It's still so hard to believe that my little girl, my amazing little Aubree, has a child of her own. It's even harder to believe she and Tom respected me enough to name their son after me. I've known for a while that my children are getting to the point where they don't need Daddy to chase away the Boogey Man anymore, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow.


Cass and I were both starting to realize that soon our lives would go back to the way they were before we ever had children, only our hearts would still be linked with those kids, everywhere they went. The same goes for Xander, we don't love him like our own, we love him for exactly what he is: The blood of our own. There is a piece of us inside of him and that's something pretty amazing to think. I never got to have a son of my own, watching little Xander grow up was something I looked forward to.


Though I must admit, I often miss Aubree being mine and mine alone. Sometimes I would look at the way Zack is with Nate and miss that closeness. My own child was well beyond her years in many ways, but Zack still has Nate right there, doing exactly as a child should at his age. That doesn't mean I'm not glad Aubree married and mothered, it just means I miss her.


"Getting all nostalgic on me again?" Cass asked, entering the room with a cup of coffee in her hands. "I miss her too, you know."


"It's not just her. Both of our girls are growing up and I sometimes get the empty nest feeling."


"I think it's strange that we ever had kids. Neither of us were ready for it.. And now that they're young women, I can't remember what life was like before they ever came along."


"She'll always be her mother's daughter."


"And a Daddy's girl."


I chuckled, curling up next to my wife just like we used to do when we were younger. I imagine Alex and Jack do this often, too. Just sit back and bask in their glory. We've all done a good job with our kids.


"Xander is such a handsome little boy," Cass commented, sipping on her fresh brew. "Who would have thought the Gaskarth's and Dawson's could make such a beautiful blend?"


"I mean, come on, I'm a good looking dude," I snickered, kissing her forehead. "I still vote we send them off on a honeymoon and keep Xander while they're gone."


"Don't you think we should share him with Alex and Jules?"


"Well, yeah, but they have so many grandkids now. We just have the one. I want my moment to shine."


"He's going to have you wrapped around his fingers more than the girls ever did."


"Yep, 'cause I can shake this one up and send him home."


Cassadee laughed and smacked my arm. There once was a time where we wanted a son, so Xander meant even more to us than anyone thought. He was given the gift of life from our daughter and our son-in-law. He was everything we ever dreamed a little boy in the family would be. Such a good baby, like his mother, and he was patient and calm like his dad.


I was proud. Proud of the kids, proud of my grandson, proud of my wife and proud of myself. Sure, Aubs had a baby much sooner than I would have liked, but she did it with love and compassion on her heart. She was a good daughter, a good mom and I'd like to think I'm a good dad and grandpa.


"Hey Ri? I love you."


"Oh, I love you, Mrs. Dawson."


As we laid back on the couch and I faintly heard the sound of music coming from our youngest daughter's room, I smiled against Cassadee's head and let out a sigh. Life was good.

Notes

Awhhs<3.