Chapter 17 Silvy I am headed over to my dad's house for dinner. It has been two weeks since Dad told me about his girlfriend. It took that long to get our schedules to line up. Dad was easy since he is in construction. It was mine and the girlfriends that were the problem. If she had the night off I didn't. And vice versa. I'm curious about this woman that Dad wants to introduce me to. She has to be something special for Dad to even bring her up. She better be. I have a bunch of questions for her. Dad grilled all the boyfriends I introduced him to, I'm going to do the same to his lady. Dad always said that if my boyfriends could handle a little interrogation from him they didn't deserve me. It is time to return the favor. I'm a daddy's girl and very protective of him. I'm not going to let him marry just anyone. She has to be good enough for him and not many women are. For all I know she is just looking for a father figure to pawn her kid off on. Or after his money. I'm not going to allow that. Daddy needs a good woman by his side. I pull into the driveway of Dad's townhouse and see his truck, his bike and an unknown car. Must be the Gena's. As I get out of my van 1 grab the gift I bought for my potential little brother. I walk up the steps and knock on the door. Normally I would just use my key and walk in. Not this time. I don't want to take a chance of walking in on my dad making out. That's just wrong. And gross. I do not need to see that. No one needs to see that. Ever. The door opens and my dad asks "Silvy, why are you knocking?" I walked in and hug him and said "So I didn't walk in on something I would have to bleach my brain to get rid of the images." Dad just shakes his head as he leads me thru the living room. Sitting on the couch watching an animated movie is Xavier. All I can see is the back of his head. He hears us and turns around. When he looks at me he jumps off the couch and runs around it. When he is standing in front of me I get a good look at him. He hardly comes to just above my knee. He has black hair and dark green eyes. His skin is light tan as he plays outside a lot. He has the cutest smile on his face. He is holding a stuffed dog wearing a fireman's hat. It makes me feel better about my gift. Asked Lilly about the latest kids' shows and she told me about one that had talking dogs that are everyday heroes. So when I found a stuffed dog dressed as a cop from the show I had to get it. The thing was so cute I almost got one for myself. "Xavier, this is my daughter, Silvy," Dad said. I have been around enough kids thanks to my friendship with Lilly that kids his age don't like to be babied, so I get down to his level and hold out my hand. "It is nice to meet you, Xavier," I told him. And it was. No matter how much I may not like his mom, Xavier is innocent in all this. Instead of grabbing my hand he walks up and wraps his little arms around me. I was not expecting that since I'm a stranger to this kid. I hugged him back quickly. Xavier pulled back and said "I know who you are. Tony told me all about you. Even showed me and Mommy pictures of you." I looked up at my dad but asked Xavier " Oh, he did?" Xavier nods rapidly " Yes, he tells us that you're a nurse like Mommy. And he thinks you will be my friend." "Yes, I would like to be your friend if you want," I said. "I want to be friends." Xavier smiled. "Good, because I got my new friend a present." "I have a present?" Xavier gasps in wonder. I pick up the stuffed toy I set down when he hugged me and hand it to him. "I believe this guy is a friend of your dog," I said. Xavier bounces up and down. " Yes, he is. Thank you Silvy." He hugs me again then takes off running. "Mommy. Mommy, look what Silvy got me. And you have to meet her. She is so pretty." Xavier yells going towards the kitchen. I can't help but laugh. I kind of hope this works out for my dad. I could see Xavier being my little brother. Even though it might be weird that my kid's uncle is only five." Come meet Gena. She is just finishing up dinner." Dad said. Before I can take a step Dad stops me." Silvy, you know I love you," he said. I turn towards him "Yea, Daddy. I know." I said, wondering where he was going with this. There has never been a moment in my life I have ever doubted my dad's love for me. "I know you. You are going to ask questions. I'm just asking you not to be too hard on Gena. She is already nervous about meeting you." he said. "I'll try." is all I could promise. He nods knowing that is the best he is going to get. We went to the dining room where Xavier was showing Gena his new toy. Gena looks up at me. She is a few inches shorter than me with the same black hair as Xavier. She is a little on the thin side compared to me. I watch her as she walks over to us. She wipes her hands on her jeans twice before she gets to me. Yep, I can see she is nervous. She isn't even trying to hide it. Dad walks over to Gena and places a hand on her shoulder. Probably in comfort. "Princess, I want you to meet Gena," he said. Gena holds her hand out to me saying "It is nice to finally meet you. Tony has been talking about you for months. I feel like I already know you." I grip her hand tightly and tell her "I wish I could say the same." "Princess," Dad warns. "I just found out about her a few weeks ago and know nothing. But they know all about me. I'm still behaving. For now." I said. Dad shakes his head because he knows I'm right. "Umm, why don't we sit and eat," Gena said sensing the tension in the room. That is when I see the table is set with lasagna, salad, garlic bread and drinks. " Daddy, please tell me you didn't make the lasagna?" I pleaded. My dad is a decent cook but for some reason, that is one thing he can't get right. The noodles are either undercooked or burnt. The sauce was cold one time and I still haven't figured out how that happened when the cheese was melted. Dad laughs, pulling out a chair for Gena. "No princess. I have no desire to give anyone food poisoning." I pull out my chair on the other side of dad. "I want to sit by Silvy. Can I? " Xavier asks. "That's up to Silvy." Gena answers. I pull out the chair next to me." Come on big guy." After my