A/N: Wow, a lot of people seemed to like "Sitting in a Tree"! And wanted stories about Eli, Clare and Charlotte. I'm so glad. This story will consist of one-shots; the chapters will NOT be in chronological order. Same lifetime, though, keep that in mind! This chapter is one several of you requested: Charlotte going on a date! Please review, and don't forget to leave requests. As long as it's realistic, I'll do my very best to fulfill it. =)

Thursday, September 5th, 2030

Goldsworthy Residence (Kitchen)

7:01 PM

"She is NOT going," exclaimed Eli.

"Honey, you have to let her go," Clare attempted to soothe her husband of sixteen years. "She's growing up."

"You take that back!" Eli flung dishwater at his wife. They had been arguing while washing dishes on a warm Thursday evening in September. "She is five. She is our little girl and she is FIVE."

"Eli, she's almost fifteen and a sophomore in high school!" Clare became a bit flustered. "Come on, you said you LIKED the boy."

"Yeah, as a STUDENT!" Eli dried his hands. "I LIKE the kid because he's just like ME, which is EXACTLY why Charlotte is NOT going out with him tomorrow night!" He caught his breath. "Or EVER! Besides, she's too young to date, especially junior boys with CARS. Come on, Clare, she skipped a year!"

"Eli," Clare took his hand and gently led him into the living room of their two-story home. "Sit down, Sweetie." Eli listened but didn't look happy about it. He knew his wife would win in the end; she always managed to. "Honey, Charlotte is a good girl. Like you said: she skipped a year. She's smart, and she knows right from wrong. And Honey, she's always been completely honest with us. We have to trust her."

"I DO trust her," growled Eli. "It's that THOMAS KID I don't trust."

"Oh, and you'd trust any other boy who wanted to take her out?" Clare raised an eyebrow and looked smug when Eli said nothing.

"That's not the point, Clare," Eli reasoned. "This kid is always pulling pranks! Last week he duck-taped his buddy's locker shut!"

"Oh, well then," Clare rolled her eyes. "Call in reinforcements, the boy's malicious!" Her eyes twinkled. "That sounds like something YOU would have done, Mister!"

"Please, I never would have done something so amateur." Eli's face turned red. "But that's not the point! She's not going out with him."

"Eli," Clare tried calmly. "You said Thomas is a lot like you. "That must mean he's sweet," Clare moved next to him, kissing his cheek. "And kind," his neck, "and if he treats women anything like you did in high school, Charlotte will be catered to like a princess," finally, his lips. Eli reluctantly deepened his wife's kiss; after all these years, she still managed to affect him the same way as always, never failing to make him feel seventeen. Pulling away, Clare leaned her forehead against his. "Is he a good student?"

"Yes," Eli admitted reluctantly. His mind had begun to wander elsewhere (namely, his bedroom), but he still didn't want his baby girl going on dates. "But-"

"No buts, Eli," Clare whispered. "She's going. We'll make the boy come inside for a soda first, so you can put the fear of God into him, okay?" Clare moved her thumbs in soft strokes across Eli's cheekbones.

"…okay," Eli finally relented. "But if he so much as lays a FINGER on her-"

"-unless she asks him to-"

"EVEN IF she asks him to, which she BETTER NOT, I'm going to kill him!" Eli looked momentarily thoughtful. "Morty's been wanting to get out of our garage."

"Yes dear," teased Clare. "If that boy hurts our daughter, you have my blessing to make him Morty's customer." She surprised Eli by climbing on his lap. "Now, Char said she'd be babysitting until nine and Holden should be at rehearsal for another hour." She grinned, eyebrows waggling up and down.

"Say no more, Blue Eyes." Eli swiftly picked Clare up and headed for their room.

Friday, September 6th, 2030

Goldsworthy Residence (Kitchen)

7:15 AM

"Morning, Mom!" Charlotte Goldsworthy bounded into the kitchen happily and kissed her mother on the cheek.

"Well, SOMEONE'S in a good mood." Clare smiled at her daughter. "I made pancakes for breakfast."

"Yum!" Charlotte grabbed a plate and the bottle of syrup.

"I thought we could talk for a minute or two," tried Clare as she joined her daughter at the island.

"Okay…" Charlotte was her mother's daughter in the sense that she was a very smart girl; her senses tingled with dread at what the topic might be. "Where are Holden and Daddy?"

