Question at the end of the party.

The party was over, Bailey felt drained and cold, even with the August’s hoodie he was wearing over the top of his dress. The hoodie was of course too large on Bailey and instead of just thinking of it as such Bailey felt smaller wearing the fleece hoodie. It did help make him feel warmer, for at least his upper body and for the second time tonight he wished he had worn some pantyhose like Candi was. Everyone was filtering out of the tent, the presents had been taken off and presumably loaded into vehicles. Bailey’s fingers were just long enough to come out of the hood to touch Candi’s shoulder, he had his arm around her as she leaned into his fleece covered chest. “Have to say, you look cute as hell. Er cute as heck.” August corrected glancing over at the two girl’s parents. “She is cute, but I’m cold too. Bailey give me a turn and share.” Bailey could see the tiredness in and around her green eyes, but he wasn’t going to give up the sweater no matter how much she whined. “No, this is mine.” August laughed a little at the exchange, he didn’t think it was that cold out, but the wind wasn’t helping. While the girls got to leave he had agreed to stay and clean up and would be out here for at least another hour. “Actually it’s mine, but you can borrow it.” He said with a smile and imagined Bailey wearing it around her apartment to think of him.

Walking up the park’s sidewalk Derrick came up to the group. “Alright the car is loaded up and it looks like the Princesses are ready to leave too.” Candi nodded in agreement and stepped over and gave August a hug goodbye and the two blondes followed Derrick back to the parking lot. Bailey tried to just follow Candi and only give a nod for a goodbye from August, but it hadn’t worked. The second Bailey stepped past him, his feet throbbing from wearing the five inch pumps all night, August wrapped his arms around Bailey from behind and held his captive still. “I had a lot of fun tonight, can’t wait for our date later this week.” Bailey couldn’t help himself and squirmed in the embrace as August leaned in and kissed his neck. The kisses picked up and he even gave a light bite as he felt his girl move in excitement and rub her ass into his groin. “Gah… you two can do that later!” Candi called back. From his unmoving position Bailey could see Candi turn and look back annoyed, her voice causing Derrick to look back as well, though he had his smug smirk once he saw what was happening. The boy's soft lips on his neck caused goose bumps to form on his skin. Bailey’s skin was reacting to the feeling, a much more pleasant feeling that he wanted to admit. He didn’t want another man to hold him, kiss him or nibble on his exposed neck and was overjoyed at his friend’s annoyance. “Sorry, totes would stay, but she might turn into a pumpkin if we don’t get home.” Bailey felt August’s arms tighten around him, Bailey didn’t have much recourse with the way he was held, his arms were pinned to his sides. “Fine, good night princess.” August whispered in Bailey’s ear before calling out to the other two waiting. “You can have her back now! Good night and drive safe!” Before letting go of his captive and enjoying the sight of her mincing away to catch up.

In the parking lot Amanda stood next to her sister, Nana Connors sat in the front seat of her son’s rental car, it already running. The two blonde women turned as the three approached and Bailey was sad to see Aunt Megan still here. He thought, hoped that she had left like most everyone else. “Come on pumpkin, we are getting a ride home from your Aunt. Say goodbye to everyone.” Looking over to Candi Bailey was about to say goodbye when she leaned into him, not bothering to raise her arms. Bailey gave her a quick hug before she went and acted similarly to the Best sisters. As she did Bailey moved to get into the back seat of Aunt Megan’s SUV when the all too familiar voice of Derrick called out. “You didn’t forget about me did you?” Turning his head to look at the man, Bailey ran his fingers through his platinum hair to tuck some of it behind his ear. “I tried.” Amanda scowled at Bailey “Young lady that is not appropriate.” Bailey could feel both the Best sister’s blue eyes piercing him, he knew that wasn’t what a good girl would say, but it just came out, he was tired and after crying into the man for over a minute earlier he really didn’t want to interact with him anymore tonight. “She is just teasing me.” Derrick said holding up his hand to try and save the tired teen from any wraith that could be coming her way. Bailey turned his full body, not wanting to take any steps further from the vehicle. Candi walked up to him and whispered to Bailey before getting into the backseat of her car. Lowering his head Bailey shuffled over to Derrick and wrapped his arms around his stomach to give him a hug. “Swowowwforteas” Bailey’s voice came muffled as he talked into the man’s chest. “What was that?” With a sigh Bailey stepped back, shuffled his sore feet, he couldn’t bring himself to look him in the eye. “Sorry for teasing you Daddy.” He said following Candi’s directions on what to say. When no response came right away Bailey peeked up to see the man looking at him with his kind eyes, looking thoughtful. “Is that something you would want? Would you want me to be your father?” While Bailey’s words were loud enough for others to hear, what Derrick said were soft and for Bailey’s ears only.

