Notes: I know this chapter is very short, I had wanted to write several other things into this chapter, but somehow I just couldn't make it flow, so I figured I would post this and save the rest for another chapter. As always, I love hearing your thoughts. - thanks for reading - B

Life in Your Years: Chapter 4 – Uncomfortable Conversations

Smirking as he parried with his saber, John quipped, "So… palace rumor mill has it that the General interrupted someone in his granddaughter's bed." The clash of the swords temporarily interrupted John's sarcastic tone, but after a breath he continued, "In fact, I heard you were too hard, probably because Claire was too soft, and I am guessing the bed felt just right…"

Thrusting forward and swinging his arm in an arcing circle, Pike attempted to disarm his favorite idiot. "Wow, with the witty way you can manipulate a fairy tale, I am stunned they haven't promoted you to general yet; though I am guessing that was probably the last book you read."

Rolling his sword with the arc, John laughed and charged forward as he responded, "You're right, I don't waste my time reading when I can enjoy the company of a soft, willing woman."

Side stepping the thrust, Pike shook his head and replied, "You really are a man-whore. Did I tell you our new president announced my intent to propose? She just blurted it out in front of both generals and Claire."

That stopped John in his tracks, dropping his sword he asked, "Wow, what next?"

Realizing practice was over, Pike dropped to the bench and shrugged his shoulders, "Well, I'm guessing I am going to 'man-up' as Lady Monroe said and go ask General Monroe for his daughter's hand in marriage, then I am going to take her to the beach and propose after the picnic Danni suggested. Of course all of this is contingent on him not killing me when I show up to ask."

"And that is why I only do casual and fun with my women." John responded between chuckles.

- From the window above –

Miles handed Bass a drink and smiled, "Hey if memory serves me, those two were your idea." When Bass only sipped his drink in response, Miles looked out the window and continued to speak, "You don't see me trying to find attractive looking guards for Eve or Sophia, and I noticed that Maddie's guards were clearly whacked by the ugly stick…". Bass only grumbled in response as he continued to watch the two young men as they started pushing at each other – clearly laughing about something. Looking down at the garden once more, Miles asked, "You gonna say yes?" The growl got decidedly louder, but still no words came from Bass' mouth. Laughing Miles clapped Bass on the back and persisted, "I said 'yes' when you asked me."

Bass nearly choked on that last sip of Jack, "Clearly senility has set in" he groused. "I remember when I went to you to ask permission to marry Charlotte. I went to you as your best friend and out of respect and you tossed me against the wall and put a knife to my neck, before I knew what had happened. Then you demanded to know if I had 'defiled' your precious daughter."

In the way only a best friend could, Miles interrupted with a sarcastic, "Well, at least you already know the answer to that question…"

The glass in Bass' hand started to shake and Miles wondered if he had gone too far, it was only after a long pause and a disturbing grin that he heard Bass respond, "I had sex 3 times last night and once this morning with you daughter – and she loved every minute of it."

"Dickhead!" Miles muttered as Bass walked away from the window.

- 15 minutes later –

Bass strode into the courtyard startling the two young men that he had watched grow up over the last 7 years. For most of that time it had been like watching him and Miles – a pair of young, stupid idiots that loved being soldiers and spent their off time chasing women. As the two, clearly scared, Militia officers jumped to attention, Bass tried to figure out why the universe hated him. Clearly this was karma casting him in the role Miles had when Bass had fallen in love with Charlotte. Seriously, how did Miles say 'yes, I'm ok with a world class idiot that spent years chasing women marrying my daughter'? Seeing no reason to engage both of these men in the conversation, Bass barked out, "Captain Grant shouldn't you be in the kitchen keeping Frank Blanchard honest and making sure his hands stay off my little girl?"

Shocked John questioned, "What? Why? Who let that idiot near this house and why is he alone with Danni?" The words barely out, John took off in a run – not waiting to be dismissed – clearly intent on keeping his charge separate from the playboy of Texas.

Bass looked back, a little shocked by the reaction, before asking "Do I need to worry about him and my other daughter?"

