Telling Daddy -- Spring 1997

"Daddy? Did you just cough up blood?" I questioned. I didn't know much about medicine, but that had to be bad. "Do the Healers know? Does Mum know?" I was starting to get panicky.

Apparently I didn't hide it well. "Lucy, calm down. It's nothing,"I told her. I knew it was something. The head healer and I talked about it. I would need surgery most likely, to get it fixed. We thought before the next moon cycle since we weren't sure if that would make it worse or not... which was only a week and a half away. They had hoped that it wouldn't be an issue, but it obviously was. They had been more concerned about getting me -- and keeping me -- stable at the moment. I wasn't sure what all Chloe knew... but I didn't want to worry her more until it was obvious I would need to do the surgery.

"Daddy! How can I calm down? Have you told anyone?" I inquired, realizing he avoided that question.

I sighed. So much for keeping things quiet. "Yes, I've talked about it with the healer," I told my daughter. I really didn't want her to stress out about this... which was why I was trying to keep it under wraps.

I ran my hand through my hair. How could no one tell us kids this? "And what are you going to do about this problem?" I prodded. I couldn't believe I found out about this the way I did.

And this is what I wanted to avoid. "Lucy, you will kow if anything will be done. But as of right now, you don't need to be concerned," I said to her, acting like a parent now. I really didn't want to get into it.

I would have to talk to Mum about this. "ARe they talking about keeping you through the cycle?" I asked quietly, thinking how hard it would be for Daddy in here when he changed. But I thought it would probably be best.

"I would hope not," I said. "Even with Wolfsbane, I don't want anyone here to know what i am unless necessary. And I"d like to recover at school and home, no here," I explained. I knew it woudl be hard to convince anyone, though. But I was already going stir crazy.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Daddy," I said, giving him a look, "you are in no condition to be anywhere but here. You should realize that." I had to give it to him, though... he made a good front about not being in pain, even though I knew he had to be.

There was that lovely teenage look I was expecting to get at one point or another tonight. "Lucy, I'd rather try to think optimistically here..." I leaned over to her, instantly regretting it but not letting that show. "I'm being driven insane here; I need to be somewhere more me," I told her as if it were a big secret, knowing I'd elicit a grin from her.

I laughed and shook my head. "Oh, Daddy... what you need is rest and something to be done about you coughing up blood," I told him softly, giving him a break on the attitude. "But... to sort of change the subject, did I get your blessing ot at least keep dating Ayden?" I didn't want to do anything against my parents' will... but I did love Ayden. I just wish he would stop avoiding me so I could tell him that.

I eyed my daughter and sighed. "If he makes you happy and treats you like the princess you are, then I suppose you have permission to date him," I said, not entirely thrilled about it, but I also knew that if I had said no, she probably still would have anyways. May as well look like I agreed with her. Though I would be watching very closely while at school.

I bent over and gave my dad a hug and kiss on the forehead. "Oh thank you, Daddy!" I said, grinning at him. "And you don't have to worry about anything. You know you'll always be my number one man." I squeezed his hand, thinking that would be something he would like to hear. BEcause no matter who I dated or ended up with, my daddy would always be my hero. But I wasn't looking for another hero, I was looking for a prince charming. There was a big difference.

"Alright then," I said, smiling at her and realizing that she nearly brought tears to my eyes saying that. "As long as I'm not about to be replaced or anything... I think I can handle it." The smile on her face warmed me. It was always so nice to see my daughter this happy.

I saw my father's face pale and he sort of started to look past me. "Daddy? Are you okay?" I asked, getting a little worried.