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Giggles soon replaced the sounds of crunching potato chips once their tummies were full, and they bounded off toward the playground.

A couple of daddies filled the buckets with water for the handful that had chosen to build sandcastles.

My sweet boy pushed Darcy on the swing while the rest of us chatted.

“You really thought of everything in this mountain oasis the two of you created.” Marcel, Ralphie’s daddy remarked as he glanced around.

“I’d definitely be game for investing in the project expansion.

Please include me in the conference calls you’re setting up.

Whether the work be here or in other states, I one hundred percent endorse this brilliant venture.

Look at how happy they all are. Not once have I heard a single little utter I’m bored or can we leave . ”

I think Marcel was literally the last daddy to speak up. The mommies were in and with that being said we had all thirteen of them rearing to expand plus Mark and me.

“I love the integration of gender neutrality,” Vivienne added. “There’s no reason for segregation, and the fact that all the events you planned said as much has just blown me away. Many clubs, such as mine, are gender neutral. Community is just that, all inclusive.”

“Here-here!” The rest of the group held their drinks up.

To be honest, gender never entered mine or Mark’s mind when we created this camp, and it would remain as such. Gender, race, religion – none of that would ever matter on our grounds. All-inclusive meant everyone, and it would stay that way.

Covered in sand and sweat, the little ones were more than ready for their afternoon swim.

Those who wanted floaties were fitted out and jumped in to join the others who’d already dove in.

A couple of daddies, myself included, joined in the aquatic merriment while others sat perched in the Adirondack chairs.

“Daddy! Daddy!” Jacob squealed. “Something touched my leg.”

“It’s likely a fishy, my love.” Richard was so calm and patient, and that was reflected in Jacob’s personality.

“Here, fishy, fishy,” Jacob called out. Likely a small trout, as the big ones would be far away from the insanity.

I’m glad we’d chosen tonight for an easy dinner of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.

The chef’s had made potato salad and deviled eggs to go along with it.

With everything we required tucked away in the refrigerator, we happily gave the team a much-deserved afternoon off.

Mark and I could easily handle the grilling and clean up tonight.

After a full day of excitement, we all agreed to an early dinner, early to bed tonight, but my boy and I had a very important phone call to make before story time. Roen insisted on showering and looking his best for it. While he primped, I grabbed my laptop and met him back at his cabin.

He nervously paced as I got us set up at the dining table. “Roen, deep breath. Trust me, they will love you.” With a final pep talk to himself, he took a seat beside me. I gave him a quick kiss and logged into the call.

“Hello, my love,” mom’s smiling face filled the screen. “How is the first week of camp going?”

“Hi mom. It’s going great. I um,” shit, now I was nervous. “I met someone.”

“A someone-someone or just new friends.”

I loved the way she worded shit. “A someone-someone special someone.” Far too many someone’s in that sentence but it was too late to take them back. “Where’s dad?”

“I’m coming,” I heard his voice in the background before his face appeared beside mom’s. “Well, where is he?”

He. My parents didn’t so much as flinch when I came out my sophomore year of high school. I was truly blessed. Roen’s little face popped into view, and I swear my mother squealed.

“Is that him? Hello sweetheart. I’m Gloria and this is Joel. It’s so wonderful to meet you. Isn’t he adorable, Joel?”

“Quit embarrassing the poor boy,” Dad tsked. “It’s nice to meet you, son.”

Roen blushed and waved. “I’m Roen.”

“I told you Kyler was a daddy. I knew it all along.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Dad rolled his eyes. “I guess our son is a chip off the old kink block.”

Wait, what?

“Oh, hush you,” mom waved him off.

“Someone’s pushing for a spanking.”

Mom and Roen both giggled. What was I missing…

Oh shit.

How had I missed this all these years? Who knew their playful banter ran deeper than two lovers flirting. Huh, you learn something new every day I guess.

“You look just like your father.” Roen said, and I kissed his cheek. My father was a handsome man, and I always strived to follow in his footsteps. Family was everything and so was kindness and my father was one of the best men I knew.

“Ohhh,” mom cooed, “the looks on your faces,” she was all gooey. “How long have you known each other?”

“About eighteen months,” Roen replied.

“How long have you been dating?”

“Nosy much, woman,” Dad teased her but didn’t divert the question. He was just as curious as she was.

“Um, three days.” No use in lying.

“That’s fast.”

“Woman, I proposed to you after a week.”

Roen giggled. “They’re funny, Daddy.”

“They’re something, alright.” I rolled my eyes at my parents’ antics. “Roen is headed back to Vegas on Sunday. We’re um, we’re moving in together up here.”

“Isn’t this wonderful? Joel, isn’t it wonderful?”

Dad rolled his eyes, and I now knew where I got that from. “It is wonderful and you two seem so happy.”

“Thanks, Dad. What do you think about having the holidays up here this year? We’ve got plenty of cabins for everyone.”

“Let’s add Wendy and Dane to the call.” Before I could protest the screen paused as Dad dialed them in.

“Is that my brother?” Wendy’s face got close to the screen, and she tapped it.

“Finding Nemo, Daddy,” Roen giggled again. “Here fishy-fishy.”

“Ha-ha, I don’t know who you are, but I like you already. I’m Kyler’s smarter sibling, Wendy.” Dane’s head popped on. “And this is my husband, Dane.”

“This is my boyfriend, Roen.”

“Don’t you mean your boy?” Dad corrected.

“You kinky fucker!”

“Dane!” we all shouted in unison, though Roen giggled so hard he nearly fell off the chair.

“What? The girls are in bed.” Well, that answered my next question.

“Is this call to thoroughly embarrass Kyler? If so, I’m in,” Wendy far too happily said.

“Actually, it was a call to introduce Mom and Dad to Roen, then it turned into a plan for the holidays when I suggested we celebrate them up here. From there dad called you, and all hell broke loose.” Even so, you still couldn’t wipe the smile from my face nor Roen’s.

“Told you they’d like you,” I nudged him.

“That’s a great idea. Hopefully it’ll snow. The girls would love that. We’re in!” Wendy readily agreed.

“Same here!” Mom added. Given my parents were retired, it was easy for them to commit. “Will Mark’s family be joining us? Is there enough room?”

I had to think about that for a minute. Twelve cabins, Roen and I are in ours. Mom and dad in one. Wendy and Dane, Mark’s parents, Mark, possibly his brothers? “Yes with a couple left available to rent.”

“Fabulous. Send an email and we’ll sort out all the details. We were thinking about bringing the girls up for a long weekend this summer before they go back to school.”

“We’d love that. Let me know when and I’ll set a cabin aside for you.” One of our larger two-bedroom units would work perfectly for them. With all of that sorted, we chatted for a couple more minutes before the yawns rolled around.

My family was crazy, but they were mine, and we loved one another fiercely.