When we returned to the car I hung their gowns in back and helped my girls into the car.

    "Sooooo, when we get home, it will be time for us to get ready for dinner, but I also have a suprise for you both. We are going to be meeting my parents for a fancy dinner at our family's hotel. After dinner, we will be staying the night in the penthouse suite. There is a hot tub, and a private pool, so I recommend you both bring your new bathing suits. Our housekeeper has already started packing your bags, you'd just have to add anything extra you may want to bring," I smiled.

     We returned to the manor and we hurried upstairs to get ready. The girls ran to the room I shared with Tabitha and I knew that I would probably need to use a guest bathroom so that they would have the space they needed. I gathered the suit I had laid out on the bed before we left that morning.

     "I'll head to the guest bathroom so you two can have the room to get ready," I smiled kissing Clarissa on top of her head and Tabitha on her lips.

     When I pulled away from Tabitha Clarissa was staring at us. "That's still gross, but you make Tabby smile," she spoke annoyed and I chucked.

     "Just remember little one, some day when you find someone you love you can get us back by crossing us out," I laughed.

     "It's true," Tabitha blushed. "And as long as you are happy and they treat you well, we will be so happy for you."

     "I love you," Clarissa spoke hugging Tabitha. "And you too," she added rushing to hug me. My heart swelled in my chest and I picked her up and swung her in the air. "Sometimes I wish you guys were my parents."

     "I love you too. I would never try to force you to care about me, or to try to replace your father. He may not have been a good man, but I know there are still happy memories of him in your heart too. But maybe one day you can see me as a step father, or even a weird uncle or brother in law. I'd take any space in your heart you would be willing to share with me," I spoke into her hair as I hugged her tightly.

    "I already do, Alex. You love us and gave us a home. I don't mean the building we live in, I mean in here," she said pointing to her heart.

     As I looked up at Tabitha while hugging Clarissa, tears streamed down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them, but I could see she was just as touched as I was.

     "Thank you," she mouthed to me.

     "Thank you," I mouthed back. I gently set Clarissa down, hiding back my own tears.

     "Now," I cleared my throat. "We must get ready. You two can have the room, I'll change in the guest room. I'll see you both downstairs in 30 minutes," I smiled leaving the room.