Court swam over to the dock and lifted Dani up out of the water. He sat down beside her and continued to hold her.
"He's a hypocrite, Mama fell in love with him when she was my age, I don't know why it's so hard to believe that I love you." Dani managed to say as she sobbed into Court's shoulder. Court lightly kissed the top of her head and continued rubbing her back.
"It's okay, things will work out, maybe we can go talk to my mom and she can talk to your parents." Court said brushing away Dani's tears with his thumb. Court stood up and put his clothes back on. He offered his hand to Dani to pull her off the ground and they walked slowly hand in hand to Court's house. Marie watched as her son and Dani walked towards the house looking exhausted and upset. Abigail called earlier telling her what happened and asked for her to call back if Dani had showed up at her house. Marie greeted the two of them at the door and they all sat at the kitchen table.
"How come they don't understand Marie, my mama was my age when she fell in love with my daddy." Dani said calmly having calmed down since they returned from the lake.
"Sometimes people can be blind sighted, they don't believe your in love with my son because they don't want to believe it, they don't want to believe your growing up faster then they thought you would." Marie explained looking back and forth between Court and Dani.
"So what are we supposed to do?" Court asked slipping his arm around Dani possessively.
"I guess I could talk to Abigail when she arrives here to come and get you." Marie said. Dani buried her head in Court's shoulder knowing nothing could really be done.
"I won't let anyone take you away from me I promise." Court whispered into Dani's ear as he rubbed his hand up and down her arm. Marie smiled sadly at the couple before her and walked to the door after hearing a car pull up. Court grabbed Dani's hand and walked her over to the couch where they sat together closely. Dani rested herself between Court's legs and laid her head on his shoulder. Court smiled at her and ran his hands through her hair and lightly kissed her forehead. Marie opened the door to allow Abigail in the house, but she just stood there. Marie walked to stand beside her and sat her down on the porch.
"I can't believe Dani has her first crush and Matt is making it so difficult for her." Abigail said quietly looking at her hands.
"The reason why it's so difficult is because you don't want to see what you already know. Dani isn't a child anymore, she's grown with the summer into this fall and what you see Dani having for my Court isn't a crush, it's love." Marie responded putting her hand on Abigail's shoulder.
"I'll admit to there being some changes in Dani and that she has matured more, but I don't know if Dani knows the real meaning of love and I don't know what Court's doing going along with this whole thing." Abigail said staring at Marie's face now.
"Court admitted to me in the summer time that he had been seeing Dani and that he really liked her, but Abigail if you just look at the way my son looks at Dani you will see love and the look in Dani's eyes when she looks at Court, my I see you looking at Matthew, you know how old you were when you fell in love with Matthew, don't let you two turn into Hypocrites and talk to Matt and let these two be." Marie said. Abigail looked at her and awe and stood up. Marie led her into the house where Court and Dani were. Dani had fallen asleep against Court and Court looked dazed as he continued to run his hands through her hair. Abigail gave a soft smile to the couple she saw before her.
"Court I better get her home." Abigail said quietly. Court nodded and looked down at Dani that's where Abigail noticed the look Marie had mentioned for the first time. Court carried Dani to the car for Abigail and watched them drive away, Court then nodded to his mom and announced he was going to bed. Dani groggily got herself out of the car and into the house. She looked at her daddy and sister briefly and then walked upstairs into her room. Abigail sat down with Matthew and explained to him everything Marie had told her. For the most part Matthew remained quiet and after calming him down Matthew agreed to think about it. The next day Dani stayed very quiet and helped out with housework, unknowingly Matthew left to go to the Foster's. Court was raking up the yard when Matthew arrived. Court stopped and watched Matthew walk over to him.
"I hear you love my daughter." Matthew said looking Court straight in the face.
"Yes sir, very much so sir." Court replied a little nervously, but didn't back down.
"I give you my trust, but if you do one thing to ever hurt her don't be expecting anything near an apology from me and you have my permission to keep seeing my daughter." Matthew said watching Court's face lighten up so much. Court agreed to everything of course and shook Matthew hand. Matthew walked into the house and called for Dani.
"What do you say you go outside and take a break?" Matthew said walking behind Dani as she walked outside. There standing in the yard was Court with a big grin on his face. Dani looked at her daddy excitedly and he nodded, she giggled and gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. She ran down the steps and into Court's arms. He picked her up and twirled her around then placed her back down. Dani's whole family watched her and Court happily as they embraced each other tightly.
"I love you Dani." Court whispered as his head rested on Dani's forehead. Dani smiled even wider and lightly kissed his lips.
"I love you too." Dani replied and rested her head on his shoulder.