Bailey had called him that just because Candi had said it would make it so they could just go home and he wouldn’t get a lecture about being rude. A good girl is polite, a good girl always smiles… Bailey did not want another lecture about being a good girl and doubly so from his love. With being a good girl in mind Bailey smiled at Derrick, he was a decent man and damn if he didn’t love the gift Derrick gave him. Bailey couldn’t believe that he tracked down Cherry and had arranged to see her again. He sure as hell didn’t want to call him Daddy, but considering how often he had called him that, what else was he to believe? If he said no would the man back off of Mommy? No, he was the type of guy who would redouble his efforts to win him over and he didn’t want to see what double effort Derrick looked like for attention toward himself, but still he couldn't bring himself to say yes. “Maybe... I dunno know.” The words were meant to show hesitation so that he wouldn’t go and do something stupid like propose, but to Derrick seeing the tired teen say that with a smile on her face. He took the smile for her being a little shy about the subject, but it was apparent she couldn’t help enjoying the thought of it. “I will tell you a secret if you promise not to tell your Mother.” Bailey nodded, not sure where he was going with this, felt a sense of dread. “No, no.. no… you cannot propose! She is mine!” Bailey mentally screamed, his adrenaline starting to pump and wake him up more. Seeing Bailey’s eyes go wider with excitement at the prospect of a secret Derrick leaned closer. “I have fallen in love with her, what do you think of that?” Bailey shook his head hard enough for some of his hair to come loose. “No, it has like been only a week.” Derrick shrugged, giving the girl a smile. “Sometimes the heart wants, what the heart wants. I saw you with that August boy, I think you understand.” Bailey shook his head again. “Oh my god that is so different.” He said in a harsh whisper, this man had no idea what he was talking about. “What are you two conspiring about?” Amanda said walking away from her sister and closer to them. “Conspiring is such a harsh word.” Amanda pursed her lips, putting one hand on Bailey’s shoulder, her touch felt reassuring to the feminized man. “Then why all the whispering?” Derrick made eye contact with Bailey and gave a wink. “Your daughter and I have formed a bond through secrets, and I could never betray her trust.” Bailey felt a side hug and a kiss to the side of his head. Bailey didn’t look up at Mandy, but he could just sense that she had the biggest smile on her face at Derrick’s words.

The Connors watched the Best girls leave the parking lot before pulling out themselves. In the rear view mirror Derrick could see his little girl leaning against the window, fighting to keep her eyes open. “Sweetheart, I’m glad you had fun tonight.” Candi smiled at her Grandmother who turned in her seat to look back at her. “Was it everything you wanted?” Candi wasn’t wearing her seat belt and slid to the edge of her seat to get close enough to put her forehead against her grandmother's and closed her eyes. “Everything and more Nana, today had everything I could have wanted and more.” Sliding back into her seat Candi once again removed her shoes and flexed her toes on the car's carpeted floor. “Well I have some news, a mix of good and bad and I umm have a favor to ask.” Candi tilted her head to the side and held herself back from putting her arms around him from behind and telling him she would do anything for him and instead just let her weariness take the lead and just sit comfortably in the backseat. “I promised we could stay here for the summer and I’m keeping that promise.” Derrick added quickly to not let any doubt linger in her mind. “The thing is to do that I have to go back home for the rest of the week, I wasn’t originally planning this trip, but as I have told you before. Some people insist on meeting in person. That is the bad news, the good is Mandy agreed to watch you for the week, but I have to leave tomorrow morning.” That was a lot of information at once and Candi didn’t really understand, she crossed her arms over her chest to hold herself as she thought about her Daddy leaving suddenly. “What about Nana? What about the DMV? You were going to take me tomorrow.” Candi took her Nana’s hand when she reached back, she was feeling suddenly insecure adding to her whiny tone. “As we talked about earlier dear, I have a town car coming to pick me up tomorrow to take me to meet some of my friends in Los Vegas. I will be back next week and Miss Best was more than happy to have you stay with them. Tell me truly, would you rather stay with me at a hotel or have a slumber party with your best friend?” Candi didn’t respond, just pouted in silence.

