Damon handed her the package. Isabella excitedly ripped at the paper that has different color fish on it , with help from Damon , and finally holding a DVD in her hands. "The…Li….Li….."

Damon smiled at Isabella's intent focus on reading the title. She had just barely turned three but wanted to know everything. "The Lion King, sweetheart" Damon finished for her. "It's a very old movie that your momma and I love we watched it a lot when she was pregnant with you, and we thought you would love it too."

Bella stared at the DVD case for a moment, then looked up . "A lion is a king?" she asked.

"Yes " Damon laughed. "There's a lion who's a king, a little boy lion cub who's his son. There's also a talking warthog, and other talking animals. Do you want to watch it with me now?"

"Ok daddy" Isabella said. She sat on the brown leather couch while Damon put the DVD in and turned the TV on . Damon sat next to Isabella and watched her as the beginning credits rolled. Bella 's started dancing in her seat at the beginning song and the presentation of the young lion cub, Simba, the soon to be king. Damon watched as Bella giggled over the antics of Timon and Pumba.

Eventually, Damon had to leave the room, as he heard Emily having bad morning sickness in the bathroom . "I'll be right back, baby mustang. I have to go help momma." Bella simply nodded, her eyes glued to the screen as Mufasa and Scar began their showdown.

Upon arriving back, with Emily settled back in bed to calm her nausea, Damon was greeted with a sight he would never forget. Isabella 's face was streaked with tears, as the slow music of Mufasa's death played from the television screen. She rubbed her face with her little hands, her face screwed up into a frown as she continued to watch.

Damon's heart nearly broke into many pieces . "Baby girl, why are you crying ?" he walked over and knelt beside Isabella on the couch.

Isabella continued to frown, scrubbing at her face with her hands, and shook her head.

So stubborn just like her mother, Damon thought.

"Are you sad that Mufasa died, baby?" he asked again. Isabella continued to shake her head, her lip quivering now.

Damon sighed and held his arms open "You want to come sit with daddy, mustang ? It's OK to be sad."

Isabella finally gave two tiny nods and launched herself into his arms. She laid her head on his shoulder and let out little sobs. Damon rubbed her back soothingly and kissed her cheek. "There ,there, little mustang " he whispered. "It's OK".

Damon carried her over to the couch and sat her in his lap. His little girl had such a big sensitive heart, like himself. Damon continued to hold her as the movie played on.

Emily , having felt better from her morning sickness, now stood in the doorway, witnessing the scene, her hand pressed over her heart and tears pricking her eyes. Her husband was a rare man, and such a wonderful father.

"Is there room for one more?" Emily asked, walking into the room.

"Mommy!" Isabella shrieked, launching herself off of Damon's lap and running to her mother. Emily bent down as best she could and fiercely hugged her baby girl, giving her kisses all over her face.

"What are you two doing so early this morning, my big birthday girl?" Emily asked.

"Daddy gave me The Lion King, but I got sad" Isabella said honestly. "But it's ok. Daddy told me it's ok to be sad sometimes, and now I'm happy. Simba is going to be king!" with that, she ran back over to Damon, plunking herself back down on his lap to finish the movie.

Emily laughed, and sat next to her husband and daughter, greeting him with a kiss. "So you gave her the movie?"

Damon shrugged "I thought it was a good time. I forgot about the Mufasa dying part though."

Emily giggled quietly "Well, can we please wait a few years for Bambi? I don't think I'm prepared for that yet."