Days passed, seasons came and went, and before anyone knew it just a little over half a year had already passed them by. While he still had a long road to recovery ahead of him, everyone was eternally grateful that Klaus's heart was already showing signs of healing beautifully. No longer did he suffer from sleepless nights, or his seemingly endless chronic fatigue. He would forever adorn a scar boldly down the center of his chest as a permanent reminder of the hardships from his heart condition. Occasionally he would still get a tiny flutter, or a minuscule cramp, and whenever he would push himself too far physically or emotionally he would still find himself to be winded, and need to take a break and allow himself to take it easy for a little while to rest, but to him, all of that was just a small price to pay in exchange for his overall good health. His daughter still had her daddy, and Dave still had his husband.

That's right, husband. Klaus and Dave had a small wedding a little less than a month ago, as soon as Klaus's heart was well enough. It was a small ceremony; quiet, intimate and between just the two of them - and of course, Riley.

Speaking of Riley, Klaus's little princess turned three years old today, and boy, was she more of a spitfire than ever. She's got a beautiful, vivacious firecracker of a soul - just like her daddy. Every time Klaus looks into the bright pools of ocean blue within the eyes of his precious little girl he can't help but to smile. He still couldn't believe the joy that little angel brought into his life, and counts his blessings every day that he's lucky enough to wake up to her perfectly dimpled smiling face. He knows in his heart that she truly is the best thing to have ever happened to him, the most precious gift that he could have ever received.

Riley was not only beautiful on the outside, but on the inside as well, and she was such a smart and brave little girl with truly the kindest of hearts. Klaus was proud to witness how much his daughter showed a passion for everyone! She loved animals, but more than anything, she loved hugs and kisses, but her favorite person to give them to has always been, and forever would be, her daddy. Riley loved getting piggy back rides on Dave's shoulders, and playing tag or hide and seek with Klaus. At home, Riley's favorite hobbies include laying on the floor with her daddy and coloring, singing along to music, dancing with her daddy's like nobody's watching, or cuddling between Klaus and Dave on the couch during movies. She still didn't like to sleep in her own bed, but rather preferred to snuggle with her daddy's every night, a habit she simply refused to break. She had always known Dave to be her daddy right alongside Klaus; after all, he entered into her life when she was not quite yet even two weeks old, and he had remained a constant positive and loving presence ever since. They were both her 'daddy's' in her eyes, and forever would be in all of their hearts.

Klaus laughed as he scooped Riley up into his loving arms and pressed her against his chest in a tight embrace; the toddler's squeals of joy brought warmth to his smiling features while she tried to wriggle out of her daddy's grasp. He tickled her, making his daughter's squirming intensify as he peppered her giggling dimpled cheeks with kiss after kiss. Listening to his beautiful little girl's laughter had always been Klaus's absolute favorite sound in the world, and he knew that he would simply never be able to get enough of it.

"Daddy, no!" Riley pleaded through her boisterous giggles, which only helped to fuel her father's unending tickling.

"Klaus," called Diego. "I know it's her birthday and you're her daddy, but—"

"Quit hogging her!" Allison finished with a bright smile tugging broadly across her beautiful features while she helped the rest of their family set up for Riley's special birthday picnic.

Klaus, Dave, Riley and the rest of the Hargreeves and Katz families gathered together today in celebration of Riley entering into her third year of life; her first birthday with all of them together. They met at Riley's favorite park, which was a short walking distance from Ben's house. It was the perfect spot for them to walk to every day to keep up with Klaus's daily workout routines his doctor recommended he continue doing to further strengthen his heart. Riley loved this park, it had swings that her daddy's could push her on, plenty of trees and hiding spaces for hide and seek, and expansive open fields for endless games of tag. Her favorite part quite possibly, however, was the pond that was always filled to capacity with plenty of 'duckies' for Riley and her perfect little family to feed. This was one of their favorite spots to spend their time together, but any time spent together would forever be perfect and precious to all of them.

"No!" Klaus cried as he squeezed his little girl even tighter in a bone crushing embrace, pressings his cheek firmly against her curls. "You can't have her, she's mine!"

"Darlin," Dave started as he smiled affectionately at his husband, laying a gentle hand on the small of his back while his brilliant blues met Klaus's emerald greens. "Sharing is caring, let her visit her aunties and uncles, they're all here to spend time with her."

