Derek Hale

Athena had gotten used to going downstairs and finding the McCall twins wandering around. Maybe it should have surprised her more, but ever since Theo broke the news about a baby she had kind of expected it. Even if sometimes it did make her worry that once the baby was born, she wouldn’t be the baby for her parents, anymore. “Can I help?” She asked, wandering into the kitchen and waving at the kids. 

Derek knew that he was lucky that Athena had stuck around for as long as she had, but he wasn’t going to complain about it. No he would rather take as much time with her as he could until she moved out and begun her own life. Derek looked up from Archie as he heard his daughter come downstairs. “Of course, you can. I remember making cookies with you when you were his age.”

“I’m not anything special, but…thank you, daddy.”

“You are extraordinary special, little one.”

“Athena looks more like you than she does me, other than the eyes.”

“I don’t know I see you in her so much. But it’s probably because I love you both I can see the things you don’t.”

“Being home has…helped that though, right? At least you know now.”

“No it does help knowing that you’re perfectly okay. I’m proud of who you are.”

“I’m really sorry you had to go through whatever you did, daddy.”

“I know you are, baby girl. But what was the worst was the fact that I had no idea if you guys were okay.”

“Between mom and Theo, I never had to worry about that too much. But it’s so much better now that you’re home.”

“Yeah having them here helped me at least know that you would be protected.”

“Being home to make sure I’m okay has to help that a little bit regardless though, right?”

“No it honestly does help to know that you’re being taken care of.”

“She and Athena look too much alike and too much like me to deny them.” She agreed with a dramatic sigh, looking up at him, “good. I was worried.”

“Trust me I wish they looked more like me I wouldn’t be as worried about men around them if they didn’t look as gorgeous as their mother.”

“That sounds like quite the sacrifice.”

“It’s a huge sacrifice on my peace of mind.”

“I definitely couldn’t be a nun, I would get bored.” Athena admitted with a small laugh, “I know, I promise. But thank you. It’s nice to hear.”

“Fine no nunnery no matter how much easier my life would be. I suppose I can settle for you just being happy period.”

“You’re not wrong. Xenia takes so much after them I wonder if she’s really mine sometimes.” Serena admitted, smiling to herself and leaning into him. “I think I’ve heard it once or twice,” she teased. “But it’s the same for me, you know that?”

“Oh she’s yours. She looks too much like you to belong to anyone who isn’t you, and I certainly know that unless she also isn’t mine there’s no other woman who could be her mom,” he reminded her as he tipped her chin back, “I know. I promise.”

“It’s probably a wolf thing, too, although the girls don’t have that excuse.” Serena agreed, laughing happily and wrapping her arms around him, “it usually works.”

“Honestly all the girls need is the fact that they’re related to my sisters. It doesn’t help that their mom is just as strong willed and incredible though,” He reminded her as he placed a kiss to her forehead. “You know that you are truly the best thing that ever happened to me, right?”

“We can get Athena and Theo. And if Athena’s there, Xenia will probably come around.” Serena admitted, thinking about it, “and if nothing else, Bella and Ryland can probably be bribed with food.”

“If their last name is Hale they can always be bribed with food. My family has it’s priorities and food is always right at the top,” Derek decided to sweep his wife up into his arms before swaying her as if there was music to dance to.

“I don’t know if dating would make me happier. Having you home has done a better job of that than anything Mom tried, just…don’t tell her that. Although if the innocent thing ever changes, I probably won’t tell you…so I can continue to look you in the eye and not feel awkward.”

“You could become a nun. That would really make your old man happy I would’t have to worry about you. But what you say with me stays between you and me. I’m not going to tell our secrets to your mom.”

“Are you saying you want me to date?” Athena asked, blinking in surprise before smiling. “Well we do have plenty of time to make up for.”

“No, but I want my girl to be the happiest she can be,” Derek assured his daughter as he held her tightly against his chest as he pressed a kiss to her head. “Your happiness is more important to me than keeping you innocent forever.”

“I don’t really think about it that much.” She admitted, shrugging slightly. “People don’t notice me very much anyways.”

“I’m sure that’s a lie. You’re a beautiful girl, but I’ll take all the extra time I can with you.”