“No,” I deadpan, crossing my arms over my chest as I watch tears well in my little girl’s eyes. “You’re too young.”

The last thing I wanted to deal with when I came home after a twelve-hour shift at the station was my baby girl asking if she could go on her first date.

“But Dadddyyy…” Rebekah whines, her long curly red hair bouncing as she shifts back and forth.

After missing the first eight months of Rebekah’s life, hearing her call me Daddy still does something to me, even after all these years. I’ve never once blamed Bristol for keeping her a secret from me, but the guilt of missing it still lingers. But the first time I held her in my arms, I knew that after that day, nothing would come between us, and nothing has.

Even after Bristol gave birth to Cassidy, shortly after Rebekah’s fifth birthday, I made it a point to let her know she was still my baby girl. Rebekah doesn’t remember me not being around when she was younger, but I wanted to make sure she knew she meant just as much to me as her sister. Being the only child for so long and then having to share your parents’ attention is hard. I may have gone a little overboard making sure she felt special, but I never want her to doubt how much I love her, and nothing will change that.

“Mom said it was okay,” she grumbles softly.

“Without talking to me first? I doubt it.” I sigh, not wanting to see that look in her eyes any longer. “Let me talk to your mom.”

“Eeeeph! I have to call Brittany and tell her you said it was okay.” She squeals before pulling her phone out of her back pocket and bounding up the stairs to her room.

“I didn’t say yes!” I yell after her before she disappears around the corner, and I head into the kitchen in search of my wife.

As I step into the kitchen, I catch sight of Bristol bending over as she empties the dishwasher, earbuds planted firmly in her ears. Even after all these years, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. My breath catches as I stare at her apple bottom wiggling to the music she is no doubt playing. Her long red hair is pulled up in her patented messy bun on the top of her head as she moves around the room, putting away dishes before going back and starting the process over again. I feel like a starved man. The need to wrap her in my arms and devour her lips crashes through me.

“Fuck,” I groan as I drop my bag onto the floor and stride through the door before grasping her hand in mine and crashing my lips to hers.

Bristol squeals in surprise before her arms wrap around my neck, and she brushes the tips of her fingers along the base of my neck. I know both kids are in the house somewhere, but the only thing on my mind is how badly I need her. I pull her tightly into my chest before shoving my hands into her hair, giving a gentle tug. Her hardened nipples brush against my chest as she moans loudly.

“Hello, stranger.” Bristol giggles, nibbling on my lower lip. “Welcome home.”

“It’s good to be home.” I chuckle as she leans her head back, giving me better access to her neck. I waste no time licking the curve of her throat while gripping her leg and thrusting my aching cock between her legs, causing both of us to groan.

“You were supposed to talk to Mom, not molest her in the kitchen for all of us to see.” Rebekah scoffs as she strides into the kitchen, with Cassidy not too far behind her.

Bristol’s cheeks are pink as we break apart quickly. “There’s nothing wrong with saying hello to your father when he comes home from work.”

“That looks like a lot more than a welcome home,” Cassidy chimes in as she takes a seat on one of the bar stools, shoving her Nintendo Switch back in her face and ignoring all of us.

Where Rebekah looks more like her mother, Cassidy is the perfect combination of the two of us. Her long black hair is a mess of curls, more like my mother’s than Bristol’s, but her eyes are the prettiest shade of golden brown I’ve ever seen. I’ve already started shopping for shotguns because I know boys are going to be beating down the doors for a chance to date her when she’s older. I guarantee it. Cassidy is very quiet and reserved, like me, preferring her video games over spending time with new people, and almost the exact opposite of her sister, personality-wise. Much like their mother and me, but it’s a nice balance.

“Daddy said I could go out with Cody this weekend,” Rebekah chimes in as she takes a seat next to her sister. “I already called Brittany, and her parents said it was okay if we double-dated.”

“I never said yes, baby girl. I said I’d talk to your mother about it.” I release Bristol and turn towards her, raising my eyebrow. “Besides, I highly doubt Vance gave Brittany permission to go.”

Vance and Selina have a little girl a year or so younger than Rebekah. If there’s one thing I can count on, it’s Vance being just as overprotective, if not more so than I am. Hell, Connor isn’t any better with Jade and Love either. Brady and Riggs got lucky and both have boys. Neither of them has to worry about stuff like this, but I know they’ll always have my back, too. We have to make sure no knuckleheads like us are sniffing around the girls. We grew up to be great men, but as boys, we were a bunch of assholes.

“Uncle Vance said yes.” Rebekah smiles at me brightly before turning her attention to her mother. “Well, After Aunt Seli told him she’d cut off his balls if he said no.”

