The Lyon's Cub Caitlin (Lyon The Next Generation 1)

“Kid, gimme the key and head out.” I realized that he was nervous about this change in their usual routine. “You can let the other kids take the bus. I told the team to give you some space, don’t make me regret it.” I was getting choked up. This was too much. First calling me son in law and now allowing me to pick her up, just her, no siblings no buffer.

“Thank you!” I looked into his eyes to let him know that that was more than just a thank you; it was huge. We headed out after another round of goodbyes and instructions for the women not to leave the house unless they let the men know and Davey was already on baby duty.

I got to the school just as the bell began to ring and stood next to the Ranger as I waited for her to come out. Catalina was there first, then Caitlin. I love the way her face lit up as soon as she saw me and the way she hunched her shoulders shyly when one of her girls said something to her, probably about me.

We watched her siblings get on the bus before getting into the Ranger. “I wanted to take you to the house to see what they’ve done to it, but your dad and the guys are over there now, I’ll take you another time.”

“Why can’t we go now?”

“Did you miss the part where I said your dad took the guys over there? You don’t need to be there.”

“Gosh you sound just like daddy, he makes mom nuts with that. It’s a wonder he ever lets her out of the house with that caveman mentality.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

I didn’t mention that that Davey douche was at her house because I didn’t want to make him an issue. Her cousin hadn’t come over the day before because of the hospital run so who knows if he’s still on the prowl.

“How was school, anything happen?”

“You mean Brian? I didn’t even see him all day, I don’t think he was there today.”

“Okay, did you take care of what you needed to for prom?”

“Mom already paid for prom, I just had to RSVP and I did. It’s going to be at that swanky hotel in town. It’s too late for me to be on the prom committee which is fine though, means less work for me.”

She scooted over as close as she could and put her head on my shoulder. “Wanna come with me to pick out my tux?”

“Sure!”

“Let’s take you home first and tell your mom and dad.”’

“Or we can just call them.” She took out her phone.

“Put that away we’re almost there.” She still doesn’t get it. Not one foot wrong or it’ll be like a game of cards. I’m making pretty good progress here and will by no means fuck that up.

I was surprised to see that the men were back already. What the heck did they do that only took them half an hour?

Inside everyone was still downstairs when we walked in and I saw Colton’s look of surprise when we walked in on time.

“Hi everyone, daddy, can I go with Todd to rent a tux?”

“Nope!” Mancini answered as he stood up. I started to step in at the crestfallen look on her face.

“We don’t rent tuxedos boy, we buy them.”

“Ah shit, shopping trip.” Tyler rubbed his hands together.

“Don’t be a girl Ty.”

“Hey bitch made number one who you calling a girl?” He threw a grape at Connor. I’m amazed at all the differing levels to these guys. Sometimes I freak out inside wondering if I’ll ever be as good as them at life.

“Sorry babe, how about we go for ice cream later huh?” Her eyes lit up and she ran upstairs to shower. I went in search of Davey. “You’re coming with us.” I caught my father in law shaking his head in the doorway but he didn’t say anything. I didn’t feel bad either, shit; he’d have done the same thing.

We had a blast. I didn’t know shopping with grown men could be so much fun, oh crap, they were like little boys, touching everything, commenting on everything, it was nuts. If the women were there they would’ve probably been scolding them every few seconds, especially Tyler who was always messing with something, unreal.

They did get serious when it came time to pick out the tux though. “Caitie wants me to get the color that matches her dress.” I waved my hand up and down from my neck to my waist. I knew he remembered every detail of that dress when he chose the perfect color tie and cummerbund. Damn, what a father.

That night her mom insisted that I stay for dinner. “In fact you should have dinner here with us every evening. Your poor mother must be worried to death that you’d starve.” I waited for her husband to nix that idea but he didn’t say a thing.