“Honey I know I promised and.. Well I’m sorry. I didn’t want to say anything and ruin your birthday, but you are still going to get your license. Mandy is going to be taking both you and Bailey to the DMV tomorrow. How do you feel about all of that?” Candi looked out the car windows and watched the street lights go by. Both her family members were leaving suddenly, leaving her alone. Not alone, alone, but some of that same feeling she got when being dragged along with her Daddy on trips crept in. This time she shouldn’t be alone, and he was doing this so he could spend more time with her. “I’m okay with going to spend the week with the Bests. I am sad you won't be there when I get my license, but I understand.” It felt like she wrenched his heart, she had become mature much faster than she should have with the **** of her Mother and hearing her say out loud how she was feeling instead of hiding it away like other teens made him both proud and sad at the same time. “That brings me to the favor.” Derrick reached over and rested his hand on the back of the passenger seat as he turned in his seat to look back at his daughter after they came to a stop at a red light. I wanted to ask if I could ask Mandy to go with me to Monica’s wedding this weekend.” Derrick felt like his stomach dropped as he asked his daughter, he knew she was looking forward to going to his assistant's wedding. Candi bounced in her seat twice, feeling excitement rise up in her at the prospect of her Daddy taking Miss Best to a wedding. Weddings were full of romance and she couldn’t ask for a better scenario to help her and Bailey’s birthday wish come true.

“Daddy you can absolutely go with her to the wedding!” Derrick glanced back forward and had to return his focus to the road as the light turned green. “I know it is asking a lot with me leaving, so I could still take you or ask Monica if I could bring an extra guest.” Derrick was afraid she said yes because she thought she had to with how quickly she responded. “Oh god Daddy, you have to take her. I don’t need to go, I would only get in the way. Right Nana?” The elder Connors looked back at her granddaughter. “Candace honey, my son is a grown man and I have no place meddling in his romantic life.” Derrick looked over at his mother, surprised she wasn’t willing to mettle in anything let alone in his life. “Mom I’m sur…” Derrick’s words faded as his mother started talking like he hadn’t said anything. “She seems like a level headed woman, though I do have to ask if she is a Catholic like us?” Derrick hadn’t really discussed religion with her, but considering the necklace she got the girls he knew she at least semi-religious. “You know we haven't…” His mother talked over him again before he could answer. “It is really none of my business, but I would hope she attends service.” Giving his mother the side eye Derrick let out a sigh. “Mom, I thought you weren’t going to mettle?” Edna touched her hand to her chest and gave her son an affronted look. “I wouldn’t, I’m not and I don’t appreciate the accusation young man.” Candi giggled at the exchange. “Nana, how about when you come we can all go to church together.” Edna nodded her head at the idea “Do you know if Bailey has been baptized sweetheart?” Candi shrugged her shoulders and made eye contact briefly with her father in the rearview mirror. “If the Connors and the Bests became one family we would have to find a church we all like.” Derrick sighed again, he didn’t regularly attend service like his Mother a point she liked to bring up. But right now he let it go, it seemed like he got the answer he wanted from his daughter and was glad to have it.