Chapter 18. My winter break has started now and I will take that time to post more chapters and to finish my Valentines Day story. Enjoy!

For the past two weeks, Sam and Flora have been growing more close. Every day she would sneak off and see her friend. Well not necessarily sneak off. Her parents did know she was going somewhere, but Flora would just say that she's going for a walk, or if Cash, Bobby and Sandy were with her, she was going to hang out with them. That's not entirely lying. All Flora did was just leave out the part that she was just doing those things with Sam. At least when she was around her father or Manny. And maybe around Sid, Granny and the possums who really couldn't care less if they knew her secret because they would probably just remain neutral to the whole thing. But as for the rest of the herd, all she would do is just tell them, "I'm going with Sam." and their only response would be, "Have fun." or "Be safe" and the occasional, "No funny stuff!" (Shira)

"I can't believe it." said Shira in between sobs while talking about it to Ellie and Peaches. "It seems like only yesterday when I was licking Flora clean."

"Now look at her now. Her first boyfriend." grinned Ellie. The girls knew that Flora and Sam weren't boyfriend and girlfriend, but the two of them were starting to have such a strong, friendly relationship which caused Ellie to dub them as so.

"She's just like me in so many ways." pointed out Peaches.

Of course just because Flora was seeing Sam so much now doesn't mean that she didn't spend some quality time with Diego anymore. Every time she didn't have anything else going on with Sam, she would seize this opportunity to be with her father, just like she was now. During their stroll today, Dieo had struck up a conversation.

"You know Flora, I've noticed recently that you've been going out a lot lately."

Flora gulped. "R-really?" She asked trying to play it cool.

"Yep, almost everyday. I think I know what's going on."

Dad knows! Flora nervously thought. Well since he's about to say it, might as well come clean. When Flora opened up her mouth to admit it, Diego said it.

"You've started hanging out with your brothers and Sandy more often."

Cash, Bobby and Sandy were often around Flora every time she was going out in front of Diego to keep him from getting suspicious and he assumed that was what Flora was doing these past two weeks. Flora mentally sighed in relief and played along. "Yep, that's it."

"Flora, I'm glad that you're spending time with Cash and Bobby. And that you're starting to become friends with Sandy."

"Yep. Just them. Not those other jerks. Just Cash, Bobby and Sandy."

"I know. I feel so bad for not doing anything about it before. You want me to teach those other kids a lesson?"

"No, no, it's fine Dad! I'm over it. Thanks though."

"I'm happy that you're starting to spend more time with others. If you don't want to be around your old man anymore, I understand."

"Are you kidding? I'd never give up a day with you Dad! I really do love hanging out with you."

"Really?"

"Yeah really!"

"I'm glad to hear that." Diego smiled. "I noticed something else about you Flora."

"What?"

"You're not so insecure about yourself anymore, aren't you?" Diego became aware of the fact that Flora no longer dropped any negative comments about herself or anything regarding her birth defect.

"Well somebody out there made me realize that I shouldn't be ashamed of my lack of fangs and that it's a sign that I'm the one and only Flora."

"Atta girl. I see you're looking at it from your Mom and mine's perspective."

"Yep. I know you're right," said Flora. She really was starting to see things from her parents' point of view. She knew who to thank for that.

Done! Sorry it's short, but since I have today and Monday off, I will try my best to make the next chapters longer and post even more. I'll see you guys probably later on after I finish chapter 19.