Papa Bear

Nervous energy filled me as I took the steps up to Emma’s porch. I spent a good hour getting ready. Most of that was my hair. I made the mistake of getting a haircut before my shower and spent way too much time trying to reproduce the look. I think the end result was good though. Even borrowed some of Dad’s cologne. I felt like a million bucks and certainly smelled like several hundred. Dad didn’t cheap out on the cologne.

With a breath and a quick check of the front of me, I rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, I heard a series of thumps from inside. The door swung open and I was treated to Emily’s excited face.

“Isaac!” Her eyes did a quick pass over me before giving me a thumbs up. “Come on in!” She closed the door behind me. “Emma’s still getting ready.”

“Okay. How are you doing?”

She shrugged. “I wouldn’t be too concerned with me. Papa Bear is home. Now, don’t make direct eye contact. That only enrages him. Stand tall, but not too tall. Don’t want to make him think you are challenging his authority.” She snickered, barely keeping it together. “And if he does charge you, fetal position and pray he gets bored of you before he—”

“Girl! What are you telling the poor boy?”

Holy hell. I knew from the pictures he was a big man, but standing there. He must have been somewhere around six-five, but that wasn’t the striking part. He was built… big. Broad shoulders, long arms. The only reason I wasn’t completely quaking in fear was the warm smile. It was the kind that reached the eyes.

“Names Stefan,” he said offering his hand. He had a hint of an accent, but I couldn't place it. Probably one of the Nordic countries, which made sense considering his general appearance.

It dwarfed mine when I took it. “I—” I cleared my throat. Fuck. Pull it together. “Isaac.”

He took a breath, giving me a look over. “So you’re the Isaac I’ve been hearing about. Nice to finally meet you.” He transitioned smoothly into asking about the ‘big plans’ tonight. I told him the restaurant I was taking Emma to and his eyes widened.

“Pricey place for a first date.”

“It may be the first date, but it’s not like we are going out for the first time. I wanted something different than the usual places we went to. I wanted to treat my girlfriend to something nice.”

Emily’s eyes went wide.

“Girlfriend?” he said, tone shifting. I blinked. Did I say something wrong? His hand ran along his blond beard. “Don’t you think that’s a bit premature?”

“Um…”

“I may have neglected to mention we were dating.” Thank fuck Emma arrived. Turning, I did a double-take. Holy— I don’t know what hit me harder, how stunning she was, or that she had dressed up for me. Her smile was radiant. “Worth it.”

“How long?” Emily asked.

“A few weeks now.”

“And I’m just hearing about this?”

“Dad…” Moving up beside me, she naturally slid her arm in mine. Oh wow. She was using new perfume. It was softer than her previous one. Subtle but no less potent. “Meet my boyfriend, Isaac.”

He looked from Emma to me, then back to Emma. He sighed. “You girls, I swear. You get me all excited you’re finally going out with a boy, only to crush me that you’re already dating. Where is the chance to see romance blossoming? Where is my little girl asking me for relationship advice? The fluster that comes from the first date!” He gave a convincing pout. “You are ruining this for me, Emma!”

Well, I knew where she got her acting chops from.

She huffed, clearly used to his antics.

“Don’t worry, Papa Bear! You still have me.”

Turning to his youngest, he placed his massive hands on her shoulders. It was almost comical. “I place my faith in you, Little Cub.” He gave Emma the stink eye. “I have been betrayed and abandoned by my eldest. Only you can mend the hole in my heart.”

“Aaand that’s our cue to leave,” Emma said as she pulled me after her. “Bye, Dad!”

“You see! She doesn’t even call me Papa Bear anymore! Lost to me! Foreverrr!”

Shaking her head, Emma quickened her pace. I could hear laughter behind us as he called out for us to have fun.

“He was not at all as I was expecting.”

“What were you expecting?”

“Tough? One of those no-nonsense sorts of guys. He’s a detective, right?”

She nodded. “Yeah, but he does computer stuff, not homicide or narcotics.” She smiled, tightening her grip on my arm. “But you survived the first meeting with Papa Bear! How does it feel?”

“Like I stared **** in the face and it passed me by.”

Giggling, she pulled me toward my car. “Okay, Mr. Dramatic. Come on. I can’t wait to see where you’re taking me.”