Clare smiled; even though her daughter was in Grade Ten, she still called Eli 'Daddy'. Charlotte adored her father and would ALWAYS be his little girl for him; Clare just wished Eli could see that. "They went to The Dot before heading to school. Your brother had to get there early for his student council meeting.

"Oh," said Charlotte, mouth full of pancake. "How am I going to get there?"

"I'll drop you off on my way to work." Clare sipped her coffee.

"Mom, you picked up a shift?" Charlotte immediately became frantic. "You're supposed to have the day off! Who's going to help me get ready tonight?"

"Calm down, Charlotte," laughed Clare. "It's only half a shift; Dorothy has to take her son to a doctor's appointment. I'll be home by three, in plenty of time to doll you up for your date." Charlotte blushed, much like her mother had at her age. "Speaking of which, that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

Charlotte groaned. "Mom, I really don't think…"

"Well, Honey, I DO think," said Clare. "This is your first date!"

"I know," Charlotte responded quietly. "You're still going to let me go, right? You talked to Daddy?"

"We're going to let you go." Charlotte grinned. "On a couple of conditions."

"Mooom," Charlotte whined. "I'm in high school, I'm almost fifteen, come on!"

"You may be in high school, but you're still our daughter," offered Clare. "Your father and I have never been strict with you-we didn't want to be like MY parents." Charlotte did her best to keep her eyes from rolling; she'd heard about her strict maternal grandparents hundreds of times. "And we TRUST you."

"Okay, good," said Charlotte.

"That being said, we don't know Thomas, and your dad is only going to let you go tonight if he comes in for a soda or something before you go out." Charlotte looked absolutely horrified at this prospect. "I know, Baby, I know, I'll make sure your dad behaves. I promise."

"…fine," conceded Charlotte. "Is that all?"

"Not quite. You must keep your cell phone on-you can put in on vibrate, don't give me that look- and you have to be home by eleven." Charlotte nodded. "AND, I want you to promise me you won't do ANYTHING you're not comfortable with."

"Mom!" Charlotte's face turned as red as the raspberry blouse she wore. "Fine." She finished her pancakes and stood up. "Can you take me to school now?"

"Just let me change into my scrubs, Baby." Clare stood and gave her daughter a hug before heading upstairs.

Friday, September 6th, 2030

Degrassi Community School (The Caf)

11:54 AM

"So…your dad wants me to come in and like, socialize with him before I take you out?" Thomas Zeigler grinned at Charlotte apprehensively.

"Both of my parents, actually," sighed Charlotte as she put her head in her hands on the table. "It's a nightmare, I know. I'll understand if you don't want to…"

"If I don't want to what?" Thomas' eyes sparkled with amusement.

"If you don't want to go out after all." Charlotte's voice was muffled, and Thomas laughed.

"Of course I still want to take you out, Char. I just don't get it, your dad KNOWS me. We talk every day after class."

"Oh, you know Daddy the TEACHER," reasoned Charlotte. "You don't know my FATHER."

"Alright," said Thomas. "Either way, I'll be there at six. Okay?"

Charlotte beamed. "Can't wait." Thomas squeezed her shoulder affectionately when the bell rang and they went to separate classes.

Friday, September 6th, 2030

Goldsworthy Residence (Charlotte's Bedroom)

5:17 PM

Clare leaned in the doorway of her daughter's purple bedroom, smiling as she watched Charlotte twirl around in front of her full-length mirror. She was humming a tune Clare didn't recognize and looked positively elated.

"Cute outfit, Baby," Charlotte stumbled at her mother's voice and stopped dancing immediately.

"Oh," Charlotte looked down at her spaghetti-strap, baby-doll purple dress and smiled. It was a modest choice, for the material went past her knees and the top didn't dip too low. Charlotte had picked out a short-sleeved black shrug to cover her shoulders. "Thanks, Mom. I was trying to decide what shoes to wear with it."

"Hmm," Clare hummed as she made her way to Charlotte's closet. "I say you go for comfort," she noted as she selected a pair of black moccasins. The teenager smiled gratefully as she took the shoes and slipped them on.

"Do you want me to straighten your hair?" Clare offered.

"No thanks," Charlotte blushed. "Thomas once mentioned that he likes it curly."

Clare grinned as she thought of someone ELSE she knew who made the same comment to HER two decades ago. "I think that's nice," she noted as she ran her fingers through Charlotte's raven locks. "How about you wear your purple headband with the flower I got you?"

"Oh, that's a good idea!" Charlotte rushed to her dresser and dug it out of the top drawer. "Mom, do you think you could do my makeup? I really want to wear some tonight, but I don't put it on every day, and…I just want it to look perfect."

