Harrison parked his car parallel to the curb just as his daughter's class got out. Finally on time for something. He thought to himself as he closed the door to the sedan and jogged up to the door. All the other kids were scrambling out with their parents smiling and giggling telling their mommies and daddies about the day's lesson. As Harrison spotted his own little girl walking towards him with a large piece of paper in hand, he smiled and waved to her.

"Hey champ! How was your class?" He asked from a far.

As little Sharon stepped into the light through the doorway, he could see her face drop into a frown as she fought back tears. Harrison's expression turned to concern. He knelt down on the concrete next to her, putting his hands on her robed tummy.

"What's a matter, pumpkin?" His voice was cool with care.

Sharon's voice came out in cracked, tear-filled gasps, "Billy Maslow teased me...He...Said...That fighting wasn't for...girls. He knocked...My award...Out of my hands...And all his friends...Laughed at me."

"Champ, you got an award? Let me see." Harrison said, brushing strands of silky blond hair from her messy ponytail away from her face. Sharon handed him the slip of paper that was her award. Harrison took a look. It was one of those cheesy, computer-generated mock awards made to look like a real certificate. The paper was initialed by the instructor and read "T.D. Studio's #1 Fighter!" with a fake gold stamp of approval. It was one of those self-esteem boosting things that they gave to the exceptional kids. Each week a new kid who displayed the best performances was picked. And this was Sharon's first time ever receiving the award. Harrison knew it was automatically belated just because she was a girl. Sharon and another girl named Bobbi were the only two in the class, and even though both of them could kick the boys to the curbs, they never had won in their two years of training.

"They're just jealous. You know that." Harrison handed it back to her and looked at his daughter. Her puppy dog brown eyes were welled up with tears despite Sharon's best efforts to stay tough. "Do you want me to talk some sense into this, Billy Maslow kid?"

Sharon shook her head no as her chest quickly inflated and deflated from the harsh breaths. Harrison knew she'd say no. Sharon didn't like people doing her dirty work for her. She fought her own battles. So headstrong for a seven year old. She gets that from her aunt, no doubt. Harrison and Amanda, they were both lovers but Sharon...She's a fighter. Just like Peg.

"Well, next time Billy teases you...I give you permission to kick his little rear!" Harrison joked to which Sharon gave a coy smile and giggled. "C'mon, lets go home."

...

Harrison walked Sharon down the hall to her bedroom after she'd finished brushing her teeth. He tucked her into her bed, sitting on the side of it while he pulled the covers up. As Sharon got snuggled in, Harrison spotted her stuffed bear sitting on the trunk at the foot of her bed. He picked up the raggedy teddy bear.

"Can't forget Mr. Bear," Harrison said in a funny, making the bear kiss Sharon's face and even giving a little voice affect.

"Daddy! That's a MISSUS bear," Sharon corrected. "Her name is Snowflake." She informed, picking up the white furred toy that had started to gray from age. It had been her first ever stuffed animal, and Amanda had bought it for her during their vacation in Colorado when she was still pregnant. She'd found it at a little shop in the town (Since she was 5 months pregnant and obviously couldn't ski during the big Carter Family Reunion, the two spent a lot of time in shops). It had a big, light blue snowflake on its belly with the words "Breckenridge, Colorado" printed underneath. She said she wanted something to give their daughter that would commemorate the trip.

"Snowflake, yes...You'd think it'd remember that." Harrison said, pointing at the bear's stomach.

"I could write it down for you, then maybe you'd remember," Sharon said with a hint of sass.

"Is that so?" Harrison cackled and then got his revenge by attacking her a tickles.

Sharon laughed as she batted his arms away saying, "I give up! No more!."

After their rounds of laughter died down Harrison looked his daughter up and down knowing that now was the best time to tell her. Early on, so she could give it some thought. He collected his thoughts and let out an exhale before giving his introduction to the topic.

"Sharon, honey, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it daddy?" Sharon's little eyebrows furrowed as she squeezed her bear tight.

"When I went to Aunt Peggy's today to drop off those boxes. You know, like we were supposed to get lunch but I forgot you had class so I had to cut the visit short."

"Silly daddy, maybe I should've written that down too." She smirked.

"Hey now!" Harrison pointed his finger at her with narrowed eyes before bursting into laughter again, "Well, anyways...I told her how hard its been for us. How now that its summer, It's hard to balance work and have to take you to different places all the time. And she offered to let you come stay with her for a while. Then you wouldn't have to go here and there all the time. And she'd have more time to get you to your lessons on time and take you where you want to go."

Sharon's face scrunched up and she bit her lip, "You don't want me here with you, Daddy?"

Harrison immediately felt bad as her voice went up an octave. He sighed and looked at the ground, trying to find a way to make this offer not sound like he was abandoning her for his own benefit. He knew it wouldn't work. It was too soon to be away from him for so long. And with each second he regretted even telling her about it. In fact, he didn't even think he could make it without having her around. What would he do each night after work without her company? Who would he talk to? Who could make him smile?

"Sharon, I want nothing more than that, but right now times are tough. I have to work to keep us afloat. Your mom's medical bills and her unemployment for so long took a toll on us. I don't wanna loose the house. I don't want us to have any more instability than we already have. I've been missing too many work days. I'm falling behind. If I loose my job, we're toast. If you stay with Peggy for a while, I could get on top of things...Finally catch up, you know? It's not something I wanna do, but right now it seems like the best choice. I could come visit whenever you need. I'm just a half hour car drive away. And if Auntie Peg is feeling up to it, she can drive you back whenever you'd like. It'd just be so much easier to have the weight lifted off of my hands. And you know, she's lonely too without Uncle Daniel. And her kids live far away so she doesn't see 'em that often. And you know, she's got a little dog now. I know you always wanted a dog, but we couldn't have one cos of my allergies." Harrison hovered over her as he spoke, "If its too much for you, you can say no. It's all your choice."

"How long would I stay?"

"Just 'til school gets back," Harrison complied with her question, taking it as a good sign.

"And you promise to come whenever I want?" She said seriously.

"Cross my heart. I can even stay the night on Saturdays, since I don't work Sunday,"

Sharon shrugged her lip to the side with nervously rubbing the ears on her bear. He could tell she was conflicted, but he wanted compliantly for her to answer or continue talking at least.

"You don't have to choose right now. You can think it over a bit if you need." Harrison assured while scratching at his beard. It had been a while since he had the time to even shave.

"Okay, Daddy. I'll think about it." Sharon agreed.

"Good...Now, time for bed. Goodnight, pumpkin." Harrison kissed the top of her bed and flicked off the lamp.