The Former Marine

It was a normal day at Derek's gym. The sun was shining outside, and inside, the atmosphere was full of energy. Stormi, at age 5, ran back and forth on the obstacle course Derek had set up especially for her, while Aire, still a toddler, watched from Kylie's lap, his eyes shining with curiosity. Derek was in the lead, showing Stormi how to jump over the small obstacles with more precision, always praising her attempts and having as much fun as she did.

Kylie was sitting back, relaxed, but there was something different about her that day. The expression on her face, although calm, showed that she had something important in mind. It was a decision she had been pondering for some time, and today seemed like the right time to tell Stormi that Derek was more than just her "fun friend" at the gym.

Stormi, sweaty from running so much, stopped next to Kylie, throwing herself on the ground with an exaggerated sigh. "Mommy, I'm tired!" she said, laughing and panting.

Kylie laughed softly, running her hand through her daughter's damp hair. "I think you've run enough for today, little one."

Stormi looked over at Derek, who was finishing up putting away some of the obstacles. "I like running with Derek. He's really cool, mommy!"

Kylie noticed the affection Stormi had for Derek, which gave her more confidence for the conversation she needed to have. She looked at Stormi, still smiling, but her expression became a little more serious. "Stormi, can I talk to you for a minute? About something important."

Stormi, always curious, stood up quickly and looked at her mother. "What's wrong, mommy?"

Derek, noticing the exchange of glances between mother and daughter, decided to give her some space. "I'm going to get you some water," he said, stepping aside discreetly to give Kylie the moment she needed.

Kylie took a deep breath, looking at Stormi fondly. She knew Stormi was smart and would understand, but it was still an important step.

"You know we've been coming to Derek's gym a lot, right?" Kylie began, her voice calm and loving.

Stormi nodded, looking at her mother carefully. "Yes, Mommy. I like it here."

Kylie smiled, comforted by her daughter's reaction. "I'm glad you like it, because I really like it too. And I actually really like Derek. He's a very special person to me."

Stormi tilted her head, processing what Kylie was saying. "What do you mean, Mommy? Like, he's your friend?"

Kylie took another deep breath, trying to find the right words. "He's more than a friend, Stormi. Derek and I are dating. He's my boyfriend."

Stormi was silent for a moment, clearly surprised by the revelation. Her big eyes blinked a few times as she tried to figure out what that meant. After a moment, she looked at Kylie and smiled. "So he'll be like… like daddy?"

Kylie smiled, but shook her head slightly. "Not really, sweetheart. Your daddy will always be your daddy, and Derek isn't here to take his place. But he cares a lot about us and wants to be there for us. He wants to be someone you and Aire can count on."

Stormi seemed to think about this for a second, and then looked over to where Derek was fiddling with some equipment. "I like Derek, Mommy. He's fun. Is he going to live with us?"

Stormi's question took Kylie by surprise, but she laughed softly, relieved at her daughter's positive response. "Not yet, Stormi. But he's going to spend a lot of time with us. I wanted you to know why he's important to me, and also why you and Aire are important to him."

Stormi smiled, satisfied with the explanation, and hugged Kylie. "Okay, Mommy. I like you and Derek."

Kylie felt incredibly relieved. She knew Stormi was young, but she also knew that her daughter had a huge heart and an incredible ability to understand things in a simple and genuine way. The fact that she had accepted her relationship with Derek so well was more than Kylie could have asked for.

Derek returned at that moment, carrying two bottles of water. He handed one to Kylie and the other to Stormi, who looked up at him with a mischievous smile.

"You and Mommy are dating," she said suddenly, with the spontaneity of a five-year-old.

Derek froze for a second, clearly taken aback by Stormi's bluntness. He looked at Kylie, who shrugged and laughed.

"I told her," Kylie said, smiling fondly.

Derek relaxed and smiled at Stormi. "Yes, we are. What do you think about that?"

Stormi took a long sip of water and looked at him thoughtfully before giving a simple answer: "I like you. You can be my friend."

Derek let out a soft laugh, relief washing over him. "I'd love to be your friend, Stormi."

After that moment, everything felt lighter. The conversation, which Kylie had anticipated as a major milestone turned into a natural, fluid moment. Derek played with Stormi a little longer while Kylie tended to Aire, who was starting to get a little sleepy.

Later, when they were all ready to leave, Stormi pulled Derek by the hand and walked alongside him to Kylie's car.

"Are you coming to dinner tonight?" she asked, as if she was already used to him being there.

Derek glanced at Kylie, who smiled back approvingly.

"I'd love to," he replied.

As they said goodbye to the gym and got into the car, Derek felt a sense of belonging he hadn't felt in a long time. It wasn't just about Kylie, but about the whole package Stormi, Aire, the family life that was somehow being built around him.

As Derek drove home later that day, he reflected on how far he had come. From dangerous missions in war zones to quiet moments in a gym with a giggling little girl and her mother, life had changed in ways he never imagined. And now, he was ready to embrace this new phase, with everything it brought.