Who has more trouble adjusting to parenthood?

Rob came back from the bar and placed the pint in front of his best mate, "So wasn't Lily's first day at kindergarten last week? How did it go?"

John took a sip before answering, "I'm surprised you remembered."

"I didn't," Rob admitted, "but Cora made me promise to bring home details. Though why she can't just call Anna and ask, I've no idea."

"She probably thinks Anna is too busy taking care of Robbie."

A huge grin spread across Rob's face at the mention of his namesake, "I'm still chuffed you named the little lad after me."

"Don't get too excited mate, I only did it for the beers I knew you'd buy me," he picked up his drink and tilted it toward his friend in salute, "It worked too."

"Alright, just for that, I'm going back to our previous topic of Lily's first day. How did it go?"

"Oh she was fine. She loves her teacher and the other kids."

"And Anna? How did she hold up?"

"Anna did fine. She was a little sad but she had Robbie to keep her busy. Everyone loved Anna. She wasn't the problem."

Rob looked concerned and amused, "Oh no. You didn't cry did you? Why you old softie."

"I didn't cry," John said, looking offended and taking a big swallow of his pint.

"Well, what was it then?"

"Nothing, it was nothing," but Rob could tell his friend was uncomfortable about something.

"Well, it's just the way you said, 'Anna wasn't the problem'."

"So?"

"So, that leads me to believe that maybe you were the problem. But if I'm wrong, I apologize."

The two men sat drinking their beer in silence for a few moments when John finally spoke, "You weren't wrong."

It was quiet again, but Rob knew better than to ask John to elaborate while he was brooding. He would tell all in his own good time.

Eventually he continued, "Everyone thought I was Lily's grandad. One woman even went so far as to assume I was Anna's father."

"Well," Rob sighed, forming his thoughts, "what difference does it make?"

"But it does make a difference doesn't it? Maybe I'm too old to be a father. I don't want to be an embarrassment to my children, or my wife for that matter."

"Good lord John, you could never be an embarrassment to your wife. Don't be ridiculous."

"Well, to the kids then."

Rob huffed, "I'll tell you a secret Bates. All fathers are an embarrassment to their children. If it's not for one thing, it will be for something else," he took a drink and continued, "if I had a quid for every time my children rolled their eyes at me while they were growing up, I'd, well I'd be awfully bloody rich, that's what."

It was quiet for a bit more, "So, what did Anna do when the woman asked if you were her father?"

"Came to my rescue like a mother bear protecting a cub," John smiled.

"I'll just bet she did," Rob agreed, taking yet another sip, "wish I'd been there to see that. She's far too good for you you know."

John laughed again, "I know. And Cora is too good for you."

"Don't I know it. How did we ever get so lucky?"

"I don't know, mate. But let's not point it out in case they realize."