floral dress that swayed gently with her movements, the silver tiara perched delicately on her head adding a touch of elegance. Her radiant smile brightened the room as she made her way toward the group.

Sam, still holding Robby’s hand, hurried over to Ali, her face glowing with excitement. "We got this for you!" she announced proudly, thrusting a neatly wrapped present into Ali’s hands.

Ali’s eyes softened as she carefully unwrapped the gift, revealing a beautiful bracelet. She slipped it onto her wrist, admiring its delicate shimmer before looking back at the kids with a smile that spoke volumes.

“Aww, thank you so much, you two!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine warmth and appreciation.

The kids beamed with pride, their faces lighting up even more as they hurried off toward the table where an array of food awaited them—though it was clear their focus was solely on the candy.

Johnny chuckled under his breath “Watch over the kids yeah?”

“They'll be fine,” Daniel replied, resting his head on Johnny's shoulder.

Ali smiled affectionately, her eyes shimmering with emotion as she looked around the room. “Thank you all so much for being here,” she began softly, her voice full of gratitude. “It honestly means the world to me to have everyone I love in one place, celebrating this special day with me. I can't imagine this day without you all. Each and every one of you has shaped me in ways I could never fully express, and I truly wouldn't be who I am today without your love, support, and friendship.” She paused, her voice slightly trembling as the depth of her feelings poured through. “Whether we've known each other for years or just recently crossed paths, you've all played such an important role in my life, and for that, I am endlessly grateful. Thank you for being here, for being a part of my journey, and for making today, and every day, so much brighter.”

Johnny felt the tears welling up in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away, not wanting anyone to notice his emotions creeping to the surface.

“Alright, enough with the sappy stuff, let's get this party going!” Ali declared, her voice cutting through the tender moment. Her playful tone instantly lightened the mood, and the room erupted into cheers as everyone made their way toward the alcohol, eager to kick things off.

**

Ali's party was an absolute blast. The night was filled with laughter and games—karaoke, charades, pin the tail on the donkey, shot roulette, and beer pong. The drinks flowed freely, with a generous amount of wine making its rounds.

Daniel, being a notorious lightweight, had quickly gotten drunk, swaying and giggling at everything. Johnny, on the other hand, could hold his liquor much better. Though he wasn’t drunk, he could already feel the inevitable headache lurking for tomorrow morning. As the party wound down, Johnny found himself responsible for getting Daniel back to the car.

Dragging Daniel along, Johnny laughed at his husband's stumbling steps. “You’re really pretty,” Daniel slurred, his glassy eyes locking onto Johnny’s with a drunken sincerity.

Johnny chuckled, amused by Daniel’s intoxicated state. “Thanks, sunshine.”

“You’re not dating anyone, are you? We should go on a date,” Daniel mumbled, his words tumbling out messily.

Shaking his head, Johnny grinned. “Actually, I’m married with kids.”

“Really? Your partner’s so lucky,” Daniel replied, gazing at him with admiration.

Johnny sighed with a smile. “Daniel, I’m your husband, remember? You idiot”

A slow, silly grin spread across Daniel’s face. “I knew it. You’re all mine.”

Rolling his eyes, Johnny nudged him gently toward the car. “Alright, Romeo, get in the car. I still need to grab the kids.”

He carefully placed Daniel into the passenger seat, buckled him up, and jogged back into the house to find his kids. Inside, Sam and Robby were bouncing wildly on the sofa, clearly riding the wave of a sugar high.

“Sam, Robby, what are you guys doing?” Johnny asked, his voice filled with both amusement and mild exasperation.

“We’re having fun! Look!” Sam replied, jumping higher with a wide grin.

“Okay, enough of that. Get down from there, you two,” Johnny ordered, scooping them off the sofa despite their playful resistance.

The kids wiggled free and bolted towards the door, their giggles echoing through the house.

“They definitely had way too much sugar tonight,” Bobby commented with a smirk, leaning against the wall as he watched the chaos unfold.

Johnny shot him a look. “Shut up,” he muttered, but a grin tugged at his lips as Bobby and his friends burst into laughter.

**

By the time they got home, it was 10pm. Johnny carefully helped Daniel into bed, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead before slipping out of their bedroom.

He turned his attention to Sam and Robby, trying to get them to settle down, but they were still buzzing with energy. Getting them to bed was proving to be no easy task.

Come on, go to bed, and I’ll get you McDonald’s tomorrow,” Johnny pleaded, his voice a mix of exhaustion and desperation. He was willing to bargain with anything at this point just to get them to sleep.

Robby crossed his arms, looking skeptical. “But Dad said we couldn’t get McDonald’s. We already had it two weeks ago,” he reminded, his serious tone making Johnny stifle a laugh.

Johnny crouched down to their level, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “I’ll buy it in secret. Just go to bed, please,” he whispered conspiratorially, hoping the promise of forbidden fast food would do the trick.

Sam and Robby exchanged glances, then nodded enthusiastically, their sugar-induced rebellion finally giving way to the allure of future McDonald’s. After a glass of warm milk, they changed into their pyjamas—Sam slipping into her favorite unicorn onesie and Robby donning his car-print pyjamas. Once they were tucked in, the sugar rush began to fade, and their eyes grew heavy.

Johnny watched as they drifted off, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. With the house finally quiet, he stumbled into his own bedroom and slumped onto the bed. The second his head hit the pillow, sleep overtook him.

As Johnny drifted into sleep, he couldn’t help but reflect on the day. Despite the chaos, the laughter, and the wild energy, it had been perfect in its own way. His family was happy, the party had been a success, and even Daniel’s drunken antics had left him with a smile. And now, with their kids’ first day of school looming on Monday, Johnny felt a sense of hope. Life, as unpredictable as it could be, seemed to be falling perfectly into place.

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Author's Note!

Hi!, my Luvs, I loved writing this chapter! Also I'm back from my break (school is hard but I'm getting through it), there's some angst—I guess it might not be for you because you probably wouldn't care about him—coming soon. So stay tuned!