"But I don't wanna," Klaus huffed through pouted lips, before pressing his cheek against Riley's and holding her even closer. "Daddy wants to hug his little princess forever!" he finished in a baby tone.

"Daddy, you're squishing me!" Riley exclaimed through her giggles while she continued to wiggle around in his grasp.

"Klaus—" Dave stated firmly with a quirk of his brow. Klaus's lower lip jutted out to further his pout while his shoulders hunched forward in defeat.

"Ok, fiiiine," Klaus set Riley down before ruffling her perfect ringlets of dark curls and kissing her cheeks. "Go on, princess, your aunties and uncles don't want me to be selfish, so I guess I'll share you with them." He hugged her close, earning a riotous laugh from his siblings when he stuck his tongue out at them over his daughter's shoulder.

He pulled away from his little princess, nuzzling their noses together before fluttering his eyelashes against his daughter's in a quick butterfly kiss, which made Riley giggle and smile impossibly more before fixing her little lavender dress and sending her on her merry way. Klaus watched her scamper off with a fond smile on his face; he still couldn't believe that precious little angel was his. Klaus adored Riley, truly loved her with every inch of himself and every single ounce of his soul, and it warmed his heart as he watched their family circle around his little girl to know that they loved his daughter just as much as he did, too.

Klaus was happy, he was proud to know that his little girl would grow up surrounded by an adoring family who loved her. She would never know fear, or experience pain by the hands of someone who was supposed to care about her. She would grow up to be happy, just as he'd always planned and hoped for her to be.

A strong set of arms wound their way around Klaus's waist, pulling him ever so gently back until he was pressed against a broad chest. Klaus smiled, closing his eyes and tipping his head back against Dave's shoulder while he laced his fingers between his husband's. A kiss pecked his temple and Klaus's head gravitated towards the touch, eagerly accepting his love's tender kiss.

"How are you feeling?" Dave whispered against the shell of Klaus's ear, earning a soft hum in response.

"Amazing," he opened his eyes and spun himself around, looping his own arms around Dave so that they were snugly wrapped in a tight embrace while his eyes stayed fixed on his daughter playing with his siblings. "Just look at her, she's so happy, everyone is. I can't believe she's already three years old, my little girl is growing up."

"I know, and she's growing up to be so beautiful," Dave cupped Klaus's cheek within his palm, wiping away a stray tear just before it got the chance to fall. "Just like her daddy."

"Sorry," Klaus sniffled while he retracted an arm to wipe beneath his eyes, a soft embarrassed smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I told myself that I wouldn't get emotional."

"There's no need for apologies, darlin, this is a big day," Dave said honestly as he pulled Klaus back against his chest, tightening their embrace. He held him there, gently rocking him back and forth while peppering his neck and shoulder with kiss after kiss. Dave and Klaus both knew that this would indeed be a big day, but not only because it was Riley's birthday. They'd already been talking about doing this for months, and they both agreed that now was the perfect time to make this wonderful little dream of theirs into their perfect reality. Today was finally the day. "Are you ready?"

"God yes, I can't believe it's finally happening," Klaus inhaled a shaky breath and closed his eyes, he was excited, and anxious, but more than anything, he was happy. Dave smiled warmly at his husband, cupping his cheek within both of his warm palms and pressed his forehead and nose to Klaus's.

"Take a deep breath," he instructed calmingly, keeping his eyes open to watch Klaus as he followed his lead, their breathing matching each other's, "and blow it all out, good, darlin. Now, what do you say we go and make this official." Dave softly ran the pads of his thumbs over the delicate skin on Klaus's cheeks as he pressed his lips to his before the two took each other's hands, interlocking their fingers together in a tight and grounding grip before they re-joined their family.

Riley giggled wildly in her uncle Luther's grasp while Vanya and Ben worked together on tickling her. She tried desperately to try to climb onto his massive shoulders, her tiny hands grasping at the collar of his overcoat and accidentally slapping gently against his neck and chin, her fingers occasionally tugging aimlessly at his lips or nose in her haste while he just smiled fondly at her futile attempts to escape her auntie and uncles brutal tickling assault. Allison held her fingers over her mouth attempting yet failing to conceal her own laughter, while Five's typically stoic features proudly adorned a pleased smirk, thoroughly enjoying watching the big buy struggle with the squirming toddler. Diego was shaking his head and laughing, telling Luther to give the girl a little help while he, Robbie and Joe, Dave's sisters' husbands tended to finishing setting up the layout for the smorgasbord of food everyone worked so hard to prepare. Dani was pouring glasses of water and her freshly squeezed lemonade into little paper cups, while Emily watched her children, Carter and Brooke, and Dani's daughter, Eliza playing on the swings.