Shaking his head, Robert replied, "No, he just hates the Blanchard tool. Danni is like a sister to him."

Nodding Bass waved his hand to indicate that they should sit. "I know we need to talk. I remember what it felt like to have to work up the courage to ask permission to marry the woman I loved. Of course, I am assuming your intentions are honorable and you want to marry my perfect little girl." Robert started to speak, but Bass waved him off, "Before you ask or tell me how much you love her or explain why I should say yes, let me tell you a story. I had the unenviable experience of attempting to convince my best friend that I was in love with his daughter and that he should let me marry her. You see every father sees his little girl as the princess, in the pretty dress that asks him to check under her bed for monsters. I didn't understand that until I held my girls for the first time. Miles had made me promise when he agreed to let me date Charlotte that she would remain a virgin…"

Choosing that point to interrupt, "Oh, don't worry General Monroe, Sir – Claire is most definitely a virgin; we have only ever kisses and I would never have let anyone else touch her, ever."

Bass nodded, thankful for the spontaneous confession, "I appreciate your honesty. Miles wanted me to wait until he had been dead for 10 years before having sex with Charlotte, of course I know that asshole was to ornery to die, but I did agree that there would be no sex before marriage… do you understand what I am saying?"

With a confused look, Robert offered, "You're saying that I won't fully understand until Claire and I have a daughter?"

Bass stared at the boy for a moment, He was smart and honorable; he worked hard and never failed to put Claire first. Bass supposed Claire could do worse and he sort of like the idea of a granddaughter. Maddie was 10 now and liked to believe she was too old to cuddle with her father. A granddaughter with soft blonde ringlets like her mother would be wonderful – he would love to hear 'Pappap' yelled from a smiling face. "I'm saying if she wants to marry you, then you have my permission. I am also saying that prior to any trip out of this country you need to create a present a plan to ensure her safety and her return to Philadelphia; and – and this part had better be VERY clear, you will be safely back in Philadelphia long before any grandchild arrives." Then looking at the boy who was to be his son-in-law, "Do we have an understanding?"

Shocked but unwilling to accept good fortune when it presented itself, Robert stood, saluted and said, "I will always love her; I will always protect her; and I promise you we will be back, as soon as I have helped her find her dream."

Bass nodded and shooed the boy away, preferring a few minutes alone. When more than an hour had passed, Charlotte made her way to the stone bench and settled herself alongside the man she had spent a lifetime loving. They continued to sit quietly, holding hands and enjoying the view of the gardens for a while before Bass spoke, "I said yes – I still don't understand how she went from the little girl I told bedtime stories to each night to this young woman, who is in love and getting married, but I said yes." Neither said anything for a while before Bass stated again, "She was just so little and perfect when you gave birth to her, and she used to love to cuddle up to me at night when I told them stories, and I could carry her everywhere. I'm not ready for any of this…"

Charlotte placed her head on his shoulder and smiled, "Don't worry we still have Nate and Noah…"

Before she could even finish, Bass interrupted and sarcastically quipped, "The Mischief twins, my biggest role in their life is to keep them and their uncles Marcus and Jake from blowing things up. You even agreed to send them to the academy, when you fought like a woman possessed at the thought of Ross leaving your skirts."

Shaking her head Charlotte continued, "I was going to remind you that Maddie still needs and loves her big strong dad."

Conceding that their youngest still needed him, Bass said, "It just makes me feel old. I'm not ready to accept old."

Patting his chest, Charlotte agreed, "It makes us both feel old – a married daughter, but I kind of like the idea of being a Nana to a little one, and – who knows – maybe marrying him will get her to settle down, dream of something other than adventures in foreign countries." Then with a laugh, "But, don't worry, you were old back when I married you." With that final dig, Charlotte took off toward the kitchen doors laughing as Bass chased her down.

She had barely crossed the threshold when Bass snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her back against him, "I'll show you old you little hellcat. I'll put you over my knee, then…"

"OH GOD, YOU NEED TO STOP!" screamed Danni whose horrified look was pitted in contrast to the looks of smug laughter from Frankie and the still disgruntled stare that John was levying on the Blanchard boy.