We Go Together Or We Don't Go Down At All

Game Night

Alex and Everly's apartment buzzed with anticipation. Zack arrived with his best friend Jack. Everly ran to the door as she heard the knock.

"DADDY! UNCLE RI! ZACKY AND JACKY ARE HERE!" She yelled as she ran to the door.

Alex and Rian laughed, Rian kept stirring the taco meat in the stove, and Alex put down the knife he was using to cut veggies for tacos, and he followed her. Alex opened the door while his 3 year old waited patiently.

Alex opened the door and was greeted warmly by Jack. "Hey Buddy!" Jack said as he hugged Alex.

Alex giggled. "Hey JB!"

Jack then ran over to where Everly was standing behind Alex. Waiting patiently to be greeted.

"MUNCHKIN! ARE YOU READY TO PLAY!?" Jack yelled excitedly as he picked up Everly and spun her around in the air.

"Yes!" She giggled.

Zack stood in the doorway just looking at Alex. An amused smirk on his face, Waiting for Alex to speak first.

"Hey Babe. I gotta get you a key." Alex said as he gave Zack a quick peck as he came in. Alex made  a mental note to get a spare made.

Zack smirked. "Or just let me move in when my lease is up in 2 months."

Alex stopped in his tracks, spinning around to look at Zack. "Wait. Really?"

Zack shrugged. " Baby. We've been together for eight months now by then it'll be 10... I'm not planning on going anywhere... Are you? I get it if you want to wait. I'm just mostly teasing... but if it's something you're interested in, I am as well."

Alex busted out into a grin. "When do you have to give your 30 day notice by?"

Zack raised a brow. Genuinely not believing that Alex was considering the idea. " Ummm... at the end of next month so April 30. I have to give my lease 30 day notice by, because my lease ends May 30."

Alex leaned in and kissed Zack. " I'm not against the idea. Let's talk about it more later... I will have an answer for you by the time you need to give a notice. I promise."

Zack smiled as Alex pulled away from the kiss. " I should've known you would be so efficient and sticking to deadlines you boring old man." Zack said playfully.

Zack winked as he said the statement, hopefully showing that he was teasing Alex.

Alex winked back. " Later, let me prove to you that I'm not boring." He smacked Zack's butt and walked away.

In their time together, they've learned that smacking each other's butt is normal. And when they don't do it to each other, the other one is concerned that something is wrong. Zack shook his head and tried to shake the dirty thoughts from his brain over his boyfriend's statement. He was here to play games with his friends and his (hopefully someday) stepdaughter.
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After they all ate a hand prepared meal prepared by Alex and Rian, of tacos and chips and salsa, they settled in for a family game night. Everyone being together had Everly bouncing with excitement.

"Candyland please!" Everly said as she made granny hands towards the box

Alex and Rian looked at each other knowingly... Candyland was always a first choice. It's Everly's favorite.

"Should have known." Rian chuckled.

Everly was filled With giggles and cheers, as they navigated the colorful path.

"Hey Jack! You let her cheat! You can't let her pick a card randomly!" Zack exclaimed playfully, getting into the competitive spirit.

"But....she is too cute. She convinced me! How am I supposed to say no to that face!" Jack cried in defeat.

Everly giggled as Rian tickled her. "Uncle Ri! Stooooop!"

They continued and Alex and Zack provided gentle assistance to their little competitor. As they played Monopoly. The game ruins families. Alliances quickly formed and rivalries ignited.

Even as Everly's eyelids drooped, tired,  but she insisted on seeing the game through, cheered on by her proud family.

"Evie... honey it's time for bed." Alex said as he scooped her up and stood up from his chair to take her to her room.

"Excuse me a moment. I am going to put this one to bed. She has preschool tomorrow." Alex said with a chuckle.

"Can I join you?" Zack asked.

Alex nodded with a smile. "Please. She would never forgive me if I tucked her in without you."

Zack stood and followed Alex to Everly's room.

Alex quickly changed her into PJ's and a fresh nighttime pull up. Then, he tucked Everly into bed, and he turned on her bedside galaxy light. Illuminating her ceiling with stars and different colors.  He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Everly wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Goodnight sweetheart. I love you. See you in the morning." Alex whispered.

"I Love you too Daddy." Everly mumbled as she settled into the pillows.

"Goodnight Zacky. I love you." Everly said as Zack kissed her forehead as well.

"Good night Evie. I love you too." Zack said a bit hesitantly.

He still wasn't used to the new normal of telling her 'I love you'. It would just take a minute to adjust too. He was honest.. he did love her as if she was his own, but feeling it and saying it felt different. Zack was still stunned he could love anyone as much as he loves Everly and Alex... but he did.

Once Zack and Alex rejoined their best friends in the living room...the atmosphere shifted. Bottles clinked as they poured drinks, and laughter filled the air.

Alex raised an eyebrow as Jack proposed a game of truth or dare.

"JB. Seems a bit juvenile." Alex quipped.

Jack countered. "It's a a chance for us to deepen our bond as a group. Come on! We don't always get alone time with the 4 of us!"

Reluctantly, Alex relented, realizing Jack's point.

Zack smirked deciding he would start... hoping Alex would pick dare.

"Alright, I guess I'll go first and break the tension. Alex, truth or dare?"

Alex was not foolish enough to think that Zack would not have some cute and dare for him.

"Dare." Alex said sweetly.

Zack smirked. "I dare you to give me a kiss."

Alex rolls his eyes. "Bold move, completely unexpected Zack." He says playfully.

Alex leans in and kisses Zack deeply. Their tongues intertwined for a moment.

Jack wolf whistled. "Things are heating up in here! GET A ROOM."

Rian scoffed sarcastically. "Now that's a dare I didn't see coming."

Alex narrowed his eyes "Ok Rian. I dare you to dance like nobody's watching in the middle of the room!

Rian laughs. "No problem. Ha! You're on!

The four of them start laughing as Rian starts dancing wildly.

Jack speaks up. "Alright, my turn. Zack,truth or dare?

Zack thinks for a moment. "Dare."

Jack laughs. "I dare you to do 10 push-ups...while holding a full glass of water on your back!

Zack scoffed. "Light work. Challenge accepted."

Zack gets into position and starts doing push-ups, trying not to spill the water

Jack laughed. "I am not sure why I thought that would be hard for you."

Alex squeezed Zack's bicep as he sat back down. "My muscular man."

As the game progressed, secrets were shared, dares accepted, and barriers dissolved. Through laughter and honesty, they discovered new facets of each other, forging a stronger connection than before.