"So I'm having a birthday party after school on Friday", says Richard.

I look up from where I was eating and smile. "The 21st yes?", I ask.

He nods. "Yea, I was wondering if you'd come as my date."

"I would love to", I say. I'm feeling so much more confident now. Its only our second date but I already feel like we've been together forever. Well, we didn't make it official yet, but my fingers are crossed. "Where is it?"

"My house", he says. I watch him cut his steak. "My dad's going away for the week and I have the house all to myself. Well, my brother is going to be there but I payed him to keep shut. I invited the entire senior class."

I raise an eyebrow. "Even Kitten?"

He thought for a moment. "No, I excluded her and her goons. I don't want anyone bothering my Kori."

I keep my eyebrow raised. My Kori. I do like the sound of that. "Your Kori?"

He blushes and looks down. "Um...aha...how is your food?"

I glance down at my pasta. "Very good. This restaurant is very nice." I look around, marveling the paintings, chandeliers, and statues. Let's be glad I wore my Sunday best.

"One of the very bests in Gotham", he tells me.

"Then it would have the very best of deserts?", I ask, my sweet tooth coming in.

He laughs. "You need to try their raspberry cheesecake then." He lifts up a hand and signals for our waiter.

The rest of the date went fairly well. We shared a slice of cheesecake, which was delicious, and we talked. He told me more about himself and I told him more about me. Unfortunately, we didn't do anything after the dinner. He took me home and I invited him in but he said he had to get home. I understood so I just gave him a kiss on the cheek and said my good byes.

"How did the date go?", my mom asks as I head into the living room. My dad is sitting next to her, newspaper in hand. My sister and brother sat on the other couch watching television.

I sigh, plunk myself on the armchair, and take off my heels. I never wear heels and when I tell you my feet kill, my feet kill. "It went good."

"Anything happen?", she asks.

I shake my head and roll my eyes. "You guys know me better than that. We just had dinner and talked." I wonder. "What do you guys think of him?"

My dad moves the newspaper away from his face. "Why?"

Jeez! Its just a question! I swear they need to know every detail. Just answer it for once without asking why. "I'm just wondering. If he and I were to take our relationship to the next level, what would you guys think of it?"

"Did he ask you to be his girlfriend?", asks Kom.

I avert my eyes away. "Not yet...but I have a feeling he would. It's just a question, god, you guys make everything so complicated."

"I think you should go for it", says Kom. She rubs her fingers together. "He has money."

I scowl. "I do not go on dates with him for the money. Unlike you, I care about personality, not materialistic things."

My mother looks up from where she is knitting. "I like the boy", she says. That makes two people on my side. "He is very sweet and looks like a gentlemen. Although, I do wish he would come for dinner, so that we learn more about him." Maybe in a hundred years.

"I agree with your mother", my father says. "Why don't you invite him for dinner, for some real one on one." I give him a sigh. "You should invite him over tomorrow."

"That soon?", I ask. I need some time to prepare him not to say or do anything you wouldn't approve of. "Maybe he's busy."

"I agree with dad", says Ry. Of course you do. When don't you.

"You'll never know unless you call him", my dad tells me. He points his head towards the kitchen, indicating that I call now.

I look up at the clock. He should be home by now. I walk into the kitchen and dial his number.

"Hey Kori, miss me already?", he asks.

I let out a giggle. "That and I need to ask you something."

"Oh? Go on", he tells me.

I sigh making sure he hears my annoyance. "It's my parents, well my brother and father. They want you to come over for dinner tomorrow so that they can get to know you better."

"Dinner, huh?", he asks.

Just say no. "I know this is annoying and I'm sorry about how overprotective they are and I understand if you do not wish to do this."

"Okay", he says. What?

"Okay?", I ask. I play with the phone cord, something I always do. "Are you sure? I do not wish for you to be uncomfortable."

"I'm tough", he tells me. "Besides, I want them to like me. Maybe it'll make this a lot easier."

I let out a breath. Phew! "Thank you."

He chuckles. "Don't worry about it. What time do you want me to come over?"

"Hang on a sec", I tell him. I place the phone against my neck. "Mom! What time do you want him to come over!?" I hear a faint five. "Five o'clock."

"I'll see you then", he tells me.

He's so amazing. He must really like me. I go upstairs to my room, climb up to the top bunk, and dream about Richard.

"Good boy", I say, rubbing Robin's snout. "You're a good boy." I kiss him on the snout and take the saddle off of him and place it on the shelf. I take the comb and run it through his hair. I hum a lullaby. "La la laa laa la", I sing. "I don't know any lullabies so I'm just gonna sing whatever comes to my miiiind." I laugh at myself. "I should be a comedian. What pet does everyone have?" I look at Robin and he nods his head. "An armpet." Oh I am too good. "Hehe. Why is six afraid of seven?" I look at Robin and the rest of the horses. "None of you know?"

"Because seven ate nine",says a voice.

I gasp and throw the comb to the side. "Richard!" I get out of Robin's stall, lock the gate and run to tackle him.

He caught me in his arms. "Hey there."

Remembering where I was and what I was wearing. "Oh, is it five already?" I push him away. "Oh I look terrible."

"You look cute in your farm outfit", he tells me.

I glare at him. "It's not a farm outfit."

"Sorry", he says. "You're stable outfit."

I shake my head and whack him in the chest. I remove my gloves, boots, apron, and place them away. "C'mon. My parents are probably wondering where I am by now." I take his hand, lace it with mine, and we head back to the house. I notice a bouquet of mixed flowers in his hand. "Are those for me?" I tease, fluttering my eyelashes.

