Chapter 2

After dinner, Regina had Scott help her do the dishes while Daniel talked with Erica. Daniel escorted his daughter into the living room. They sat across from each other. Erica knew this conversation was inevitable.

"Daddy, what do you think?" she asked.

Daniel set his gaze upon her face. She really did look like Regina. She had her mother's spirit: fiery, stubborn, and headstrong.

"Earth to daddy," Erica said laughing.

"Sorry. Yes, Scott. He seems nice. How did you meet him?"

"I met him in a law and ethics class. We did a mock trial where I was the prosecutor and he was the defense attorney."

"Did you win the case?" asked Daniel.

"I did. I am my mother's daughter," Erica winked.

He took a seat next to her. "Yes, you are."

Erica leaned her head on Daniel's shoulder. "You can tell me what you really think."

"I have to get to know him. Does he know about your mother and me?"

"What do you mean?" she asked innocently.

"Erica Danielle Richards," he stated.

"Okay. No, he doesn't. That's not exactly first date conversation."

"True but you need to tell him before you get in too deep. Your mother and I don't want to see you hurt."

"Trust me, he won't hurt me. You know, Henry already put Scott through the ringer," Erica said.

"Good. But Scott still has to pass through me. Your mom thinks he's nice."

"Really? I thought she would be harder on him than you," Erica answered.

"Why would you think that? Yes, your mother is fiercely protective of you. However, I think I'm worse. You're my little girl and no one is good enough for you. Tell me, honestly, are you pregnant?"

Erica shot up her head and looked at Daniel in shock. "What?! No, I'm not!"

"Thank God. Please don't make me a grandfather so soon," Daniel said.

"Daddy, I promise. Besides, mom told me all about the birds and the bees."

"I know. She told me that tonight. Why didn't you ask me?"

"I did once," said Erica. Daniel gave her a confused look.

"I was 6 years old and I asked you where babies come from. Dad, you looked like you were going to have a heart attack. All you said is that babies come from love and I wasn't going to have a baby until I reached 40."

"It's coming back to me now," said Daniel. He remembered the feeling of panic when his daughter asked him that question.

"I went to mom instead. She's birthed 3 babies. I think mom knows what she's talking about."

Daniel just nodded. "Oh, where is he staying?"

"I thought he could sleep in the guest room," Erica said shyly.

Daniel smirked. "Nice try. I won't have a boy trying to sneak to my daughter's room in the middle of the night. Besides, I would sleep outside your door with my shotgun."

"Daddy, it's the middle of the night."

"Don't care. I'll drive him to the hotel. He can stay there."

"What if I promise you can sleep outside my door?" Erica asked.

Daniel shook his head no. Erica knew there was no persuading him.

"All right. I'll go tell him."

"I'll tell him," said Daniel.

Erica kissed her father on the cheek. "I love you daddy even though you can be a little dramatic."

"I love you too. I'm your father. It's my job to be dramatic."

Father and daughter headed to the kitchen. Scott was telling Regina about his law school experience.

Regina turned her head and saw her family there. "Hey, you two."

"Regina, it's late and I need to take Scott to Granny's hotel."

Regina arched an eyebrow. "Ok."

Daniel looked at Scott waiting for a reaction. "Mr. Richards, my things are in the car. I'll go get them."

"I'll walk you out," Erica said. The couple went to the car.

"What are up to? We have enough room," Regina said.

"I know but I don't want him staying here. He's not her husband and no boy is going to sneak into her room on my watch," Daniel replied.

"Ok. Take him. You're going to really test him these next few days."

"You bet," said Daniel.

Scott and Erica came back in. "Don't put your bags down Scott. I'm on my way," Daniel shouted from the kitchen.

Daniel kissed Regina on the temple. "Be right back."

Daniel made his way to the foyer. "You ready?"

"Yes sir," said Scott.

Daniel signaled Scott to go outside. He turned to his daughter. "I won't be long."

Erica nodded and headed to the kitchen.

"Mom, what is dad doing? He never gives the boys this much grief."

"True, dear. I give them grief. Your father is just being your father. Hey, it could be worse."

"How so?" asked Erica.

"Your father could have invited David, Hook, August and Neal over and given Scott the Storybrooke tour."

"Oh, no! The last guy stopped speaking to me after that whole debacle," said Erica.

"We never liked him anyway," said Regina. "Come on, we can talk while your father is out."

They headed upstairs.

Daniel came back home to find his girls in his room. He smiled as Erica sat between Regina's legs while she brushed Erica's hair.

"Ladies," Daniel said.

"Is Scott okay?" asked Erica.

"He's fine. He's settled in his room. We're going to have breakfast in the morning."

"All right. Go easy on him daddy. I like him," Erica pleaded.

"I won't be too hard on him," Daniel said.

Erica got up off the floor, kissed her parents goodnight, and went to her room.

Daniel closed the door and leaned against it. "I thought I could do this. I thought I could handle Erica bringing home boys. I don't think I'll ever get used to it."

Regina walked up to him. "Babe, you're doing just fine. I would be more worried if you didn't behave this way."

"How come you're not as freaked out?" he asked.

Regina went to her drawer and pulled out an envelope. "I had a background check done on him. Remember Henry's girlfriend, Rachel… she can do them."

Daniel took out the papers. "I knew I liked her." He sat on the bed looking at them. "I suppose he' s not a thief or a serial killer. But I can't ask him questions on stuff I'm technically not supposed to know about."

"That's why you wait for him to tell you his life story. If he tells you anything different from what the papers say, you'll know he's hiding something," Regina said.

Daniel put the envelope back in the drawer. "I should have known you had a trick up your sleeve. Does Erica know about this?"

"No she doesn't. You aren't the only overprotective parent around here. We're in the business of making sure her heart doesn't get broken."

Daniel pulled her closer. "You are truly wonderful my queen."

"I know. That's why you married me," said Regina.

"And so modest," he teased. "Didn't you promise me something?"

Regina giggled. "I did, didn't I?" She crashed her lips onto his. Daniel picked her up and placed her on the bed never breaking contact.

Regina pulled back a little. "We have to be quiet since Erica's down the hall."

"I'm not the one who gets loud," Daniel said.

Instead of responding, Regina kissed him again.

Erica was about to drift off to sleep when Scott texted her. "Good night, my love."

Erica texted back: "Good night, Scotty."