The day had come. Violet's birthday. The weather was cloudy, and slightly drizzly. Just how she liked it. The family wouldn't be going out to some fancy restaurant, but would stay inside and eat half stale cake and watch a movie.

And she would be happy, because he would say yes to her request. He would say yes.

Violet woke before anyone else, got dressed in her favourite casual clothes, and before she went into her parents' bedroom, washed herself up. They were both in bed next to each other this time. She immediately felt a rush of heat flow throughout her, most likely a strong wave of jealousy that she wasn't in her mother's place.

The morning went by quickly. Dash and her mother had said happy birthday to her, while her father had only acknowledged her with a curt nod. It had disappointed her only slightly. Soon enough, they had all sat down at the dining room table, the room dimmed as her mother brought in the blue, green, and white cake and Jack-Jack giggled and burbled happily.

The entire family sang Happy Birthday as one before she closed her eyes and blew the candles out. You can probably guess what she wished for. When the ceremony was finished, Bob cut the cake and handed everyone, including Jack-Jack, a piece.

Violet was the first to finish. It hadn't been an ice cream cake, nor angel food. She wasn't quite sure what the ingredients were, and she didn't ask. She knew her mother had made it for her, like always, and she had enjoyed it greatly. For once, she actually felt a sense of peace and happiness inside of her.

When everyone was done and the chatter had died down slightly, Helen turned to Violet and smiled.

"Ready for your presents now?" She asked.

"Sure, mom."

Helen got up from the wooden chair swiftly and walked into the other room where the stairs were. Dash ran after her. Violet looked at her father, who sat right across from her.

He didn't look at her. Instead, he pulled back from the table, the chair squeaking under the weight of him. "Maybe I should go..." His voice was slightly shakey, as if he was afraid of her. She couldn't help but rolling her eyes at him and grabbing his wrist before he got up completely.

"Dad... stay."

Now, he looked at her. "No - no, I think I should go help your mother.."

"Just stay, okay? We need to talk."

He settled back into the chair, but obviously reluctantly. "Okay..."

"Three weeks, dad."

He looked at her, his blue eyes wide.

"Three weeks, dad, of me... Um, showing you how much I ..." She paused, looking towards where her mother had just recently left and briefly wondered whether or not she was being overheard or if her mother and sibling were coming back soon. "Three weeks of acting like you love me ... in return."

Her heart was pounding against her ribs as he looked down, a piece of his light hair drifting in front of his face. "Violet... I don't know if this is all such a good idea. I mean, it's so wrong."

"God! If it was so wrong, dad, I wouldn't love you so damned much!"

"But you're my daughter, Violet. It's wrong." His eyebrows knitted for a moment as he looked back up at her. She could tell he was jumpy, or either strangely excited.

"Just get around that for moment, will you?" Anger and annoyance flared up inside of her for a small amount of time before she looked back into his eyes and cooled down instantly. Why was he being so difficult? "Just... act like you love me like you love mom... please..."

"...I can't, Violet..."

"Yes, you can!" And before she knew it, she was pushing her plate to the side and climbing onto the table. She barely heard him ask her what she was doing. A second later, his plate was also pushed to the side and she was on her hands and knees, looking down at him. "Please..."

Her lips were on his, and unfortunately for her, he didn't respond and tried to pull away from her. Violet didn't hear the small little giggles and slurred words coming from the end of the table.

Finally he managed to get away. "Violet..." His eyes looked frustrated. With her, or something else, she didn't know. He wondered whether or not she would keep doing this to him if he didn't say yes now. "Okay... But only for three weeks."

He reached up to her face and brushed back the dark hair from her face that had fallen when she climbed up onto the table. She gasped a little in surprise before he kissed her lightly, his hands now on her shoulders. He pulled her a little bit more towards him and deepened the kiss. He could feel her trembling beneath him. Violet pulled back from him first and whispered a quiet thank you.