Chapter Sixteen

"Seth, it's getting a tad late," Summer pointed out graciously, "I think I want to spend as much time as I can with my dad, considering that he hasn't seen me a lot lately. Is that okay?" Summer asked kindly. Although Seth did not want to let his pretty go, he had to agree to such a beautiful plea. Seth nodded, as he came in closer for a darling goodbye kiss.

"Sure, Sum." Seth said, right before their lips met. Summer smiled to herself, at Seth's efforts to say good bye. Summer expected something long, and busy, but Seth surprised her with a gentle peck, on the lips. It was magical needless to say, and Summer seemed enchanted by this. She knew in her heart that Seth was a gentleman, and Seth kept proving himself after each visit.

"God, we have school tomorrow. We haven't been there in forever." Summer bit her lip worriedly, as she started to stand up. Seth touched her hand,

"You need a ride?" Seth offered kindly.

"Yes, actually, I do." Summer smiled, as she held on to Seth's soft hand. Seth and Summer walked out of the room, and eventually out the door. Once they reached Seth's car, Summer got in. "I'm guessing this is the first time my dad will see the both of us – engaged." Summer said unsurely, but definitely excitedly. "I wonder what he'll say." Now she was apparently terrified of showing Seth at her home. "I'm guessing your mom called my dad, to tell him that I was coming home, soon. I wonder if mom will be there too." Summer was about to start to blab, but Seth hushed her.

"Sum," Seth said in a warm voice, as they started to pull out of the driveway, "Don't worry. We will get married, with or without their blessing." Seth said to Summer, which wasn't too comforting.

"Seth, but I need their – at least my dad's – blessing. I want to feel like this is right, but without them saying so, I'll feel like we're doing something really, horribly, wrong." Summer admitted, without looking at Seth. She tried to keep her eyes on the straight road that was swimming in darkness.

"I understand that. But Sum, what if they said no? Would you call it all off?" Seth asked, hurt. Summer bit her lip as she turned towards Seth quickly. Her eyes widened, and Summer's face looked like she had seen something completely frightening.

"I," Summer stuttered, "I don't know." She shook her head. "I just, really, don't know what I would do." She gulped a difficult gulp, as Seth concentrated angrily on the road. He wanted to say so much, but he didn't want to cause a fight. However, Summer wanted to hear his voice, "Say something." She begged desperately.

"What am I supposed to say Summer?" Seth asked reluctantly, "It seems to me that you would ditch me for your dad. How does that sound?" Seth asked.

"It's not like that." Summer's voice faltered, as she shook her head slowly. It was almost like she had tears in her eyes, "It's just hard to say, Seth. I really don't know what I would do." Summer wanted him to look at her, and smile, but she saw how pale and angered his face was, "Don't be mad. I'm sure you would be in confusion too, if something happened between your parents that forbade us to be married."

"I would marry you even if it meant going out into the open, alone." Seth looked at her. "Once we get to your house, you're going to have to choose, if the situation comes. You're going to have to choose me, or your family, and whatever you choose, I'll have to accept it, completely and thoroughly." Seth said simply, and to this neither did Summer reply, or want to reply. Her stomach was churning in every direction, and she wasn't even sure if, or when she opened her mouth something other then words would come out. This situation frightened her, and she didn't know how to get out of it. If Seth really did ask her old man's permission for her hand, then she had nothing to worry about. But what if the step monster was there? God. Things were getting so uncontrollably complicated.

Finally, they reached the Robert's residence. Actually, they reached the Robert's residence too soon for comfort. Summer got out of the car shakily, as did Seth. They both walked to the door, and Summer turned toward Seth reluctantly.

"I would choose you." She said meaningfully, as she knocked on the door. Seth's insides swelled with happiness. He grinned as someone came to open the door. He watched Summer's accelerating reflexes spring to the man that opened the door. She wrapped her arms around his neck, as she shrieked, "Daddy!" Summer was smiling, and giggling.

"Honey, you're home!" Mr. Roberts said happily, "How are you feeling, darling? I was so worried for you." He said endearingly.

"I'm great, daddy. I'm absolutely fabulous, and at this point in my life, I just could not be happier." Summer said truthfully. Mr. Roberts touched Summer's hand, as he lifted it.

"So it's true." Mr. Roberts said in a saddened voice, "Someone is going to take my baby away." He started to nod his head, as he seemed to be filling up with remorse.

"Not just someone as in anyone, Daddy. I really love this someone, more than I could ever imagine." Seth beamed at Summer's words, as he embraced the girl, putting his arm around her waist, and in turn, she put her arm around his waist.

"Good evening, Mr. Roberts. How are you?" Seth said, trying to sound as gentlemanly as he could possibly sound. Mr. Roberts nodded his head.

"I'm okay," He sighed, "But how good would you be if a boy was taking you beloved daughter away?" He stumped Seth.

"If it was someone whom my daughter was very happy with, I would let her go, with her promise of returning ever so often, to peak in, Sir." Seth said politely.

"Very witty reply, Mr. Cohen." Mr. Roberts said, as though impressed.

"Please call me Seth." Seth offered, "Besides, I will be your son-in-law." He reminded his future-father-in-law.

"Okay, Seth," Mr. Roberts said coldly, "But I do prefer Mr. Roberts, just so you don't get the wrong idea." Seth nodded. Summer glared at her father, as if trying to hush his rude comments.

"Daddy," She said in a hoarse whisper.

"I'm Daddy to you, Mr. Roberts to him, for now, until wedding day. Don't expect anything more, or less, Summer." Mr. Roberts said, "Please come in, for a moment. Tomorrow is a school-day, you know." Mr. Roberts walked in, hoping the kids would follow his lead. "Anything to drink? Eat?" He offered, mostly to Summer. Seth didn't dare reply. God forbid he drank some of Mr. Roberts beloved beverages, or digested some of Mr. Roberts beloved foods- What a nightmare.

"No, I'm fine, Daddy. I'll just grab myself a glass of water." She swiftly walked over to the cabinets and grabbed herself a glass, upon which was brimmed with icy cold water, "Seth? You want something?" She asked, as though he were in his own home. He quickly shook his head, and with a small whimper said,

"I'm fine." Mr. Roberts seemed to be pleased with this intimidated answer, as he sat down across from Seth. "Maybe I should get going. Tomorrow is a school-day after all. It's getting late," Seth started to nod, "Goodnight, Mr. Roberts." Seth accented purposely, with a small grin on his face, "Goodnight, Summer." He shuffled towards her, and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, so Mr. Roberts wouldn't think that their relationship is based on 'snogging'. "See you tomorrow. I'll come and pick you up in the morning, if that's okay with your dad?" Summer looked toward her dad, apathetic with his jagged attitude. Mr. Roberts seemed indifferent, as he shrugged with a crooked look on his face.

"Why not?" He replied.

"Okay. I'll be ready. See you tomorrow, Seth." Summer cared about her dad's opinion, but she didn't want him to think that Seth was some crazy maniac. She went in for a full kiss. Seth wasn't sure what exactly she was thinking, but before he could think too hard, it was over.

"Good night." Seth said, as he walked love drunkenly over to the front door, "Good night Mr. Roberts." He called as he was leaving. Once Seth slammed the door, Summer nearly pounced on her father.

"How dare you?" He seemed shocked, but completely oblivious to what she was talking about. "For the love of God, he is my FIANCÉ, Mr. Roberts." Summer added frigidly, "I will marry him, whether you approve, or not, because I love him, and you just can't seem to accept that, at all. You're going to have to let me go someday."