Matched (joshler) (COMPLETED)

Handcuffs

Dakota sits on the couch quietly, the TV playing a random movie that she hasn't been paying attention to. When she had gotten home last night, she was confused why her dad was crying and hugging her for what felt like an eternity. Dylan ended up telling her about Jasmine paying a visit, just like Tyler had expected. Dakota was surprised, and also a little bummed that she hadn't been home when the situation occurred. She would have loved to witness it. Thinking about it, she has some words she'd like to say to Jasmine.

Standing up, she shuts the TV off and walks to her dads' bedroom where Tyler is sitting at his desk finishing up some online documents for work, while Josh lies in bed scrolling through his phone. She knocks on the open door making the two look at her.

"Hi, honey," Tyler smiles quickly, before looking back at the computer screen. "What's up?"

"I want to meet Jasmine."

Tyler tenses, half expecting this. Josh looks at him, but stays quiet, knowing it's not his place to say anything.

Biting his bottom lip, the brunette looks down with a small sigh before glancing up at Dakota who is staring at him, waiting for a reply. He really does not want to see that woman again. But he also knows he won't let himself let Dakota be alone with her. It takes him a moment to give her a response, his brain frantically trying to find a way to convince her out of wanting to meet her. On the other hand, he knows that would be wrong of him. As much as he hates Jasmine, his daughter needs some type of closure.

Letting out another sigh, he nods reluctantly, "Okay. I'll um...I'll try to get into contact with her. I'll let you know what she says."

Dakota nods, "Okay."

Tyler offers her a small smile that doesn't reach anywhere near his eyes. Dakota sends one back before hastily leaving the room and returning to the living room. Tyler lies back in his desk chair, throwing his head with a quiet groan.

"Why'd she ever have to come back?" He mutters to nobody in particular. "Things were so good."

Josh eyes him sadly, "I don't want Dakota to be alone with her."

"No. She won't be. Hand me my phone, please, babe."

Josh grabs Tyler's phone off the nightstand and gives it to his husband, "Why do you think she wants to meet her?"

Tyler opens the Facebook app, "I'm hoping it's to tear her a new one. But that's more Dylan's scene than Dakota's."

Finding his blocked profiles, he immediately finds Jasmine's. Her last name had changed to, what Tyler assumes, is the last name of the boyfriend she ran off with. Unblocking her, he clicks on her profile and sees that her current city of residence is Columbus. He sighs, having to remind himself that he's only doing this for his daughter. His thumb hovers over the Message icon for a moment. He swallows his anxiety thickly and clicks it.

Hey. Dakota wants to meet you.

Send.

Letting out a heavy breath, his heart beats rapidly in his chest. Abandoning his work, Tyler crawls in bed with his husband, lying his head on Josh's chest. The man hugs him and places a kiss on his forehead.

"Is it bad that I'm hoping she doesn't reply? I know it's for Dakota, but I just can't stand the thought of seeing her again," Tyler explains softly.

"I know. But, I think it'll be for the best if Dakota gets the chance to see her. Dylan said her peace last night, but Dakota didn't get that opportunity. Not that I think Jasmine deserves it, but I think Dakota deserves to say her own."

Tyler stays quiet, knowing Josh is right. It's only fair for Dakota to make up her own mind about her mother. Tyler's phone chirps with a notification from Messenger making him groan, "Can you read it? I can't right now."