Author’s Note: I wasn’t planning on doing a fic for Father’s Day, but after @enmchoices strongly suggested it the other day this idea popped in my head and I just went with it. I also got an anonymous fic request the other day for a tickle fight between Drake and Emma, and this presented the perfect opportunity to fulfill that.
I hope you enjoy this funny little fluffy piece for Father’s Day, highlighting the true nature of parenting. Thanks for reading! 😘
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“Mmmm … good morning Daddy.” Emma whispered in a sleepy yet sultry voice as she curled up against Drake’s side and laid her head on his chest.
“Morning Mommy.” He placed a soft kiss to her brow and pulled her tighter. “Wait, did we really just wake up on our own …”
Emma chuckled. “I think we did … are you thinking what I’m thinking?” She quirked her eyebrow at him suggestively.
He smiled at her, understanding exactly what she was implying.
“Sleep!” They exhaled simultaneously, giggling to themselves as they snuggled into bed tighter. And the sound of pure blissful silence lulled them back towards dreamland …
Pat pat pat pat. Drake’s eyes shot open as he heard the impending sound of- “Mommy! Daddy!” Little Jackson called from their doorway. “I’m awake!” The three-year-old announced proudly with a flourish of his caped super hero pajamas.
“Ugh … good morning Jacks …” Drake responded, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as Emma stirred beside him. Pat pat pat pat. He felt the bed dip on his side as Jackson crawled into bed and kneed him directly in his- “Ooof!” – daddy bits. He cupped himself in a belated protection attempt as his son wriggled in between in his parents. ”Jacks, easy Little Man. Mommy and I are just waking up.”
”But it’s time to wake up! It’s Father’s Day!” The little boy squealed enthusiastically.
Drake feigned surprise as he picked his son up and hugged him fiercely. “That’s right, it is! Does that mean Daddy can do whatever he wants today?” He tickled Jackson, causing him to wiggle and gasp for breath between laughs.
“Hey, I wanted to wake him up Jacks!!!” Harper pouted from the foot of the bed.
“Don’t worry, Baby Girl, I’m not fully awake yet. Get in here!” Drake motioned to his five-year-old daughter, patting the two inches of empty space between him and Jackson. She didn’t hesitate as she climbed up and pounced on top of her father.
“Oh wow, this bed got a whole lot smaller all of the sudden!” Emma snickered as she slipped out of bed and waltzed towards the bathroom. She glanced back over her shoulder affectionately at her family snuggled up in her bed before stepping inside.
“So Daddy, what do you want to do today?” Harper beamed affectionately at her father.
“Hmmm … well, let’s see … I think we start with a big breakfast and then have a lazy day watching cartoons and movies-“
“Don’t forget we have the Father’s Day brunch and pool party at the palace.” Emma peeked around the corner from the bathroom, toothbrush sticking out of her mouth as she paused her brushing to speak. “I promised Olivia we wouldn’t leave her and Liam alone with all the boring noble families.”
“Riiiigghhhhttt …” Drake’s heart sank a little as he remembered their obligation. “I forgot about that.” He turned back to his children, who waited expectantly for his plan. “Sorry guys, no lazy day … but we get to go see your aunt and uncle at the palace and play in the pool. That sounds like fun, doesn’t it?” He almost convinced himself.
“YAYYYYY!!!” They both cried, jumping on the bed. Drake shook his head in a vain attempt to drown out the loud eruption around him.
“Okay, okay! Let’s give your mom some privacy while she gets ready. Who wants to help Daddy make the coffee?” Both children paused their trampoline act and gave him sour expressions.
“Coffee is yucky, Daddy.” Harper rolled her eyes in his direction before her face lit up at a realization. ”But we can go open your cards!” She grabbed his hands and started pulling his upper body off the bed towards the door while Jackson tried pushing his shoulder from the opposite angle.
Emma watched in amusement from the bathroom door as her children dragged her husband out the door and towards the kitchen. “You guys make sure your Daddy gets that coffee!” She called jovially. “I don’t want a grumpy father on Father’s Day!”
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About three courses, two pitchers of mimosas and five hours later, Drake finally approached the lush lounge chair underneath the shaded canopy near the pool with a beer in hand. He laid out his towel and kicked off his sandals before plopping down and sprawling out with a large sigh. He popped the top off his drink and brought it to his lips when-
“Oh Drake, I’m so glad you guys decided to come!” A very pregnant Olivia waddled over to him and sat down on chaise next to him. “I know how you like to keep these holidays very private and low-key, but I know it means so much to Liam … and, well, to me too … that you are here!” She beamed down at him from under her large straw hat, a huge grin spread across her face. Drake still had a hard time grasping the concept of this giddy version of Olivia sitting in front of him, but after two years of her being married to his best friend he supposed he should learn to accept it.
