Author's Note: Anonymous prompted- Laurwalk: Their teenage daughter is going on her first date and Joe gets super overprotective.
Disclaimer: The events of this story are entirely fictional. The characters are loosely based off of their real-life namesakes, but I in no way expect or claim that anything in this story has/would ever happen in reality.
~Growing Up~
"I still don't think this is a good idea."
Lauren sighed, watching as Joe absentmindedly twirled a salt shaker on the kitchen counter. "Hayden is completely old enough and smart enough to handle this, Joe," she replied. "She'll be fine."
"She's only fifteen…" Joe protested. "That's still 'little girl' status."
Lauren smirked. "You're just saying that because you still want her to be your little girl."
"She is."
Lauren's heart melted a little at that. Tonight was supposed to be their daughter's first date, and it was turning out to be more hectic than she had anticipated. Although Lauren had given in to Hayden's wishes by giving her the O.K., convincing Joe was another ordeal entirely.
"Eventually you'll have to come to terms with the fact that she's actually growing up," Lauren said, forcing nonchalance and avoiding eye contact. If Joe had any idea how anxious she was feeling on the inside, well… Hayden probably wouldn't have her first date until college. And Lauren really didn't want to disappoint her, not after she'd promised to let her go out with this boy she liked so much. "She's practically a woman."
"Lauren." Joe made a face. "You're making me feel all old and shit."
Lauren laughed, snatching the salt shaker away and finally meeting his gaze. "How old were you when you went on your first date? Don't lie."
Joe hesitated, seeming suddenly lost now that he didn't have an outlet to occupy his hands and nerves. "Um… like… thirteen? Maybe? But… that's different."
"Mhm."
"Can't we just tell her to wait a year or two?"
"Nope."
Joe sighed, looking down at the countertop with a melancholic look on his face- suddenly a little less whiny husband, a little more overprotective daddy. Lauren smiled fondly in spite of herself and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Hey," she said gently. "Don't worry so much. We haven't been preparing her for the world just so she could sit here at home forever, right?"
"Well… yeah. I guess…" Joe trailed off, looking up to where Hayden now stood in the kitchen doorway.
"Do I look alright?" she asked, smoothing her skirt distractedly. Her chocolate-brown hair was styled into long, soft waves, and Lauren couldn't help but smile at the way her floral top brought out her blue eyes.
"You look great, hon," Lauren replied, stepping away from Joe and offering a thumbs-up.
Joe hesitated before nodding. "You're beautiful," he agreed softly.
Hayden's face lit up. "Thanks, Daddy," she said. "Does this mean Mom actually talked you into it?"
Lauren and Joe exchanged a look and smiled. "Yes. We'll have to meet him first, though," Joe answered. "What's his name again? Byron? Do you think Byron would mind coming inside to talk for a few minutes?"
Groaning, Hayden walked to the closet at the opposite side of the room to find a jacket. "It's Bryson, Daddy. And I'm sure he won't mind but please just don't… don't do the thing."
Lauren snickered, watching confusion wash over Joe's face. "What thing?"
"The embarrassment thing."
"Oh. 'Course not."