One year later…
Dan cradled the baby in his arms, his heart full with an indescribable joy. The little bundle of joy in his arms squirmed and cooed softly, his eyes still tightly closed in innocent slumber.
Warren stood beside him, looking down at their child with an expression of pure love and awe. He reached out and gently touched their son's tiny fingers, his touch filled with tenderness.
"He's growing so fast," Dan said softly, a note of wonder in his voice. The baby's face crumpled for a moment, as if he could sense the adults' conversation. Then, his little mouth opened in a yawn, revealing tiny pearl-like teeth.
Warren chuckled softly, watching their son with a look of pure adoration. "He has your eyes, you know," he said, nudging Dan gently.
Dan's heart skipped a beat at the comment, his eyes widening a fraction. He knew it was true; every time he looked into the baby's eyes, he saw glimpses of his own gaze staring back. It was both strange and wonderful to see a piece of himself in his child.
Dan looked up at Warren, a mix of surprise and emotion on his face. "And he has your hair," he replied with a smile.
"And your stubbornness," Warren added with a wry grin.
Dan rolled his eyes playfully, even as his heart warmed at the familiar banter. "Well, he certainly doesn't get that from you, does he?" he shot back, a hint of challenge in his tone.
Warren laughed, a carefree, happy sound that echoed through the room. "No, he takes after me in all the important ways," he declared, winking at Dan.
The baby in Dan's arms suddenly squirmed again, a small, indignant cry escaping his tiny lips. Dan looked down at the baby and chuckled. "Well, he's certainly taking after you with the crying," he teased, gently rocking the baby to soothe him.
"What can I say? My charm is just that potent," Warren replied with a cheeky grin, clearly enjoying their banter.
Dan rolled his eyes again, but he couldn't help but smile. "You're ridiculous," he muttered, though there was no heat behind his words.
Warren chuckled and leaned in closer, his eyes dancing with a familiar hint of mischief. "And you love it," he teased, ducking his head to press a quick kiss to the top of Dan's head.
Dan playfully swatted at Warren, but his expression softened as he felt the gentle press of Warren's lips against his head. "Oh, hush," he replied, but there was no hiding the affection in his voice.
The baby chose that moment to let out another louder cry, interrupting their banter. Dan quickly shifted his attention to their son, trying to soothe him with gentle rocking and soft murmurs.
Warren watched as Dan effortlessly shifted into fatherly mode, his heart swelling with love and admiration. He leaned over, placing a comforting hand on Dan's shoulder.
"Need any help?" he asked, genuine concern etched on his face.
Dan glanced over at Warren and managed a small smile. "I've got this," he reassured, though it was obvious the crying was beginning to take its toll on him.
The baby was still fussing, his tiny face scrunching up in distress. Dan continued rocking him and shushing him gently, his exhaustion starting to show in the weariness of his expression.
"Don't cry, Derrick. Mama's here." Dan muttered and gave baby Derrick a kiss on the cheek.
The baby's cries turned into soft whimpers, his little face scrunching up in frustration one last time before slowly relaxing.
Warren chuckled softly. "Looks like mommy got the magic touch."
Dan rolled his eyes playfully. "It's called parenting," he replied dryly, but there was no denying the pride in his voice.
As the baby quieted down, Warren wrapped his arm around Dan's shoulders, tugging him closer. "You're doing great, you know," he murmured, his voice low and sincere.
Dan leaned into Warren's touch, the exhaustion of the day weighing heavily on him. "I'm just trying to keep up with him," he responded with a tired smile.
Warren chuckled and pulled Dan closer, his embrace warm and protective. "You're doing a lot more than just keeping up. You're a natural at this," he said, his voice filled with adoration.
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Derrick is now 7 months old, his tiny features slowly became more defined, revealing a clear mix of both of his parents. His eyes, a deep shade of azure, held an eerily similar resemblance to Warren's gaze. His soft black hair, just like Dan's.
The little boy had also begun to show signs of his werewolf heritage.
One day, Dan and Warren decided to take Derrick to a local playground. The summer sun shining brightly in the clear blue sky, the warm air filled with laughter and the sound of children playing.
As they entered the park, Derrick's eyes widened with curiosity, taking in the colorful sights and sounds. He clung to his father's hand, his little fingers gripping tightly, a mix of excitement and nervousness filling him.
Warren knelt down to Derrick's level, brushing a strand of his black hair away from his forehead. "Are you ready to play, buddy?" he asked.
Derrick's response was to let out a soft babble, his tiny hands reaching out to pat his father's face. Warren chuckled, gently capturing the little hands in his own.
"I'll take that as a yes," he said, standing up and looking at Dan with a warm smile.
Dan returned the smile, his eyes full of admiration as he watched Warren interact with their son. "He's gonna have a blast," he said, his voice filled with warmth.
Warren nodded, his gaze shifting back to Derrick, who was now squirming excitedly in his arms. "He's been eager to explore, haven't you, champ?" he said, lifting Derrick up higher and earning a cheerful giggle from the little one.
As they approached the playground, Derrick's eyes grew wide with wonder. The colorful slides, swings, and climbing structures excited the boy, and he babbled even more, his tiny legs kicking excitedly.
Warren gently set him down on the ground, and for a moment, Derrick just stood there, taking in the unfamiliar sights around him. He looked up at his parents, his eyes a mixture of curiosity and a hint of uncertainty.
Dan knelt down next to him, gently grabbing his hand. "It's okay, Derrick. You can explore," he encouraged.
Derrick seemed to take his father's words to heart, and with a newfound determination, he started to take tentative steps forward. His legs wobbled a bit, but he kept going, his eyes darting from one colorful structure to the next.