Author's Note: Just a simple story about a father's love for his daughter. Nathan knows Allie is growing up and wants nothing but the best for her. So, he gives her a taste of what she deserves on a date.

Coming of Age

Allie was just heading down the stairs early on Valentine's Day morning, hoping to make her dad an extra special breakfast to serve him once he got back from his morning rounds, when she heard a loud knock at the door. "Who on earth would be here this early?", she thought to herself. Once she got to the door, she opened it ever so cautiously. Behind the door, though, stood her father's large frame, clad in Serge, jodhpurs, and boots, holding his Stetson hat in his hands.

"Dad? Why are you knocking? You know you can just walk right in, don't you?", she asked with a confused expression on her face.

"Miss Grant, I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me to dinner this evening?", Nathan said with a charming smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.

Allie shook her head, crossed her arms in front of her, and responded, "Dad, what are you up to?"

"I'm not up to anything.", Nathan commented, and Allie shot him a doubtful look. Nathan chuckled, put his hands up in the air in surrender, and replied, "Allie, I simply want to take my daughter out for a special Valentine's Day dinner and evening out."

Allie wore a thoughtful look on her face, nodded, and said, "That sounds like fun!"

"Great! I will pick you up at 6 o'clock this evening. Please wear your best dress too. Now, I need to go finish my rounds. Good day, Miss Grant!", Nathan said as he placed his hat on his head and tipped it at her.

Allie smiled, shaking her head as she closed the door behind him.

"Well, this should be fun!", she said out loud as she walked into the kitchen to start breakfast for both of them.

Later that afternoon, she decided to go over to the Weiss' house to get Opal's mom Ellen to do her hair for the evening's outing. They decided to braid back each side with the remainder hanging down her back and attached Opal's light blue bow. Once she returned home, Allie put on her light blue gingham button dress. She opened her jewelry box, pulled out her charm bracelet, and put it on her slender wrist.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror in her room and then looked over at the photo of her mother that her grandmother had given her when she had last visited Rock Creek the prior summer. Allie could see the similarities between young Colleen and herself as she looked back at her own reflection. She was taken out of her reverie by a knock on the door.

There at the door, Nathan stood in his navy blue suit with his light blue shirt and navy blue tie, holding a small bouquet of wildflowers. Allie's face lit up as she smiled at her father. "Allie, you look absolutely beautiful this evening! Here, these are for you.", Nathan said as he handed her the bouquet.

"Thanks Dad! These are beautiful! You look pretty dashing yourself. I'll put these in some water.", Allie responded as she took the bouquet from Nathan and headed to the kitchen. Once Allie had taken the bouquet, put it in a vase with water, and then placed the vase in the center of the table, she went back and joined Nathan at the door. She grabbed her coat, and Nathan took it from her and helped her into it.

They walked to the cafe and chatted about their day. Once at the cafe, Nathan opened the door for Allie and helped her into her seat at their table. Throughout dinner, Nathan asked Allie questions about things that interested her and sat there listening intently to her as she responded to each question.

While they were waiting for their dessert, Nathan pulled a small, wrapped box out of his inner jacket pocket, handed it over to Allie, and said, "Happy Valentine's Day, Allie!" Allie smiled brightly and opened the package to reveal a package of colored pencils. Allie carefully ran her fingers over each color and said, "Dad, these colors are so amazing! Thank you so much!" Nathan smiled in response just as dessert was brought out and set before them. Allie couldn't make up her mind between the gooey butter cake and the chocolate cake, so they ordered one of each and asked for an extra plate to split between them both.

Once they finished with dessert, they sat at their table, Nathan with his coffee and Allie with her hot chocolate.

Allie grabbed her father's hands, looked at him sincerely, and said, "Dad, this has been the best Valentine's Day ever. Thank you for making it so special!"

"Allie, you are coming of age where boys will pursue you, and I want you to know what a date should feel like. I love you, Allie, and I want you to know how special you should feel each time you go out with someone. You deserve it, and I encourage you to accept nothing but the best. Not in material things, but in being treasured and feeling valued.", Nathan responded as he gently squeezed her hands.

Allie's eyes filled with tears, and she jumped out of her seat and went to embrace her father. "Thank you, Dad! I love you so much! The boys that come into my life have a lot to live up to because you have set the bar pretty high.", Allie said as she pulled away from their embrace.

Nathan smiled lovingly at his daughter and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "Hey, what do you say we walk back to the house and pick out a story to read together?", Nathan asked.

Allie nodded her head and hugged Nathan one more time. Nathan helped her back into her coat for the walk home. On the way back, Allie grabbed Nathan's hand, and they gently swung their hands the whole way back.

When they got home, Allie went straight to the desk and put her new colored pencils in the drawer with her things. She went upstairs, changed into her pajamas, and came back downstairs. Nathan, who was already sitting on the couch, gestured over to the bookcase for Allie to choose a book. Once she did, she joined Nathan on the couch and snuggled in close. Before they started reading, Nathan grabbed the knitted throw on the back of the sofa and covered the both of them up.

Nathan read the book as Allie lay in the crook of his arm, listening. Eventually, she dozed off, and Nathan simply sat there, enjoying the moment. Life was good, and here, with Allie, showering her with all the love and affection that she deserved, was his happy place. He leaned down and kissed her head and whispered, "Happy Valentine's Day, Allie!"