Chapter 5

The elementary school's family day was an exercise in organized chaos.

Rafe arrived first, a color-coded folder in hand-pressed khakis and a button-down that looked like he'd just stepped out of a catalog. JJ rolled up moments later, board shorts traded for clean jeans, his casual charm perfectly balanced with Rafe's structured approach.

"We're early," Rafe announced.

JJ grinned. "That's your definition of early. I call this perfectly timed."

Lily's second-grade teacher, Mrs. Rodes, watched their interaction with barely concealed amusement. Parents always assumed she didn't notice the dynamics between co-parents.

Students decorated the classroom with family tree projects. Some had traditional mom-and-dad setups. Lily's? A colorful, chaotic masterpiece that included not just JJ and Rafe, but Pope, Sarah, Wheezie, and what appeared to be their entire extended Outer Banks family.

"That's us," JJ pointed out, "Looking like a beautiful mess."

Rafe's finger traced the carefully drawn stick figures. "She didn't miss anyone."

Parents around them started whispering. Two impossibly attractive men, clearly together but not wearing rings, coordinating like they'd been married for years.

Lily bounced up, wearing a costume that was half pirate, half unicorn–a perfect representation of her two dads' combined styling.

"Did you see my project?" she asked, vibrating with excitement.

JJ swept her up. Rafe adjusted her costume.

Perfectly synchronized. Completely in love – though neither would admit it yet.

Lily's presentation was nothing short of a performance.

"This is MY family!" she announced to her second-grade class, her costume a wild mix of JJ's surfer aesthetic and Rafe's preppy style. "I have TWO dads!"

The other kids looked simultaneously confused and fascinated. Rafe stood rigid, hands clasped. JJ lounged with casual grace, ready to jump in at any moment.

"Papa teaches me how to surf," Lily continued, pointing dramatically. "And Daddy teaches me about organization and history!"

Mrs. Rodes bit back a laugh. The other parents exchanged looks–some confused, some amused, some slightly scandalized.

"My family is the BEST family," Lily declared, her tone leaving no room for argument.

JJ winked at Rafe. Rafe rolled his eyes, but there was a softness there. A shared moment of pure parental pride.

When Lily finished, she ran between them, hugging both simultaneously.

"We're not a traditional family," she told her classmates. "We're better."

The classroom erupted in questions. JJ and Rafe exchanged a look that said, "We are SO not prepared for this.

The question-and-answer session was chaos.

"How can you BOTH be her dad?" one kid asked, genuinely perplexed.

Lily stepped forward. "Love isn't about how many parents you have. It's about how much they love you."

JJ looked like he might tear up. Rafe cleared his throat, trying to maintain composure.

Another parent's kid raised their hand. "Are you married?"

Before JJ or Rafe could answer, Lily interjected. "They're married. They just don't have rings yet."

Ms. Rodes was struggling not to laugh. The other parents looked simultaneously confused and fascinated by the unconventional family standing before them.

"Daddy does ALL the planning," Lily continued, pointing to Rafe and then JJ, "and Papa does ALL the fun stuff!"

JJ leaned into Rafe. "She's not wrong."

Rafe nudged him back, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Their synchronized movement didn't go unnoticed. The parents exchanged knowing looks.

Lily's presentation was less about a traditional family project and more about celebrating their perfectly imperfect love.