Klaus and Dave approached their family, stopping briefly to offer the boys their assistance in setting up, but they were told not to worry about it, they were nearly done, before making their way to the small crowd surrounding their daughter. Klaus exhaled a loud chortle at the sight that greeted them upon their arrival.

"Luther," Klaus trilled with a wide spread grin. "I'm pretty sure that's considered niece abuse in at least seventeen states," he finished.

"It isn't me, I'm just holding her," Luther defended before gently grasping Riley beneath her arms and holding the toddler out like he was offering her up to the gods.

"No, uncle Lu-Lu! They'll get me!" Riley squealed as Vanya and Ben stalked towards the girl again, fingers twitching in the air preparing to strike. Klaus pressed the back of his hand against his brow, fanning himself with his free hand.

"Oh heavens," he began in a thickly laden distressed southern bell accent, "whatever shall we do? Who is to save Princess Riley from her evil captors?"

"Never fear, Daddy Davey is here!" Dave exclaimed before swooping in and wrangling the toddler into his arms. He placed her proudly atop his shoulders and her dimpled cheeks adorned a beaming smile that stretched from ear to ear as her fingers clasped onto each side of his face. "You're safe now, m'lady. I've saved you from the vile beasts!"

"They're not wild bees, silly! They're my uncles and auntie!" Riley corrected, Dave and Klaus exchanged a warm smile as Dave approached his husband.

"You're right, princess. They are!" Klaus said happily before Dave bent down, effectively dislodging Riley from his shoulders and back into his arms where he blew raspberries on her cherubic cheek before pelting her with kisses. Riley laughed, she loved it whenever her Daddy Davey would kiss her like that, his whiskers always tickled her cheeks. Dave carried Riley to the bench nearest to their family and stood her up before he knelt down on both of his knees in front of her, tucking a rampant wind blown curl behind her ear, their matching blue eyes met in wonder as he gently gripped her tiny waist.

"Riley, your daddy and I have something important to ask you that has been on both of our minds for quite some time now," he glanced at Klaus who smiled and nodded, joining Dave in addressing their daughter. Klaus gathered his daughters tiny hands within his own, a warm, loving smile was worn proudly across his features. He exhaled a soft chuckle before he finally spoke.

"Riley, you know how precious you are to me and your daddy Davey. You have changed both of our entire lives, and brightened our world, princess, and all for the better," Klaus's lips began to wobble as his emotions broke through, he couldn't help himself, he was already getting choked up. He closed his eyes to hide his building tears. Klaus pressed his fingertips above his heart, massaging delicately at his chest when his heart fluttered with a combination of anxiety and trepidation. Klaus inhaled a deep breath before slowly blowing it out. Dave decided now was his time to step in and allow his husband to rest and compose himself, he didn't want to risk him getting too worked up or potentially causing him any pain. He gently gripped Klaus's shoulders and helped ease him down onto the bench beside his daughter. Klaus smiled and nodded in thanks before he directed his attention to his little girl, softly stroking his palm up and down her back. Riley crouched down to look Klaus in his eyes before she pressed her tiny hand against his cheek, wiping away his tears.

"Daddy, why are you crying? Are you okay, do you need a nap?" she asked as she watched him with concern on her precious features. Klaus laughed lightly, taking her hand within his own. He ran his thumb over her soft skin before kissing the top of her hand.

"Aw, no baby, I'm okay. Daddy's just happy, these are happy tears," he said delicately.

