A/N: Sorry for the delay, been having some problems with the computer (damn the complicated technology!) but thanks very much for your reviews and your patience! A couple of you mentioned that you'd like to see how Summer was coping with the whole issue, so this one's for you...

Later that day Summer was sprawled out on her bed flicking vaguely through a magazine, but her mind, not unusually, was on more Coheny related topics. She had yet to broach the subject of a meeting with her Dad and to be truthful…she wasn't looking forward to it.

Obviously she wanted them to meet…and she wanted them to accept each other…but although she knew that the chances were slim, what she really wanted, was for them to get along.

She sighed heavily and lay back on her bed, pulling Princess Sparkle close to her. Summer knew that it shouldn't be this hard or indeed that it shouldn't bother her so much…but it did. She had become remarkably used to the dysfunctionality of her and Seth's relationship, so much so that she found it almost part of its charm, and yet…there was still a part of her that hankered after the fairy-tale romance that had enchanted her mind and ruled her fantasies as a child… none of those girls had to put up with awkward silences at family dinners or lectures from their Dad that their boyfriend wasn't good enough… And none of them had ever had to make a choice.

She cringed when she thought back to the lunch they'd all had together last year. But it wasn't Seth's, admittedly terrible, performance that bothered her…it was her own behaviour that had followed. That she had been willing to let Seth go for the sake of her Dad's approval.

This time around however, she held no fear of it descending into the kind of chaos of before because, quite simply, she wouldn't let it. There was no longer a decision to be made. She loved her dad…and she loved Seth…they were unconditional loves which would stand regardless of how they felt about each other.

And yet…she couldn't deny that having her Dad's blessing would set a seal of legitimacy on their relationship, make it real… and build a solid foundation for their future together.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock on her door and her dad's head appearing from around the side of it. "Hey honey" he greeted her with a smile.

Summer looked up startled, she hadn't expected her Dad home for a good few hours, clearly the universe was trying to hurry along the conversation that she was avoiding "Hey…" she replied softly "You're home early"

"Yeah, I had a late cancellation, so I figured I'd come and spend some time with my favourite girl."

Summer rolled her eyes, gave a wry smile, and then averted hergaze back to the bed. She wondered if she would stay his favourite girl for long…

"You Ok Sweetie?" he asked, sensing her unease

"Yeah…I'm fine." Summer nodded slowly "Just tired." She shot him a weak smile and returned to playing distractedly with Princess Sparkle's hair.

"Ok, well maybe we can watch a movie or something later?" He frowned slightly, as he watched his daughter, he knew that Princess Sparkle was her comfort blanket and was in no doubt that there was something on her mind.

"Sure, I'd like that" she muttered non-commitally.

Dr. Roberts made to leave her room and Summer was suddenly torn. She had a feeling that if she didn't do it now, she may never get around to it. She also felt a sharp stab of guilt that her reluctance was somehow doing Seth a great disservice.

"Dad?" she blurted out finally

He reappeared in her room, wearing a vaguely puzzled expression.

"Do you think maybe we could talk?" she whispered tentatively.

He nodded with furrowed brow and positioned himself down on his daughter's bed "What's this all about Princess?"

Summer opened her mouth nervously to speak but as she did so, a photograph of herself and Seth caught her eye. She drew strength from his smile and a slight sense of calm washed over her. "How do you feel about lunch tomorrow?"

"Sure…" he answered easily "Just you and me?"

"Ah well…" Summer hesitated momentarily "…yes...you, me and…Seth" she finished quietly.

"Seth?" he raised his eyebrow "As in…"

"As in my boyfriend Seth" she filled in, looking her father in the eye for the first time.

There was a prolonged and heavy silence.

"Correct me if I'm wrong…" he began slowly "But haven't we already met before? And as I recall…I judged him to be singularly unsuitable for you Summer. I hardly think that…"

"Dad…" Summer cut him off finally and her eyes bore into his "I need you to give him a chance."

Dr Roberts stared quietly at his daughter, surveying the evident desperation on her face. "Lunch… Tomorrow" he conceded quietly before reassuringly patting Summer's outstretched feet and getting off of her bed.

Making his way back over to the door, he paused as he touched the handle and turned back to his daughter. " You know I'm only like this because I love you." He murmured.

Summer nodded almost imperceptibly and gave a small smile as he left the room. "Well so does he…" she muttered sadly to herself "…I just hope you can see that."

A/N: Hope you liked it! Thanks for reading, please review...go on I know you want to...it's that teeny little button inthe corner... :)