The Things We Learn

5

Okay, so fair warning. A LOT happens in this chapter. I kind of wanted to get a couple things out of the way, so I can get into the real plot of the story. Hope you don't mind :D

Derek was.. happy. How could he not be? It's been about a month since that first Wednesday, and since then, it's become a routine for them. On Wednesdays, Derek and Daniel would head to the Stilinski household. Games didn't always fall on those days, and during that time the four of them found something else to do. Going to the park, watching movies, making cookies, Stiles was good at finding activities for the kids to do. The kids were inseparable. 

Although their contact, at least Derek's, wasn't always limited to Wednesdays. Stiles would text him, asking if he would like to join the little family for brunch, or to go to the movie theater, something. Derek didn't care what it was, if he wasn't preoccupied, he always said yes. He liked hanging out with the little family, and that was something he was trying very hard not to read too much into. 

He knocked twice on the Stilinki's front door, before pushing it open.

"Derek!" Jenna came barreling at Derek. Said man picked her up as she reached him, throwing her up above his head. She squealed in delight, burrowing into Derek's chest as he caught her.

"Hey, sweetheart. You ready to go?"

"Yes! I'm sooo hungry." Derek chuckled, pressing a kiss to her head. 

"Met too. Where's you dad?"

"Right here." Derek looked up from Jenna, Stiles' voice catching his attention, as said man walked towards them. Derek smiled at him, Stiles returning it. It made Derek's breath catch in his throat. The Stiles that stands in front him now, and the guarded Stiles he met over a month ago, are two different people. Both equally beautiful, but god, how that smile took Derek's breath away.

Derek cleared his throat, putting himself back in the present.

"Your car or mine?"

"Do you still have Daniel's seat in your car?"

"Of course."

"Then we can take yours." Derek nodded, lifting Jenna up to sit on his shoulder. She giggled, leaning to rest her chin on the top of Derek's head. Derek turned around, walking out to the door. He missed the look on Stiles' face as he watched the two of them interact. 

Derek helped Jenna get buckled into the car seat, Stiles jumping into the passenger seat of the Camaro. Derek got into the driver's seat, not having to ask where they were going. Mary's had become their favorite brunch spot, the staff there knowing them pretty well at this point. 

Jenna was already out of her seat when Derek put the car in park, bolting out of the car and into the restaurant. Derek could see Stiles' shoulder tense, a worried look on his face. The younger man quickly got out of the car, following after his daughter. Derek sighed, following after them. Some things never changed. 

When Derek walked in he spotted Jenna in a very animated conversation with her favorite waitress at the counter, Stiles watching them from their usual table. Derek joined Stiles, sliding into the booth across from him. He wanted to take the opportunity of Jenna being distracted to talk with Stiles.

"Hey, keep something between us?" Stiles looked away from Jenna, eyes wide in surprise as they met Derek's. Slowly he nodded.

"Of course."

"I've wanted to say something for a bit now, but we haven't had any time alone," Derek chuckled, throwing a look over to Jenna. "We're throwing a surprise birthday party for Daniel next week. It's basically just going to be family, but it'd mean a lot to us if you guys would be there too."