Clare chuckled. "Sure, Sweetie. Come with me to Dad's and my bathroom." The two made their way down the hall and through Clare's room. "Okay, sit on the toilet." They laughed. "Okay, Charlotte, what exactly do you want me to use on you?" Clare grabbed her makeup bag off the shelf.

"Um…I don't know. Nothing like the stage makeup they use in Holden's plays, please," Clare laughed.

"Don't worry, Char, the last thing I want is for my daughter to look like a sad clown hooker on her first date."

"Mom!"

"Calm down, calm down. Here," Clare knelt in front of Charlotte. "I know just what to use." Clare ran a brightening tinted moisturizer over Charlotte's perfect little face; she had her father's nose, but the rest of her facial structure was all Clare. Clare then used her black eyeliner to apply a very thin coat on Charlotte's upper lashes, then a touch of purple eye shadow and black mascara. After sweeping a light dusting of pink blush on Charlotte's cheekbones, Clare turned her daughter to face the mirror. "What do you think, Baby?"

Charlotte gasped. "Mom, I don't look…I don't look like ME. I'm PRETTY."

Clare squeezed her shoulder. "You're ALWAYS beautiful, Baby." She smiled at her daughter in the mirror. "This just makes you look a little more grown up." Clare groaned. "Oh, your father will HATE that." The two girls giggled.

"Thank you, Mom." Charlotte bit her lip. "What about lip-gloss? Could I maybe borrow your black diamond studs?"

"Just use your lip balm, that's all your pretty lips need." Clare winked. "And sure, let me go grab them."

As Clare exited the bathroom, Charlotte couldn't stop staring in the mirror. "Wow," she breathed to herself.

Friday, September 6th, 2030

Goldsworthy Residence (Living Room)

5:55 PM

"Okay, boys," Clare entered the living room. "Charlotte's about to come downstairs, but I want to talk to you first."

"What, Mom?" whined Holden, who really just wanted to leave for his own Friday night activity.

"YOU, Holden William Goldsworthy," began Clare, "-will NOT tease your sister when she comes downstairs. She's nervous enough." Holden snickered. "STOP IT!"

"And you!" she turned to her husband, trying his best not to laugh at the restraint on his son's face. "Will be CIVIL to Thomas and NOT embarrass your daughter."

"But-"

"NO BUTS, ELIJAH!" Clare moved to the staircase. "You can come down now, Charlotte!"

"Geeze, she's mean tonight," Holden whispered to his father.

"Yeah, she's a tough boss," Eli agreed, knocking fists with his son.

As the two males got caught up in sniggering, Eli heard a faint: "Daddy? How do I look?" Eli snapped his head up and took in Charlotte's appearance: his little five year old princess looked like a damn grown woman and he hated it, but the smile on her face was so sweet that all he could do was reply honestly.

"You look gorgeous, Baby," Eli stood up and pulled Charlotte in for a hug.

"Careful, Daddy!" Charlotte hugged back, but not as tightly. "You'll wrinkle my dress!"

"Oh, we can't have that now, can we," Holden droned sarcastically, his eyes rolling.

"Holden, SHUT UP!" snapped Charlotte.

"Yeah, Holden," teased Eli. "Shut up."

Charlotte giggled. "Thanks Daddy."

"Whatever, man," chimed in Holden, still rolling his eyes until Clare shot him a death glare. "Okay, okay, geeze…"

Ding-dong.

"AAAH!" squeaked Charlotte. "He's here!"

"I'LL GET IT!" volunteered Eli.

"Oh no you don't," said Clare as she rushed past her husband to get to the door first. "Go into the kitchen, all three of you. Holden, wipe that smirk off your face. Charlotte, calm down, he's just a boy, and Elijah-" she put emphasis on his name, "BE GOOD."

Friday, September 6th, 2030

Goldsworthy Residence (Kitchen)

6:13 PM

The four Goldsworthy's and Thomas Zeigler laughed as they sipped cokes at the island. Thomas had already won Clare over with his jokes, and Holden trusted his sister, so he had no real problem with her date. Eli, on the other hand, was not yet convinced the boy deserved to take his daughter out (then again, Eli probably wouldn't be convinced if an actual prince wanted to take out HIS princess).

"Well, it was nice chatting with you, Thomas, but I'm going to be late meeting my crew." Holden hopped off his barstool and clamped his sister's date on the shoulder before waving goodbye to his parents on his way out the door.

