"Kids. come to the living room for a second," William called.
The new couple was about to announce to their kids about their new relationship. This wasn't going to be a secret from them
They gathered at the couch, so they could be within earshot of each other. Both had a scared look on their face.
"Are we in trouble?" River asked, her little voice sounding worried.
William swiftly shot that thought down. "No, you're not in trouble. Me and Leonard have an announcement to make." William looked into Leonard's eyes sweetly.
"So, me and Logan's dad here are kinda in a relationship now." William slowly broke the sentence apart, carefully studying the kids' faces with each word.
Logan caught on immediately. He appeared to not care at all. River was more curious.
"What does that mean?" she asked, wonder in her eyes.
He scratched the back of his neck, thinking of a way to explain it in a way a child would understand. "It means me and Leonard love each other like a husband and wife would."
Hearing that big word, Leonard's head swung his way. Wiliam didn't know how else to put it.
"So, you're getting married?"
"No," William answered fast.
Leonard scowled at him "We're not?'
William cleared his throat and chuckled. "Not at the moment, but in the future probably."
"What do you have to say about this Logan? You've been quiet," Leonard looked towards his son.
Logan shrugged his shoulders. "I don't really care. You can do what you want."
Logan got up and went to the study to do his homework.
William dismissed River as well.
When they were alone, William and Leonard celebrated being accepted by their kids. This was a long time coming. A time that William was happy to wait for.
Later that night, when reading River to sleep, she asked a question that he didn't know how to answer.
"Now that you and Mr. Ryan are in a relationship, does that mean you found a replacement for my mommy?" she asked, not missing a beat.
Wiliam sat the book down, taken aback by the heavy question. He knew that River's mom wasn't interested in reconnecting with them. She would've made an effort to by now if she was. He didn't want to think Leonard as a replacement, but he's been more of a parent to River than her own mother. Wiliam was trying his best to be transparent to his daughter. However, he didn't want to make her upset.
"N-No, not at all. Think of it this way, Mr. Ryan is a second daddy," William clarified, brushing a strand of hair out of her face with his finger.
"Can I call him 'Dad', too?"
Satisfied, she yawned and lied down, closing her eyes for sleep. William gave a kiss on her forehead.
"Goodnight, baby girl," he whispered.
