Rhett Johnson

She smiled to herself as she watched Cedric and Rhett, twisting the leash around her wrist loosely. It wasn’t really like he needed it, but better safe than sorry. “Yeah, that was the plan, right?” Dia asked with a small laugh as she took Rhett’s hand. “I think Oscar might revolt if we didn’t take him on one.”

“Well we can’t have Oscar revolting,” Rhett agreed as he led them all outside. He had plan in mind knowing that Cedric would love a chance to go to the nearby park and stretch his legs. He laced his fingers around hers unable to help himself as he looked over at her. “I think this is exactly what I needed after a long week at work.”

Dia had just finished putting on Oscar’s leash, and she let out a sigh as her son ran past her. “Cedric.” She did her best to keep her voice stern, dropping the least at her feet as she knelt by him. “C’mon, we talked about this.” It was almost terrifying to think that everything she’d been told was true. He really was growing up too fast. “You’ve gotta put your coat on for daddy, okay? Thank you.” Dia kissed his head as he ran back towards Rhett and she reached for the dog again. 

Rhett couldn’t help himself as he paused taking in Dia with their son for a moment until Cedric ran back to him. “Isn’t your mama just the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen?” He asked their son as he knelt down in front of him in order to help him into his jacket. Once he was certain that the jacket was completely secure he stood back up in order to reach out for Claudia, “I think a little family walk is exactly what we need.”

“I know.” Dia admitted with a small laugh. “I think that’s the one thing in my life other than Victoria that I never questioned.”

“At least I know I’m not completely screwing this up,” Rhett teased her as he pulled her against his chest, “I do have a question for you though.”

“To be fair, I wasn’t in the best shape when we first met.” Dia reminded him, resting her head against his shoulder. 

“You weren’t, but you were still what I need even then and I knew it,” He didn’t believe in love at first sight until he had met her. But he knew instantly she was exactly who he would need.

“I worry sometimes that I don’t say it enough. Which I know is really stupid, I just…can’t help it sometimes.”

“It’s not stupid, but I promise that I know,” Rhett assured her as he pulled her tightly to him, “Maybe not at first, but I know now how you feel about me.”

Dia smiled softly. “I love you.” She said, “more than anything but Cedric, you know that right?”

Rhett pulled her in to him in order to press a warm kiss to her lips, “I do know that. I never questioned it, Dia.”

“It’s worked out though, hasn’t it? At least I hope it has, even if it’s…not what you expected. And I know you have. I guess I’ve just been trying to still give you an out if you want it.”

“I’m never going to want an out from you or Cedric. I get why you’re still offering me one, but I don’t need or want it. You two are all that I need.”

“I tried talking you out of dating me for a lot of reasons, the teen pregnancy thing was just part of it. But I don’t think we have to worry about Cedric ever wondering. As far as I’m concerned, we can just put your name on his birth certificate and never let him know any differently. Unless you’re still looking for an out, but I really hope that never happens.”

“I know you had five thousand reasons, but I had way more reasons to fight for you to give me a chance. I knew what it would be, and I had to at least give it a try. Dia, I’ve been practically begging for him to have my last name. I’m not going anywhere for either of you.”

“He knows it, too. We don’t exactly hide it from him.”

“Part of me is afraid that it’s going to go to his head, but most of me is just happy that our boy is never going to doubt whether or not that I wanted him. I still remember you trying to talk me out of dating you because you happened to be pregnant with someone else’s child, but I never saw it that way. I just saw this beautiful and brave woman carrying a child that needed two parents, and in a matter of days I didn’t even see that child as just yours. He was already mine too.”

“If the day ever comes when we have a daughter, I would hope she becomes the favorite. Mostly because it’ll ease some of my guilt about Cedric being mine.”

“I mean if we’re being honest he’s my favorite too. So don’t feel guilty for it.”

“If there’s anything I’ve never doubted, it’s that you love me, Rhett. I promise.”

“I can’t make the same promise if we do have a daughter together or adopt one. She may become my favorite girl.”

“You surprise me all the time, though. That’s not something you’ve got to worry about.”

“I just want to be sure you know how loved you are.”

“I do not sway when I– okay, maybe I do. I can’t believe I didn’t know you had a list.”

“I mean I don’t want you to know all of my secrets. If you do then how can I surprise you?”

“Oh, don’t say that. I don’t wanna imagine you without your memory.” Dia pouted, shaking her head. “But that is really sweet.”

“Hey I just want to think ahead. I never for a single second want to forget a single little thing you do that I love. Like the way that you sway when you’re cooking.”

“You would be, I just didn’t expect there to be an actual list.”

“I started it on our first date. I always want to remember the little details about you in case I ever lose my memory.”

Dia paused, blinking in surprise. “Wait, seriously?”

“Of course, I’m serious. Why wouldn’t I be about this?”