“Of course Olivia. We’re always happy to come visit you guys.” He replied honestly, with maybe a hint of annoyance hidden in his undertone.
“I know, I know … and normally it wouldn’t be such a big deal, but seeing as this is Liam’s first official … or almost official … Father’s Day, it really does mean so much to us!” The redhead placed a hand on his wrist and tipped her head to the side. She had a sentimental look in her eyes, along with … wait, were those tears? What the hell was happening here?!?!?
“Oh Darling, there you are!” Liam came up behind his wife and placed his hands on her shoulders, leaning down to place a swift kiss to her lips. “Your aunt just arrived with a rather large package … I’m thinking it’s something for the baby. She was looking for you.”
“Oh, right! I’ll go greet her.” She did her best attempt to jump off of the chair, which more closely resembled a slow rocking motion. “Sorry Drake, I’ve got to go. I’m sure Liam can keep you good company.” She placed a peck to Liam’s cheek before scuttling off towards the palace. Liam watched her walk away before exhaling a rather dramatic sigh and flopping himself on the lounger besides Drake.
“So is her aunt really here?” Drake asked sarcastically.
“No, but you looked like you needed rescuing … “ Liam smirked at his friend. “Consider it my Father’s Day gift to you. You’re welcome, by the way.” Drake laughed as his friend reached over to punch him in the shoulder playfully. “I don’t know how you do it, Brother. That woman has had me on a roller-coaster ride of her emotions for the past eight months. Our baby isn’t even here yet and I’m already exhausted.”
“Well you did marry Olivia, so what did you expect?” Drake chuckled when Liam cut his eyes towards him, then shook his head in submission. “Honestly, it’s exhausting … but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it. Of course, I’m not going to pass up a moment of peace when I get it.” He raised his bottle in the air in a ‘cheers’ to his friend before pressing it to his lips and taking a long swig.
Sop sop sop. “Daddy, daddy!!!” A very soggy Jackson squished himself onto the chair next to his father, gushing water from his floaties as he settled in. “Daddy, come swim with me!”
“Alright Little Man, I’m coming … “ Drake ushered his dripping son off the now-damp lounger and took another drink of his beer before setting it down. He turned to look at Liam as he stood up to follow Jacks. “Like I said, Your Majesty, take your moments of peace whenever you get them … no matter how short-lived they are.”
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Drake was draped across the couch enjoying a particularly riveting episode of the Deadliest Catch when Emma tip-toed into the media room. ”I think I finally got Jacks down!” She whispered triumphantly, waving her crossed fingers in the air as she nestled in beside him. She tucked her arms around his waist and began trailing soft kisses over his jawline. “Hey Daddy, can I distract you from these rugged fishermen long enough to give you my Father’s Day present?” She whispered suggestively as she slipped one hand under his t-shirt and into the waistband of his pajamas.
“Em, I’m kinda enjoying” … his breathed hitched as she tickled a finger along the seam of his boxer briefs, “this show right now. Can we take a … ohhhh …” His voice dropped to a low growl as Emma submerged her entire hand into his garment and cupped him firmly. He swiftly gripped her by both arms and flipped her to the couch, pinning her beneath him. “Okay, now you’re gonna get it Mrs. Walker!” He wiggled his fingers against her sides as she writhed underneath him, giggling against his shoulder as he tickled her. As the giggles stopped, he pressed his lips against hers and she moaned softly, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Mommy, Daddy? Are you having a tickle fight?” Jackson stood observing innocently in the doorway. “Can I play too?” He scurried over to the couch just as his older sister appeared in the doorway behind him.
“Mom, I can’t sleep … Can we watch Moana?” Harper whined, following her brother to settle in on the sofa between her parents.
A half hour later, two sleeping children laid with their cheeks pressed into Drake’s chest as the melody of Maui’s ‘You’re Welcome’ played through the speakers. The father was having a hard time keeping his own eyes open when he felt a hand envelop his and looked over to find Emma smiling at him over Harper’s head.
“I know it wasn’t exactly what you wanted, but did you have a good Father’s Day?” She asked apologetically.
Drake chuckled as he looked between his two children asleep on him and then back to his beautiful wife. His heart swelled as the notes of the Disney chorus crescendoed in the room and he squeezed her hand in response. “Yes Em … it was a perfect Father’s Day.”
END