COMPASSION
Over the next few years, Luke (much to his disbelief) was not allowed to have any more play dates with Sofia. However, he wasn't completely deprived of is chosen mate-to-be either. His sister Amanda took pity on him and asked Matthew Donner if she could hold his baby girl during church. Matt who had always been partial to sweet, soft-spoken women (or in Vivian Cates opinion, dossal and passive-aggressive women) had been unable to refuse her request. He knew Sofia would be sitting next to Luke but choose to over look it. Sofia needed some female influence and Amanda had inherited her mother's gentleness. Besides what could go wrong in a church; especially with Vivian watching both of their children carefully. Matt knew Vivian well and had no doubt that he scared her with his reaction to Luke stealing a kiss from his daughter. If he was to tell the truth, he had scared himself also.
Vivian was concerned about her son's safety around Matt but was never concerned about his crush on Sofia. They were only children and even if it continued until they were teenagers. Luke would lose interest when Sofia started to show the weakness inherit in her DNA. It never entered her mind that she had believed the same thing about Matthew Donner and his interest in Marie.
The passing years didn't change her opinion. Neither did her husband's occasional observations about Luke and Sofia. In fact she took it as a sign that he thought Luke's crush was as ridiculous as she did. However, after her husband started to openly encourage Luke's interest she started to worry. The first time she noticed him doing it was the Sunday after their daughter Amanda's funeral.
Vivian had spent that Sunday morning wondering if Sofia would continue to sit with them now that Amanda was gone. She had her question answered when she saw Willard carry the little girl across the church to their pew. He sat her between himself and Luke and gave them a coloring book and crayons to keep them quite though the service.
Sofia colored while Luke held the crayons and stared at her. He was patiently waiting for Sofia to finish with the color she was using. He didn't want to use the crayon, he was waiting for her to smile at him while he handed her another. As Vivian watched her son blush and return Sofia's smiles she thought back on the story Willard had told her the night before and shivered.
At Amanda's funeral
More then one pack member stopped by the room Willard occupied to offer their condolences. But when they noticed seven of the strongest male members of the pack sitting in a tense silence they (adult male and female alike) quickly decided to wait. However, six year old Sofia Donner (who was well aware of the tense atmosphere and more then a little intimidated by some of the men in the room) didn't. She had something important to tell him. So she squared her shoulders, lowered her head and eyes in an unconscious show of submission and walked past them all. Her father or Sherman had introduced her to a few of the men she passed. So she acknowledged those she knew (because she was always polite) with a lovely smile and a Hello, Mr. Whoever and walked right up to the Pack's Alfa and smiled. When he didn't acknowledge her right away she put her little hand on his knee and waited for him to finish what he was saying.
Willard Cates acknowledged her by softly asking…"Ms Donner, are you looking for Luke". She shook her head no and said in a sweet voice…"I was looking for you. I'm very sorry about Amanda, Mr. Cates but don't worry. I talked to my mom last night in heaven. I told her how much I like Amanda and how nice she was to me. So I know she'll take care of her for you and Luke."
Willard Cates was stunned and comforted by her compassion. Even on the day he buried his eldest child he was expected to deal with the packs petty, selfish problems. Everyone had offered their condolences but no one true compassion. And this little girl was trying to make him feel better, just because Amanda had been nice to her. At a loss for words he was barely able to say thank you before she smiled sweetly and started to leave. All the men in the room watched her go with smiles on their face's, including Willard.
Until a pissed off Gerald Carter entered the room, he was not asked to join yet another meeting and was about to demand his rightful place on the Alfa's counsel when he bumped into something, which turned out to be a someone.
He looked down at the top of Sofia's head with a sneer on his face and asked…"What are you doing in here, half breed". Everyone could smell her fear rise as she looked up at him. Willard wasn't the only man about to intervene but stopped when they heard Matthew Donner growl…"Freeze".
At first everyone in the room thought Matt was talking to Gerald. But soon realized he was looking at the black Patton Leather Mary Jane Shoe and frilly lace sock his daughter had aimed directly at Gerald's shin. Sofia lowered her foot while her father asked… "What are the rules, Sofia?"…in a voice that was more of a wolven growl then the human tone he always tried to use with her.
Much to the surprise of the men in the room Sofia was not intimidated by his growling. In fact, she crossed her arms and let out a long-suffering sigh before dutifully repeating her father's rules…"Be a lady, be nice, ask first, don't swear or lie, don't talk to pack members you don't know, never-ever lose your temper, no fighting, no biting, and no kicking. Even Presley (the last part of her statement caused a few smirks and raised eyebrows) who deserves it". When she was done her father asked…"and what were you doing when I walked in"?
Sofia was honest to a fault so she disclosed all her wrongs…"I was losing my temper"…She said in a near whisper then in a much stronger voice added… "And was going to kick the mean pack member I don't know in the leg". Then she started to walk out of the room with her head held high but was stopped by Matt's saying…"Sofia".
She turned to her father with a perfectly faked look of contrition and said…" I'm really sorry, daddy" then smile and managed to blush. Everyone in the room watched Matt's heart melt and him smile back…"It's alright sweetie. Run along and play". As soon as Matt turned away from her she proved she wasn't really sorry. The glare she gave Gerald was as adorable as the one Matt was giving him was terrifying. As was his warning…" I'll be stopping by your office so we can talk tomorrow". Willard and the other men in the room were hard pressed not laugh as they watched Sofia's glare turn into a very satisfied smirk before she turned and sauntered out of the room.
Any response Gerald tried to make was ignored as Matt apologized to his friend…"I'm sorry if she disturbed you, Willard".
"She didn't"…Willard assured Matt…"You should be proud. She is a very impressive little girl. She has Marie's sweetness and beauty but is definitely your daughter. In time she will become an impressive woman".
Matt knew what Willard was hinting at, everyone in the room did. Everything within the pack was position and parents started campaigning for their children's stasis and looking for worthy mates as soon as their children started developing personalities. No one doubted Luke would be in the running to become Alfa if he survived to adulthood and he was already showing interest in Sofia. Not everyone over looked childish crushes as easily as Vivian. If Sofia were to flip
…no, no he wouldn't allow it. No matter what Sherman said his daughter would not flip. Matt's eyes flashed gold with anger he couldn't control before he said …"No she's not, she's human and perfectly normal". Then left the room in a very masculine huff.
Authors Note:Thank you for all the reviews. I would love to have a beta but I'm not sure how to go about getting one. Sorry for my mistakes and how long it took me to update. I started a new job so I've been very busy. I wanted to explain where the story is headed. It will cover Luke and Sofia's childhood interaction, both of their flips, the beginning of the relationship we saw in the series, and a review of some of the episodes. If anyone is wondering, Gerald Carter was a character in the show. He was a contender against Tyler Creed for Alfa and killed along with both of his sons by the bank robbing brotherly lovers in the episode Leader Of The Pack.