Ronnie

Bright red hair, brown eyes, & the cutest little dimples

Derek sighed as he leaned back in his desk chair. He hated his life sometimes. Of course that's when Erica walks in, she seems to have a spidey sense for when he's regretting all his life decisions. "Derek stop looking depressed." "Sorry Erica." She looked at him with a pittying look. "Boyd, Isaac & I are going out tonight. Come with us." "No thanks." "C'mon Der, it's been five years. You got to get back out there." "No one can ever be like him." "Derek, you spent one night with him." "It doesn't stop me from questioning if he was the one. And I was so worried about work that I just let him slip away." "For all you know he could've been a summer fling." "Exactly, I don't know." Erica sighed. "We'll be at the usual place, just think about coming." Derek just nodded. She kissed his head & left him alone again. Derek sat there for a minute before sighing & getting up, grabbing his blazer on the way out. He drove to the grocery store, if he was going to eat an actual meal tonight, it was necessary. He grabbed a carry basket & headed towards the milk. He was almost done with his checklist when he heard an oddly familiar voice. "Dad you know how important today is." Derek turned towards the voice & immediately stopped in his tracks. There stood Stiles, his phone to his ear.. & holding the hand of a little girl. "But Dad, it's Ronnie's birthday." Stiles sighed as the other person talked. "Ya, fine. But your granddaughter is not going to be happy." There was another pause. Derek was frozen in shock, even as Stiles got closer to him. He could see the exact moment Stiles saw him. Stiles' body went tense & his mouth fell open as he made eye contact with Derek. "You." Derek didn't know what to say, but thankfully Stiles was distracted by the person on the phone. "No, not you. Sorry dad, I'm gonna have to call you back. Love you." He hung up & stared at Derek, who stared back. Neither of them snapped out of it until a little voice came from Stiles' side. "Sti, who's he?" Stiles shook his head. Remembering, what Derek assumed to be, his daughter was right there. "Um, Ronnie this is.. Derek. He's uh an old friend." Derek was surprised Stiles remembered his name, but then again he remembered Stiles' name. Derek turned to the little girl, she was maybe four. She had a black batman shirt on, with a bright pink tutu & black converse knee-high boots. She had bright red hair, brown eyes & the cutest little dimples. She was adorable. "Hi Ronnie." She squinted at him before turning back to Stiles. "Mommy's not gonna like him." Derek flushed. Of course Stiles married someone. "Your mommy doesn't need to know about this." Derek felt even worse, obviously Stiles didn't want his wife to know about him. "Ron, go to the bakery & get a free cookie. Like I taught you to." The girl beamed, before running off. Stiles cleared his throat, getting Derek's attention again. "It's you." "Uh ya." "I am so sorry I didn't show up that night, but Allison went into labor & it was chaotic. But I am really sorry & honestly regret not being able to show up. I wanted to find you after, but I didn't have your number or last name." "Wait you weren't there?" "Didn't you notice." "No, I got stuck in a business meeting that night." "So neither of us were there?" "I guess not." Stiles chuckled. "Ok, so I got that off my conscience." Derek nodded. He wanted to say so much to Stiles, he just didn't know what exactly. But Stiles solved that for him. "Do you maybe want to get coffee with me, or something?" Derek lifted his eyebrow at that. "Wouldn't your wife be upset?" "Wife?" "Allison, the mother of your child?" Stiles burst out laughing. Derek glared as Stiles pulled himself together again. "Allison is my sister's wife. Ronnie's my niece." Derek's mouth formed a perfect O. "Oh." Stiles smiled at him. "So coffee?" Derek smiled a little. "Ya, I'd like that." Stiles' smile got bigger & put his hand out. "Give me your phone. You're getting my number this time." Derek did as told & watched as Stiles typed his number in. "There, now make sure to text me so I have your number." Derek nodded. "Stiles!" Stiles turned just in time to catch Ronnie. "What princess?" "I told the baker guy it was my birthday & he gave me an extra cookie!" Stiles smiled at her. "I told you. When it's your birthday, you rule the world." The girl chuckled. "Mommy says you're an idiot." Stiles squinted at her. "Your mother's a meany head." Ronnie giggled again, before turning to Derek. "What's he still doing here?" "Ron, be nice." "I don't want you to have another friend." Stiles kissed her head, before putting her down. "He's different. Derek this is Ronnie." Derek knelt down so he was at her height. "Hi Ronnie. I like your shirt." "Uncle Sti convinced mommy to let me where it, since it's my birthday." "Happy birthday." She smiled a little. "Thank you." "How old are you?" "Five." Derek whistled. "You're getting old." She rolled her eyes. "You're one to talk." Derek laughed. "I'm only thirty-one." "Old." Derek smiled at her. "I suppose you're right." "Of course I am. I'm never wrong." Stiles finally lost the battle against not laughing. "Sorry, she's just definitely Lydia's daughter." Derek smiled at him as he stood up. "I like her, she reminds me of Erica." "Well that probably means Erica & Lydia should never meet." Derek smiled even bigger, because that meant Stiles expected this to move to something bigger. "That'd probably be smart." Stiles chuckled. "Probably. I would love to stay & catch up, but we've got a party to get to. It was nice seeing you again Derek." "You too." "Don't forget to text me." "I most definitely won't." Stiles smiled at him. Derek watched as the two of them went to check out, smiling... holy shit.