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Tossing everything into the baking dish, Jackson was putting the pan in the oven when he heard Destiny say that she was done with her lines. Knowing that Eli was with them, Jackson took a few more moments to clean up the mess he made so there wouldn’t be as much to do when they were done eating.

He wasn’t sure what the girls would want to do for the last night of their weekend. Jackson was thrilled they had this time together and hoped to have many more nights in the future, this was just a small taste of what could be their new forever. If this weekend taught him anything, it’s that these girls were meant to be theirs.

“Thank you girls. Do you understand why you had to do lines?” He asked after rejoining them in the dining nook.

“Yes Papa” they both chimed simultaneously.

“Good girls! We want the best for you and if that means we say to lay down and rest it’s because it’s good for you. Now, how about for the rest of the night we snuggle on the couch and watch a movie. I think we could persuade Pops into watchingThe Jungle Book.”

Jackson watches both girls turn to Eli with puppy eyes and their hands clasped together pleading with him. “Okay, okay, fine. We can watchThe Jungle Book, but only if there’s popcorn involved.”

The squeals from their cubs could be heard miles away. Jackson went back to the kitchen to start the popcorn, all the while listening to the debate about howThe Jungle Bookwas the greatest movie of all time.

As the credits rolled, Jackson glanced down at the sleeping Littles snuggled between them.

“This is going to be our new forever, Jackson.”

“I can’t wait.” He responded back, holding back the emotion in his voice.

“I’ll grab Jessa while you grab Destiny. Thankfully they are already in their nightgowns so this should be an easy process.” Eli said as he slowly shifted his position in order to lift Jessa in his arms.

Jackson followed suit and picked Destiny up gently and headed down the hallway to their room. Pulling back the covers, he laid her down and placed her stuffie in her hands.

Flicking on the nightlight, they headed out of their room pulling the door quietly closed.

“I’m not ready for them to go home tomorrow.” Jackson admitted as he stripped off his clothes from the day.

“Me neither Pup, but it’s not like we can ask them to move in.”

“Why not? Who cares what others think.”

“It’s not about what others think of the situation, Jackson. They deserve a chance to have a true college experience and we would be heartless to take that from them.”

Jackson knew he was right. It would be unfair to ask them to give up their whole college life just because they couldn’t get over not having them in their home and bed every night.

Eli walked over to where he stood, pulling him in for a kiss. “I know the best way to get your mind off this and lift your spirits.”

Jackson’s heart raced knowing where his husband's thoughts were headed. “What do you have in mind, Sir?” He asked, bowing his head in submission.

“Go get the toy chest from the closet and kneel on the bed.”

Jackson turned and did exactly what was asked. There was no way he would give Eli any reason to delay his gratification tonight.

Startled awake,Jackson glanced at the Little girl who had poked him in the side. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, he noticed it was three in the morning.

It hadn’t been long since he fell asleep. Eli made sure to wear him out enough that he could relax and pass out. Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he once again looked at Destiny as she kneeled beside the bed.

“Papa, can I come sleep with you? I had a bad dream and I’m scared.”

Jackson’s heart broke at the meek voice of his, Little Wolf. He knew that the dream had to be extremely bad if she was coming in here for snuggles instead of crawling into bed with Jessa.

Pushing further back into the bed, Jackson bit back a groan. Willing his body to calm down at the feeling of Eli nestled between cheeks, this wasn’t the time for his body to decide to react. His Little girl needed him and he would do anything to keep her safe.

Pulling back the covers just enough for her to slide inside, Jackson settled his arm around her waist. Leaning forward he pressed a chase kiss against her head, falling back asleep being surrounded by a small part of his world.

When Jackson woke a few hours later, his back was cold indicating that it had been awhile since Eli had got out of bed. A feather-like touch traced up and down his arm, looking down he saw Destiny lying quietly just stroking his arm in a daze.

Reaching a hand towards her chin, Jackson tilted her head back pressing a kiss to her lips. He only meant for the kiss to last a moment, but Destiny had other plans. Rolling her slightly towards him, Jackson deepened the kiss before pulling away.