"Happy tears?" she questioned with a tilt of her head. Klaus nodded as he hummed in response. Riley was still too young to remember, but happy tears were a common occurrence with Klaus; he cried when she said her first words, and took her first steps. Every accomplishment, every milestone, every happy event within Riley's life, Klaus always cried from his pride that he held within his heart for his little girl. One day she would know just how much her daddy loved her, and just how many tears he'd shed out of sheer love for his daughter. This was not his first time crying with joy, and Klaus knew that it certainly wouldn't be his last. Dave adjusted himself so that he was propped on one knee before he took Riley's free hand into his own, earning the little angel's attention. She smiled while Dave placed a beautifully intricate floral crown made of baby's breath atop her head; Klaus had made it for her - baby's breath was symbolic for their everlasting love, and their emotions that would never die for their beautiful little girl.

"Riley, I have loved you since the moment that I first laid my eyes on you. You are the one who made it possible for me to meet your daddy, you have been the best little girl ever, and I have loved every single moment I've gotten to enjoy watching you grow up," Dave said softly, his own eyes were rimming with tears as he spoke. "You are blossoming into a wonderful young lady, and I am so incredibly proud that I get to be here to witness you grow, and learn. I am just so thankful that I have been lucky enough to know and love you, baby girl."

"I love you, too daddy Davey!" Riley beamed as she squeezed both of her daddy's hands. Dave smiled proudly while he sat himself on the bench and pulled Riley into his lap. Klaus and Dave both kissed Riley's cheeks, and the little angel just giggled and squirmed in his grasp. The little family shared a laugh together before Riley settled down, sitting propped on Dave's lap to face both of her daddy's, taking both of their hands back into her own.

"You have always been my little wriggling worm," Dave said as he nuzzled his nose to Riley's, earning even more giggling from the little girl. Dave smiled and straightened, looking to his beautiful husband before returning his full attention to the little lady on his lap. Dave sucked in a deep breath and finally popped the question he'd dreamt of asking for far too long. "Riley, can we make our perfect little family complete, will you be my daughter? Can I officially be your daddy Davey for now and forever? May I adopt you, sweetie?"

A small gasp escaped from the little girl accompanied by a giant grin as her features lit up with pure joy. Riley clasped her hands together with a quick clap before she threw herself at Dave in a loving hug. "Yes, Daddy Davey! I'd love that!"

"Well," Joe, Emily's husband said from the picnic table; he held a pen and the adoption paperwork in his hands. "Let's make this official!" he carried the documentation over to Dave, handing him the pen. He accepted it happily, wasting no time in signing the paperwork, officially making him Riley's second father. Klaus kissed his shoulder while Dave handed the completed paperwork back to his brother in law before turning his full focus back onto his family.

Dave wrapped his arms around Riley, burying his lips into her wild curls finally allowing his tears to freely cascade his features. Klaus smiled, encircling his arms around his husband and daughter, kissing each of their cheeks. The perfect little family held each other, enjoying their first family hug as a complete family. They were happy, each of their hearts were whole, and full of an undying love. Riley hugged both of her daddy's back, her own eyes filling with tears. She pulled away and touched her own dampened cheek, before cupping her tiny hands to each of her daddy's tear streaked faces.

"More happy tears!" she exclaimed with a wide dimpled grin. Dave and Klaus each nodded. They laughed, wiping at their own eyes before wiping at Riley's.

"Always happy tears with you, princess," Klaus said as they each kissed her cheeks. Riley smiled when both of her daddy's took her hands within their own and stood to bring her back to her party. They each held one of her arms, swinging the little girl in the air eliciting squeals of pure unbridled joy, and love from their little princess.

Klaus's eyes met his husband's brilliant ocean blues before he looked around him at his family—his entire family—and he smiled. Klaus had his loving husband, and his whole family surrounding him who all loved him and his daughter. He had his beautiful, perfect little girl whom he truly loved more than anything this world had to offer. Finally, Klaus had everything he never knew he always wanted, and finally had everything he had always deserved. He was happy, healthy, and safe, and more than anything, he was loved.

_

Author's Note: This is it you guys, THE FINAL CHAPTER! I just wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart who followed along to this story, you guys have been so wonderful! Major shout out to KlausNeedsLove for following from the very beginning and being kind enough to comment on each and every chapter, you are too kind! I appreciate you so much!

There IS a sequel to this story you guys, I'll start posting it next Friday, be sure to follow along to me to be notified when I post it! I hope you'll show that story as much love as you have this one!

Thank you all again, and as always, if you enjoyed this please let me know in the comments, I would adore to hear from you! Especially now since it's the LAST chapter!

Thank you again! Much love! :)