“Rebekah!” Bristol and I shout in unison before shaking our heads.

If there is one thing we can always count on, it’s Rebekah saying exactly what happened—for better or for worse. Bristol and I learned that the hard way when she walked into our room one morning without knocking. All our friends learned about the “gymnastics” act we were putting together to surprise her. Beyond embarrassing.

“What? It’s not my fault Brit had me on speakerphone the whole time, so I could hear how it went down.”

Bristol reaches into her back pocket and pulls out her phone. “Seli texted and said the same thing. So, we have no choice but to let her go.”

“You two planned this, didn’t you?” I look down at Bristol, her face the picture of innocence.

“We did no such thing.” Bristol recoils in offense. “The girls are old enough to date, Seth. I know she’s your baby girl, but eventually, you have to let her grow up.”

“You guys don’t fight fair,” Cassidy chimes in, lifting her head from her game and placing it on the breakfast bar in front of her. “They are going out on Friday night to the movies. I forget what she said they were going to see, but she is hoping Cody will kiss her and ask her to be his girlfriend.”

The room erupts as everyone speaks at once.

“You want him to do what?”

“You little shit!”

“Rebekah!”

The noise level in the room goes through the roof as I try to make sense of what just happened. I thought I was agreeing to my little girl going on her first date. Now I’m hearing she is expecting boyfriends, first kisses, and Lord knows what else.

“Everyone, calm down.” Bristol groans as she pulls Rebekah and Cassidy apart.

“I can’t believe you were listening to my phone conversation!” Rebekah screeches as she tries to reach around her mother to get to Cassidy.

“You really shouldn’t have conversations on speakerphone if you don’t want people to hear.”

I chuckle softly as I head over to Cassidy and wrap my arm around her neck. “Why don’t we go have a talk in the living room? I’d love to know what else your sister is planning for this so-called date of hers.”

“Not so fast, Mister.” Cassidy and I freeze in place, all too aware that Bristol means business.

“Cassidy, go to your room.”

“What did I do?” She throws her hands in the air before stomping to her place at the bar and snatching up her game.

“Nothing. I just need you to go away for a little while and not make this situation any worse.” Bristol smiles before giving her a quick hug and a kiss on the top of the head.

“And you.” Bristol points her finger into my face. “You’re going to have a civil conversation with your daughter about going on her first date.”

“But…” I begin before she pins me in place with her stare.

We stare at each other for a few minutes, willing the other to relent. “Fine,” I grumble before taking a seat at the bar beside Rebekah.

“You can go to the movies with this Cody person and Brittany, but there will be some rules.” I pause for a few seconds to make sure she is listening before I continue. “The movies and nowhere else. Your mom or Aunt Selina will pick you up and drop you off. The movie has to be between six and nine p.m., and you have to be home by eleven.”

“But you said…” she begins, but I hold my hand up.

“I know I said Mom or Aunt Selina were picking you up, but you still need to make sure the movie is done, and you are back in the house by eleven p.m.”

Rebekah practically vibrates in her seat. “Is there anything else?”

“You need to let us know what movie you’re going to before Wednesday so we can approve it and get your tickets.”

“Is that it?” she says with a little more attitude.

“Do you want to go?”

“Sorry, Daddy.” She giggles before wrapping her arms around my neck and planting a kiss on my cheek. “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, too, baby girl,” I whisper as she slides off her seat and heads out of the kitchen, probably on her way to tell Brittany all the rules I put into place.

Just as she is out of sight, I pull out my phone and shoot off a text to my partner in crime. There is no way I’m letting my baby girl go anywhere with a member of the opposite sex without knowing exactly what’s going on.

Me: Rebekah has a movie date on Friday. I need eyes.

Brady: You go it. What movie?

Me: I’ll find out in a few days so we can get the tickets.

Brady: We?

Me: Brittany is going, too.

Brady: I’ll text Vance and fill him in on the plan. I’m sure Connor and Riggs will want to come, too.

Me: Thanks, brother.

“You’re horrible.” Bristol shakes her head as she comes around the bar and takes Rebekah’s seat.

“I can’t let my baby girl go in without backup.”

Bristol giggles. “I knew you gave in entirely too easily. Don’t you work Friday night, too?”

“I do. Her uncles will have her back inside, and I’ll be watching on the outside, just in case.”

“You’re going to have to let her grow up eventually, Seth,” Bristol responds as I pull her in between my legs.

“I know, but today isn’t that day.” I chuckle before leaning in and capturing her lips with mine.