The boy shifted uncomfortably under his watchful glare. Amethyst had yet to descend the stairs but the party was ready and waiting. Heero could barely believe it. It seemed like yesterday he first met her; huddled in the secret passage of her mother's office. That day had been the most terrifying day of his life. Relena was abducted and he suddenly found himself the protector of a four year old. Becoming a father was the scariest, most rewarding change his life had ever undergone. And now his little girl was turning sixteen.

And this little punk dared to think he was worthy of her.

Dillon McClain was a classmate a few years older than Ammy. Honor roll, perfect attendance, volunteer work outside of school. The boy was squeaky clean and -by all accounts- an upstanding young man. However, Heero saw the boy as a threat; a possible thief that would take his little girl away. Heero's eyes narrowed and the boy shifted again.

"You know my reputation." Heero stated in his usual monotone.

"Yes sir." The boy didn't falter but Heero swore he saw a hint of fear?

"I am Preventer's most efficient agent. I know ways to hurt people that even they are not aware of."

"Yes sir." The boy continued to stare back. Heero thought he saw the beginnings of sweat?

"Amethyst is one of the only three things in this world I would still kill for in this world. my son and wife being the other two."

"Yes sir."

"I don't think I need to say anything more?"

"No, sir." Herro nodded. "But sir?" Heero stiffened and deepened his glare. "Amethyst is an amazing woman. I respect her more than you know." Heero listened, eyes never leaving his. Dillon's heart rate and breathing never changed; his gaze never wavered. "I love her." It took all Heero tried not to show any response, but the boy's words shocked him.

"Heero." His wife's voice interrupted his makeshift interrogation. Relena walked up and threaded her arm through his. "Are you terrorizing the young man?"

"No, ma'am." The boy answered. We were just discussing a few things." Heero's eyes went from the boy to his wife.

"Here comes the birthday girl!" Mareen's voice came from the top of the stairs.

"Grandma!" His daughter nearly groaned before making her way to the top. Heero felt his heart swell with pride at the sight of her. Her dress was powder blue with bows and ruffles strategically placed, her honey hair pulled into a side twist. She was the spitting image of her mother. He swore he heard a 'wow' come from the boy.

"Oh, sweetie!" Relena stepped forward and hugged her so she left the last step. "You look so grown up."

"Momma," she smiled and hugged her back. Heero stepped forward and touched the top of her head. She pulled back and smiled.

"How do I look, daddy?" Heero felt the corners of his lips turn up into a bittersweet smile.

"Like your mother." She grinned and hugged him tightly before her gaze found the boy. Her eyes lit up in the same way Relena's always did when she looked at him. A slight blush burned his little girl's cheeks.

"Your father is right, Ammy. You look just like your mother! Of course, I never got to give her her sweet sixteen, but-"

"Mother, do you think you could see if Hilde needs help with the punch?"

"Oh! Of course, my dear!" She took Amethyst's hands and smiled. Happy birthday, my darling."

"Thank you, Grandma." Mareeen smiled and made her way to the kitchen.

"Dillon!" She noticed the boy and smiled a smile that he returned. Heero shifted uncomfortably this time. "You made it." The boy's smile widened.

"Coach let me off for the night. He knows how much-" the boy stopped, his eyes meeting Heero's. "He knows how important tonight is."

"Ammy, why don't you take Dillon in to meet the rest of the guests. I'm sure your brother will be eager to see him."

"Yes, momma." Amethyst smiled and took Dillon's hand in hers before leading him away. Heero watched them go, his heart sinking in apprehension.

"Heero," Relena wrapped one arm behind him. "I Know that look."

"She looks so… adult."

"Well, she is sixteen now. It's to be expected."

"He said that he loves her." She smiled and laughed softly, tucking her head into the crook of his neck.

"That's a good thing." She turned and wrapped both arms around him, looking into his eyes. She was still so beautiful. The slightest hint of lines barely visible on her face, an early streak of gray in her hair but she was just as beautiful as the day he first saw her…

"They're just children."

"So were we." She smiled and took his face in her hands. "Heero, you are an amazing father. Our daughter adores you. But you can't go around intimidating every young man she brings home."

"Relena-"

"You have trained her in three different fighting styles and she's an ace shot." Relena smiled. "You've taught her well." Heero took a deep breath and pressed his forehead to hers. "She'll be fine." Their daughter was a spitfire like her mother. He could still see Relena, hair flying in the wind as she had the shuttle fly between him and Zechs on the battlefield. He stood between him and Duo and stared down the barrel of Dekim's gun daring him to shoot.

"I know." He whispered and pulled her closer. "She is your daughter." She pulled back and smiled.

"And don't you forget it." She raised up on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. "Let's go join the party and wish our little girl a happy sixteenth." He smiled and kissed her before walking arm and arm into the parlor.