"They're for your mom", he tells me.

I let out an exaggerated gasp. "And here I thought I was going to place another beautiful bouquet on my bedroom dresser." I look at his nervous face and laugh. "I'm just kidding! Gosh, you're too easy!"

"Not funny, Kor", he said. "Why do you have to scare me like that?"

"Cuz it's fun", I say. I stop at my door and turn to him. "A little pointer. Don't talk in a cocky way. Sit up straight when eating and use manners. Call my dad sir and my mom ma'am. And importantly, just be yourself." I fix the collar of his jacket.

"Does that mean I can't play footsies with you?", he asks.

"Yes. I'd rather you not. You might end up playing with my sister or worse, my brother", I tell him. I open the door and hear him laugh.

My mother greets us at the door. "Hello. Dick how are you?"

"I'm good Mrs. Anders", he says. He holds out the flowers. "These are for you."

My mom gasps. I roll my eyes. Jeez mom. He's here for me not you. "Why these are beautiful. Please come in."

My brother walks in. "Hey Dick", he says.

"Hey", replies Richard. They give each other a pound. Um, okay? Where did that come from? Probably a boy thing.

"Ryan take Dick's jacket and hang it up", orders my mother as she walks away and into the kitchen.

My brother rolls his eyes and passes me. "Jeez, Kor, you smell like horse! Take a shower or something." Richard passes him his jacket.

I give him a face. "At least I work with the horses. All you do is play on the tractor."

"I don't play", he replies. "I work."

I scrunch up my nose. "Maybe I should shower. I'll be right back", I whisper to Richard. I run up the stairs but quickly turn around. "Please be nice."

Ryan places a hand around Richard's shoulders. "Don't worry. We have a lot to talk about anyways."

I wince and Richard gives me a nervous look. I see them head into the living room and I quickly run upstairs for a shower.

After a quick twenty minute shower, I head downstairs to the kitchen. Surprisingly, Richard and Ry are sitting at the table along with my father and sister. They seem to be getting along at least. I help my mom place the food around the table. Once finished I took my seat next to Richard.

"Let us all prepare for grace", my father says.

Richard looks at me and he takes my hand. My father says a few words, thanking X'hal for everything she's done for us, and told us to dig in. By the way X'hal a goddess. We have many gods and goddesses that we worship on Tamaran. Their story goes great into depth about temples, volcanoes, and exploding astroids and what not so I won't bore you.

"So Dick, why don't you tell us about yourself?", my mother asks.

Richard takes a sip of his water and I could tell he is nervous. "Sure. What would you like to know?"

"What are you interested in studying once you're in college?", she asks.

"Well, I haven't decided about whether I am going to college or not. I guess I'll wait until senior year to decide but I do know that I will be taking over Wayne Enterprises", he says.

"Really?", my father asks interested.

"Bruce is going to teach me everything he knows sometime next year so that when I turn eighteen, I can take over as VP", he tells them.

My mother nods. "Interesting. So by the time you decide to marry, you'll have enough to support a family." Oh my god! She did not just bring up marriage! Its like she wants me to marry the minute I turn eighteen.

"I guess", replied Richard.

"Do you have a backup plan if being vice president doesn't work out?", my father asks.

"I've always been interested in criminal justice", he tells us. "I've always been fascinated with the law and becoming a police officer. I want kids to live in a safe environment and not have to go through an experience like I have." Oh, you don't have to mention your parents.

I guess my parents knew not to push because they didn't press on. "Well, I hope you truly fulfill your calling", my mother says.

"Becoming an officer of the law is very bold", my father says. "I know what its like to serve your country."

"Really?", asks Richard. "You fought in a war?"

My dad nods. "I've fought from the age of sixteen to twenty seven. Twelve years of blood, pain, and love. You truly don't know you're love for your own country until you've served for her. When my father was president of Tamaran, he initially wanted me to take over, but I had other plans. I knew it wasn't for me. Going to the army was the best decision I made. Although, it made me lose a leg, it was the best."

"You lost your leg?", asks Richard.

My dad pulls his chair back and knocks on his leg. "Nothing but steel. Do you want to know how it happened?"

Richard nods eagerly, sort of like a little boy being read a bed time story.

For the next hour my father told us stories. None of them contained times when he was in the actual battle field. He never spoke of times during the battlefield. He would tell us about his bonding times with his fellow troops, pranks they would play on their sergeants, the types of guns and weapons they use, and the training they had to go through. We laughed, a lot as we ate my mother's pie.

Unfortunately, the night had to end. I saw Richard out after my family said their goodbyes. We walked to his car, going at a very slow pace.

"So?", I ask.

Richard turns to me and smiles. "I enjoyed it. I was nervous in the beginning but you're dad's kinda cool." Cool? Is that a joke? My dad is cool? "Your mom is awesome and she bakes the best pies. I'm glad she baked one for me to take home." He lifted the container. "Your sister doesn't say much. Your brother, I'm glad he's actually trying to be my friend. I can tell he's getting used to me being around with you."

I smile and place my back against his car door. "So what now?"

He leans closer to me and moves a strand of hair away from my face. "Ask me on my birthday."

I give him a confused look. "And why is that?"

"So that if I get the answer I'm looking for, I'll be extra happy on my birthday", he tells me. I give him a smile and he leans in for a quick kiss on the lips. I move out of his way.

"On your birthday?", I ask myself as he drives away. But that's a week away!

Breath. I'm already working on the next chapter. God, you guys are crazy with the update requests! I'm trying my best here, but I can't blame my fans for loving my stories. Love you guys with a passion!