(no subject)
Dan
Dan slowly swirls the amber colored scotch around in the heavy bottomed glass containing it. His mind had been wandering lately. He stands in the kitchen, staring through the window above the sink, leading to the back yard.
Diana
"What are you up to?" Diana attempts to make small talk, standing next to him and looking for what he could be staring at. The pale yellow apron tied tightly around her slender waist.
Dan
"I..." He jumps ever so slightly, "I didn't hear you come in."
Diana
She shrugs, "Hardly ever do."
Dan
He nods slowly, "I keep thinking about when I gave that to her." He motions to the wooden playset in the middle of the yard, "Remember that?"
Diana
Diana waits a moment, "Would you hold it against me if I didn't?"
Dan
He snorts with a closed mouth smile, shaking his head, "She was four and asked Santa at the shopping mall for it every time we went."
Diana
"She made you take her every day." She grins, "See? I remember that, at least."
Dan
"Yes." He nods, "Every day. The man knew her by name."
Diana
"I guess he would."
Dan
"I was up until five in the morning assembling it and she woke us up at six." He chuckles softly to himself, "I never seen her so happy in all my life."
Diana
Diana gently touches his muscular arm, "You've always been an amazing father."
Dan
"Nah." He shakes his head, "It had good instructions."
Diana
"Any other man would have put it off, but you completed it. I was barely there and through all my bullshit you were the only parent she had. You did a great job."
Dan
"Not true."
Diana
"Dan...you can't blame yourself for her pregnancy. She's about to pop, you can't start this now." She slides between him and the window, "Dan, no amount of good or bad parenting could have prevented this. It was in her cards."
Dan
"Her cards? It was in her cards for her to throw her life away for what? For some stoner loser? Don't think I can't smell the pot on him."
Diana
She slowly shakes her head, "That stoner loser reminds me of you so much it's scary."
Dan
He glances down at her with an incredious look on his face, "In what way?"
Diana
"His...He loves her so much. He'd give her the moon if he could. That stoner loser is who I fell in love with when I fell in love with you."
Dan
His face softens, "I still would give you that if I could."
Diana
She reaches up and touches his face, "I know you would."
Dan
He's quiet a few moments, "What happened to the little girl I built that for? What happened to the little girl that would play on that for hours straight without a care in the world?"
Diana
"She's still here...She just grew up."
Dan
He raises an eyebrow, "Yeah."
Diana
"Quicker than you thought she would, yes, but she's still an amazing girl. Absolutely none of her grades have dwindled since things started. Can you believe that? Top of her class and it's all because of you."
Dan
"It isn't all about grades."
Diana
"Never said it was. Does she have her shortcomings, sure, all kids do, but she's our kid and she's perfect."
Dan
Dan leans his head down to touch against his wife's, "When did you become the level headed one here?"
Diana
"No idea." She smiles, "Somewhere between ECT and buying a new car."
Dan
"I saw it. It's a beauty."
Diana
"Thank you." She kisses him tenderly, "Why don't you go upstairs? I just need to empty the dishwasher and I'll be up for sex after."
Dan
"Yeah?" He grins.
Diana
"Yes." She playfully pushes him away, "Go ahead."
Dan
He finishes his drink and hands her his glass before jogging upstairs.