A.N.- I know this is late, but my laptop has been broken and today is the first time it's turned on in 2 weeks. Sorry this isn't that great of writing, buuuuuut it's something

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                "Daddy, c'mon! Let's find Shane!" Mitch said, tugging Jasper Marion down the hallway.

It was the elementary school's father's day picnic today, and Jasper had decided to bring Mitch along since he didn't have preschool today. Jasper led Mitch to the Shane's classroom, where fathers were greeting their children.

"Daddy!" Shane cried, running over and hugging Jasper.

"Hi Shane," Jasper said with a smile, hugging him back.

He followed the fathers and children outside, where Shane's teacher had arranged a small picnic. Some kids had grandfathers or uncles accompanying them.

Jasper noticed Jace Butler, sitting slightly away from everyone. He looked horribly sad and lonely, hugging his knees and fighting back tears as he stared at the ground. Jasper knew Jace's grandfather had supposed to come, but his car had broken down on the way and he wasn't able to make it.

"Wait right here, Shane. Make sure your brother doesn't wander off," Jasper said, releasing the boys and going over to Jace. It was Jace's first father's day without Cameron.

As he got closer, he could see the light tremble of Jace's body, and his heart broke at the sight. How could Cameron put his own son through this? How could any man ever want to leave their own child? Jasper couldn't imagine leaving his boys. His love for them was overwhelming at times.

"Jace?" he said gently.

Jace looked up, hastily wiping at his eyes. "Grandpa couldn't get here," he said quietly, voice shaking like his body.

"I know. But, hey, why don't you come sit with me?" He held his hand out to Jace.

Jace hesitated before taking Jasper's hand. Jasper walked him over to Shane and Mitch, and sat down with them, keeping an arm around Jace's shoulders. Mitch climbed into Jasper's lap, and Shane snuggled against his other side.

Jasper smiled. "What better way to spend father's day than with my three favorite kids?" he said.

Jace looked up at him with big, sad eyes. He curled against Jasper and gave a shy smile, holding out a card.

"I made a card for my daddy," he said. "But he's not here. You are."

"Thank you Jace," Jasper said, taking the card from Jace. He looked down at his own two sons and hugged all three boys to himself. He would be the best father he could possibly be to all of them. He would be a father figure to Jace, and a hell of a lot better to him than Cameron had ever been. It didn't matter that Jace wasn't related to him the way Shane and Mitch were. All three of them were his sons, and he'd do the best he could to raise all of them.

***

"Happy father's day," Jace said as he came into the house.

"Thanks," Jasper said. He and Mitch were playing catch in the living rom.

"Jasper Marion! Mitchell Marion! If you break anything in the living room, it'll be the last time you ever have a father to celebrate with!" Carol said, glaring at them as she and Shane came out.

"Shut up," Mitch said, tossing the ball to Jasper.

"Don't be a rude bastard to your mother," Jasper said. "You have to listen to me. Today is my day."

"Congratulations on having unprotected sex and impregnating your wife, you get a whole day all to yourself for that accomplishment," Mitch said.

"I also had to raise you," Jasper reminded.

"You lost me multiple times," Mitch reminded.

"It's the thought that counts," Jasper said. "Besides, you always wandered off."

"Don't complain. You're the one who was begging for a second child," Carol said.

"I did. And I'm glad I did. I just want to strangle him a lot. This is why Jace is my favorite son," Jasper said.

"Oh, here Jasper," Jace said, handing him a card. "I got this for you."

"He only got you a card, Mitch and I got you a gift card to your favorite restaurant. How is he still your favorite?" Shane said.

"Because he doesn't give me his attitude," Jasper said. He hugged Jace. "Thanks for the card, Jace."

"Thanks for being my dad," Jace said, and the smile on his face was genuine.

"I'm proud of the way all my boys grew up," Jasper said, returning the smile as he eyed the grown up boys before him. He was glad he was lucky enough to be Mitch and Shane's father, and glad he had chosen to be Jace's father.