Donovan made sure everything was perfect before his boys showed up.

More so, he wanted to count on Delilah being comfortable with the situation.

She seemed so, but she was a giver and not a taker so it was hard to say.

“I’m sure you’re alright with having a little competition in the kitchen,” Delilah mused, “It’s fun, right? Food does comfort me.”

“Mushrooms and meatballs?” Donovan grinned.

“Mushrooms and meatballs,” Delilah said as they prepared their meals.

“That smells damn good!”

Donovan sniffed the air, taking in not only the aroma of Delilah’s cooking, but the way she moved gracefully throughout his kitchen.

“I know I said food comforts me,” Delilah said, placing her egg noodles in the colander, “But so does being here with you.”

Donovan embraced that. He was not expecting Delilah to feel these deep emotions for him, but he sure was falling fast for her.

“Do I look alright?” Delilah asked as they sat on the patio drinking lemonade, “I mean, I don’t want to look like a foot or anything.”

Donovan laughed,“Well, you’d be the most beautiful foot, but I’m not sure if that’s the answer you’re looking for. You look amazing, my queen.”

They talked a little bit more before the doorbell rang and Delilah’s heart skipped a few beats.

This was just as nerve wracking as when she met Donovan merely two weeks before.

“Hey hey hey, daddy-o!”

Bryce walked in first, a splitting image of his father in Donovan’s youth, wearing a huge smile as he hugged his dad, but looked passed him to Delilah.

“Hello there..” Bryce stepped aside and took Delilah’s hand, “So, you’re the reason my dad isn’t answering his phone. I don’t blame him.”

He smiled and shook her hand, but leaned in for a side hug which Delilah thought was sweet.

Delilah blushed as Donovan rolled his eyes, smiling.

Jason was next, hugging his dad and stepping away to follow in Bryce’s footsteps.

Cooper was last, holding a bouquet of flowers.

“Boys, this is Delilah. Delilah, my boys!” Donovan introduced them again, feeling pride in his upbringing of such gentlemen.

“It’s nice to meet you, Delilah,” Cooper handed over the flowers as Delilah beamed from ear to ear.

“Oh, thank you so much and it’s such a treat to meet you all. Your father has spoken so fondly of you.”

Jason laughed,“Every good he says is spot on. Anything else is debatable. We’re angels.”

Cooper chuckled while Bryce grinned mischievously at her, giving a wink that could have outshined his dad’s.

“What smells so good?” Jason sniffed the air.

“Probably Delilah’s cooking,” Donovan said, escorting them into the kitchen, “We’ve got two dishes to feed your growing selves so I hope you brought an appetite.”

Cooper smiled,“Have you ever known us not to have an appetite?”

Delilah laughed, her nerves suddenly dissipating as the boys made her feel welcomed.

Donovan and Melanie sure did a great job with them and it showed.

“Of course,, Dad’s Shepherd’s Pie!” Bryce’s eyes widened as he looked at the casserole dish with the Yumsetti, “Oh, if there are leftovers, I’ve got dibs because I’m the oldest!”

Cooper pushed him gently.

“I’m the youngest so I get dibs,” he joked, “Forget about Jason. The two of us will take all of it home right now.”

Delilah smiled as she began to dish out the food, but Bryce stopped her.

“You sit and enjoy your weekend, Miss Delilah,” Bryce told her,“We’ll get our plates and yours and Dad’s.”

“But you don’t have to do that,” Delilah said as Donovan took her hand and led her to the table, “I truly appreciate it, though.”

Donovan winked at Bryce, knowing the boys had wanted their dad to find someone to settle down with eventually.

Once seated, Delilah and Donovan spoke a little bit about their evening plans before Bryce appeared with two plates, heavily topped with food.

He set a plate down in front of Delilah and the other in front of Donovan and went back to get his plate.

“Your boys are so sweet,” Delilah whispered, “You did a great job.”

While in the kitchen, Cooper filled up his plate and eyed Jason.

“What do you think?”

Jason shrugged, “She’s pretty.”

“What do you really think?”

Bryce smiled, “I think Dad is completely consumed by her and I can see why. Also, she isn’t like any of the other women. Remember that lady who hit on me all night?”

“Well, you do look a lot like Dad and that’s who she was fucking,” Jason teased, “I think this one’s different.”

Cooper nodded, “She’s pretty patient and sincere. The way Dad looks at her… man, that’s something I haven’t seen since we were kids.”

Bryce agreed, “Yep. He used to look at Mom the same way until shit fell apart.”

“Yeah, but that’s on Mom. I love her, but she wanted a different lifestyle than Dad did. Hell, she’s not even quitting the community, but we’ve supported them anyway. Not Bryce becoming a dominant over here and not telling Dad, though!”

Bryce chuckled, “I’m old enough to do what I want with whom I want, but this isn’t about me. I want Mom and Dad happy and I think with Mom married now and Dad looking, Delilah might be the end game.”

“Come on,” Cooper said, “They’re gonna think we really did take off with the food.”