Page 81 of Daddy's Pride

The gentle sound of babbling water filled the space. Trees and plants, ponds of fish—it was like an oasis in the middle of the city. There were even tiny bridges breaking up the cobblestone walkways.

"This is amazing."

"My parents like privacy, so they enclosed this about a decade ago. The ceiling is all greenhouse panels, so it still gets great natural light and keeps the plants and trees going. They prune the trees to keep them manageable for the space," they answered as we paused in a sitting area with a large hammock and chairs with a tiny bistro-style table.

"It's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it."

"You'll have to see it during the day. Don't be overwhelmed. My parents are normal, odd people."

I giggled as Rogue winked at me and then opened the door into a brightly lit kitchen. They motioned me inside and I stepped through the entryway. The room was cheery, even with the steel appliances. I turned my head as Rogue came up behind me, their left arm twined around my waist.

"Be dressed, you hedonists," Rogue yelled.

I laughed as curses came from farther inside the house. "Told you." They brushed a kiss to my cheek and cuddled me close.

My amusement fled the second a very mussed, very striking couple appeared, still straightening their clothes. The man was terrifying with his size and scars that cut through his bottom lip, eyebrow and along the side of his neck. His wife was a tall, thick woman with beautiful blonde hair and a softly rounded face. Her curves were what you'd see on a plus-sized model and her lips were obviously swollen from kisses.

"Hey, Hank, you brought us a guest." I snorted as he said Hank and Rogue groaned behind me.

"Hi to you too, Dad. Charlotte, Bruiser, this is Trinity, I wanted y'all to meet her."

"It's so great to meet you, Trinity, Rogue has told us so much about you." Charlotte rushed forward and gave me the best hug—warm and comforting.

Then I realized what she said, Rogue had told her about me. She released me and then Bruiser stepped forward, and just like Rogue had said he gave the best hugs too.

"I thought Hank was taking you on a date." Bruiser smirked.

Rogue muttered, "I am, but I wanted her to meet you two."

"I'm newly out, barely two years, I'm still finding my way."

"Then come with me, while Bruiser and Rogue make us some drinks." Charlotte looped her arm around mine.

I glanced at Rogue and they shooed me away. The house was beautiful and Rogue’s Mama led me to an oversized couch, and drew me down to sit beside her.

"You have a beautiful home."

"Thanks. I got it right after my divorce, my first real home that I made for Rogue and myself. Well, they weren't living with me at first, but I wanted a safe space for us. My ex-wife was an emotionally and mentally abusive partner. I never did anything right in her eyes."

I couldn't imagine the woman beside me taking shit from anyone. Yet I also understood what it was like while I was still in the closet figuring shit out. Too terrified to be discovered before I was ready. That's why I still hadn't talked to my parents about my new life. I'd blocked them on all social media along with anybody I knew from my hometown. It had to happen sooner or later, but I wasn't ready to lose my parents.

"Was it hard?" I asked.

"Yes, but necessary." She smiled so widely and freely. "I'd just thought I was gay growing up, but my parents wouldn't have accepted that in any way. The older I became the more depressed I was, and I realized that gay didn't feel right either. My only bright spot was Rogue. The only thing that kept me going until I figured out who I was. One night I blurted it out over dinner. Fuck, it was the hardest thing I ever did, but the best too."

"I lived in a tiny town and no one was out. You always heard rumors. As I told Rogue, I was scared to be caught looking anything up. I'd never seen anything positive about being… me."

"Honey, I get it." She reached out briefly to squeeze my forearm. "We have to be selfish to be happy, I know that sounds kinda shitty, but it's true. I had to be willing to put myself first. An unhappy me meant an unhappy Rogue."

"Rogue seems very well-adjusted." I laughed softly at her massive eye roll.

"Oh, my child is arrogant and egotistical, too confident for their own good sometimes, but I knew they'd never settle. It only got worse after I let my husband influence them."

"They told me about meeting Bruiser."

"That little asshole. Rogue gave him hell. They were way too overprotective after years of watching me fade. Do you like living in the city?"

"Way more anonymity. There were less than four thousand people in my hometown. It seemed everyone knew everything about everyone. No secrets remained safe. I like being a little invisible."