"Be home by 10:30!" Clare called.

"So, Thomas," Eli started as he looked the kid square in the eye. "While your stories have been rather charming, I'd like to know just exactly where you plan on taking my daughter this evening."

"DADDY," Charlotte hissed under her breath.

"Charlotte, Honey, I just want to know where the boy is taking my little girl," Eli reasoned, his voice dripping with honey.

"It's fine, Mr. G," Thomas said as he held up his hands. "I'm taking Charlotte out to eat at the new Mexican place in Newmarket, then we're heading to a special showing of Breakfast at Tiffany's at the Classic Cinema around its block."

"You didn't tell me that!" gasped Charlotte. "Breakfast at Tiffany's is my favorite movie!"

"I know," Thomas grinned and reached for her hand.

"That's a bold move, right in front of her parents," Eli muttered under his breath.

"Shh," Clare hushed her husband before turning her attention back to Thomas. "So, you're going out for dinner and a movie. How thoughtful and classic!" She smiled earnestly. "Well, Charlotte, your curfew's at eleven, so you two better get going!"

Charlotte smiled gratefully at her mother as she and her date made their way towards the front door. Eli trailed behind them with Clare at his heels.

"Drive safely, Kid," Eli told Thomas as he shook his hand (probably a little harder than necessary). Thomas caught what Eli really meant by those two words and swore he would.

Eli sighed in defeat as he sat down on the living room sofa.

"Awe, what's the matter Baby?" asked Clare teasingly as she cuddled up next to her husband.

"Ha-ha, very funny, Clare," said Eli. He put his arms around her and pulled her close. "I can't believe our baby is on her first date."

"I know, I know," soothed Clare as she rubbed her hand on Eli's leg. "Honey, Thomas seems like a great kid. He'll be good to her."

"Yeah?" Eli scoffed. "You met him for fifteen minutes, how could you possibly know?"

"Because," Clare kissed him. "The way that boy looked at Charlotte? That's the same way you've looked at me for twenty years."

Friday, September 6th, 2010

Goldsworthy Residence (Living Room)

10:50 PM

Eli mindlessly flipped through the channels while he waited on pins and needles for his daughter to return home safely. Holden had recently returned home and after a quick greeting towards his father, he rushed upstairs to memorize lines. Clare fell asleep on Eli's shoulder an hour ago and he carried her to their bed before returning downstairs. He was DEFINITELY waiting up for his daughter tonight (and really, one of her parents always did).

The sound of a car stopping and shutting off distracted Eli from whatever he (wasn't) watching on TV. Almost unwillingly, Eli crept to the window by the front door, watching and listening to the end of his daughter's date.

"I had a great time," Charlotte complimented as she reached to hug Thomas.

"Me too," Thomas smiled, which made Eli immediately think of the need to wipe that 'shit eating grin' off his face.

"Maybe," Charlotte spoke shyly as she pulled away. "Maybe we can do this again sometime?" Eli smiled; sometimes, Charlotte was so much like a young Clare he couldn't stand it.

"I'd love that," Thomas agreed. As Charlotte turned to head inside, Thomas grabbed her wrist, effectively stopping her. Charlotte gazed up at him with big, blue curious eyes, and he leaned in-

"That little PUNK," hissed Eli under his breath.

And then Thomas kissed Charlotte on her cheek.

"Oh," muttered Eli. "I guess that's okay." Just then he realized the door was unlocking and somehow, through a hop-run-type maneuver, Eli ended up face down on the couch when Charlotte walked in.

"Daddy?" she asked, amused by her father's position.

"Hi, Char," Eli's voice got muffled by the pillow. He sat upright. "How was your-" he grimaced at the word "-date?"

Charlotte's cheeks turned redder than anyone's Eli had ever seen (save for Clare's). "It was wonderful."

Eli grinned. "Well, I'm glad." He forced his attention back to the TV, willing himself not to pry. Charlotte surprised him by plopping down next to him. He turned towards her, raising an eyebrow. "Something on your mind, Kid?"

Charlotte smiled up at him, and all Eli could see was his three-year-old daughter on Christmas morning, thrilled to open her presents. "Not really. I just wanted to tell you I love you." She leaned her head on Eli's shoulder, and he couldn't contain his grin.

"I love you too, Baby."

A/N: So? What did you think? Epic fail? I'm not sure how I feel about it. Please let me know, and let me know what you'd like to see! Review…you know you want to…see that little button?